134 



SUBKINGDOM VEKTEBRATA. 



PlocZus sodus^ Sociable Weaver-bird. 



struct in a tree a huge, 

 sloping roof, impervious to 

 rain. Beneath this, side by 

 side, each female makes her 

 nest, three or four inches in 

 diameter, weaving it to the 

 roof When completed, the 

 lower surface of the umbrel- 

 la-like structure appears per- 

 forated by small openings, 

 like the cells of a bee-hive, 



all the birds living together in perfect harmony. 

 ParadiseidEe. — The pig. 206. 



Paradise-birds are na- 

 tives of New Gruinea and 



the adjacent islands. The 



apoda * (footless) is the 



most beautiful. The 



brilliant plumed tufts 



beneath its wings and 



the bright emerald green 



of its head and neck are 



particularly striking. 

 Menuridse. — The 



Lyre-Mrds of Australia 



are noticeable for the 



shape of the tail and 



their habit of making 



small round hillocks, on 



which the male is con- 

 tinually trampling 



while gracefully erecting and spreading 



its plumes. 



* The bird was eo named from tlie absurd belief pre- 

 vailing, when it was first introduced to the civilized world, 

 that it had no feet, the cunning natives being accustomed 

 to cut them off", and to assert that the bird hung to the trees 

 by its plumes, and that it passed the breeding-season in 

 Paradise, fed on dew. 



