418 HYPHANTORNIS SPILONOTUS 



about tlie banks of the Reiskamma River, and iijDon the trees 

 and bushes which skirt the edges of that beautiful stream it 

 builds its pendulous nest." Ten years later he adds : " I have 

 not seen nor heard of its having been found to the westward 

 of Kafirland. Specimens are but rarely discovered, and these 

 are generally found upon the margins of the rivers." Dr. 

 Bowdler Sharpe, in his edition of " Layard's Birds of South 

 Africa," writes : " We have received the species from Kuru- 

 man, and several have been shot at Outlands, close to 

 Graham stown." 



According to Stark, " This species is probably the com- 

 monest Weaver-Bird in the lower districts of Natal and Zulu- 

 land. Like (H. mariquensis) it is of a very social nature, 

 remaining in flocks all tlie year round and breeds in colonies, 

 often covering several adjacent trees with its nests. These 

 resemble those of {II. mariquensis) in being kidney-shaped 

 with an opening below, but as far as I have observed they 

 are never built among reeds, but invariably suspended from 

 the outer twigs of a tree or bush, and preferably over water. 

 The nest is roughly woven out of long green grass-stems, and 

 since the introduction of the Australian Blue Gum and Black 

 Wattle into Natal, are invariably thickly lined with the long 

 narrow leaves of these trees. Although the nests of this 

 species are usually constructed without any projecting 

 entrance neck, one is occasionally added, and in the Museum 

 at Grahamstown is a nest ascribed to this bird with a neck 

 about twelve feet long. When engaged in building these 

 Weavers keep up an incessant chattering, and if undisturbed 

 become extremely tame and familiar, especially the males, 

 who take an active part in the labour by fetching the grass 

 and helping in the weaving from the outside of the nest, to 

 which they cling with their sharp claws, generally back down- 

 wards with expanded wings. The females remain inside and 



