156 SOCIA-BLE GROSBEAK. 



properly trained, they readily imitate the song of other 

 birds. In the beginning of winter they collect in flocks, 

 and are easily caught. Their nest is usually formed of 

 hay, straws, and grass, on the outside ; and lined with 

 feathers, hair, and wool. The eggs are five or six in 

 number, of a light green colour, with small reddish spots, 

 particularly at the thicker end. 



The general colour of the plumage is yellowish-green. 

 The outer quill-feathers of the wings are edged with yel- 

 low. The exterior webs of the four outmost feathers, on 

 both sides of the tail, are yellow. The tail is forked, the 

 bill brownish, and the legs flesh-coloured. 



Sociable Grosbeak. The nests of these birds are very 

 remarkable. They are formed sometimes to the number 

 of eight hundred or a thousand in one tree, and so 

 arranged together as to give the general appearance of a 

 thatched roof. " The industry of the Sociable Gros- 

 beaks," says Mr. Paterson, the African traveller, " seems 

 almost equal to that of the bee. Throughout the day 

 they appear to be busily employed in carrying a fine 

 species of grass, which is the principal material they 

 employ for erecting this extraordinary work, as well as 

 for additions and repairs." They evidently add to their 

 mass of nests every year, as their numbers increase, 

 until some of the trees positively bend under the weight, 

 and the boughs of others are completely covered over. 

 Mr. Paterson had the curiosity to break down one of 

 the deserted collections of nests, for the purpose of ex- 

 amining its structure. " There were," he says, " many 

 entrances, each of which formed a kind of regular street, 

 with nests on each side, at the distance of about two 

 inches from each other." These birds feed on seeds and 

 insects. 



