14 Mr. C. F. M, Swynnerton on the 



H. nigriceps, with the opening at one end of its lower, 

 concave surface, and it varies somewhat in size: length 6*75 

 to 8*5, depth 4*6 to 5'3, and width from side to side 3*75 to 

 5 inches, the diameter of the opening ranging from 2 to 

 3'1 inches. The grass-built nests are usually larger and 

 clumsier than the otliers. The eggs vary, some being- 

 white, others light blue, while a third type is liglit blue 

 freckled throughout with dull violet and light and darker 

 brown spots, somewliat bigger and more numerous, as a rule, 

 about the larger end. The birds are shy and always make 

 off at the first alarm, never returning to the nest until long- 

 after the intruder's departure. The bill of the male, in the 

 breeding-season, is black, at other times dusky brown above 

 with a paler pinkish or yellowish gonys ; the feet are pale 

 pinkish or purplish brown or grey, or dusky flesh-coloured ; 

 the irides gamboge (sometimes very deep), or, occasionally, 

 ochreous or grey-brown. 



14. SiTAGRA ocuLARiA. Smith's Weaver-bird. 



Chindao: ^ajekete." 



Kb., P. A common species along the streams and in 

 grass-jungle, including in its local range the whole of the Jihu 

 and Southern Melsetter, and. portions of Northern Melsetter. 

 Near Chirinda its nests may usually be found just inside 

 clumps of dense bush, or else along the streams, suspended 

 from the ends of the palm-leaves or the twigs of Bridelia 

 and other trees. In this case they are usually neatly woven 

 from narrow' strips o£ the palm-leaves {Phmnix dactylifera) , 

 this being the only material employed except for the lining, 

 which is formed entirely of the thin, somewhat tough fibres 

 of the same leaves, neatly stripped out of them while still 

 green. The entrance-tube varies greatly in length, there 

 being sometimes, though rarely, none at all ; and the mode 

 of attachment also varies, the weaving being occasionally 

 carried up into the supporting leaf for nine or ten inches. 

 The leaves of the common reed {Pkragmites communis), 

 similarly shredded, are also sometimes employed, or, when 

 far from water, stifl' grass-blades. 



