Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-07-27
Our aluuug folks.
How Birds Outwit Monkeys and
snakes.

oMdhNS.
Among the many interesting creatures to
be seen on the banks of the nlFers in South
Africa, none afforded me g1hater amuse-
ment than the birds and the monkeys.
There was always kind of war going on
between the two, while skill and cunning
were employed on both sides. The birds
which abounded most on the banks were
the yellow orioles, whose nests are built in
the shape of retort with the neck down.
wards. These nests are fastened TO the
ends of the most plant branches that over
hang the water, and no small amount of
judgment is required on the part of the bird
in order TO select a judicious position for
its habitation.
Driven from our waffle and daub but by
the intense heat of the sun, and the dryness
of the scorching wind, we retreat to the
river bank, where we seek the shade
fine yellow-wood tree Ia species of yew),
and, having refreshed ourselves with dip
in the ripping stream, we lazily lounge on
the bank and watch the proceedings Of the
busy little weavers that fly around us.
There, amid the stout branches, are about
a dozen little yellow birds, somewhat of the
size and shape of house-sparrow they
are all twittering at once, and seem to be
quarreling about matter Of deep impor-
lance. In 4 very few minutes, however,
the dispute appears to be settled, and the
party disperse, leaving two birds only on
the branch, and they appear to have estab-
lished their right to that particular limb Of
the tree. Not moment is lost BY these
two busy little creatures, which commence
twisting together, in a sort of braid, two or
three of the small twigs at the end of the
branch on which they were disputing.
This having been completed, the two birds
! fiy away. evidently In search of something /;
in minute they return, and great Is the
wltterlng ana screaming when srespassel
/ driven away, however, and half a dozen
pieces OF long grass are carefully woven
round the braided twigs by the two birds,
which appear to help one another. \ sec
ond departure and return cause the fabric
on the end of the branch to be more APP
parent and after about three hours the
upper portion OF the retort-like nest iscom-
pleted, and another days labor will render
the habitation fit for the residence of the
happy pair. Not one or two nests are sus-
pended from tree situated in a favorable
position, but have often counted thirty
or forty of these strange looking nests, some
of which are attached to others previously
completed, probably TO those of brothers or
sisters.
Now for the reason of this form and DO
sition Of the nest. The country which these
birds inhabit is freque5ted by great num-
bers OF monkeys aud snakes Both these
creatures are very fond of eggs, and both
are able TO ascend trees-the MONKEYS par
ticularly being regular residents in them.
If, then, the birds in such district were to
build their nests in similar mannerso birds
IN England, not a single egg would escape
young uDhedged bird could remain in Its
nest when snake felt hungry. The plan
adopted blythe birds, en-, is first, to con-
struct nest in such manner that it can
only be entered from below, and by crea-
ture possessing wings, and of small size ;
secondly, to place it in such position that
any extra weight on the branch to which
the nest is attached will cause nest and
branch to bend into the water. Now it NAV
seem very dangerous position for the birds
to select, viz, so uear the water that any
weight above their own will cause them to
be submerged, but they seem by instinct to
know the likes and dislikes Of monkeys
and TO be aware that, although n monkey
can and does sometimes swim, vet he has
usually a very wholesome antipathy to the
water, and consequently, when be finds
that the branch along which he is scamper-
ing is gradually lowering him fnt6 me
water, he gives up his predatory ideas
aud returns to a more stable position A
; snake also, although much less heavy than
monkey, cannot crawl along the very
slender twigs, nor could it elongate itself
conveniently so as to crawl up the neck of
the nest; but, if it could do so, its position
, would be one of extreme danger, as the
; birds could then attack it and peck it with
| perfect impunity to themselves. all the
energies of the snake being employed in
holding on to its unstable position.
On many occasions | have been wit.
ness to an attempt on the part of MONKEYS
to obtain possession of the eggs in one of
these nests, and have been much amused
at the articles adopted by each party
} Concealed, In great measure, BY the stem
OF tree, or at such distance as 10 cause
no alarm to either birds or MONKEYS
SSOh OuS Vt Two MONKEYS come 4
Looping towards the river, where thew wonId
bend down and take a good drink, looking
painfully human in all their ways as tbev
did so; then, observing the nest and the
birds, they would sit for a few minutes ~
though contemplating the possibility of a
robbery With quaint, jocose sort Of
movement, they would ascend the tree
and approach that nest which appeared +
the least well-selected position. Climh;na
along the branch, they would soon find
that they could not reach within seve~aI
feet Of the nest, and yet they were within
less than that of the water 1t would he
evidently unsafe to approach nearer. and
yet the eggs must have been very temnt.
lug; but, after several fierce shakes IA
been gwen 10 the branch, the MONKEYS
usually retreated baffled.
All these proceedings on the part of the
monkeys were not taken quietly by the