248 IV e avers. 



nests and eggs of those that have nested here may be of interest. 

 The ViDUiNE Weavers are in my opinion the handsomest 

 and at the same time the most free breeders. It is difficult to 

 imagine more beautiful birds than male Crimson-crowned and 

 Orange Bishops. 



'Hie Napoleon Weaver (Pyromclana afra) probably the easi- 

 est to breed of all the weavers, builds a nest in a bush (vide B.N. 

 vol. vi., N.S.). Selecting a fork it connects the two twigs with 

 stout grass, and from this weaves a purse-shaped nest of no 

 great depth; the front is left entirely open and is generally a true 

 circle about two and a half inches in diameter. Four eggs are 

 laid, white with a few brown spots. Dr. Butler, probably quot- 

 ing from Russ, describes them as pale bluish green, which is 

 certainly a mistake, as I have white-spotted eggs in my collec- 

 tion from several hens. 



riie closely allied Taha Weaver (P. taha) builds a simi- 

 lar nest (see B.N. vol. vi., N.S.) l)ut suspends it from growing- 

 reeds — where these are available ; the material used as with the 

 last variety, has been, with me, long grass, and no lining has 

 been added. The eggs are similar to those of P. afra but slight; / 

 larger. 



Another closely allied species is a bird, that for want of 

 knowledge of its true name I call the Spotted-winged Weaver. 

 Tliis bird, when mated with a cock Taha, built a typical nest in a 

 wild convolvulus (see B.N. vol. vii, N.S.) and she has since 

 Ijuilt similar nests in a clump of ivy, and in a box bush. Her 

 eggs, three in number on each occasion, were similar to those 

 of the last two species, but were about one third larger, the bird 

 itself l)eing" considerably larger than either the Taha or Napole- 

 on hens. 



The Orange Weaver's nest is, as a rule, much more flimsy 

 in construction, and more globular in shape. I have seen these 

 nests so loosely woven that the eggs fell through the bottom. 

 These are generally two in number and are a rich glossy blue, 

 looking almost as if they had been varnished. They have not 

 hatched young with me (see B.N. vol. vii, N.S.). 



The Crimson-crowned Weaver (P. flammiccps) has not 

 nested with me, but last year a cock mated with a hen Whydah 

 (see B.N. vol. vii, N.S.). I can't say whether the cock was the 

 architect and builder of this nest, but it is quite possible, as it 

 was much of the same type as the other W'eavers, 



