314 
BIRD-LIFE. 
We must now once more return to the Weaver-birds 
for the nest of one species, the Sociable Grosbeak 
(Philetcerus socius), differs essentially from those of the 
other members of that family. Earlier travellers have 
related much that is fabulous of this bird; and it is 
from Sir A. Smith that we received the first reliable 
information on the subject. According to that gentleman 
they do not separate at breeding-time, as do other 
members of this otherwise sociable family, but one and 
all begin to build their nests together. They first proceed 
to construct a huge convex roof, in proportion to their 
numbers; this roof has for apex the top or large branch 
of a tree, and is composed of coarse grass, sufficiently 
thickly and strongly woven together to be impervious 
to storm and rain. Under this pent-house each pair 
suspends its especial abode, which is made of similar 
materials, though of finer quality, and is provided with a 
circular entrance at the bottom. Each pair builds close to 
its neighbour; and the whole colony so fill up the space 
under the roof with their nests that the entire under¬ 
surface is horizontally level, and looks as though 
perforated with numberless holes. Fresh nests are 
annually appended to the old structure, until the weight 
of the whole becomes too great, and the entire mass 
falling to the ground breaks up the colony. 
In spite of these numerous known varieties of nests, 
that of the Penduline Titmouse of Eastern Europe 
bears off the palm for beauty of construction. This nest 
is woven, plaited, and felted, in such a wonderful manner 
as to render it almost impossible to say where each 
special kind of work begins or leaves off, or, indeed, how 
it is possible for the little artist to produce such a 
marvellous work at all. To all appearance the builder 
