
NESTS AND EGGS. 
length, projecting from the spherical nest exactly like the tube 
of a chemist’s retort. ‘The whole fabric is most mgeniously 
and elegantly woven of several species of very tough grass; 
and the wonderful foresight displayed is calculated to excite 
the highest admiration. Twenty or more of these beautiful 
nests have been observed hanging from a single tree. 
Another species, the baya, or bottle-nosed sparrow, is re- 
markable for its pendent nest, uncommon sagacity, and bril- 
liant plumage—the head and breast being of a bright yellow, 
giving it a splendid appearance in the rays of a tropical sun. 
They associate in large numbers, and cover extensive clumps of 
palmyras, acacias, and date-trees, with their nests. These are 
formed by long grass, woven together in the shape of a bottle, 
and suspended by one end to the extremity of a flexible 
branch, the more effectually to secure the eggs and young from 
serpents, monkeys, squirrels, and birds of prey. The nest 
contains several apartments, appropriated to different pur- 
poses; in one the hen performs the office of meubation ; 
another, consisting of a little thatched roof, and covering 
a porch without a bottom, is occupied by the male. 
The real nest is concealed from exposure by a covering of 
hay, to secure itself and young ones from their deadly enemy, 
the squirrel, as likewise from injury by the weather, which it 
escapes by making the nest like a steeple hive, with winding 
passages, and before which hangs a penthouse for the rain to 
pass down. It is suspended by so slender a thread that the 
squirrel dares not venture on it. Hundreds of these pendulous 
nests, it is said, may sometimes be seen on the same tree. 
“The industry of these birds,” says Paterson, ‘“ seems 
almost equal to that of the bee. Throughout the day they 
seem to be busily employed in carrying a small species of 
grass, which is the principal material they use for their 
ordinary work as well as for addition and repairs. Though 
my short stay in the country was not sufficient to satisfy me, 
by ocular proof, that they added to their nests as they 
annually increased in numbers, still, from the many trees 
that I have seen borne down by the weight, and with their 
boughs completely covered, it would appear that this is really 
the case. One of these deserted nests I had the curiosity to 
break down. There are many entrances, each of which forms 
a regular street, with nests on each side, about two inches 
apart. The grass with which they build is called Bushman’s 
grass, and J believe the seed of it to be their principal food, 
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