144 



NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Nest-building in confinement. 



cage, it was observed that they entwined some 

 of the stalks of the pimpernel, with which they 

 were fed, in the wires. As this seemed to show 

 a disposition for forming a nest, some rush stalks 

 were put into the cage: on which they presently 

 made a nest large enough to hide one of them ; 

 but it was as often deranged as made, the work 

 of one day being spoiled the next. This evinced 

 that the fabrication of the nest in a state of na- 

 ture, was the work of both male and female, and 

 that the female is not able to finish this impor- 

 tant work by herself. 



A bird of this species having by accident ob- 

 tained a thread of sewing-silk, wove it among 

 the wires of its cage; and on being supplied with 

 more, it interlaced the whole very confusedly, so 

 as to prevent most part of that side of the cage 

 from being seen through. Green and yellow 

 were the chief colours it seemed to prefer. 



