370 Mr. E. L. Layard on South- African Ornithology. 



found in the nests of these birds. This shows over what an extent 

 of country this variation extends, and that it is not confined to 

 the birds breeding in this neighbourhood. 



381. EsTRELDA ASTRiLD. Mr. Atmore sends a nest of this 

 httle species, with the following interesting note : — " You know 

 what a funny whisp of a nest it makes, and how carefully con- 

 cealed ! but how such small birds carry such large bents of 

 grass is a puzzle to me. The inside is very warm and comfort- 

 able ; and what may be called the framework of the nest is very 

 nicely contrived, so that all the ear-ends of the grasses are woven 

 together to form a pipe, where the entrance is. This nest was 

 in a thicket of brambles and fern, about six inches from the 

 ground ; even after the birds flew out, it required a good search 

 before I could find it. There were twelve eggs in it (whether 

 more than one hen lays in a nest I cannot say, but only one 

 flew out) ; these were in all stages of incubation, two not at all 

 set, more much set-on, and four or five had the young birds so 

 large I could not blow them." I have always heard that several 

 hens laid in one nest ; and this in connexion with the facts stated 

 in * The Ibis ' [supra, pp. 74, 75) seems to indicate that polygamy 

 does exist among birds of this family. 



383. EsTRELDA RUBRicATA. Mrs. Barber has found this 

 pretty little Amadavat near Graham^s Town, and sends a nest 

 and eggs, the latter pure white; axis 7'"? diam. 5^'". 



390. EsTRELDA POLYZONA. Mr. Ortlcpp writes from Coles- 

 berg: — " Iris light yellow, tinged with brown. In rising utters 

 a sharp chirp, then falls suddenly to the ground." 



396. Amadina alario. Eggs sent by H. Jackson and 

 others much resemble those of the Cape Canary (No. 399), 

 being white tinged with green, more or less spotted, blotched 

 and streaked, chiefly at the obtuse end, with various shades of 

 brown ; axis 8^'", diam. 6'". 



403. Fringilla striaticeps. This species, which was de- 

 scribed, for the first time, from specimens sent home by me to 

 Dr. Hartlaub, has been found by my son breeding at Grooteva- 

 dersbosch, whence came the type specimens. Its nest and eggs 



