CLASS II. AVES: OEDER 2. PASSERES. 167 
Efis, P. Ahyssinicus — the Loxia soda of Latham ; Philetaerus lepidus of Smith — which unite in 
several hundreds and build a kind of roof or thatch, beneath which they construct their nest. 
Sometimes a structure of this sort reaches the enormous extent of ten feet square. Each nest is 
entered from the under side, and is distinct from every other. Paterson, who had an opportunity 
NESTS OF SOCIABLE WEATEBS. NESTS OF THE GENUS EUPLECTES. 
of examining some of these bird-towns, thus describes the operations of the winged citizens: 
"The industry of these birds seems ahnost equal to that of the bee. Throughout the day they 
appear busily employed in carrying a fine species of grass, which is the principal material 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 nests as they annually increased in their numbers, still, from the many trees 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 that is the support of 
this aerial city is obliged to give way to the increase of Aveight, 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 Boshman'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 j^ears, and vsome 
parts were much more complete than others. This, therefore, I conceive to' amount nearly to a 
