260 BIRDS' NESTS 



curly vine tendrils, lined with finer light -coloured 

 fibres from the palm trees. 



We now arrive at the most typical of these pen- 

 dulous nests, those to be considered first being made 

 by various species of Weaver-birds (Ploceidae). The 

 nests of some of these birds have already been 

 described — globular or domed structures, but non- 

 pendulous — the nests of the hanging type are even 

 still more remarkable. These nests, although made 

 on a very uniform plan, present not a little diversity 

 in shape and general appearance. A very typical 

 example of these pendulous nests is made by the 

 Indian Weaver-bird {Ploceiis hay a). After having 

 selected a suitable branch (usually of a tar tree) the 

 bird begins to weave from it a rope or string of 

 tendrils and fibres, from the end of which is ulti- 

 mately formed the globular nest chamber, lined with 

 grass, which is succeeded by an open woven tube, 

 several inches in length, serving for the entrance. 

 A most extraordinary nest of this species has been 

 recorded by Mr W. Jesse {Ibis, 1897, p. 558). This 

 nest, better described as a collection of nests, is made 

 up of no fewer than seven distinct nest chambers, one 

 placed below the other. These nests appear to have 

 been added to the structure year by year, as the 

 lowest was composed of new grass, the material of 

 the others getting older and older, the top one 

 apparently being so timeworn that it was a wonder 

 it had not given way under the unusual strain. 



