304 



SOCIABLE GROSBEAK. 



over the entrance of the nest below in a very sin* 

 gular manner. The industry of these birds seems 

 almost equal to that of the Bee. Throughout the 

 day they appear to be busily employed in carrying 

 a fine species of grass, which is the principal ma- 

 terial they employ for the purpose of erecting this 

 extraordinary work, as well 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 nest as they annually in- 

 creased in numbers ; still, from the many trees 

 which I have seen borne down by the weight, and 

 others which I have observed 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 neces- 

 sity of rebuilding in other trees. One of these de- 

 serted 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 Boshmans-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 of 

 it were much more complete than others. This, 



