PARASITIC WEAVERBIRDS 



159 



Miscellaneous Data 



Flocking in nonbreeding season: A number of observers in 

 various parts of Africa noted the tendency of paradise \\'idow birds 

 to form larger flocks in the "off" season than have been reported for 

 the species of Vidua. Thus, Hoesch and Nicthammer (1940, pp. 

 363-365) \\Tote that in the southern part of Damaraland, great 

 swarms of these birds in winter plumage were seen. Over 100 were 

 seen in one group at Ombujomatemba on January 11. As the breed- 

 ing season approached and the males advanced in their prenuptial 

 molt, these Hocks quickly shrank in size to about 4 males and 20 

 "females" on January 20, and 1 male and 2 "females" by March 3. 

 The first male in complete breeding plumage was seen on February 7. 

 At the end of the breeding season, the first large flocks of birds in post- 

 nuptial molt were seen on June 29. Most of the paracUse A\idow 

 birds met vvith in July, August, and September on the Erongo Plateau 

 were in mixed flocks with great numbers of red-billed weavers (Quelea 

 quelea) feeding near water. In many cases finch larks (Eremopteryx 

 verticalis) were also present in these flocks. 



Longevity: Many years ago Bennett (1835, p. 307) noted that 

 paradise widow birds had been said to live 12 to 15 years in captivity. 

 Since then additional observations have been published, in which 

 Mitchell (1911, p. 476) gave a maximum longevity in aviary condi- 

 tions of 16 years, 7 months; A. G. Butler (1910b, p. 186) noted a female, 

 living for 14 years; and Prinsloo (1944, p. 146) recorded a male that 

 was kept in a cage for 9 years. Prinsloo's and Butler's bu'ds were 

 apparently adult when obtained, and so it seems justifiable to add at 

 least a year to the age accredited to each. The experience of many 

 aviculturists seems to be that males generally live 3 or 4 years in con- 

 finement. About the male that lived for 9 years, Prinsloo noted that 

 the prenuptial molt seemed to be a very severe strain on the bird, so 



