FOR NORTHERN INDIA 130 



object of these lumps of clay is to prevent the 

 light loofah-like nest swinging too violently 

 in a gale of wind. 



Both sexes take part in nest-construction. 

 After the formation of the cross-bar at the 

 mouth of the bell one of the birds sits inside 

 and the other outside, and they pass the 

 strands to each other and thus the weaving 

 proceeds rapidly. While working at the nest 

 the bayas, more especially the cocks, are in a 

 most excited state. They sing, scream, flap 

 their wings and snap the bill. Sometimes one 

 cock in his excitement attacks a neighbour 

 by jumping on his back ! This results in a 

 fight in which the birds flutter in the air, 

 pecking at one another. Often the combatants 

 " close " for a few seconds, but neither bird 

 seems to get hurt in these little contests. 



Every bird-lover should make a point of 

 watching a company of weaver-birds while 

 these are constructing their nests. The tree 

 or trees in which they build can easily be 

 located by sending a servant in July to search 

 for them. The favourite sites for nests in 

 the United Provinces seem to be babul trees 

 that grow near borrow pits alongside the 

 railroad. 



