472 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
frame-work of the nest is very nicely contrived so that all the ear- 
ends of the grasses are woven together to form the pipe where the 
entrance is. This nest was in a thicket of brambles and fern about 
six inches from the ground. Even after the bird flew out, it 
required a good search before I could find it. There were twelve 
eggs in it (whether more than one lays in a nest I can’t say, but only 
one flew out), they were in all stages of incubation—two not set, 
and four or five had the young birds so large I could not blow 
them.” This species of Finch, observes Mr. Ayres, “is by far the 
most common in Natal; during the winter months immense flights 
of them may be seen. They are fond of frequenting cultivated 
ground, especially that on which weeds have been allowed to grow 
and seed, where they find abundance of food. I have seen them 
occasionally take the young queens of the white ant, rising in the 
air and taking them on the wing; but they appear to haye much 
difficulty in catching them, possibly from the smallness of their 
mouth. They build close to the ground, amongst thick and tall 
grass. I found several nests of these birds all built upon the 
ground, generally in some convenient indentation sheltered by a 
clump of grass. The little elongated entrance of the nest is placed 
rather forwards, with the end of it touching the ground, On the 
top of the nest there is a sort of chamber, in which, the Caffres 
assure me, the male bird roosts at night during the incubation of 
the female.” 
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 graduated, brown; legs black. Length, 4’’ 9’’’; wing, 
Qs teil BY 2/7", 
According to Mr. Andersson the iris is brown, the bill bright red, 
the legs and feet liver-brown. 
463. Esrrenpa nitipuna, Hartl. White-dotted Waxbill. 
Discovered by Mr. Ayres in Natal, where ho says it is very rare, 
and he knows nothing of its habits. 
General colour olive green; rump and upper tail-coverts yellowish 
See ae 
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