The Weaver Family. 107 



for sleeping purposes, and differ considerably in shape 

 from the nests proper built by the females for the 

 reception of their eggs and young. The materials 

 used in both cases consist of tough grass stems, so 

 firmly interwoven that they cannot be pulled asunder 

 without difficulty. 



Many of these birds have bred in confinement, and 

 the males are always ready to show off their skill at 

 toy-nest building ; and these cleverly- woven bowers, 

 which the architects themselves make no use of, are 

 very serviceable as sleeping boxes for the Waxbills 

 and other tiny people of that sort. 



THE NAPOLEON WEATOR, Ploceus melanogaster 

 (Russ), is a curious -looking bird whose colours of 

 brown, black, and yellow are disposed in the following 

 manner : the top of the head, upper part of the neck, 

 breast and sides, are bright yellow ; the wings and 

 tail are brown, each feather in the former having a 

 darker edging; the throat, front of the face, lower 

 part of the back of the neck, and the belly, velvety- 

 black ; the beak is white, and the strong legs and 

 feet flesh-colour. 



The female is brown ; and when out of colour the 

 male can only be distinguished from her by his some- 

 what larger size. 



All the Weavers are hardy birds, change their plumage 

 twice a year, and are fed on canary-seed and millet. 

 They are very active, and should have plenty of room 

 they do very well in an out-door aviary during the 

 summer, but suffer from cold and damp, and should 

 always be taken in during the inclement season. 



At the London Zoological Gardens the Napoleon 



