116 BIRD ARCHITECTS 



usually close to the ground, and is a round, loosely built 

 structure of grass, lined with feathers. Eggs three to five 

 (occasionally even six), and of a pure white colour. 



The Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrilda), more widely 

 known in South Africa as the Kooibekje (Red-bill), is unlike 

 the preceding species, as it may be found in enormous flocks 

 during the autumn and winter months, searching for seeds 

 amongst the weeds and grass in old lands, or amongst the 

 open scrub and bush. 



It has a shrill, ping-ping like call, and is well known 

 in its plumage of brown back, crimson breast, and red 

 bill. Length, 4f inches. It builds a large, untidy nest 

 of grass, lined with feathers, and lays four to six eggs of a 

 pure white colour. 



The Blue-breasted Waxbill (Urceginfhus angolensis) has the 

 rump regions, face and under parts, except the thighs and 

 centre of abdomen, light blue. Length, 4| inches. This 

 bird is not found south of the Orange Eiver valley. Mr. 

 Harry Neethling found it common at Parys in the Orange 

 Free State during April, 1907. It is common in the Transvaal 

 Bushveldat certain seasons. 



The most beautiful species of the Sub-family is the Violet- 

 eared Waxbill (U. granatina), which has the top of the head, 

 neck, breast and back chestnut- brown, the sides of the face 

 lilac, the throat black, and the rump and tail-coverts bright 

 blue. Length, 5f inches. The female is paler and less 

 brightly coloured than the male.- 



They do not congregate in large flocks like most of the 

 Waxbills, although the late Dr. Symonds, of Kroonstad, 

 has recorded the fact of having occasionally seen them in fail- 

 numbers. I have seen them in the Pretoria Lkishveld during 

 the winter months in pairs or small parties. 



