192 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



381. Estrelda Astrild. (Linn.) pi. En., p. 157, 



f. 2 ; Cuv., Vol. 2, PI. 153; Fringilla Undulata, 

 Pall. ; Lpxia Astrilda, Shaw, Vol. IX, Part 2, p. 254 ; 

 Edw. Birds, PL 354, f. 2 ; F. Tricolor, Vieil., Ois. 

 Chant., t. 12 ; Senegalus Striatus, Briss. ; Wax-hilled 

 Grosbeak ; Roodebec of Colonists. 



Upper parts, brown, minutely waved with darker brown 

 lines ; under parts, lighter brown, also waved with brown 

 lines ; over the whole of these parts, in certain lights, there 

 is spread a lovely rose colour, changing into purple ; bill, 

 stripe through the eye, and down the centre of the breast, 

 and stomach, brilliant scarlet ; vent, intense black ; tail gra- 

 duated, brown ; legs black. Length, 4" 9'" ; wing, 2" ; 

 tail, 2" 2'". 



These elegant little birds congregate in prodigious flocks through- 

 out the colony, frequenting the fields of grain, ploughed lands, and 

 vineyards. 'J'hey are not unfrequently close to habitations, and their 

 liUle shrill, piping notes may be heard even in towns. 



They breed in communities, and it is said that several inhabit the 

 same nest, laying and sitting in it promiscuously, and sometimes 

 three or four together. The nest is a large structure, composed of 

 straw, grasses, feathers, wool, paper, rags, &c. It is often as large 

 as a stable bucket, round, and with an entrance in the side. The 

 interior is a mass of feathers ; and the eggs, from 8 to 14 in number, 

 are pure white, oval, and about 1"' long, by 4'" broad. 



These birds live well in confinement, and add much to the appear- 

 ance of an aviary, by their sprightUness, and the beauty of their plu- 

 mage when many are together. It is no uncommon thing to see a 

 dozen or more on one perch, sitting close up to each other, for com- 

 pany's sake. I have four which have separated themselves into two 

 pairs, though agreeing well all together. The birds of each pair are 

 always together, cleaning and caressing each other. When I put in 

 the bathing vessels, they crowd into them in defiance of all the bigger 

 and stronger birds ; and it is no unusual thing to see two canaries, or 

 one canary, the " king of the roodebecs,'* and three or four "roode- 

 becs," all in the vessel at once, splashing, ducking, and jostling one 

 another in the narrow bounds to which their cage restricts them. 



Mr. Ayres, of Natal, states (Ibis Vol. 4, p. 156,) that he has found 

 several nests of these birds built upon the ground, generally in some 

 convenient indentation, sheltered by a clump of grass. 



382. Estrelda Nitidula; Harti., ibis. Vol. 1865, 



p. 269. 

 General colour, olive-green ; rump and upper tail-coverts, 

 yellowish-green; an orange mark in front of the eye ; body 

 spotted with white dots, surrounded with black. Length, 

 3" 2"' ; win-, 1" 9"' ; tail, 1 " 2"'. 

 Natal.— (Ayres.) 



