[06 WEAVERS. 



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Africa, India, and parts of the Asiatic islands. 

 Their weaving instincts are exhibited upon every 

 possible occasion : they will gather every piece of 

 thread, blade of grass, or whatever of that nature 

 may come in their way, and weave it into the wires 

 of their cage after the most fantastic fashion. One 

 could pass the entire day watching the workings of 

 these ingenious and industrious little fellows. If their 

 friends do not provide for their weaving wants, they 

 will resort to the most extraordinary means whereby 

 they can supply themselves. They will try to steal 

 the trimmings of ladies' dresses, and will be continu- 

 ally pilfering grass and straw from other cages, 

 which they will weave into the most fantastic forms. 

 The author once owned a pair, which he kept in a cage 

 with larger birds. These little fellows would weave 

 the legs of the larger birds so tightly together that 

 their bond s required cutting. There is a species of the 

 weaver which is called by some the grenadier gros- 

 beak. This bird should be termed the bishop bird, 

 and, when in full plumage, is certainly very 

 beautiful. It will live with other birds, and is 

 apt to become very sociable with its companions, 

 who will be caught in the meshes of its weaving if 

 not upon their guard. So far as possible in a 

 volume of this size, the description of finches will 

 be found to be complete and reliable. These birds 

 are all suitable for the aviary ; but the following 

 birds can be placed with them by those who de- 

 sire to make a more extended collection : canary, 

 goldfinch, linnet, bulfinch, chaffinch, greenfinch, 



