Mr. E. L. Layard on South-African Ornithologrj. 75 



accords with what I have seen of the allied Vidua principalis, 

 (No. 375). One male in full breeding-dress is usually at- 

 tended by from five to ten females. Can they be polygamists ? 

 does the male never sit on the eggs ? and does the same thing 

 prevail in Estrelda astrild, which is said to breed in com- 

 munities, several hens laying in one nest, and eggs being 

 hatched at different times ? 



441. Crithagra selbii. I found this species abundant 

 about Saldana Bay and the Berg River, during a recent trip 

 thither. Mr. Ortlepp also sends it from Colesberg. It is 

 called "Dik-bec Seisje ^^ and " Berg-Seisje,^^ by the colonists. 



443. Crithagra strigilata. I cannot help thinking this 

 may prove to be the female of (No. 442) C. butyracea. 



532. CoTURNTX HiSTRiONiCA. Several specimens of this 

 bird have been procured not far from Graham's Town, and to 

 the eastward, one of which has been forwarded to me by 

 Mr. Glanville. I at once recognized it as the Quail pur- 

 chased by the Count de Castelnau, as mentioned in my book 

 (p. 275). 



535. Pterocles tachypetes. Mr. Atmore declares it only 

 lays two eggs. Another correspondent says three. 



542. EupoDOTis LUDWiGi. Mr. Jackson affirms it only lays 

 one egg. The bird is common in his neighbourhood. These 

 contradictions open a curious question for mquiry. It cannot be 

 that errors as to the number of eggs of birds so well known 

 are wilfully made. I can only fancy that the number is de- 

 termined by the ease or difficulty with which food is obtained 

 in the different localities to which the birds resort to breed. 

 In places where food is plentiful, it is easy to bring up a larger 

 family, and vice versa. In connexion with this subject, I was in- 

 formed lately that the Locust-bird, Glareola nordmanui (No. 555), 

 always lays its eggs where it knows a large supply of young 

 locusts may be expected, and at such a time that the young may 

 be excluded when the insects are afoot. In some instances, 

 owing to a mistake in their calculations, the locusts have taken 

 flight before the brood was able to follow, and they have 



