i84 



FINCHES. 



The Baya of India, which, if not identical with, is very nearly allied to the 

 Philippine species, is better known, and from the observations of European 

 residents in India we obtain more accurate information of its proceedings. 

 The nest of this species is usually suspended from the tips of the leaves of the 

 fan-palm, where it hangs perfectly secure from all plunderers, or sometimes 

 from the leaves of the babul, a species of mimosa, whose formidable thorns 

 serve to keep all intruders at a distance. It is composed of dried grass, closely 

 interwoven, and resembles a gradually enlarging purse of thirteen or fourteen 

 inches in length, and about seven inches in diameter at the lowest part, where 

 the true nest is situated. This consists only of a single chamber, the opening 

 of which is at one side, access to it being obtained by means of a cylindrical 

 passage hanging down from the bottom of the nest. The male has a separate 

 but less perfect nest of his own, and in this Mr. Layard always found two 

 masses of clay attached to each side of the perch occupied by the bird. The 

 Cingalese asserted that these were for the reception of the fire-flies, which 

 they believe the male bird takes into his abode on the approach of night; but 

 Mr. Layard was unable to verify this supposition. 



Fig. 97.— Ne.st of the Sociable Grosbeak {P/oceus socins). 



Many other species belonging to this sub-family are equally 

 remarkable for the beauty and unusual structure of their nests. 

 Soirie are gregarious even during the breeding season, hanging 

 their nests close together on the same tree ; and as each bird, on 

 building a new nest, places it in close juxtaposition with the old 

 ones, an apparently solid mass of nests is at length collected, 

 consisting of numerous apartments, each tenanted by a pair of 

 birds, but having the external appearance of one single dwelling. 



Of these — 



The Sociable Grosbeak {Ploceus sodus), an inhabitant of the interior 

 of Africa, near the Cape of (iood Hope, is one of the most remarkable. These 



