102 PLOCEID^] ESTEILDA 



footpath, and was easily reached from the ground ; in structure it 

 was very similar to that of Estrilda astrild, though smaller and 

 less compact, though made of the small materials." The Messrs. 

 Woodward met with it in Zululand, nesting in a small tree in the 

 open country. The nest, built of grass lined with feathers, con- 

 tained six very small white eggs. 



I have on several occasions found the nest of this species near 

 Pinetown in Natal, built both in bushes and low trees. It is domed, 

 loosely constructed of dry grass and lined with feathers. The eggs, 

 from four to six in a clutch, are laid in December and March, for 

 these birds are double brooded. They are pure white, and average 

 0-54 x 0-42. 



The Grey Waxbill is nearly always in pairs, is very tame, and 

 feeds on the ground on grass-seeds and small insects. Its note is a 

 soft " chirrup," 



Estrilda angolensis 



A 



<. a 



55. Estrilda angolensis. Blue-breasted Waxbill. 



Fringilla angolensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 323 (1766). 



Estrelda benghala, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 199, pt. (1867). 



Mariposa cyanogastra, Gurney in Andersson's B. Damara Land, p. 179 



(1872). 

 Mariposa phaenicotis, Holub and Von Pelz. Beitr. Orn. Siidafr, p. 129 



(1882). 

 Uraeginthus cyanogastra, Sharpe, ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. pp. 473, 850 



(1884). 



Estrilda angolensis, Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 402 (1890). 

 Granatina angolensis, Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 29 (1896). 

 " Cordon Bleu " of Bird Fanciers. 



Description. Adult male (Orange Eiver). Above, crown, nape, 

 sides of neck, back and wing- coverts reddish-brown ; quills brown 

 with paler edges ; lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts light 

 blue ; tail dark blue ; lores, eyebrow, ear-coverts and cheeks light 



I J 



