158 
VEETEBRATA. 
proof that tlie animals added to it at different times, as they found it necessary, from the increase 
of their family, or rather of the nation and com- 
munity." 
Dr. Smith states that the banks of the Orange 
River appear to constitute the southern limit of 
the range of this species, which was only ob- 
tained in great abundance in the districts around 
Latakoo, far from water. " The most striking pe- 
culiarity," he adds, "observed in this species is 
the extraordinary manner in which a number 
of individuals associate, and build their nests 
under a common roof. When a nestling place 
has been selected, and the operation of building 
the nests is to be commenced ah i^iitio, the com- 
munity immediately proceed conjointly to con- 
struct the general covering which interests them 
all; that being accomplished, each pair begin 
to form their own nest, which, like the roof, they 
construct of coarse grass ; these are placed side 
by side against the under surface of the general 
^\^^ 'jf covering, and by the time they are all completed, 
the lower surface of the mass exhibits an appear- 
ance of an even horizontal surface, freely per- 
forated by small circular openings. They never 
use the same nests a second time, though they 
continue for many years attached to the same roof 
"With the return of the breeding season, fresh 
nests are formed upon the lower surface of those 
of the preceding year, which then form an addi- 
tion to the general covering. In this manner 
they proceed year after year, adding to the mass, 
till at last the weight often becomes such as to 
cause the destruction of its support ; upon which 
a new building is selected. They appear to pre- 
fer constructing these nests upon large and lofty 
trees, but where such do not occur, they will oven 
condescend to form them upon the leaves of 
the arborescent aloe, as occasionally happens to- 
ward the Orange River. The commencement of 
the roof is firmly interwoven with the branches 
of the trees to Avhich it is intended to be sus- 
pended; and often a great part of a principal 
branch is actually included within its substance. 
These birds are of a reddish-brown, and of the 
size of a bull-finch. Each female lays from three 
to four eggs, which are of a bluish-white color, 
and freely mottled toward the large Bnd with 
small brown dots. When once this species has 
attained maturity, it never afterward exhibits any 
change in respect to colors. The male has no 
summer tints which he throws aside in winter, as 
is the case in Eu2:)lectes. Seeds, and occasionally 
small insects, constitute the food." 
The P.flaviceps, inhabiting the southeast coast of Africa, forms kidney-shaped nests, attached to 
NESTS OF THE BENGAL WEAYEE-BIED. 
