184 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



partly hidden by the frontal plumes ; wings moderate, with 

 the first quill very short, the second shorter than the third, 

 the third to the fifth longest, and the tertials nearly the 

 length of the quills ; tail moderate, with the end even, or 

 slightly rounded ; tarsi as long as, or longer than, the mid- 

 dle toe ; toes moderate, the inner toe shorter than the outer, 

 and the claws long, slender, slightly curved, and compressed. 



367. PlOCeUS Taha. (Linn.) Z. 111. p. 7 ; Ploceus 

 Dubius, Smith, App. to Report of Exp., p. 50 (non- 

 breeding plumage) ; Ploceus Melanocephalus, Vieil. 



5 In summer plumage, black ; the crown of the head, back, 

 rump, vent, and a narrow oblique stripe on each side of the 

 breast, immediately in front of the shoulders, bright-yellow ; 

 wings and tail, grey-brown ; thighs, pale-yellow, speckled 

 with brown. 



$ In winter plumage, above, pale yellowish-brown ; head, 

 and neck freely dashed with longitudinal, brownish- black 

 stripes ; back and rump the same ; under parts greyish- 

 white ; throat and breast tinged with sienna-yellow, and with 

 the flanks variegated by longitudinal brown streaks. Length, 

 4" 9'" ; wing, 2" T" ; tail, 1" I'". 



The species does not extend south of 26, and is said to breed in 

 the reeds which skirt the rivers north, of that line. They congre- 

 gate in large flocks, and are very destructive to the corn-fields. Dr. 

 Smith, loc. cit. 



368. PlOCeUS Oapensis; Euplectus Capensis, 

 Swain., B. of W. A, Vol. 1, p. 180 ; Loxia Capensis, 

 Linn. ; Cuv., Vol. 2, p. 137 ; Pyromelana Capensis, 

 Blyth ; .Icterus Flavescens, Daud. ; Yellow Kafir 

 Fink, or Finch of Colonists. 



GENERAL colour of male in breeding plumage, deep black ; 

 the feathers of .the head and neck short, and so closely set as 

 to resemble the richest velvet ; rump and shoulders brilliant 

 yellow ; wings brown. Length, 5f" ; wing, 3" 3'" ; tail, 2" 3"'. 



This is a very common species throughout the colony, affecting 

 indiscriminately the solitary vley (morass) in the midst of the veldt 

 (open, uncultivated country), or the homestead of the farmer. During 

 the breeding season it is seen about reeds, among which it breeds, 

 placing its nest with great art, so as to include in its structure three or 

 four of the firmest and most upright stems, which support it like pillars. 

 The male generally perches on the topmost twigs of the bushes mingled 

 with the reeds, or on the heads of the reeds themselves ; and his 



