Note 24 — Chapter IV

Frank Oates collected, during his wanderings, a considerable variety of birds’ eggs and nests, some of the latter very remarkable in their construction. Two of these are represented in the accompanying woodcut, the first of which—probably that of an Ægithalus or Penduline Titmouse—is of the consistency and texture of fine blanket, and nearly white in colour. It appears to be made from white cotton, or some similar vegetable substance. The second is ingeniously composed of the finer portions of reeds, in the manner of close basket-work, and is found in great numbers along the banks of rivers, and in marshy places, affixed to the rushes.