1540 



THE PERCHING BIRDS 



while the feathering of the body is soft and velvety; and there is a distinct winter 

 and summer plumage, in the latter of which a frill is developed round the neck. 

 Among the handsomest of the group is the red bishop bird, or red Kaffir finch (Pyro- 

 melana oryx), of the Cape Colony, Natal, and the Transvaal. A bird of social habits, 

 gathering together in immense flocks both in winter and summer, which during the 

 latter season appear to consist almost entirely of males in their gaudy red and 

 black plumage, the red bishop bird breeds in the month of September, constructing 

 its nest of fine grass and suspending it among the reeds of the rivers. The eggs are 



I1H 



SOCIABLE WEAVER BIRD. 



(Three-fourths natural size.) 



pure light blue. In winter the flocks of bishop birds do much damage to the grain- 

 fields. It is often exported into Europe as a cage bird. The adult male in nuptial 

 plumage has the upper parts, throat, and vent, brilliant scarlet; the wings and tail 

 are brown, and the forehead, cheeks, and chin black. After the breeding season is 

 over, the male assumes the brown plumage of the female. Another common bird 

 throughout the Cape Colony is the black-and-yellow bishop bird (P. capensis) affect- 

 ing alike the loneliest swamps and the homesteads of farmers. It breeds in the 

 neighborhood of water, constructing its nest of strong grasses and suspending it 



