■118 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



branch, and by means of weaving and plaiting it, they form a 

 roof of some little size. Under this roof are placed a quantity 

 of nests, increasing in number with each successive brood. The 

 nests are set closely together, so that at last they look like a 

 mass of grass pierced with numerous holes, and it is really 

 wonderful that the birds should be able to find their way to 

 their own particular homes. To human eyes, the nests are as 

 much alike as the houses in a modern street, before the blinds, 

 the flowers, and other additions have communicated an indi- 

 viduality to each dwelling ; but, notwithstanding this similarity, 

 the inmates glide in and out without any hesitation. 



Although the same nest-mass is occupied for several succes- 

 sive seasons, the birds refuse to build in the same nests a second 

 time, preferring to make a fresh domicile for each new brood. 

 In consequence of this custom, when the birds have entirely 

 filled the roofs with their nests, they do not desert it, but enlarge 

 the roof, and build a second row of nests, just like the combs of 

 a wasp's or hornet's habitation. 



Layer after layer is thus added, until the mass becomes of so 

 enormous a size that travellers have mistaken these nests for the 

 houses of human beings, and been grievously disappointed when 

 they came near enough to detect their real character. There is a 

 story of a Hottentot and a lion, which will give an idea of the 

 dimensions of these nests. A Hottentof, who was engaged in 

 some task, was suddenly surprised by a lion, and instinctively 

 made for the nearest tree, which happened to be a kanieel-dorn. 

 Up the tree he sprang, and finding one of the branches occupied 

 by the nest of the Sociable Weaver Bird, he took refuge behind 

 the grassy mass, and was thus concealed from the pursuer. 



The lion, in the meantime, arrived at the foot of the tree, but 

 could not see his intended prey. The unlucky Hottentot, how- 

 ever, peeped over the nest in order to see whether the coast was 

 clear, and was spied by the lion, who made a dash at the tree. 

 The man shrank back behind the nest, but his imprudent move- 

 ment brought its own punishment. 



Knowing that the ascent of the tree was impossible, and at 

 the same time unwiUirg to leave its prey, the lion sat down at 

 the foot of the tree, and kept watch upon the man. Hour after 

 hour the lion mounted guard over its prisoner, until thirst over- 

 powered hunger, and the animal was forced reluctantly to quit 



