324 PLOCEPASSER 



The Rufous-tailed Weaver inhabits Central German East 

 Africa between 5° and 2° S. lat. 



The typical specimens were discovered in the Wembere 

 country and at the Ruwana River, by Fischer, who compares 

 their nest, which has two openings and was placed in the fork 

 of a thick acacia tree, to that of Ploceipasser melanorhynclius. 



Emin collected specimens at Usambiro in October, and 

 gives some intei'esting notes in a letter dated November 21, 

 1890. Here he calls it the most characteristic species through- 

 out the wide, open country which stretches from Usongo to tlie 

 Victoria Nyanza, and the, then leafless, acacia trees were 

 decorated with many of their nests, placed in forks or hanging 

 from the boughs. It is a sociable, noisy bird, with a note 

 similar to that of the larger Yellow Weaver-Birds, but harsher. 

 It was busy, at the time, in the construction of the nests, in 

 one only of which he found eggs, but suggests that the full 

 number in a clutch is probably three. When on the ground 

 it has a stately walk, and feeds on worms and insects. 



The species has been procured by Mr. Werther at Meatu, 

 and by Mr. Oscar Neumann in Umbugwe, at Lake Manjara, 

 and at Muansa near the Ruwana River on the south-west side 

 of Victoria Nyanza. 



Geuus YIII. PLOCEPASSEK. 



Bill deeper than broad, evenly compressed, the sides being nearly straight ; 

 culmen rounded and extending back in an acute angle through the frontal 

 feathers ; cutting edges of the mandibles smooth ; nostrils exposed in the 

 front of a short groove. Wing pointed, the longest primary extending be- 

 yond the shortest one by more than the length of the tarsus ; primaries 

 1 about one- third of 2 ; 2 shorter than 3, which is one of the longest. Tail 

 square. Tarsi and feet fairly strong, and the claws strong and rather short, 

 as in Tcxtor. Plumage brown and white with two pale bars across the 

 wing-coverts, and with either a broad white eyebrow or the rump white. 

 Sexes alike in plumage. 



