1 84 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



on grain, hence they are easy birds to keep in captivity. 

 Given a commodious aviary and plenty of grass, cap- 

 tive bayas amuse themselves by weaving their wonder- 

 ful nests. They are, however, not very desirable as 

 pets if they have to share a cage with other birds, for, 

 as Colonel Cunningham remarks, "every weaver bird 

 appears to be possessed by an innate desire to hammer 

 in the head of his neighbour." To this the neighbour 

 is apt to take exception, so that unpleasantness ensues. 



Natives frequently train bayas to do all manner of 

 tricks. 



The man with performing birds is quite an institution 

 in India. Parrots, bayas, and pigeons are most fre- 

 quently trained. 



A very effective trick, which is performed alike by 

 parrots and weaver birds, is the loading and firing of a 

 miniature cannon. First the bird places some grains of 

 powder in the muzzle of the cannon, then it rams these 

 home with a ramrod. It next takes a lighted match 

 from its master, which it applies to the touch-hole. The 

 result is a report loud enough to scare every crow in 

 the neighbourhood, but the little baya will remain 

 perched on the gun, having apparently thoroughly 

 enjoyed the performance. 



The nest of the baya is one of the most wonderful 

 things in nature. Description is unnecessary. Every 

 one who has been in India has seen dozens of the 

 hanging flask-shaped structures, while those who know 

 not the Gorgeous East must be acquainted with the 

 nest from pictures. 



On account of its champagne-bottle shaped nest, the 



