ea) 
ZOSTEROPS CAPENSIS. 323 
that lurk therein. While on the wing, or fecding, they utter in- 
cessantly a stridulous chirp, which is ‘generally the first thing that 
reveals their presence. We never saw them on the ground, but 
they sometimes creep about low bushes. They place their nests, 
which they conceal with great care, in a fork caused by the union of 
several small twigs. It is composed of moss and fibres, covered 
with cobweb and lichens, and lined with hair, and is shaped like a 
cup, about 3 inches across by 24 deep. The eggs, five in number, 
are of a beautiful, spotless blue, rather sharp at the ends: axis, 8’”’; 
diam., 6”. 
Victorin obtained the present species in the Karroo and also at 
the Knysna: here also Mr. Andersson shot numerous examples. 
Mr. Rickard notes its occurrence both at Port Elizabeth and Hast 
London. Mr. Gurney has also recorded it from Natal, but the 
” species intended was probably Z. pallida or Z. atmorii (vide infra). 
The following account is given by Mr. Andersson :—‘ I have only 
once or twice observed this species in the southernmost parts of 
Great Namaqua Land, along the periodical watercourses bordered by 
mimosas; but from thence southwards it becomes more nume- 
rous, and at the Cape and’in many parts of the colony it is abundant: 
a pair or two may be seen any day in most of the gardens in the 
immediate environs of the Cape. It is met with in small families, 
probably the entire broods of the season. It feeds on small insects 
and larvee, for which it searches diligently amongst low bushes and 
trees. It is quite tame; and it is not very difficult to approach it 
near enough to distinguish the colour of its eye, beak, &c. It 
forms its nest on the extremity of some branch of a low tree; the 
nest is very prettily shaped, and is composed of loose tendrils inter- 
laced, covered with moss outside, and lined internally with hair, &c. 
The eggs are four or five in number, and are said to be incubated 
by both parents.” 
Adult.—General colour above olive-green, rather brighter and 
more yellow on the rump and upper tail-coverts; wing-coverts 
coloured like the back, the quills brown, externally edged with 
olive-green, the inner secondaries washed with the latter colour ; tail 
brown, externally washed with olive-green ; forehead slightly tinged 
with brown ; in front of the eye a black spot, above which is a small 
loral spot of yellow; round the eye a ring of silvery-white plumes ; 
sides of face and ear-coverts dark green, the anterior part of the 
xy 2 
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