THE FINCHES. 79 



very well be concealed, and the birds do not try to hide 

 them. They always build in company, and the nests 

 are hung at the tips of branches or palm-fronds, usually 

 over water. The Eastern species often builds in veran- 

 dahs, so that the birds' method of working can be watched. 

 Both sexes take their share, working together till the 

 suspension rope and upper portion of the bulb are 

 finished ; then they make a perch or cord across the, 

 unfinished bulb, which perch will be deepened to form the 

 partition wall of the perfect nest. On this perch, which is 

 strongly made, the hen then sits, and works on the inside, 

 while the cock attends to the exterior. In a colony many 

 nests are found which do not get further than this stage 

 and as captive males in an aviary seem not to be able 

 to complete a nest, it seems probable that such imper- 

 fect nests are the result of the efforts of the male portion 

 of the colony while their mates are sitting. Sometimes 

 they will while away the time by lengthening the 

 entrance-spout, for weaving is a pleasure to these birds, 

 and they really enjoy the work. The nests vary in 

 length of spout and of attachment rope, and usually 

 contain some lumps of mud, the use of which has not 

 yet been made out, but the most reasonable theory 

 seems to be that it serves as ballast. The birds return to 

 the same spot year after year, and repair their old 

 nests if they find them. Many, however, are taken 

 away by the natives, who find them very good stuffing 

 for mattresses, as they are very springy, being so well 

 woven and dried. Weavers are very noisy and quarrel- 

 some birds, and make such a noise when a number are 



