218 BIRDS' NESTS 



holes, in which the Weaver-birds lay their eggs and 

 rear their young. These republican nests are per- 

 manent dwelling-places, used year after year for the 

 same purpose, and added to or repaired as circum- 

 stances demand. Some of the Oxbirds (Textor) make 

 very similar structures, but as these birds do not 

 appear ever to live in such large communities, their 

 nests are much smaller, made of sticks and grass, 

 amongst which in holes the ordinary grass nest of 

 each pair is placed. The permanency of their occupa- 

 tion, however, is the same as the preceding. The 

 domed or globular grass or reed formed nests of 

 certain Weavers in the genera Euplectes and Ploceus 

 might be mentioned as further examples of the least- 

 or non-pendulous types. Some of these are generally 

 attached to one or more reed stems hanging over 

 water, whilst certain species of Foudia build their 

 pear-shaped or oval and roofed grass and fibre-woven 

 nests amongst the slender drooping twigs of tamarind 

 trees or mimosas. We had occasion briefly to allude 

 to the open nests of the Tanagers (Tanagridse). 

 Exceptionally, however, a domed or roofed type is 

 found, as, for instance, that of the Central American 

 Arremon aurantiirostris. The nest of this species is 

 described by Mr Richmond as being very bulky and 

 slightly raised from the ground. It is made on a 

 base of dead leaves, plant stems and similar dry 

 materials being the chief ones employed, whilst the 

 whole structure is roofed over and covered with 



