* 3 + 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
1779. 
December. 
Vi ' 
Their induftry feems almoJPc equal to that of the bee; 
throughout the day they appear to be buhly employed in car¬ 
rying a fine fpecies of grafs, which is the principal material 
they employ for the purpofe of erecting this extraordinary 
work, as well as for additions and repairs. Though my Ihort 
flay in the country was not fufficient to fatisfy me by ocular 
proof, that they added to their neft as they annually increafed 
in numbers, hill from the many trees which I have feen born 
down with the weight, and others which I have oblerved with 
their boughs completely covered over, it w^ould appear that 
this really was the cafe; when the tree, which is the fupport of 
this aeriel city, is obliged to give way to the increafe of weight, 
it is obvious that they are no longer protected, and are under 
the neceffity of rebuilding in other trees. 
One of thefe deferted nefls I had the curiofity to break 
down, fo as to inform myfelf of the internal ftrudlure of it, and 
found it equally ingenious with that of the external. There 
are many entrances, each of which forms a regular flreet, with 
nefts on both hdes, at about two inches diflance from each 
other. 
The grafs with which they build is called, the Bofliman’s 
grafs ; and I believe the feed of it to be their principal food ; 
though on examining their nefls I found the wings and legs of 
different infe£ts. From every appearance the neft, which I 
differed, had been inhabited for many years; and fome parts 
of it were much more complete than others: this, therefore, I 
