FOR NORTHERN INDIA 128 



in quantity in nature. The bayas have, 

 therefore, to manufacture it. This is easily 

 done. The building weaver-bird betakes itself 

 to a clump of elephant-grass, and, perching 

 on one of the blades, makes a notch in another 

 near the base. Then, grasping with its beak 

 the edge of this blade above the notch, the 

 baya flies away and thus strips off a narrow 

 strand. Sometimes the strand adheres to the 

 main part of the blade at the tip so firmly 

 that the force of the flying baya is not suffi- 

 cient to sever it. The bird then swings for a 

 few seconds in mid-air, suspended by the strip 

 of leaf. Not in the least daunted the baya 

 makes a fresh effort and flies off, still gripping 

 the strand firmly. At the third, if not at the 

 second attempt, the thin strip is completely 

 severed. Having secured its prize the weaver- 

 bird proceeds to tear off one or two more 

 strands and then flies with these in its bill to 

 the nesting site, uttering cries of delight. The 

 fibres obtained in this manner are bound 

 round the branch from which the nest will 

 hang. More strands are added to form a 

 stalk ; when this has attained a length of several 

 inches it is gradually expanded in the form of 

 an umbrella or bell. The next step is to weave 

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