“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man path not where to lay His head.” Luke 9:58.
An unusual bird found in Africa and a few other places in Europe is called the Cape Penduline tit. It is about the size of a sparrow, but has a much longer tail. It is not a colorful bird, having just a few scarlet and yellow feathers by which it can be identified.
They are cute little acrobats and enjoy hanging upside down on swinging leaves and swaying branches when hunting insects, seeds and berries. They like to hunt together in groups of ten to twenty, constantly calling back and forth with low and pretty whistles.
The outstanding thing about the Cape Penduline tit is its long nest, a bag-like waterproof container suspended from a branch. The male bird usually starts to build the nest, weaving hoops of grass and fibers to form its basic shape. Soon his mate joins him and quite often others come to help; they seem to realize it is too big a project for two little birds to do alone. After the framework is completed, the bottom, walls and top are finished. Finally soft, fluffy materials, together with thousands of feathers, are woven in to make a soft, comfortable lining.
It is the entrance to this nest that is the most interesting. Two thirds of the way up, a large opening is made on one side, looking like the entrance, but it actually goes into an empty chamber walled off all by itself. However, this serves a real purpose.
When the parent bird returns from hunting food, it flies directly into this empty part, settles to the bottom, then cautiously pokes its head out to make sure no enemy is around. Satisfied that it is safe it reaches up with its beak, tugs gently on a concealed section and, lo and behold, another opening appears into which it enters. This is the true entrance, and the bird travels through it down to the nest area, the trapdoor closing by itself after it enters. A clever use of cobwebs and silk from the caterpillar nests makes a flexible hinge on this doorway, keeping it shut when not in use. Leaving the nest, the bird goes through the same routine, hopping into the big opening before flying off, so that any enemy seeing it there will think that is the place to enter during the owner’s absence.
When the little birds grow up they, too, will make identical nests with never having had a lesson to help them! How have they learned this? The answer is that the Lord God provided these abilities and instincts when He created them, and these are passed on from one generation to another. No lessons are necessary!
God watches over them at all times, as we read: “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest [visible] in His sight.” Hebrews 4:13. Yes, he is looking upon you, as well, and knows everything you do and think. How important it is to make the prayer of David your prayer also: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14.
ML-09/02/1984