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In my aviaries the following' species liave succcssfiiliy 
reared youni;' : 
Talia Weaver { ryyo))icliiiia lalta). 
Napoleon Weaver (/'. ufra). 
Crimson-crowned Weaver (/'. flainmiccf's). 
Red-ljilled Weavers {Onclca qiicica). 
Mr. W. Slior? lUiily lias also bred cp'itc a few species of 
Weavers, and the late Dr. I ,ovell-Keays bred both the 'rah.i 
and Napoleon Weaver, and also successfully crossed the two 
species. With one exception all the above successes occurred 
in roomy, naturally planted, wilderness aviaries, the exception 
being the (Irenadier Weaver (fyromrUnia oryx), when Mr. 
Ouincey de Ouincey bred them in quite a moderate-sized aviary 
containing no living trees or shrubs: but only occasionally dees 
such an episode occur, for as I write 1 cannot call to mind an 
instance of. even the Ixed-billed Weaver (Oitclca quclca). being 
successfully bred other than in a roomy, natural, wilderness 
aviary. 
Very many of the Weavers have been known to aviculture 
from very early days, and many of the African species must be 
classed among the most freely of imi)orted foreign birds. 
Personally I have never made a speciality of weavers, 
though I have kept a good many species one time and another, 
but not always in pairs. I kept the common Red-billed Weaver 
off and on for a good many years before I succeeded in success- 
fully breeding them, since when they have bred with me on 
several occasions. But 1 usually have one or two pairs of 
weavers and other odd males in my general aviary, containing 7^. 
mixed collection of birds of very varied species. 
Weavers attract many aviculturists by their seasonal 
change of plumage. The nuptial or breeding garment (com- 
monly termed being in colour) is a striking and beautiful one, 
with a satiny surface and the hues more or less iridescent. 
When in colour they are highly ornamental and glorify the 
mixed aviary. Moreover they are not retiring birds and are 
mostly in the picture. They are indefatigable nest builders, 
and fill an aviary with their strange, interesting and varied 
structures. While their nests may be said to have a family 
likeness, yet, where several species are kept, there is considerable 
