I 



476 XANTIIOPHILUS CASTANEICEPS 



The eggs measure on an average 0"8o x 0'65 ; and are 

 very variable in colour, being white, rosy, pale green, or blue, 

 and spotted and freckled with reddish brown, violet, or black. 

 Five varieties have been figured by Heuglin (Orn. N. 0. Afr. 

 pi. 42, figs. 13-17). 



According to Heuglin, the species ranges northward to 

 19° N. lat., and is abundant in the Samhar and Bogos districts 

 from the sea-shore up to 6,000 feet. 



On the White Nile, " These Weavers," Mr. Witherby 

 writes, " very, very common and to be found in every stretch 

 of wooded or bushy country. They were generally in small 

 flocks, and often with Passer Inteus. They have a wheezing 

 little song, sounding more like the creaking and squeaking of 

 two small boughs rubbing together, than the voice of a bird." 



Mr. A. L. Butler found the species " swarming in the 

 gardens at Gedaref in April, May and June, 1901 ; huge flocks 

 were met with between this place and Clallabat. On May 25, 

 several nests were commenced in a half-hearted way, though 

 at this date the birds were only just beginning to assume their 

 breeding plumage. I should say they breed in full swing 

 during the rains of July and August in the Kassala district." 



Xanthophilus castaneiceps. 



Hyphantomis castaneiceps, Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii. p. 448, pi. 13, fig. 5 

 (1890) Taveta. 



Xanthophilus castaneiceps, Shelley, B. Afr. I. No. 534 (1896). 



Ploceus schillingsi, Eeichen. Orn. Monatsb. 1902, p. 158 Biifu R. ; 

 Eeichen. Vog. Afr. iii. p. 93, pi. , fig. 3 (1904). 



Ploceus aureoflavus (non Smith), Shelley, P. Z. S. 1889, p. 367 Taveta. 



Adult. Head, neck and underparts golden yellow, with the forehead 

 and crown deeper chrome yellow, the hinder half with chestnut ends to the 

 feathers, from whence extends a narrow band of chestnut shaded feathers 

 across the sides of the neck and widening out into an ill-defined collar on 

 the lower throat ; remainder of the hind neck, entire back and edges to the 

 wing and tail-feathers deep yellow, of an olive brown shade, excepting on 



