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HYPIANTURGUS OCULARIUS. 435 
Their nest is also composed of the same material as is used in the 
nest of that species; 1t 1s woven to two or more reeds, and consists 
of the leaves of the reeds torn into strips. The nest is in the shape 
of a retort with the neck cut off, the opening being downwards; and 
there is a sort of bar across the entrance, which prevents the eggs 
from rolling out; it is lmed with the soft flowering heads of grass, 
which form a very warm bed for the young birds.” | 
The large size of the present species distinguishes it from most of 
the South African Weaver Birds, as also does the fact of its having 
no black on the head and throat. Some specimens are much finer 
than others, and have been called H. awrifrons by naturalists, but 
we consider them to be nothing more than fine old males of the 
common species. 
Front, chin, throat, and breast saffron-yellow ; top of head, sides 
of neck, and vent gamboge-yellow ; nape, back, and rump lemony 
yellow; back of neck and shoulders greenish-yellow; the middle of 
each feather pale olive-brown; wing feathers dark purplish-brown, 
edged with sulphur-yellow; tail olive-brown, tinted with yellow; 
bill liver-brown. Length, 7’’; wing, 3’’ 6” ; tail, 2’’ 6’’’. 
Fig. Smith, Il. Zool. 8. Afr. pl. 66. 
417, Hypnanroreus ocunarts, Smith. Smith’s Weaver Bird. 
Hyphantornis ocularius, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 182. 
Sir A. Smith states that he found this species sparingly spread 
over South Africa, more especially in the vicinity of the south-east 
coast. He says that it does not congregate, but suspends a nest 
constructed of delicate fibres of bark, closely interwoven into the 
shape of a retort from the branches of trees. Eggs three, bluish- 
white spotted with dusky brown. A nest precisely answering the 
above description was forwarded to us by Colonel Armstrong of 
Bathurst, and several specimens were procured near Grahamstown 
by Mr. T. C. Atmore, who also got it at Eland’s Post; Mr. Rickard 
has found it at Hast London. In Natal it probably remains about 
Durban and Pinetown the whole year, for Captain Shelley has 
specimens collected by Mr. T. L. Ayres in February, May, June, 
and July. Mr. T. E. Buckley procured it in Swazi Land in July, 
1876, and Mr. Ayres has also obtained it in the Transvaal. Senor 
Anchieta also met with it at Humbe on the Cunene River, as well ag 
at Capangombe and Pungo-Andongo. 
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