PYROMELANA 125 



Genus II. PYROMELANA. 



Pyromelana, Bp. Saggio Distr. Met. Anim. Vertebr. p. 141 



(1831) P.oryx. 



-Bill short, thick at the base, pointed ; the culmen smooth, 

 rounded, prolonged backwards to a point on the forehead, the 

 lateral margins slightly sinuated, angulated at the base ; gonys long 

 and ascending. Nostrils basal, rounded, partly hidden by frontal 

 plumes. Wings moderate, the first quill short, the third, fourth 

 and fifth longest. Tail square, shorter than the wing; tarsi as 

 long as the middle toe ; the inner toe shorter than the outer ; claws 

 long, slender and slightly curved. Plumage : sexes in winter alike 



Pyromelana capensis minor. 



of some shades of unobtrusive brown ; in summer the males with a 

 gorgeous breeding dress of velvety black and yellow or red, with 

 erectile neck-frills and elongated erectile rump-feathers. 



The genus includes about sixteen species and sub-species of 

 African Weaver Birds, commonly called " Bishop Birds" from the 

 gaudy plumage of the males. Three species and two sub-species 

 occur in South Africa. 



The Bishop Birds are usually found in the neighbourhood of 

 marshes. They build covered nests in reeds and bushes and lay 

 from three to five eggs. Those of P. oryx are plain blue, of the 

 other species spotted or streaked. All the Pyromelana feed largely 

 on seeds, but occasionally on insects. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Prevailing colours of the male in summer 



black and orange -scarlet P. oryx, p. 126. 



b. Prevailing colours of males in summer 



black and yellow. 



a 1 . Size small : wing less than 2'50 P. taha, p. 128. 



6 1 . Size larger : wing exceeding 3'00. 

 a 2 . Thighs brown. 



a 3 . Larger, wing 3'35 . : P. capensis, p. 130. 



6 3 . Smaller, whig 3'00 P. c. minor, p. 132. 



b*. Thighs black P. c. xanthomelcena, p. 133. 



