﻿HIVE NESTS. 



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as for additions and repairs. Though my short stay in 

 the country was not sufficient to satisfy me by ocular 

 proof, that they added to their nests as they annually in- 

 creased in their number s, still from the many tress which 

 I have seen borne down by the weight, and others that 

 I have seen with their boughs completely covered over, 

 it would appear that this is really the case. When the 

 tree which is the support of this aerial city is obliged to 

 give way to the increase of weight, it is obvious that they 

 are no longer protected, and are under the necessity of 

 building in other trees. One of these deserted nests I 

 had the curiosity to break down, to inform myself of the 

 internal structure of it ; and found it equally ingenious 

 with that of the external. There are many entrances, 

 each of which forms a regular street, with nests on both 

 sides, at about two inches distance from each other. 

 The grass with which they build is called the Bushman's 

 grass ; and I believe the seed of it to be their principal 

 food, though on examining their nests, I found the wings 

 and legs of different insects. From every appearance, 

 the nest which I dissected had been inhabited, for many 

 years, and some parts were much more complete than 

 others. This, therefore, I conceive to amount nearly to 

 a proof, that the animals added to it at different times, 

 as they found it necessary, from the increase of their 

 family, or rather of the nation or community." But we 

 must here pause ; since our space will not permit us to 

 prosecute this inviting subject farther. 



