172 BIRBS OF DAMARA LAND. 



Namaqua Land or in southern Damara Land ; but it 

 breeds in great abundance in Ondonga, and I have also 

 seen specimens from Lake Ngami. It is found in flocks 

 amongst trees, as well as on the reedy banks of rivers 

 and in marshes, where it suspends its nest amongst the 

 tall stalks of reeds and coarse grasses. The nest is com- 

 posed of fine grass woven somewhat closely together ; 

 the eggs are six or seven in number, wliite, but 

 sprinkled all over with minute brown specks. 



The iris is brown, and also the bill ; the legs and toes 

 are yellowish brown. 



Measurements of a male : — 



in. liii. 



Entire lengili 4 



Length of folded -wdug 2 5 



yi tarsus 8 



„ middle toe t> 



„ taU 10 



bill G 



206. Pyromelana oryx (Linn.). Red-Fink Bishop bird. 



LiKiia uric, Shaw'b Nat. Misc. pi. 240 (male iu breeding-dress). 

 Ploceus onjx, Layard's Cat. No. 30!). 



Pyromelana oryx, Finsch & Ilartlaub's "S'cigel Ost-Afrika's, p. 410. 

 JSupkctes oryx, Sharpe's Cat. No. 590. 



This very handsome bird is abundant at Lake Ngami 

 and in Ondonga, and though rarer in Damara and Great 

 Namaqua Land, it is found in those countries also, con- 

 gregating in small communities and frequenting moist 

 situations, where it breeds in January and February. 



In Ondonga its nest may be found in those months in 

 almost every palm bush ; the nest is very pretty, airy, 



