Eqg-Collecting in the Buslveld. 33 



Ooklen Cuckoo (^Chri/sococci/.v cupreus) in the nests of this 

 Weaver. 



Lesser Masked Weaver (Ploceus auricapillus). — This 

 species was found nesting in great numbers in the thorn- 

 trees ; some trees presenting a pretty picture with the dozens 

 of nests and excited birds busy about them. Sometimes the 

 nests have a slightly protruding entrance, but they cannot 

 be mistaken for those of P. cahinisi, being thicker-walled 

 and constructed of coarser material ; they are warmly lined 

 with sweet-smelling flowery tops of grass and occasionally a 

 few feathers. The eggs are variously coloured in different 

 clutches, and measure in specimens taken at Zoutpan, 19"5— 

 23'5 X 13'3-14'3 mm. Chri/soccoccyx cupreus sometimes 

 deposits its eggs in the nest of this species, but apparently 

 only when there are one or two nests in a tree. 



Southern Pink - billed Weaver (^Quelea sangninirostris 

 latluimi). — This species was found in small flocks. A deserted 

 nest, which was indistinguishable from those of P. auri- 

 capillus, was found wnth three greenish-blue eggs ; and as 

 these eggs are smaller than those of P. auricapillus, it is not 

 unlikely that they belong to the present species, though 1 

 do not think the nest was constructed by it ; they measure 

 18"9-19*1 X 13"5 mm. A clutch of three eoos laid in an 

 aviary, presented to the Museum by Mr. A. Duncan, gives 

 measurements of 19-20 x 13"5-14 mm. ; these are altogether 

 paler coloured than the three from the Zoutpan attributed 

 to this species, perhaps on account of their having been laid 

 under unnatural conditions. 



White-winged Widow-bird (CoUuspasser oJbonotatus). — 

 Flocks were very often seen in the open forest near and in 

 the pan. The breeding-season is December in Pretoria 

 District, and nests are w'oven oval-shaped structures hidden 

 amongst, and attached to, rank grass on the border of streams 

 and livers; externally they are composed of green strips of 

 grass and internally lined wath fine dry stems, some of which 

 are left protruding out over the entrance in a hood. The 



VUL. I. v. 3 



