JF£A VER-BIRDS. 



183 



rice, and seeds, and do considerable damage in gardens during 

 the summer. 



Several species build curious hanging nests, composed of the 

 stalks of grasses, very neatly and closely interwoven, and hav( 

 thus earned for themselves the name of Weaver-Birds. 



F'G 96, 



(Plocais Philippi7ius). 



The Philippine Weaver-Bird {Ploceus Philipphi7/s) is described as 

 suspending its nest by a cord of considerable length from the branch of a tree, 

 so as to be inaccessible to snakes and monkeys. This elegant structure is 

 said to contain a chamber for the male, and another for the female, the former 

 being situated close to the opening at the bottom of the nest, through which 

 the birds obtain access to their snug apartments. Here the male stations 

 himself, and the natives believe that he attaches to the walls of his chamber 

 a patch of soft clay, to which he fastens a fire-fly to serve as a nighl-light. 



