Port St. Johns, Pondoland. 177 



Resident and very common in the thick bush, keeping in 

 pairs throughout the year. 



13. Amblvospiza albifrons (Vigors) ; Stark, i. p. 80. 



(1) 19.12.01. <J. Iris hazel; bill black; legs black. 



In the stomach, insects and seeds. 



(2) 21.12.01. ? . Bill dull yellow, upper ridge brown, 



tipped with black. 



(3) 19.3.02. Jr. Legs light slaty blue. 



(4) 19.10.02. <$ . Legs brown. In the stomach, Kaffir 



corn. 

 Resident and plentiful in damp localities, where it nests 

 among the reeds on the banks of the rivers. The nest and 

 eggs were obtained in December. 



14. Lagonosticta rubricata (Licht.) ; Stark, i. p. 92. 

 (1) 1.5.02. (J. Iris black; legs slate- brown; bill with the 



upper mandible slate-black, the lower light slate- 

 coloured, pink underneath. In the stomach, seeds. 

 Fairly common, but seemingly more plentiful during the 

 winter months. It frequents thick undergrowth and long 

 grass, and is more or less social in its habits, though it never 

 flies about in flocks like Estrilda astrilda. 



15. Estrilda astrilda (Linn.) ; Stark, i. p. 98. 



(1) 21.1.02. $. Iris brown ; bill red ; legs dark brown. 



In the stomach, small seeds. 

 Common and gregarious, frequenting the open grass- 

 country. 



16. Estrilda dufresnii (Vieill.) ; Stark, i. p. 107. 



(1) 7.5.02. Iris hazel; legs black; bill with the upper 

 mandible black, the lower red. 



Resident, but not plentiful, found in pairs. After the 

 nesting-season is over the young birds collect in small flocks, 

 and frequent the scrubby bush and long grass. 



17. Spermestes scutatus (Heuglin); Stark, i. p. 112. 



(1) 26.11.01. 2- Iris hazel; legs black; bill with the 

 upper mandible black, the lower slate-blue. In 

 the stomach, seeds. 



