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476 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
amongst the rough cover on the banks of the river feeding on grass 
seeds, and at the Tatin they were always in pairs.” 
469, Laaonosticra minima (Vieill.). Little Ruddy Waxbill. 
Lstrelda minima, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 197. 
This species is spread over the greater part of the African 
continent, and in South Africa occurs in the Transvaal, where, 
according to Mr. Ayres, it “is found in small companies, but cannot 
be called plentiful. The females far exceed the males in number, 
The note is soft but guttural.” 
The late Mr. Frank Oates procured specimens on the Crocodile 
River, and he further notes it from the Tatin River, where he 
says:—‘‘ We met with a small party feeding amongst the short 
grass near the edge of some shrub, into which they immediately flew 
on being disturbed.” 
Mr. Andersson’s collection contained a single specimen from 
Ovaquengama in Damara Land, and he also procured a male at 
Ondonga, in November, 1866. 
Pale-red; the lower part of the back pale brown, with a ruddy 
tint; wings pale brown; scapulars and lesser wing-coverts ruddy ; 
rump more red; vent pale brown; tail feathers fuscous; the webs 
near their base ruddy. 
The male bird, according to Ayres, has the bill rosy lilac, with 
culmen and gongs nearly black, and the iris red. In the female the 
bill was violet pink, with the culmen nearly black, tarsi and feet 
dusky brown. Mr. Oates gives the colour of the iris in the male 
as lake, and in the female as very pale hazel. 
Jig. Vieill. Ois. Chant, pl. 10. 
470, Hyparaus maraarrratus (Strickl.). Verreaux’s Spotted Waxbill, 
Lstrelda margaritata, Layard, B.S. Afr. p. 198. 
Hartlaub says from “ South Africa.” Mr. Strickland, whose deserip- 
tion we copy, says his specimen “ was purchased at Cape Town, and 
was said to have been brought from Madagascar.” Mr, J. Verreaux, 
however, assures us that his specimens, whence the figure in Des 
Murs’ “ Iconographie” was taken, were killed by himself with 
a samputan (or blow-pipe) in his garden in Staalplein in Cape Town. 
It has not occurred since to our knowledge. 
Upper parts rich ferruginous-brown, except the quills, which are 
dusky within; upper tail-coverts and outer margins of rectices dull 
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