176 TALKS ABOUT BIRDS 



aviaries, so that it is possible to watch them 

 at the task of making their wonderful woven 

 nests without going to their native countries. 

 These nests are generally on much the same 

 plan ; they are begun from the top, and built 

 downwards, sometimes being suspended by a 

 long stalk. Then a strong loop is made across 

 the bottom, on one side of which the cup is 

 made which holds the eggs, while the hole at 

 the other is either left as it is, or has its edges 

 built down so as to form a long spout, up 

 which the bird shoots when it goes into the 

 nest. As the top is entirely covered in, this 

 opening underneath is the only way of getting 

 into the inside ; and as such nests are built at 

 the ends of slender twigs and palm-leaves, 

 there are very few enemies that can manage 

 to invade the weaver's little home. Besides, 

 a number of the birds build together, and 

 although they are quarrelsome and very much 

 inclined to steal each other's materials, no 

 doubt they find that union is strength when 

 an enemy attacks the colony. At any rate, 

 the nests are always easy to see, although in 

 the tropics most small birds hide their homes 

 very carefully ; the nests of the common 



