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Show 244 MIt.C. HORNE ON PLOCEUS BAYA. [Apr. 8, Here is an extract from my journal:-" This morning (July 7, 1865), as I passed our solitary palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera) in the field, I heard a strange twittering overhead, and looking up saw such a pretty sight as I shall never forget. " In this tree hung some thirty or forty of the elegantly formed nests of woven grass of the Baya bird, so well known to all. The heavy storms of May and June had torn away many and damaged others, so as to render them, as one would think, past repair. Not so thought the birds ; for a party of about sixty had come to set them all in order. " These little birds are about the size of a Sparrow, and have yellow in their crests, and are darker about the wings, being paler below, with shortish tails. The scene in the tree almost baffles description. Each bird and his mate thought only of their own nest. How they selected it I know not, and I should like much to have seen them arrive. I suppose the sharpest took the best nests, for they varied much in condition. Of some of the nests, two-thirds remained, whilst others were very nearly all blown away. Some of the birds attempted to steal grass from other nests, but generally got pecked away. "A\S the wind was blowing freshly, the nests swung about a good deal; and it was pretty to see a little bird fly up in a great hurry with a long bit of grass in his beak. He would sit outside the nest holding on by his claws, with the grass under them. He would then put the right end into the nest with his beak, and the female inside would pull it through and put it out for him again ; and thus the plaiting of the nest went on. All this was done amidst tremendous chattering, and the birds seemed to think it great fun. When a piece was used up one would give the other a peck, and he or she would fly off for more material, the other sitting quietly till the worker returned. Nests in every stage of building afforded every position for the bird, who seemed at home in all of them. The joy, the life, the activity, and general gaiety of the birds I shall never forget. "July 11, 1865.-To-day I noticed that nearly all the nests had been repaired, and the birds were more scattered, either helping themselves to m y Jowahor (Sorghum vu/gare) in the field or collecting insects. "July 20.-I observed some eight or ten newly built nests on the ground under the tree, which I believe to have been deliberately cut off from their supports by the thievish Striped Squirrels (Sciurus palmarum) for use by them in their nests. Some of these had unbroken eggs in them. "August 18.-Noticed to-day how the birds obtain their grass. The little bird alights at the edge of the high strong Seenta grass (Andropogon euripetal) with its head down, and bites through the edge to the exact thickness which it requires. It then goes higher up on the same blade of grass, and having considered the length needed, bites through it again. It then seizes it firmly at the lowest notch and flies away. Of course, the strip of grass tears off and |
