tlie Birds of Ilamansdovp. 137 



Breeding season October to March. 



It lays three to four eggs of a dirty-white colour. 



Common' Waxbill (^Estrilda astrlld). — Very common. It 

 builds a domed nest of grass seed-tuEts, lined with feather?, 

 on the ground, under a tuft of overhanging grass or under 

 a dense shrub. 



It lays during October to January four to nine pure 

 white e^ii'S. 



Ruddy Waxbill (^Lagonnsticta ruhricata). — Common in 

 some parts of the district. I have not been able to find any 

 nests. 



SwEE Waxbill [Estrilda dufresnii). — Very common in 

 some parts of the district, especially along the Gamtoos 

 River. It builds a domed nest of grass seed-tufts in a tree, 

 about five feet from the ground, and lays from four to seven 

 pale blue eggs during the months of October to January, 



Masked "Weaver-Bird {Hyphantomis velatns). — Very 

 common in certain parts of the district. U builds a kidney- 

 shaped nest of grass, lined with down and feathers, the 

 entrance is from underneath ; it is usually suspended from 

 the branch of a tree overhanging water or between two 

 reeds. 



Breeding season September to January. 



It lays three eggs, which — as is well known — vary very 

 much in colour. 



Cape Weaver-Biru (Sltagra capensis), — Very common. 

 It builds a nest exactly like that of the Masked Weaver, 

 only slightly larger. 



Breeding season September to January. 



It lays two to four greenish- blue eggs. 



Bottle Weaver-Bird {Sltagra ocidaria). — Common in 

 the bushveld. It builds a kidney-shaped nest with a long 

 neck hanging downwards, which forms the entrance to the 



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