ERS, P. Abyssinicus-the Loxia socia of Latham; Philetarus lepidus of Smith-which unite in several hundreds and build a kind of roof or thatch, beneath which they construct their nest. Sometimes a structure of this sort reaches the enormous extent of ten feet square. Each nest is entered from the under side, and is distinct from every other. Paterson, who had an opportunity

of examining some of these bird-towns, thus describes the operations of the winged citizens: "The industry of these birds seems almost equal to that of the bee. Throughout the day they appear busily employed in carrying a fine species of grass, which is the principal material they employ for the purpose of erecting this extraordinary work, as well as for additions and repairs. Though my short stay in the country was not sufficient to satisfy me by ocular proof that they added to their nests as they annually increased in their numbers, still, from the many trees which I have seen borne down by the weight, and others that I have seen with their boughs completely covered over, it would appear that this is really the case. When the tree that is the support of this aerial city is obliged to give way to the increase of weight, it is obvious that they are no longer protected, and are under the necessity of building in other trees. One of these deserted nests I had the curiosity to break down, to inform myself of the internal structure of it, and found it equally ingenious with that of the external. There are many entrances, each of which forms a regular street, with nests on both sides, at about two inches' distance from each other. The grass with which they build is called the Boshman's grass, and I believe the seed of it to be their principal food, though, on examining their nests, I found the wings and legs of different insects. From every appearance, the nest which I dissected had been inhabited for many years, and some parts were much more complete than others. This, therefore, I conceive to amount nearly to a

proof that the animals added to it at different times, as they found it necessary, from the increase of their family, or rather of the nation and community."

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 obtained in great abundance in the districts around Latakoo, far from water. "The most striking peculiarity," 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 ab initio, the community immediately proceed conjointly to construct 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 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 addition 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 prefer constructing these nests upon large and lofty trees, but where such do not occur, they will even condescend to form them upon the leaves of the arborescent aloe, as occasionally happens toward the Orange River. The commencement of the roof is firmly interwoven with the branches of the trees to which it is intended to be suspended; 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 end 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 Euplectes. Seeds, and occasionally small insects, constitute the food."

The P. flaviceps, inhabiting the southeast coast of Africa, forms kidney-shaped nests, attached to

the branches of trees over the water; these are so closely woven as completely to exclude the weather; the P. Capensis builds similar nests, sometimes five or six being suspended from a single branch. There are still other African species, noted for the peculiar forms of their nests and the ingenuity displayed in erecting them.

The Textor erythrorhynchus is a South African species, of the size of a sparrow, which chiefly subsists on parasitic insects which it picks out of the backs of buffaloes. It is said also to give notice to the wild buffaloes of the approach of danger by suddenly flying up in the air. The Buphaga Africana and B. erythrorhyncha feed in a similar manner from the back of the rhinoceros.

The BENGAL WEAVER-BIRD, Loria Bengalensis, is five inches long, brown above and yellowish-white beneath, and builds its nest in the shape of a purse, suspending it over the water to the outer branch of a tree, the entrance being from below. The next year the bird builds a new nest, suspending it from the bottom of this, and the next year another, and so on, so that five or six nests are sometimes seen strung together.

These birds have the bill very large, broad, and thick, and the mandibles nearly equal; they generally inhabit the woods of mountainous countries, and are shy and wild in their nature. They feed on seeds and fruits, and are fond of the kernels of stone-fruit, which their powerful bills enable them to break with facility.

Genus COCCOTHRAUSTES: Coccothraustes.-This comprises the COMMON GROSBEAK of Europe, or HAW-FINCH, C. vulgaris-Pinson Gros-Bec of the French. This bird is seven inches long; is of different shades of brown and gray, variegated with black and white; its eggs are olive-green, five to six in number. It feeds on pollen-stalks, laurel-berries, &c.; found in most parts of Europe; permanent in Italy.

The GREEN FINCH or GREEN GROSBEAK-Gros-Bec Verdier of the French-C. chloris, is six inches long; upper parts of an olive-yellow; pale yellow beneath; frequents gardens, orchards, small woods, and cultivated lands; has a harsh, monotonous cry, makes its nest on low bushes or hedges, lays from four to six white eggs, and is common throughout Europe. It feeds on seeds, and sometimes on insects.

