470 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
of being close to the ground, they place it in the upper twigs of 
some low bush six or eight feet high.” 
Male.—Top of head and back of neck ashy ; back and shoulders 
green; wings rufous; rump red; tail black; ears, chin, and upper 
part of throat deep black; lower part of the latter white; chest 
ashy white ; belly and vent yellowish white; bill, upper mandible 
black, lower scarlet. Female wants the black on the head and 
throat, and all her colours are less vivid. Length, 3’’ 9’; tail, 
1” 8’! & 
Fig. Temm. Pl. Col. 221, fig. 1. 
461. Esrrenpa rncana, Sundev. South African Grey Waxbill. 
Discovered by the late Professor Wahlberg during his travels in 
south-east Africa. Captain Shelley found it in Natal, and writes :— 
** Although it is far from common at Durban, on the 8th of March 
I took one of their nests containing two pure white eggs. It was 
placed in a creeper overhanging the footpath, and was easily reached 
from the ground; in structure it was very similar to that of 
Estrelda astrild, though smaller and less compact, though made of 
the same materials.” We were informed by Mr. Fellowes that it is 
common in the Umgene and Zulu countries, and Professor Peters 
obtained it in Inhambane. 
Ash coloured, with red rump ; throat whitish ; chin, stripe between 
eyo, and bill black; tail black, graduated; vent dark fuscous ; 
bill and legs black, Length 3” 9’”; wing, 1'’ 9”’; tail, 1’ 9”. 
462, Esrrenpa astritp (Linn.). Common Waxbill. 
These elegant little birds congregate in prodigious flocks through- 
out the colony, frequenting the fields of grain, ploughed lands, and 
vineyards, They are not unfrequently found close to habitations, 
and their little shrill, piping notes may be heard even in towns. 
The “ Roodebec ” is found in all parts of the colony, and extends 
into Natal. Mr. F. A. Barratt states :—“I recognized this little 
bird nearly all over the country, Orange Free State, Diamond Fields, 
Potchefstroom, Pretoria, Lydenberg Goldfields; and I have seen 
* Professor Barboza du Bocage records a Finch from Biballa (Anchieta) 
which he thinks may be Ps(relda quariinia of Bonaparte. It is very similar 
to .E. dufresnei, but undulated above and has the abdomen and vent bright 
yellow. 
