THE SOCIABLE WEAVER BIRD. 255 



keys, which are capable of sad depredations whenever they can 

 find an opportunity. Monkeys are extremely fond of eggs, and 

 there is scarcely a better bribe to a monkey, ape, or baboon, 

 than a fresh raw ^gg. The bird which laid it is almost as great 

 a dainty, and a monkey seems to be in the height of enjoyment 

 if a newly-killed bird be put into its paws. It always begins 

 by eating the brain, and then tears the carcase to pieces with 

 great deliberation. A mouse is quite as much appreciated as a 

 bird, provided that it has been recently killed, and that the 

 blood has not congealed. 



However, the structure of the nest forms an insurmountable 

 barrier to the snake, and the monkey can only reach a few of 

 the cells which are near the edge. The worst enemies are 

 certain little parrakeets, which are delighted to be able to 

 procure nests without the trouble of building them, and which 

 are apt to take possession of the cells and oust the rightful 



