PLOCEPASSKR, MELANORHYNCHUS 329 



The species is represented in the British Museum from the 

 following places : Kitui (Hildebrandt), Machako's (Hinde), 

 Lake Baringo (Delamere), Lado (Emin), Lake Stefanie 

 (Donaldson Smith), Shoa (Antinori), Hawash (Lovat), Daira 

 Aila (Pease), Sudan (Knoblecker). 



At the Nguruman salt lake Fischer records the species 

 as abundant in flocks of about twenty individuals, generally to 

 be seen seeking their food amongst the grass, and remarks 

 that they are noisy birds with a harsh cry somewhat resem- 

 bling that of a Hyphantornis, but louder. The nests resemble, 

 at first sight, those of that genus, and are suspended from 

 twigs of acacia trees ; bat instead of having a single entrance 

 hanging down from beneath they have two holes in the side, 

 one apparently a shelter for the male, the other leading into 

 the incubating chamber. At this lake Mr. Neumann has also 

 procured specimens at Ndalalani and Pinnini. In the Ukamba 

 country Dr. Ansorge obtained the species at Campi-ya-Simba, 

 and Mr. Jackson at Njemps, on Lake Baringo, and at Elgeyu 

 on the Kamassia range. 



At the White Nile Emin found the species abundant, 

 generally in small flocks, feeding on the ground near Lado 

 and the neighbouring stations. Antinori met with it in the 

 Kidsh country, and Heugliu records it from this district to as 

 far down the Nile as the Sobat River. 



Dr. Donaldson Smith procured it in the Musha Mountains 

 to the north of Lake Rudolf and at Lake Stefanie. Li Shoa 

 the type of the species was discovered by Ri'ippell, and accord- 

 ino- to Antinori the species is plentifully distributed in flocks 

 of eight to ten, and breed there in August. Further eastward 

 Lord Lovat records it as " a noisy bird, seen in large numbers 

 on the Ha wash plaiu." Mi". Harrison also met with it here 

 and at Tadechmulka, Mr. Pease at Erra Gota, Marko and 

 Daira Aila, and writes: "These Black-billed Weaver Finches 



