THE SOCIABLE GROSBEAK. 



71 



Nests of the Sociable Grosbeak (Loxia soda). 



of republicans ; and, as soon as I 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 with a 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 

 to the rain. This is 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 