Under the genus Loxia Bechstein includes the following: the PARADISE GROSBEAK. L. ery

throcephala, six inches long; found in Angola: the DOMINICAN GROSBEAK, L. Dominicana, size

of the English lark; found in Brazil: the GRENADIER GROSBEAK, L. orix, size of a sparrow; found at the Cape of Good Hope: the CAPE GROSBEAK, L. Capensis, six inches long; found at the Cape: the CAFFRARIAN GROSBEAK, L. Caffra, size of a bull-finch, with a tail twice as long as the body; found in Caffraria: AZURE-BLUE GROSBEAK, L. cyanea, size of the preceding; found in Angola: YELLOW-BELLIED GROSBEAK, L. flaviventris, five inches long; found at the Cape: the GOWRY GROSBEAK, L. punctularia, four and a quarter inches long; found in Java: the BANDED GROSBEAK, L. fasciata, size of the preceding; found in Africa: the BROWNCHEEKED GROSBEAK, L. canora, four inches long; found in Mexico: the MALACCA GROSBEAK, L. Malacca, four and a half inches long: the BLACKCLOUDED GROSBEAK, L. nubilosa, size of a housesparrow; found in Africa: the RED-BILLED GROSBEAK, L. sanguinirostris, found in Africa.

The CARDINAL GROSBEAK, C. cardinalis-Pitylus cardinalis of De Kay-is an American bird, noted for its beautiful song, and sometimes called the Virginia Nightingale. Its length is eight inches; the whole upper parts dusky red, except the sides of the neck and head, which, with the

whole lower parts, are a clear vermillion. The chin, front, and lores are black, the head being

ornamented with a high, pointed crest. It passes under the various names of Redbird, Crested Redbird, and Mexican Tanager. It is frequently kept in cages; is a permanent resident from Maryland to Mexico, and occasionally seen as far north as Massachusetts. The C. vespertina, yellow above, white beneath, is eight inches long, and found in Texas and the Western States. The TEXAN CARDINAL-BIRD-Cardinalis sinuatus of Cassin-is a new and beautiful species.

Genus COCCOBORUS: Coccoborus.This includes the BLUE GROSBEAK, C. caruleus, six and a half inches long; blue above, yellowish-brown beneath; a shy and beautiful bird; found from Texas to New York.

The ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, C. Ludovicianus, is seven and a half inches long; black and rose-color; found as above.

The C.melanocephalus, is eight and a half inches long, head black, body orange-yellow; found in the Rocky Mountains and Texas.

Genus GEOSPIZA: Geospiza.-These birds belong to the Gallipago Islands, and are remarkable for the manner of seeking their food upon the ground. They dig up roots and seeds from the depth of six inches in the

THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK.

soil; in the dry season they eat a portion of a species of cactus. Two or three other similar genera are found in these islands-all resembling the grosbeaks.

Genus PIPILO: Pipilo.-This includes the CHEWINK, or GROUND-ROBIN, or GROUND-FINCH, P. erythrophthalma-the Towhee Bunting of Pennant-seven and a half inches long; above black; wings with one or two white bars; breast white; abdomen pale red; sides reddishbrown. It is a common, humble, and unsuspicious bird, living in thickets along the borders of woods, where it may often be seen scratching up the withered leaves for worms and their larvæ, as well as seeds and gravel, frequently crying at the same time taw-wee, taw-wee, taw-weet. It flies with a jerking motion, and a frequent flirt of the tail. It conceals its nest on the ground, lays four or five eggs, and is a general inhabitant of Canada and the United States, migrating to the north in the spring and retiring in the autumn.

The CANON-FINCH, P. fusca, is nine inches long; olive-brown above; middle of the abdomen white; other lower parts cinereous; makes its nest in the thick branches of a cedar or dwarf oak; haunts shady gorges in mountainous districts; spends much of its time on the ground; its note a simple chirp; found in California and New Mexico. The P. arctica builds its nest on the ground; found in Utah. The P. Aberti is found in the same region.

THE TANAGRINE OR TANAGERS.

This is a very extensive sub-family of splendidly colored birds, peculiar to America, and mostly confined to the southern portion of it. Of about two hundred and twenty species, one hundred and ninetythree belong to South America, the remainder to México and Central America; three or four are wellknown summer visitors to the United States. They have a curved bill, slightly arched at the tip; their wings and flight are short; they usually collect in troops; feed on insects and fruits; and build their nests on the branches of trees. Most of them have a pleasing song, and some are remarkable for their vocal powers.

Genus EUPHONIA: Euphonia. This comprises the ORGANIST TANAGER, E. musica, four

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