Weavers. 
215 
Weavers. 
Bv Wksi.kv T. Pack, I-.Z.S., M.H.O.U. 
Weavers are a very numerous and showy group of birds, 
and with the exception of a few si)ecies are confined to tlie 
Continent of Africa, where they suspend their interesting nests 
(mostly over water) from tlie branches of trees growing on the 
banks of African rivers. While this is the general rule, it is 
not an invariable habit for them to be so placed, for trees covered 
with their quaint and clever structures are found (|uite away 
Fholn hi/ tlie late Lieut. !)iiir.sOii-iiiii/th. 
Weavers' Nests in situ — Jului River. 
from water, but the photos, illustrating these notes, taken bv 
the late Lieut. V. Dawson-Smith, all represent nests liangiiig 
over water — the two showing nests in my aviary are not so 
placed, as at present bathing and drinking water is still supplied 
in earthen vessels. 
When I wrote my book Aviaries and Aviary Life very few 
species of weavers had been bred in English aviaries, but since 
their progress has been very rapid and now quite a number of 
species have been succssfully bred. 
