SYOOBROTUS KERSTENI 373 



(Fischer). Total length 6-1 inches, culmen 0-8, wing 37, tail 24, tarsus 09. 

 Lamu (Kirk). 



Immature. Differs in the chin and upper throat being buff, shaded 

 with yellow. Lamu (Kirk). 



The type of Pijranga icteromelas, Vieill., is described as having the head, 

 hind neck, and upper parts deep black, and the remainder of the plumage 

 like that of the immature bird above described. 



Kersten's Dark-backed Weaver ranges over Bast Africa 

 from Zanzibar and Ugogo to the Equator. 



The type was discovered during Baron v. d. Decken's 

 expedition to the Zanzibar Coast and \Yas named after Dr. 

 Kersten. All the information I find regarding the habits of 

 this species is given by Fischer, who records it as abundant in 

 wooded localities, from Zanzibar Island, and Nguru on the 

 border of Ugogo, to Wapokomolaud on the Tana River. He 

 found them in small parties of six to ten, rarely more, l)usy 

 during the mornings in searching among the leaves and twigs 

 for their insect food, the males at intervals making the woods 

 ring with their loud shrill notes, which may be imitated on a 

 piano by the notes C, E, G, C. The first C played strongly 

 and the last C dwelt upon, which is often followed after a 

 short pause by a Gr. 



When the breeding time approaches the flocks break up 

 into pairs, each of which select their own breeding place. 

 The nest, like those of its congeners, is suspended from a pliant 

 twig. One of these he procured on Zanzibar Island, August 

 4, is described as retort-shaped, with the entrance passage 6 

 inches long, and the body of the nest was 5"2 inches wide by 8 

 deep. 



Tlie species has l^een met with as far west as Lake 

 Tanganyika, in the Kawende country, by Bohra, and as far 

 north as the Lower Juba River, close to the Equator, by 

 Erlansfer. 



