i88 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



return did not appear to notice that anything was 

 amiss. 



Not the least interesting feature of the nest is the 

 clay which is studded about it in lumps. In one nest 

 Jerdon found no fewer than six of these lumps, weigh- 

 ing in all three ounces. The clay has, I think, three 

 uses : it helps to balance the nest, it prevents it being 

 blown about by every gust of wind, and keeps it steady 

 while the bird is entering it. 



A story is abroad, and is repeated in nearly every 

 popular book on ornithology, to the effect that the 

 weaver bird sticks fireflies on these lumps of clay, and 

 thus illuminates the nursery, or renders it terrifying to 

 predacious creatures. Jerdon scoffs at this firefly story, 

 and I, too, am unable to accept it. Nevertheless it is so 

 universally believed by the natives of India that there 

 must be some foundation for it. 



Some time ago a correspondent living on the West 

 Coast of India informed me that weaver birds are very 

 abundant in that part of the country, that their nests 

 are everywhere to be seen, and that he had noticed 

 fireflies stuck into many of them. He asked if I could 

 explain their presence. I suggested in reply that he 

 had made a mistake and requested him to look care- 

 fully next nesting season, that is to say in August, and, 

 if he came upon a single nest on to which a firefly was 

 stuck, to take it down, fireflies and all, and send it to 

 me at my expense. Since then August has come and 

 gone thrice, and I have heard nothing from my corres- 

 pondent ! Thus it is that I am still among those that 

 disbelieve the firefly story. 



