THE SOCIABLE GROSBEAK. 71 
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Nests of the Sociable Grosbeak (Lozia socia). 
of republicans ; and, as soon as IJ arrived at my camp, 
I despatched a few men, with a wagon, to bring it to 
me, that I might open the hive, and examine its 
structure in its minutest parts. When it arrived, I 
cut it to pieces witha hatchet, and saw that the chief 
portion of the structure consisted of a mass of Bosh- 
man’s grass, without any mixture, but so compact 
and firmly basketed together as to be impenetrable 
totherain. Thisis the commencement of the struc- 
ture; and each bird builds its particular nest under this 
canopy. But the nests are formed only beneath the 
eaves of the canopy, the upper surface remaining 
void, without, however, being useless; as it has 
a projecting rim and is a little inclined, it serves to 
let the rain-water run off, and preserves each little 
dwelling from the rain. Figure to yourself a huge 
