illustrations from: Erjavec F.:Ptice; Celovec 1893
I love old books , It amuses me to read archaic Slovene language, old illustrations are magical. I’ve picked these illustrations from an old Slovene book about nature, where , among others, author stands fascinated about the artistry of little birds from Africa, able to make spectacular ”condominium” nests . There can live up to 3 hundred families in neighbour nest cells. First picture above shows the early phases of such a nest and the second picture shows it finished ( woven with grasses and tiny sticks). It is the biggest structure birds can build. A sort of bird’s megapolis.
It is interesting that these birds are not endangered today, for they are able to find so many artificial building materials around human settlements, that they have excellent conditions for their nests and therefore for many new families. And these are two good stories that made me write today’s post: I am happy to find an old Slovene book about nature in excellent condition, with great illustrations , and I am happy to learn that not only book, but also these birds made it into modern times……
My Botanical Garden 
14 replies on “Sociable weaver”
Wow! Thank you!
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You are welcome, I was pretty sure that would be interesting, from many points of view.Like community education projects or intergenerational learning-it is all ( to a certain degree) there, up in a tree .
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[…] My Garden Simply Made Kitchen and Krafts The Earth Mama My Botanical Garden Arthur in the […]
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I’ve just nominated you for the Liebster Award.
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THANK YOU!!!
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It is remarkable that both have survived. Love the illustrations.
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I agree. Illustrations are really nice, I might post some more ?
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That would be lovely.
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lovely illustrations of the birds and the giant mushroom like tree
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thank you! By the way-that mushroom like tree is actually tree with a really huge nest!
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I’ve seen these birds. As you say, they nest near to humans now, in parks and gardens. I think the humans generally tolerate them or enjoy their company, so they prosper.
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I’d like to see such a huge nest! These birds have developed some degree of social behaviour and some sense for the community they live in-which is fascinating, for then it becomes clear that certain behavioural patterns had developed early…..
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I’ve seen these birds in action on one of David Attenborough’s nature programmes; they really are wonderful little birds; and I just love the illustrations you have posted up – thanks!
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Thank you!
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