168 BIRDS OF DAM All A LAND. 



Damara Land proper it is of somewhat rare occurrence. 

 It congregates in large flocks ; and when breeding, many 

 pairs incubate their eggs under the same roof, which is 

 composed by these birds of whole cartloads of grass 

 piled on a branch of some kamel-thorn tree in one 

 enormous mass of an irregular umbrella-shape, looking 

 like a miniature haystack, and almost solid, but with the 

 under surface, which is nearly flat, honeycombed all 

 over with little cavities, which serve not only as places 

 for incubation but also as a refuge against rain and 

 wind. The eggs of this species are three or four in 

 number, of a drab colour, closely speckled \^dth minute 

 spots of purple grey; the eggs, however, vary in the 

 intensity of their ground-colour, and also in the degree 

 to which they are spotted, as well as in their shape, 

 which is in some cases very round, and in others more 

 elongated. 



The irides are dark brown, the bill pale livid horn- 

 colour, the legs and toes light brownish horn-colour. 



Measurements of a male : — 



in. lin. 



Entire length 5 2 



Length of folded wing 2 9 



„ tai'sus 10 



„ middle toe 7 



„ tail 17 



„ bill 8 



[Mr. Andersson's collections did not contain a specimen of 

 this well-kuoAvn Grosbeak ; but there can be no doubt of the 

 correctness of his identification, which is confirmed by Mr. 

 Layard's statement {loc. cit.) as to the countries which this 

 species inlial)its. — En.] 



