FRINGILLIDjE. 179 



the middle toe ; toes strong, the lateral toes equal in length, 

 and the claws strong, and much curved. 



355. Hyphantornis Oapensis, Smith ; ZooL s. 



A., PL 66 ; Ploceus Abyssinicus, Cuv. 



FRONT, chin, throat, and breast, saffron-yellow ; top of head, 

 sides of neck, and vent, gamboge-yellow ; nape, back, and 

 rump, lemon-yellow ; back of neck and shoulders, greenish- 

 yellow ; the middle of each feather pale olive-brown ; wing 

 feathers, dark purplish-brown, edged with sulphur-yellow ; 

 tail olive-brown, tinted with yellow; bill livid-brown. Length, 

 7"; wing, 3" 6'"; tail, 2" &". 



Generally diffused over the more southern districts of South Africa, 

 in flocks of from 10 to 15 individuals, building on trees that overhang 

 rivers and marshes. Nests constructed of coarse grass, somewhat 

 kidney-shaped, with the entrance towards the upper end, and directed 

 downwards. Dr, A. Smith, loc. cit. 



I have found this species to build indiscriminately over the driesfe 

 spots, or over water. At this moment a large colony is established in 

 some fir-trees opposite the house of a friend of mine, at the outskirts 

 of the town, on the way to " Green-Point," close to the main road, and 

 the constant stream of traffic. I should not describe the entrance of 

 the nest as Dr. Smith has done ; but should rather say it was on the 

 lowest or under side, opening downwards. The eggs are four or five in 

 number, and of a beautiful spotless verditer : axis, 11'" ; diam., 8"'. 



I have kept these birds for a considerable time in a large cage, and 

 have known several in the possession of others. They become very 

 tame, and will readily answer to the call. If they are supplied with 

 cotton, or thread, they will weave it most industriously into the bars 

 of the cage, forming a dense mass, which it is impossible to unravel. 

 This work they perform entirely with their bills, clinging the while 

 to the side of the cage with their powerful claws. 



They are most mischievous, cunning birds, and have more than once 

 unfastened the bolts of my cage-door and got out ; such, however, is 

 their attachment to each other (I have two now before me in my cage), 

 that they have never left the room, though the windows, on each 

 occasion, have been wide open. 



A party have several times endeavoured to form a colony in the 

 Governor's garden, but for some reason failed. This year (1861) a 

 pair began to repair an old nest, in May, and I saw the male and 

 several of his companions in full breeding dress. Cold, rainy, windy 

 weather, however, blew away the structure, and though I hear th 

 churring cry of the birds about, I see no signs of building up to the 

 time I write (July 24). 



356. Hyphantornis Aurifrons. (Tem) PL Col. 



175, 176 ; Ploceus Icterocephalus, Sw., Nat. His. of 

 Birds, Vol. 1, p. 189 ; Cuv., Vol. 7, p. 132 ; Shaw, 

 Vol. 14, PL 1, p. 35. 



FOREHEAD, and top of head, fine gold colour ; cheeks and 

 throat less brilliant; sides of neck and beneath, citron- 



