FRINOILLTDM 177 



[The specimen above mentioned is now in the collection of 

 Mr. R. B. Sharpe, and also a female subsequently obtained by 

 Mr. Andersson at Ovaquenyama on May 25th, 1867. ED.] 



213. Sporopipes squamifrons (Smith). Scutellated Finch. 



Amadina squamifrons, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 95. 

 Phileteerw squamifrons, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. 



Orn. 1852, p. 150. 



Estrelda squamifrons, Layard's Cat. No. 393. 

 Amadina squamifrons, Chapman's Travels in S. Air., App. p. 402. 

 Sporopipes squamifrons, Sharpe's Cat. No. 584. 



This species is widely and commonly diffused over 

 the middle and southern portion of Damara Land; it is 

 also pretty common in Great Namaqua Land, in the 

 Lake-regions, and at the river Okavango. It is a 

 gregarious species, and is comparatively tame, often 

 taking up its abode close to man. It feeds on grass- 

 seeds and insects, which it chiefly seeks on the ground 

 amongst the grass, resorting in small flocks to open 

 localities thinly covered with dwarf vegetation. 



This Finch is a very late breeder, and builds a large 

 grass nest, which is usually placed in " hakisdom " 

 bushes, and has the appearance externally of a bundle 

 of grass accidentally pitched into a bush or tree, the 

 entrance to the nest being nearly hidden by the manner 

 in which the grass is arranged. Internally the nest is 

 beautifully lined or, rather, padded with the softest 

 materials, and especially with the feathers of the 

 Guinea-fowl, and not only serves for the purpose of 

 incubation but also as a roosting-place in the cold 

 season, when several individuals, probably of the same 

 brood, may be found thus snugly housed, 



H 



