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WAYLAND

2060

WEAVER-BIRD

spots that look like red sealing-wax. There are two species in North America, the cedar-bird and the Bohemian waxwing. The former nests from Virginia to Labrador, and is found in winter from Massachusetts south to Costa Rica. It is about 7.2 inches long, with a plumage grayish brown above and yellowish below. There is a black stripe running across its face, and the head is crested. The secondaries of the wings are sometimes provided with red, wax-like tips. These birds live in flocks and fly in close rank. Their food varies with the season, but consists largely of cedar-berries, soft fruits and insects. The Bohemian wax-wing is a more northern bird, but is found south in winter. It is slightly longer than the cedar-bird, and has a distinct purple cinnamon color on the head. Similar birds are found in Europe.

Way'land, Francis, an American clergyman, was born at New York, March n, 1796. He graduated at Union College, and studied both medicine and theology, becoming pastor of a Baptist church in Boston. In 1826 he was made president of Brown University, Providence, R. I. He was one of the first teachers to make the study of Greek and Latin a matter of choice in a college course. He is well-known as a writer, his works on moral science and intellectual philosophy having been quite generally used as textbooks. He died at Providence, R. I., Sept. 30, 1865.

Wayne (wan), An'thony, American general, was born at Waynesborough, Pa., Jan. i, 1745. He became a surveyor and was selected by Benjamin Franklin to form a settlement in Nova Scotia. When the Revolutionary War began, he raised a regiment of volunteers, and served first in Canada, at the battle of Three Rivers, and in command of Fort Ticonderoga. While with Washington in New Jersey, he commanded the rear-guard at Brandywine, led the attack at Germantown, captured supplies for the army at Valley Forge, and surprised the garrison at Stony Point on the Hudson, one of the most brilliant operations of the war, for which he received a gold medal and the thanks of Congress. In Virginia he saved Lafayette's forces, and assisted in the capture of Cornwallis. He was made major-general and com-mander-in-chief in the war against the Indians in 1792, and was made the commissioner to treat with the Indians and to take possssion of the1 British forts in the northwest. He gained the title of Mad Anthony by his dash and bravery. He died on his western expedition at Presque Isle (now Erie), Pa., Dec. 15, 1796. Consult Life and Services by Moore and Sparks* American Biography.

Weasel (w£VZ), the name of a number of small, carnivorous mammals related to the sable, mink and skunk, the smallest mem-

bers of the marten family. They have a remarkably slender, round body with a long neck, which gives the animal the appearance of having the fore legs set back too far. The legs are very short. The weasel can twist and wind its supple body in a fashion very like a snake, and enter holes where only a snake could follow. The common weasel, found both in the Old and the New World, reaches a length of eight or ten inches; it is light, reddish brown and whitish below, and in northern districts becomes whitish in winter. It feeds on mice, moles and rats, following them into their holes, and even rabbits, grouse, chickens and ducks the bold creature attacks. It also visits birds' nests, is reputed to kill for the pleasure of killing, and is called bloodthirsty and wasteful. It ranges in America east of the Rocky Mountains, and south to the border of the southern states. The stoat or ermine likewise inhabits Europe, Asia and America, ranging east of the Rocky Mountains, from the extreme northern limit of terrestrial animals to the southern states. It is eight to eleven inches long. In summer its color is mahogany brown, with a black tip to the tail. In winter it changes, in northern regions, to a pure white except at the tip of the tail, which remains black. Other examples are the brindled weasel of the western coast, found from California to Ecuador, and the long-tailed weasel of the northwest.

Weav'er=Bird, the common name for a number of sparrow-like birds that show especial skill in weaving their nests. This is so thoroughly fixed a characteristic, that they keep up their weaving habits in cap-

YELLOW-CROWNED WEAVER  AND  NEST

tivity_ when material can be obtained, even weaving fibers  about  their  cages. There