Some Nests of Birds, Insects and Animals

Originally serialized in the mid nineteenth century, Mary Titcomb explores the nesting habits and architectural expertise of a number of birds, insects and animals. She pays particular attention to the pensile (hanging) nests of various species and to the burrowing habits of a number of animals. This is richly illustrated. "The Sociable Weaver bird, a native of Southern Africa, constructs a habitation in no wise inferior to those already mentioned. This wonderful specimen of bird architecture attracts the attention of the most unobservant traveler, being often large enough to shelter several persons. Though originally commenced by a single pair, it attains its enormous dimensions by the united labors of a community of birds, The first task of this Weaver Bird is to procure a quantity of a peculiar species of grass, which has a large, tough, and wiry blade. This grass they carry to some suitable tree, usually an acacia, the wood of which is hard and tough, and the branches consequently able to bear the great weight of the nests. Then, by means of weaving and plaiting the grass, they form a roof of some little size. Under this roof are placed a quantity of nests, increasing in number with each successive brood. They are set closely together, so that at last they look like a mass of grass pierced with numerous holes, and it is really wonderful that the birds should be able to find their way to their own particular homes."