yiasJwnaland Birds. 213 



it managed to unearth only four of the inmates, as the 

 nest-material is very tough. The nests of this Weaver 

 are retort-shaped, with a moderately long neck, and much 

 more roughly constructed, than those o£ Hijphantornis ; they 

 are suspended from the outermost twigs of trees in the bush, 

 far away from water. The eggs are pale greenish blue, and 

 measure 20 X 15 mm. 



97. Hyphantornis nigkiceps. (Black-headed Weaver.) 



I have seen this bird only on the Umfuli river, where it 

 was fairly common in small flocks, searching the trees for 

 insects. 



98. Hyphantornis velatus. (Black-fronted Weaver.) 

 Fairly common round Salisbury, nesting among the 



granite kopjes at some distance from water. 



99. Hyphantornis xanthops. (Golden-faced Weaver.) 

 This fine species is by no means common; I have seen it 



on the Hanyani and Umfuli rivers, and it occurs sparingly 

 along the streams near Salisbury. 



100. Tephrocorvs cixerea. (Rufous-capped Lark.) 

 Everywhere abundant in open country. It is a fearless 



little bird, frequenting the open spaces in the town, and 

 readily permitting a very close approach. Daring the 

 courting-season the male has a very pretty way of rising ; 

 after first flying up he will swoop downward a short distance, 

 then rise abruptly straight upward for several feet with 

 closed wings, turning gently over and swooping down and 

 up again several times in succession, then fluttering away 

 skyward, singing sweetly all the Avhile. In the end of 

 winter these birds congregate in flocks, which sometimes 

 contain as many as 200 or 300 individuals. 



101. MiRAFRA fischeri. (Fischcr's Bar-tailed Lark.) 



A few of these birds were met with by Mr. Ayres along 

 the Umfuli. Although I have never shot it, I am pretty 

 certain I have recognized it as a fairly common species round 

 Salisbury, its curious cracking flight being very characteristic. 



