PABID.E ^GITHALUS 309 



crown ; wings with the base of the median coverts black and the 

 edges of the quills shaded with olive-yellow; throat and- under 

 surface of body ashy grey ; bill black, with the inside of the mouth 

 bright yellow ; legs olive shaded grey. Total length 6-00 ; wing 

 3-15; tail 2-70; tarsus 0-75 ; culmen 0'45 (Shelley). 



Distribution. The type specimen was collected on the south 

 bank of the Zambesi by Dr. Bradshaw ; a second example, in the 

 British Museum, is labelled " Grahamstown (Atmore)." The only 

 other example known was forwarded by Mr. A. Whyte from Mpimbi 

 on the Upper Shire Kiver and is recorded by Capt. Shelley in the 

 " Ibis " for 1893, p. 17. 



Genus II. JEGITHALUS. 



Type. 

 -ffigithalus, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 556 M. pendulinus. 



Bill short and very acutely pointed, the outline of both culmen 

 and gonys straight, the sides compressed. Nostrils basal and 

 lateral, the opening concealed by projecting frontal plumes. Wings 

 rather short, the first quill very short, the second nearly as long as 

 the third and fourth, which are equal and longest. Tail short and 

 slightly forked. Tarsus as long as middle toe, scutellated anteriorly. 

 Toes moderate, the hind-toe long and strong, the claws long and 

 acute. Plumage of plain colours and destitute of spots and streaks. 

 Sexes alike. 



About a dozen species and subspecies of Penduline Tits have 

 been described. They range over Eastern and Western Asia, 

 Southern Europe and a large portion of Africa, whilst a single 

 species inhabits Mexico and the Southern United States. Two 

 species are found in South Africa. They are all birds of minute 

 size, insectivorous as regards their food, and well known for their 

 ingeniously woven and felted domed nests. They lay from six to 

 twelve unspotted white eggs. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Under surface of body pale yellow M. capensis, p. 310 



b. Throat and breast dull white, merging into reddish- 



buff on the abdomen, flanks and under tail-coverts JE. caroli, p. 312 



