from the Culunij of Natal. 329 



amongst the buds and leaves in search of them. They almost 

 constantly uttex* a loud, monotonous, weeping note, which some- 

 what resembles that of the Nedarinia, and especially of Necta- 

 rinia amethystina. 



208. Ceblepyris levaillantii (Temm.). Le Vaillant's 

 Caterpillar-eater. 



I am not much acquainted with the habits of this bird ; it is, 

 I think, only here during the summer months, and inhabits the 

 dense bush on the coast range. 



209. Ploceusmariquensis (Smith). Capricorn Weaver-bird. 

 These birds are gregarious, and are troublesome to all cereal 



crops, as they live almost entirely upon grain and grass-seeds. 

 They build their nests invariably amongst reeds which grow in 

 swamps and shallow water. Whilst building, they have a curious 

 habit of hanging by their feet from their nests, and, with wings 

 extended, drooping, and fluttering, they sway themselves slowly 

 from side to side ; this has a very pretty effect when a number 

 of nests are close together, and all in about the same stage of 

 building. 



210. Ortygospiza polyzona (Temm.). Little Bar-breasted 

 Finch. 



Male. Iris light reddish hazel; bill crimson; tarsi and feet 

 very light brown. 



These Finches are only found here during the autumn and 

 winter months, from May to August or thereabouts ; they are 

 generally, but not invariably, gregarious; they seem always to 

 settle on the ground amongst grass or weeds, and not on the 

 stalks of the grass or on bushes ; their flight is rapid ; on rising, 

 they utter a chattering note with a peculiar metallic sound. 

 The seeds of grass and weeds form, I think, their entire diet. 



211. Glareola torquata (Meyer). Austrian Pratincole. 

 [Mr. Ayres transmits, in this collection, an adult specimen of 



this Pratincole, procured from the colony of Natal, but not by 

 himself.— J. H. G.] 



212. ToTANUS STAGNATiLis (Bcchst.), Marsh Sandpiper. 

 Male. Iris very dark brown ; bill greenish black ; nostrils 



long oval; tarsi and feet yellowish green. 



