The GOLDEN WEAVER BIRD (_Ploceus galbula_), the type of a numerous group,
is an inhabitant of Eastern Soudan. This bird and its congeners are all
slenderly formed, and of moderate dimensions, possessing a slightly
curved and shallow beak, the base of which appears to join the forehead
at an acute angle; the feet are strong, the wings moderately long,
reaching past the tail-covers; the tail is of medium length, and abruptly
rounded; the third, fourth, and fifth quill-feathers are the longest, the
first being rudimentary. The adult male is a most beautiful creature, the
top and sides of its head, and all the lower portion of its body, being
of a bright lemon colour. The region of the eyes, and the parts around
the lower mandible are bright red; the back and wing-covers a brilliant
green, with darker shafts to the feathers; the quills and tail are
reddish brown, bordered with yellowish green; the iris is reddish brown,
the beak black, and the feet yellow. In the female the forehead is of a
greenish yellow; the back of the head, nape of neck, and mantle bright
green; the shafts of the feathers are of a deeper shade; the throat is a
dirty white, the upper mandible deep brown, the lower one somewhat paler.
The young male resembles the mother, but is distinguished by the dusky
yellow upon its throat.
[Illustration: NEST OF MAHALI WEAVER BIRD.]
[Illustration: NEST OF SOCIAL WEAVER BIRD (_Philetaërus socius_).]
The Golden Weaver Bird is common in Abyssinia and the surrounding
countries, where it may be often seen flying about in company with
its congener the Green Weaver Bird, but never joining with it in the
construction of a settlement. In their habits these birds are closely
allied to other Finches, and are lively, active, and extremely social. At
such times as the work of building the nests or rearing their young is
not going on, they generally congregate in large flocks, and perch on
the very summits of the trees, pouring forth their song for the delight
of the female part of the community, until they are inclined to go in
search of food. About noon all is hushed, for at this time the cunning
Weavers are going down to drink, an operation requiring the greatest
circumspection and care, as their enemies the Falcons are peeping at
them over the trees, and ready to pounce upon them at a moment's notice.
They now assemble in the bushes near the water side, frequently to the
number of some thousands, where they scream and chatter much after the
manner of our Sparrows. Suddenly, with one swoop, the little creatures
reach the desired stream, take a hasty draught, and are back again to the
thickets before their much dreaded foes have time to recover from their
surprise and follow in pursuit. This proceeding is repeated some ten or
a dozen times during the hour that is devoted to quenching their thirst,
before they again commence their search for food. When the labours of the
afternoon are over, all again return to the favourite tree, to sing their
songs, and sleep away the night. In Soudan the moulting season commences
about July or August, and after that is over the flock are employed in
making long excursions until the period of incubation returns. Most
species breed twice in the year. The following description of the Golden
Weaver Bird's nest was written some years ago upon the spot, where we
were fortunate enough to have opportunities of observing the manner of
its construction:--The operation is commenced by placing long blades of
grass at equal distances from each other, and fastening them together
with so much exactness that a kind of framework is prepared, in which
the form of the edifice is plainly discernible. The next step is to make
the walls, by weaving in long straws; great care being taken to lay them
in a downward direction, and thus render the roof water-tight. At this
stage the beautiful fabric presents the appearance of a cone, placed
upon the half of a ball. An entrance to its interior is next obtained
by constructing a long tubular passage, extending downwards from a
hole at the side, quite to the bottom of the nest, to the exterior of
which it is firmly attached. The interior is lined with soft stems of
grasses, and very frequently the birds may be seen employed upon this
wonderful structure, even after the eggs have been laid; these latter,
from three to five in number, are at first white, then red, and only
gradually acquire their green colour. From Heuglin we learn that the
male undertakes the principal labour of constructing his own abode, and
that he may frequently be found building it, as though in anticipation,
at times when he has no especial need of a nest. As far as we could
ascertain, the care of brooding devolves entirely upon the female; she
is, however, assiduously tended by her mate, who likewise shares her
toils when the time comes for feeding the nestlings. This latter duty
is performed so diligently that scarcely a minute elapses between the
arrivals of the parents bringing supplies to satisfy the gaping young;
they hang upon the lower part of the nest, thrusting in their heads and
placing the morsel into the outstretched beaks of their hungry progeny.
At such times, when the nests are numerous and placed closely together, a
settlement of Weaver Birds can be compared to nothing but a bee-hive, as
the inhabitants perpetually fly backwards and forwards in one unceasing
bustle and confusion. These birds are occasionally, but very rarely,
brought to Europe.
[Illustration: _Plate 7, Cassell's Book of Birds_