25G Ml'. T. Ayres on Trans- Vuui Ornilhulufjy. 



swarms here. It feeds with them on the open grassy plains 

 and corn-fields, principally on small grass-seeds which they pick 

 up from the ground. 



113. (L. 372.) Plocepasser MAHALi, Smith. Mahali Wea- 

 verbird. 



Total length 6| inches_, bill f|, tarsus 1, wing 4,, tail 3; iris 

 dark red; sexes very similar in plumage. 



These birds are common throughout the bush, but are not 

 seen in open country ; they are gregarious, and have a chat- 

 tering note, which gives the idea of sociability. Several build 

 together in the same tree. We found plenty of old nests on our 

 late journey to the Limpopo ; they wei-e very rough structures, 

 made np of grass, with the long ends sticking out in every di- 

 rection, and formed like retorts, with two short necks hanging 

 down, and with so small a flat surface inside for the eggs to lie 

 on, that I cannot understand how it is they do not always roll 

 out at one end or the other, especially as the nest is built or 

 hung on the outer twigs of the spreading Mimosas, and is very 

 liable to be shaken by the wind. 



114. (L. 394.) EsTRELDA GRANATiNA (Linn.). Granadine 

 Finch. 



Male : — Total length 6 inches, bill ^, tarsus xi> wing 2^, 

 tail 3. Female : — Total length 5| inches ; iris red, bill bright 

 bluish scarlet, tarsi and feet dusky. 



The first of these pretty birds which I met with I shot in the 

 Mariqua district, amongst som every thick cover; and I afterwards 

 found them plentiful all along the Limpopo : they are generally 

 in pairs, but sometimes three or four may be seen together. 



All the Estreldce are pretty nearly alike in their general move- 

 ments, and eat similar food. 



115. (L. 389.) EsTRELDA ERYTHRONOTA (Vicill.). Black- 

 cheeked Finch. 



Male : — Total length 5 inches, bill -^, tarsus \^, wing 2, 

 tail 2yV ; ii'is red. 



I only met with these Finches on the Limpopo, amongst the 

 low scrub which abounds there in some parts. They were 

 found in companies. 



