434 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
at the outskirts of the town, on the way to ‘ Green-Point,’ close to 
the main road, and the constant stream of traffic. I should not 
describe the entrance of the nest as Dr. Smith has done; but should 
rather say it was on the lowest or under side, opening downwards. 
The eggs are four or five in number, and of a beautiful spotless 
verditer: axis, 11'”; diam., 8’’’. I have kept these birds for a 
considerable time in a large cage, and have known several in the 
possession of others. They become very tame, and will readily 
answer to the call. If they are supplied with cotton, or thread, they 
will weave it most industriously into the bars of the cage, forming a 
dense mass, which it is impossible to unravel. This work they 
perform entirely with their bills, clinging the while to the side of 
the cage with their powerful claws. -They are most mischievous, 
cunning birds, and have more than once unfastened the bolts of my 
cage-door and got out; such, however, is their attachment to each 
other (I have two now before me in my cage), that they have never 
left the room, though the windows, on each occasion, have been 
wide open. <A party have several times endeavoured to form a 
colony in the Governor’s garden, but for some reason failed. This 
year (1861) a pair began to repair an old nest, in May, and I saw 
the male and several of his companions in full breeding dress. Cold, 
rainy, windy weather, however, blew away the structure, and though 
I hear the churring cry of the birds about, I see no signs of building 
up to the time I write (July 24).” 
We have received specimens from Captain Trevelyan at King- 
williamstown, and Mr, Rickard has procured it at Port Elizabeth, 
and states that it is very plentiful at Hast London. Mr. Oates met 
with the species in the Transvaal, and Mr. F. A. Barratt notes it 
from the neighbourhood of Potchefstroom and the surrounding 
districts. With regard to the species in Natal the following note 
has been published by| Mr. Ayres :— These Weavers are exceed- 
ingly fond of sucking the nectar from the flowers of the Cape- 
Broom, a thorny tree which bears a bright scarlet blossom before 
the leaves appear, and is common all along the coast, where it 
blooms in the very early spring. They also feed on insects; their 
flight is heavy and undulating. They are sometimes solitary, and 
at other times to be seen in companies. ‘These birds are more 
numerous in the Transvaal than in Natal, and breed there side by 
side with Huplectes sundevalli, and apparently in equal numbers, 
Ce ee me ae 
