339 



FLOCKING. 



PLOCEIN^E. 



390 



Philetarus lepidus, Smith. This is the Loxia socia of Latham ', 

 Ploceut socius of Cuvier ; and uj>lectes lepidus of Swainson. 



Sociable Weaver-Bird (fhUetanu Itpidiu). 



>'cKts of Sociable Weaver. Binl. 



Dr. Smith states that the banks of the Orange River appear to con- 

 stitute the southern limit of the range of this species, which waft only 

 obtained in great abundance in the districts round Latakoo far from 



water. " The most striking peculiarity," adds Dr. Smith, " observed 

 in this species is the extraordinary manner in which a number of 

 individuals associate, and build their nests under a common roof. 

 When a nestling place has been selected, and the operation of build- 

 ing the nests is to be commenced ab initio, the community immedi- 

 ately proceed conjointly to construct the general covering which 

 interests them all ; that being accomplished, each pair begins to form 

 their own nest, which, like the roof, they construct of coarse grass ; 

 these are placed side by side against the under surface of the general 

 covering, and by the time they are all completed, the lower surface of 

 the mass exhibits an appearance of an even horizontal surface, freely 

 perforated by small circular openings. They never use the same nests 

 a second time, though they continue for many years attached to the 

 same roof. With the return of the breeding season, fresh nests are 

 formed upon the lower surface of those of the preceding year, which 

 then form an addition to the general covering. In this manner they 

 proceed year after year, adding to the mass, till at last the weight 

 often becomes such as to cause the destruction of its support : upon 

 which a new building is selected. They appear to prefer constructing 

 these nests upon large and lofty trees, but where such do not occur, 

 they will even condescend to form them upon the leaves of the 

 Arborescent Aloe (A loe arlorescew), as occasionally happens towards 

 the Orange River. The commencement of the roof is firmly inter- 

 woven with the branches of the trees to which it is intended to be 

 suspended ; and often a great part of a principal branch is actually 

 included within its substance. Each female lays from three to four 

 eggs, which are of a bluish-white colour, and freely mottled towards the 

 large end with small brown dots. When once this species has attained 

 maturity, it never afterwards exhibits any change in respect to colours. 

 The male has no summer tints which he throws aside in winter, as is 

 the case in Euplecles. Seeds, and occasionally small insects, constitute 

 the food." 



Euplectes taha. Dr. Smith states that this species does not appear 

 to extend south of 26, at least he discovered no individuals before ho 

 reached that latitude. They are very destructive to gardens. 



Euplccte* taha. 

 II|i[cr flguir, male ; lower figure, female. (Smith.) 



