236 



CONIROSTRES. 



Many other species belonging to this sub-family 

 are equally remarkable for the beauty and unusual 

 structure of their nests. Some are gregarious even 

 during the breeding season, hanging their nests 

 close together on the same tree ; and as each bird, 

 on building a new nest, places it in close juxtaposition 

 with the old ones, an apparently solid mass of nests 

 is at length collected, consisting of numerous apart- 

 ments each tenanted by a pair of birds, but having 

 the external appearance of one single dwelling. 



Of these — 



The Sociable Grosbeak (Ploceus socius), an inhabitant 

 of the interior of Africa, near the Cape of Good Hope, is 

 one of the most remarkable. These birds build their 

 nests in mimosa trees, which grow to a large size, and 



Fig. 97. — nest of the sociable grosbeak. 

 (Ploceus sociios.) 



appear to be peculiarly adapted for the purpose, as the 

 smoothness of their trunks prevents the occupants from 

 being attacked by monkeys and other noxious animals. 



" On one tree," says Mr. Paterson, " there could not 

 be less than from eight hundred to a thousand of these 

 nests, under one general roof I call it a roof because 

 it resembles that of a thatched house, and projects over 



