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PYROMELANA SUNDEVALLI 99 
over the green reeds, a living ball of black and scarlet plush. 
The stomach contained seeds, small beetles, and an occasional 
spider.” 
Sir John Kirk, during the Livingstone Expedition, collected 
a number of these birds at the Zambesi, and wrote: ‘‘ The 
nests of the different Huplectes are found in colonies, hanging 
from the extremities of the branches of such trees as the 
Acacia, having delicate twigs; a position overhanging water 
is usually chosen. The nest is commonly suspended by a long 
peduncle of the same material. The opening is tubular and 
directed downwards. Besides breeding-nests, there are 
generally a number of a different construction in which the 
birds may rest. These frequently have two openings, or 
consist of a ring of woven grass.” 
Mr. Boyd Alexander, during his journey up the Zam- 
besi, procured a good series, including one from the Rufue 
River, which is the most western range known for the species. 
With regard to its habits he writes: ‘This is the most 
plentiful of all the Weavers, being common everywhere, and 
it appears to be equally at home among the huts of a native 
village, in reed-beds, or in thick woods. Throughout the 
greater portion of the year it is found in large flocks, whose 
numbers increase at times of feeding, in the morning and 
evening. With them safety lies in numbers, since they are 
constantly being preyed upon by Hawks (Accipiter minullus) 
and the Black-shouldered Kite (Hlanus cxruleus) during the 
daytime, and the Red-legged Gos-hawk (Melierux gabar) in the 
evening, when they resort to the reed-beds for the night. 
When a flock travels over a region where an attack is likely 
a strong and rapid flight close to the ground is resorted to; 
but they do not always get off scot-free, for I have more than 
once seen a flock completely routed and one of their number 
borne away. In one locality the flocks are often considerable, 
