mmm
r//c Red-Billed IVcavcr.
aud Layarcl are about all tliat I have come across:—Mr. Ayres speaking of it
m tlie Transvaal says that it is " tolerably common in Potcliefstroom and the
neighbourhood in summer, associating freely with the flights of Pyromelana oryx,
which swarms here. It feeds with them on the open grassy plains and cornfields,
principally on small grass seeds which they pick up from the ground."
Mr. Andersson says that it "is a vei-y common species in Damara Land, where
it congregates in immense flocks after the breeding season, and is also common
in the Lake regions."
In captivity this bird is an indefatigable nest-builder, continuing to form
•one spherical nest after another as long as material is freely supplied ; but, if
this is withdrawn, it will set to work with equal zeal to pick the nests to pieces
again. When building it always commences in the same v/ay fonning either an
oblique or perpendicular hoop of plaited hay or fibre, between two or more
branches, or in the fork of a branch ; from this hoop it works, starting from the
bottom and gradually filling in the back, finishing ofi' with the front, in the
centre of which it leaves a round hole to enter by. I have never known any
lining to be added. Even when made of fine hay this nest is so strongly
woven, that it is difficult to tear it apart, yet I have seen one of my Baya
Weavers gradually pick one to pieces in little over a day, without spending
more than half his time over the piece of mischief
If disturbed when building, the Red-beaked Weaver raises both wings
perpendicularly and moves them gently up and down much after the manner of
a large butterfly when perched on a flower; and, if the intruder persists in its
interference, the architect tums upon it, fiercely chattering; and does its
utmost to drive it away; if successful, it returns quietly to work; still, however,
warning off all visitors with its wings.
Dr. Russ says that he obtained two pairs of this species; one, a very
•old pair, he confined in a large cage, and the birds at once set to work at
their weaving, and plaited building material thickly over one side of the wirework.
The younger pair he turned into his Bird-room. "The male of the
younger pair very early practised its skill as a weaver. It did not • choose
flexible, .slender tmgs, but a strong fork of the branch. Here it plaited a
gn-dle-like wreath, standing almost upright, of long drj- grass-stems, together
with cotton and bast-threads, and this it extended in such a way that it
formed a globular cell with a proportionately small round entrance-hole. At
first the female sat near at hand apparently quite unconcernedly. Both of
them as a rule were very shy and rather than trust themselves down below.
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