244 MR. C. HORNE ON PLOCEUS BAYA. [Apr. 8, 
Here is an extract from my journal :—‘ This morning (July 7, 
1865), as I passed our solitary palm tree (Phenix dactylifera) in 
the field, I heard a strange twittering overhead, and looking up saw 
such a pretty sight as I shall never forget. 
“Tn this tree hung some thirty or forty of the elegantly formed 
nests of woven grass of the Baya bird, so well known to all. The 
heavy storms of May and June had torn away many and damaged 
others, so as to render them, as one would think, past repair. Not 
so thought the birds; for a party of about sixty had come to set them 
all in order. 
“These little birds are about the size of a Sparrow, and have 
yellow in their crests, and are darker about the wings, being paler 
below, with shortish tails. The scene in the tree almost baffles 
description. Each bird and his mate thought only of their own nest. 
How they selected it I know not, and I should hke much to have 
seen them arrive. I suppose the sharpest took the best nests, for 
they varied much in condition. Of some of the nests, two-thirds 
remained, whilst others were very nearly all blown away. Some of 
the birds attempted to steal grass from other nests, but generally 
got pecked away. 
**As the wind was blowing freshly, the nests swung about a good 
deal; and it was pretty to see a little bird fly up in a great hurry 
with a long bit of grass in his beak. He would sit outside the nest 
holding on by his claws, with the grass under them. He would 
then put the right end into the nest with his beak, and the female 
inside would pull it through and put it out for him again; and thus 
the plaiting of the nest went on. All this was done amidst tremen- 
dous chattering, and the birds seemed to think it great fun. When 
a piece was used up one would give the other a peck, and he or she 
would fly off for more material, the other sitting quietly till the 
worker returned. Nests in every stage of building afforded every 
position for the bird, who seemed at home in all of them. The joy, 
the life, the activity, and general gaiety of the birds I shall never 
forget. 
«July 11, 1865.—To-day I noticed that nearly all the nests had 
been repaired, and the birds were more scattered, either helping 
themselves to my Jowahor (Sorghum vulgare) in the field or collect- 
ing insects. 
«July 20.—I observed some eight or ten newly built nests on the 
ground under the tree, which I believe to have been deliberately cut 
off from their supports by the thievish Striped Squirrels (Sccurus 
palmarum) for use by them in their nests. Some of these had un- 
broken eggs in them. 
“August 18.—Noticed to-day how the birds obtain their grass. 
The little bird alights at the edge of the high strong Seenta grass 
(Andropogon euripeta’) with its head down, and bites through the 
edge to the exact thickness which it requires. It then goes higher 
up on the same blade of grass, and having considered the length 
needed, bites through it again. It then seizes it firmly at the lowest 
notch and flies away. Of course, the strip of grass tears off and 
