THE FINCHES. 79 
very well be concealed, and the birds do not try to hide 
them. They always build in company, and the nests 
are hung at the tips of branches or palm-fronds, usually 
over water. The Eastern species often builds in veran- 
dahs, so that the birds’ method of working can be watched. 
Both sexes take their share, working together till the 
suspension rope and upper portion of the bulb are 
finished ; then they make a perch or cord across the 
unfinished bulb, which perch will be deepened to form the 
partition wali of the perfect nest. On this perch, which is 
strongly made, the hen then sits, and works on the inside, 
while the cock attends to the exterior. In a colony many 
nests are found which do not get further than this stage 
and as captive males in an aviary seem not to be able 
to complete a nest, it seems probable that such imper- 
fect nests are the result of the efforts of the male portion 
of the colony while their mates are sitting. Sometimes 
they will while away the time by lengthening the 
entrance-spout, for weaving is a pleasure to these birds, 
and they really enjoy the work. The nests vary in 
length of spout and of attachment rope, and usually 
contain some lumps of mud, the use of which has not 
yet been made out, but the most reasonable theory 
seems to be that it serves as ballast. The birds return to 
the same spot year after year, and repair their old 
nests if they find them. Many, however, are taken 
away by the natives, who find them very good stufting 
for mattresses, as they are very springy, being so well 
woven and dried. Weavers are very noisy and quarrel- 
some birds, and make such a noise when a number are 
