226 Mr. W. L. Sclater on Birds collected 



40. Amblyospiza albifrons. 



IXr. lllovo, Nov. (8). 



[This species was noted from Natal^ where it was plenti- 

 ful, and the luhambane and Gorongoza districts of the 

 Portuguese country, wlieie only two or three individuals 

 were seen. It frequents well-wooded localities, usually, 

 I think, in pairs, and feeds largely on wild fruit and berries. 



The soft parts are : — 



(J ad. Irides hazel ; bill slate-coloured ; legs and toes 

 slaty brown. 



<^ i?n. & ? ad. Bill yellowish liorn-coloured ; legs and 

 toes paler.] 



43. Ploceipasser pectoralis. 

 P. Tete, Aug. (1). 



[This Weaver was only noticed near Tete, on both the north 

 and south banks of the Zambesi, and appeared to be very 

 local, as no specimens were seen even such a little way to the 

 south as ray camp at the junction of the Mazoe and Luenya 

 Rivers. I have always seen it in flocks of a dozen to twenty 

 individuals ; it spends much of its time on the ground, 

 flydng up and perching on the lower branches of the trees on 

 being disturbed. It is found most commonly around native 

 kraals, and probably to a large extent feeds on the native 

 crops in their season. It has a loud call-note constantly 

 repeated, and the flight is AV caver-like. 



Tiie soft parts are : — Irides hazel ; bill black ; legs and 

 toes sooty brown.] 



44. Sporopipes squamifrons. 

 Tv. Pietcrsburg, Febr. (7). 



[This striking species was only found in the open dry 

 country near Pietersburg, where it was very plentiful and 

 occurred in flocks, spending much of its time on the 

 ground in search of grass-seeds, and seeming partial to the 

 vicinity of habitations. It is a sociable species and many 

 nests were found ; these were placed in the numerous 

 thorn-bushes, often several in one bush. They were com- 

 posed roughly of long grass, the flowering ends projecting 



