Weavers. 247 



moulted out and improved somewhat in appearance. The head, 

 back, sides, and tail are dark brown, almost black; underparts, 

 and breast creamy-white; it has a curious band of light brown, 

 which runs from the side of the neck and breast round to the 

 thighs on both sides ; otherwise it is not a striking bird in any 

 way. The beak is black and much smaller than a Magpie Man- 

 nikin's, and it is much smaller in body also. This pair nested 

 again, but, although 1 think they had young I have not seen any 

 result, which is hardly to be wondered at considering the cold 

 wet and stormy weather we have had. 



<^ 



Weavers. 



By W. Shore Baily. 



Among the most interesting of our aviary birds are the 

 Weavers and Whydahs. Either group has a great deal to 

 recommend it, and to those aviculturists, whose aviaries are 

 large enough to give these birds a chance of breeding, I know 

 oi none so desirable. The long flowing tails of the male Why- 

 dahs and their curious courtships would probably attract some 

 ol our members, whilst the brilliant plumage and vivaceous 

 ways of the cock Weavers would perhaps equally appeal to 

 others. I hardly know which is my favourite group. I have 

 succeeded to some extent in breeding some species of both 

 groups, but have also had numerous failures. These failures 

 have probably added to my interest in them. One never prop- 

 erly values what is easy to come by, and no one can say that it 

 is always an easy matter to breed any of the Weavers and Why- 

 dahs. Many nests may be built, eggs may be laid and young 

 ones hatched, but to get them reared to maturity is a very differ- 

 ent matter. In ten years, from a dozen or more varieties of 

 Weavers, I have, 1 believe, fully reared eight young ones only. 

 Nearly all of the species kept have nested, nine different species 

 have laid eggs, seven have hatched young, and four have 

 brought their young ones to maturity. Their willingness to 

 attempt to breed is. I think, to the aviculturist, one of their 

 chief charms, as even after repeated failures with them, one 

 continues to hope for success. The following description of the 



