DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, HABITS 



Distribution. — From Natal up the whole of the east side of 

 Africa. / 



Habits. — They associate in small flocks on open grass-lands, 

 marshes, and borders of streams. The construction of the nest 

 and its situation are nearly similar to that of the common waxbill. 

 Clutch, 3 to 4, occasionally more. Both male and female take 

 part in the incubation process. Eggs pure white ; size, 0.52 

 by 0.40. 



Blue-breasted Waxbill {Estrelda angole?isis). (Vol. I., 



p. 204.) 



Description. — Above reddish-brown. Lower back and tail 

 coverts, ear coverts, and cheeks light blue. Tail dark blue. 

 The throat, breast, sides, and flanks light blue. Centre of 

 abdomen light brown. Iris reddish-hazel. Tip of bill black, 

 the rest lilac. Legs and feet pale brown. 



Lengthy 4.75 ; tail, 2.10 ; wing, 2.00. 



Distribution. — Cape Province to Central Africa. 



Habits. — They associate in small parties and large flocks, 

 and frequent the bush-veld. The nest is a rough ball of dry 

 grass with the entrance at the side. It is placed in a bush, 

 preferably a thorny mimosa. Clutch, 3 to 5 ; eggs pure white ; 

 size, 0.70 by 0.55. 



Grenadine Waxbill {Estrelda grenatind). (Vol. I., 



p. 204.) 



Description. — Male : forehead blue. Crown, neck, and 

 back chestnut-brown, paler on the wing coverts. Black spot 

 in front of eye. Sides of the face and cheeks lilac. Throat 

 black. Under parts greyish-black. Rump, upper and under 

 tail coverts blue. Feathers of tail black, edged with blue. 

 Iris red. Bill purple at base, red at tip. Legs and feet dull 

 purple. 



Lengthy 5.80 ; tail, 2.80 ; wing, 2.25. 

 Female is not so bright in colour. 



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