550 Mr. L. B. Mouritz on the 



brown, whilst an unusual variety has the dark brown 

 markings principally at the obtuse end — thus showing white 

 ground-colour. Eggs in my possession measure from 17*75 

 X 11-50 mm. (17-50 x 12*00 mm.) to 150 x 11-25 mm. 



Immediately previous to the flocking noticed in March, I 

 found one or two nests containing young birds which had 

 evidently been left to starve. The nestling is covered with 

 greyish down. 



160. } Anaplectes rubriceps. Red-headed Weaver. 



The Red-headed Weaver is decidedly uncommon, but 

 nests in small numbers throughout the hills, and I have 

 only seen it during the summer. The rough, and apparently 

 loosely, but really strongly, constructed retort-shaped nests 

 may be found suspended from some drooping twig of the 

 majestic " umkamba," or other large tree, but I have never 

 seen more than two or three in any one locality. Occa- 

 sionally, new nests are built on to the previous year's 

 habitation, but this is unusual. This Weaver, in company 

 with the next, often breeds before attaining the adult 

 plumage. 



161. J Ploceus velatus. Masked Weaver. 

 Hi/phanto7'ms velatus (Vieill.) ; Scl. i. p. 58. 



Fairly common and presumably resident, but somewhat 

 locally distributed. I found colonies in January and March 

 (birds sitting) on the surrounding veld, while it must also 

 nest within the hills. 



162. J Pyromelana orix sundevalli. Northern Red Bishop- 

 Bird. 



This is a plentiful breeding species in all localities suited 

 to its habits. During a visit I made to the Dam in April 

 191 1, I noticed that a large colony, which had built their 

 nests amid the easily accessible bulrushes, had had them 

 ransacked by native herd-bojs, but, learning by experience, 

 the birds had built their second nests in an aquatic plant 

 growing in shallow water, which was at that time flowering, 

 and I saw a lot of nests placed within a few inches of the 

 Mater. On Lucydale I found these birds building " cock '■' 



