THE GRENADIER WEAVER. 293 



entirely of males in their gaudy red and black^ plumage." Mr. T. R. 

 Barrett observes: "The 'Red Caffre Fink' breeds in reeds and 

 gardens, and is plentiful about Bloemfontein, in the Free State, thence 

 to the Vaal River, Kronstadt, near Rustenberg, Pretoria, and Potchef- 

 stroom. It is a very local bird ; and I found it in only a few places 

 along the Vaal, near the diamond-fields ; but I did not observe it 

 flying everywhere, like Chera procne." 



"Messrs. Butler, Feilden, and Reid write: 'Red Fink Common 

 and universally distributed. Specimens of the male bird were obtained, 

 in all stages of transition, from winter to summer plumage, in October 

 and November. Found breeding in considerable numbers along the 

 reedy streams near Maritzburg (Richmond Road) ; and eggs obtained 

 iu December, though at that time many nests contained young birds. 

 Also breeding in the same place in March, so they must nest twice. 

 The nests are constructed of grasses, domed with a side entrance, and 

 usually placed among reeds, on the stems of which they are formed, 

 about four or five feet from the ground-level, and at the water's edge. 

 Eggs rather pale greenish blue, unspotted.' ' 



Dr. Russ says : " A little bird of brilliant plumage, imported 

 alive from ancient times, is the Oryx, also called greater or double 

 Fire Finch,* hitherto, it has always remained one of the rarest, and 

 year by year, one scarcely ever meets with it, in a few pairs, and for 

 the most part only in single male specimens at the large dealers ? 

 Superficially as in its entire behaviour it looks like a larger copy of 

 the Orange-bird. 



"In the bird-room the Oryx is one of the easiest and also most 

 satisfactorily nesting Weaver-birds. Moreover, he carries a token of it 

 in a most conspicuous manner as evidence. For instance the Fire 

 Weavers exhibit their love-sport, which, as already mentioned, has often 

 been likened to the pairing of Gallinaceous birds, and has been already 

 described in the summary of this group, in an especially lively and 

 comical fashion. Among them again the Oryx excels in a quite re- 

 markable manner. His behaviour in nesting- time is absolutely of such 

 a character as to mock all attempt at description. I must therefore 

 though very unwillingly leave to Mr. Emil Schmidt the demonstration 

 of this marvellous dancer as it has exhibited itself countless times in 

 the bird-room to his artistic gaze." 



As an illustration, I also append an observation relative to it by 

 Dr. Reichenow : "One constantly sees the male puff itself out and dance 

 in order to exhibit the full beauty of its magnificent plumage to the plain 



Possibly "Two-coloured Fire Finch." A.G.B. 



