452 THE MAHALI WEAVER BIRD, 



grass," and by hanging tlie long stems over the branches and iugonionsly interweaving 

 them, they make a kind of roof, or thatch, which is destined to shelter the habitations of 

 the communit}^ 



In the under sides of this thatch they fasten a niimljer of separate nests, each being 

 inhabited by a single pair of birdo, and only divided by its walls from the neighbouring 

 habitation. All these nests are placed with then- mouths downward, so that when the 

 entire edifice is completed, it reminds the observer very strongly of a common wasp's 

 nest This curious resemblance is often further strengthened by the manner in which these 

 birds will build one row of nests immediately above or below another, so tliat the nest- 

 groups are aiTanged in layers precisely similar to those of the wasp or hornet. The 

 number of habitations thus placed under a single roof is often very great. Le Vaillant 

 mentions that in one nest which he examined, there were three hundred and twenty 

 inhabited cells, each of which was in the possession of a distinct pair of birds, and would 

 at the close of the breeding season have quadrupled their numbers. 



The Sociable Weaver Bird will not use the same nest in the following season, but 

 builds a new house, which it fastens to the under side of its previous domicile. As, more- 

 over, the numbers of the nests are always greatly increased year by year, the Weaver 

 Birds are forced to enlarge their thatched covering to a proportionate extent, and in course 

 of years they heap so enormous a Cjuantity of grass upon the branches that it fairly gives 

 way with the weight, and they are forced to build another habitation. So large is this 

 thatch-like covering, that Harris was once deluded by the distant view of one of these 

 large nests with the belief that he was approaching a thatched house, aird was only 

 undeceived to his very great disappointment on a closer approach. 



The object of this remarkable social quality in the bird is very obscure. As in many 

 instances the nests of the Weaver Birds are evidently constructed for the purpose of 

 guarding them from the attacks of snakes and monkeys, the two most terrible foes against 

 which they have to contend, it is not improbable that the Sociable Weaver Birds may find 

 in mutual association a safeguard against their adversaries, who might not choose to face 

 the united attacks of so many bold though diminutive antagonists. The shape and 

 general aspect of the nest varies greatly with their age, those of recent construction 

 being comparatively narrow ip diameter, while the older nests are often spread iu 

 umbrella fasliion over the branches, enveloping them in their substance, and are some- 

 times only to be recognised as a heap of ruins from which the inhabitants have long fled. 



In general the Sociable Weaver Bird prefers to build its nest on the branches of some 

 strong and lofty tree, like the giraffe tliorn above mentioned, which also has the advantage 

 of massive and heavy foliage, disposed in masses not unlike the general shape of the 

 Weaver Bird's nest. Sometimes, however, and especially near the banks of the Orange 

 Eiver, the bird is obliged to pirt up with a more lowly seat, and contents itself with the 

 arborescent aloe. The number of eggs in each nest is usually from three to five, and their 

 colour is bluish white, dotted towards the larger end with small brown spots. The food of 

 this bird seems to consist mostly of insects, as when the nests are pulled to pieces, wings, 

 legs, and other hard portions of various insects are often found in the interior of the cells. 

 It is said that the Sociable Weaver Birds have but one enemy to fear in the persons of the 

 small parrots who also delight in assembling together iu society, and will sometimes make 

 forcible entries into the Weaver Bird's nest and disperse the rightful inhabitants. 



The colour of the Sociable Weaver Bird is brown, taking a pale butf tint on the under 

 surface of the body, and mottled on the back with the same hue. It is quite a small bird, 

 measuring only five inches in length. 



The Mahali Weavek Bird is also an inhabitant of Africa, and has a rather large 

 range of country, being found spread over the land as far south as the tropic of Capricorn, 

 and probably to a still farther extent. 



The nest of this bird is cjuite as remarkable as that of the preceding species. In 

 general shape and size it somewhat resembles the reed-covered bottles which are often 

 to be seen in the windows of wine importers, being shaped .somewhat like a flask, or 

 perhaps more like a coumiou skittle, and being composed of a number of very thick grass 



