Birds of Irene. 59 



'Birds of Africa,' vol. i v. part i.). These little "Zebra'' 

 Waxbills are exceedingly common here this summer (1904-5) , 

 whereas last year I tried in vain to procure a specimen. 

 They feed amongst the short grass round my house in small 

 flocks, and are very tame, allowing one to approach within 

 two or three yards of them in the open, and when frightened 

 they only flit along a few yards. 



59. ORTYGOsriZA roLYZONA. (Bar-breasted Weaver Finch.) 

 {a) S. 20.2.04. 

 Qj) $. 20.2.04. 



A common resident; gregarious. Generally found in open 

 veld, but never far from water. 



65. QuELEA QUELEA. (Red-billed Weaver.) 



(a) S- 18.1.05. 



The Red-billed Weaver is very common here at times, but 

 during a whole year I never saw one. In November 1904 

 they commenced to nest in colonies, but in no single instance 

 was a nest completed. The nests are small domed structures, 

 usually attached to the lesser branches of stunted willows 

 (^Salix capensis). One colony commenced to nest at the 

 same time in a dead hedge. It remains to be proved whether 

 these birds are parasitic or not, but I am inclined to think 

 that they use the nests of Pyromelana oryx sundevalli 

 (Northern Red Bishop Bird). 



67. Pyromelana oryx sundevalli. (Northern Red 

 Bishop Bird.) 



The Northern Red Bishop Bird is very common here along 

 the river, where it nests amongst the reeds. Nesting com- 

 mences in November. 



^^. Pyromelana taha (Smith). (Taha Bishop Bird.) 

 (a) S- 18.1.05. 



There were a few Taha Bishop Birds here last summer, 

 none the year before, and none so far this summer. 



