itf the Lydenburg District. 207 



are to be seen in company with Euplectes oryx in the reeds 

 near homesteads. The male birds are generally observed 

 perched on, or rather clinging to the tops of the reeds above 

 their dome-shaped nests. 



77. Chera progne. 



I first met with this graceful bird in the district of King- 

 williamstown ; thence I found it on my journey through 

 Queenstown, Alliwal North, Basuto Land, Orange Free State, 

 through the Transvaal, Potchefstroom, Pretoria, Lydenburg, 

 up to the Gold-fields, near the Drakenberg mountains, and 

 at Rustenberg. Its favourite resorts are swampy ground, 

 vleys, and. the long reeds about ponds. After a sharp shower 

 of rain, or in a strong wind, they are scarcely able to fly, and 

 can easily be knocked down ; when flying they very grace- 

 fully arch the tail. They leave their nuptial district in the 

 Transvaal about the end of April or the beginning of May. 



78. Vidua paradisea. 



Obtained my specimen near Rustenberg, where they seem 

 rather scarce. I have observed it near the Diamond-fields 

 within a short distance of the Vaal river. 



79. Vidua ardens. 



I shot this little bird between Potchefstroom and Rusten- 

 berg, and also near Pretoria. I have seen it at Macamac 

 Gold-fields ; but I have not noticed it further south than Rhi- 

 noster river. 



80. Hypochera chalybeata. 



I found a few of this species in and around a large fruit- 

 garden, a few miles from Rustenberg. The ones procured 

 were scattered about the hedgerows, where I shot them. 



81. Pyrenestes albifrons. 



I shot this bird at Macamac Gold-fields, but have never 

 received it from anywhere else. 



82. Estrelda cyanogastra. 



Shot this Finch round about the old gardens at Rustenberg. 

 I did not see many of them in flocks ; and they appear to be 

 rather local birds. 



