CLASS 11. AVES: ORDER 2. PASSERES. I57 



ERS, P. Ab7/ssinicus— the Loxia soda of Latham ; PhilctcErus lepidus of Smith— wliich unite in 

 several hundreds and l.uiid a kind of roof or thatch, beneath which they construct their nest. 

 Sometimes a structure of this sort reaches the enormous extent of ten feet square. Each nest is 

 entered from the under side, and is distinct from every otlier. Paterson, who had an opportunity 



KESTS OP SOCIABLE WEAVERS. 



NESTS OF THE GENUS EUPLECTES. 



of examining some of these bird-towns, thus describes the operations of the winged citizens: 

 " riie industry of these birds seems ahnost equal to that of the bee. Throughout the day they 

 appear busily employed in carrying a fine species of gi'ass, which is the principal material they 

 employ for the purpose of erecting this extraordinary work, as well as for additions and repairs- 

 1 hough my short stay in the country was not sufficient to satisfy me by ocular proof that they 

 aaded to their nests as they annually increased in their numbers, still, from the many trees whicli 

 1 nave seen borne down by the weight, and others that I have seen with their boughs completely 

 covered over, it would appear that this is really the case. When the tree that is the support of 

 this aerial city is obliged to give way to the increase of weight, it is obvious that they arc no 

 longer protected, and are under the necessity of building in other trees. One of these deserted 

 nests I had the curiosity to break down, to inform myself of the internal structure of it, and 

 lound it equally ingenious with that of the external. There are many entrances, each of which 

 torms a regular street, with nests on both sides, at about two inches' distance from each other. 

 The grass with which they build is called the Boshman's grass, and I believe the seed of it to be 

 their principal food, though, on examining their nests, I found the wings and legs of different insects. 

 From every appearance, the nest which I dissected had been inhabited for many years, and some 

 parts were much more complete than others. This, therefore, I conceive to amount nearly to a 



