Slfi NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Remarkable industry. 



wide-spreading branches, well calculated to admit 

 and support the extensive mansion they have to 

 erect upon it. The lallness and smoothness of 

 its trunk is also a perfect defence against the ser- 

 pent and monkey tribes. The mode in which 

 die nests are fabricated is highly curious. In 

 one tree, described by Mr. Paterson, there could 

 not be fewer than from eight hundred to a thou- 

 sand under one general roof. This gentleman 

 calls it a roof, because he says it resembles that 

 of a thatched house ; and projects over the en- 

 trance of the nest below, in a very singular 

 mariner. 



" The industry of these birds," says this tra- 

 veller in his Journeys among the Hottentots, 

 f< seems almost equal to that of the bee. Through- 

 out the day they appear to be busily employed in 

 carrying a fine species of grass ; which is the 

 principal material they employ for the purpose 

 of erecting this extraordinary work, as well as 

 for additions and repairs. Though my short 

 stay in the country was not sufficient to satisfy 

 me by ocular proof, that they added to their nest 

 as they annually increased in numbers ; still, 

 from the many trees which I have seen borne 

 down by", the weight, and others which I have 

 observed witii their boughs completely covered 

 over, it would appear that this is really the case. 



When the tree, which is the support of this 

 aerial city, is obliged to give way to the increase 

 pf weight, it is obvious that they are no longer 



