by Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa. 233 



breeding, several nests being placed in close proximity on 

 the tops of some tall rushes bordering a stream. Only- 

 two of these contained eggs, the female being shot in 

 one case. 



The soft parts are : — Irides reddish ; bill crimson, culmen 

 and gonys blackish ; legs and toes fleshy brown.] 



58. EsTRILDA DUFRESNII. 



CC. Knysna, Dec, Jan. (4) ; Tv. Woodbush, Nov., 

 Jan. (9). 



[Dufresne^s Waxbiil occurs in small flocks of about half 

 a dozen, and frequents roads and clearings in the forested 

 localities, spending much of its time on the ground and 

 feeding principally upon grass-seeds. Like the other Wax- 

 bills, it is constantly calling when feeding, and if disturbed 

 seldom flies far, often to the lower branches of some 

 tree or bush, whence it quickly descends again to the 

 ground. 



The soft parts are : — Irides bright red ; bill, upper mandible 

 black, lower red; legs and toes blackish brown.] 



59. Ortygospiza polyzona. 

 Z. Sibudeni, Oct., Nov. (4). 

 ["Nceni'' of Zulus. 



This Weaver-Finch was only found in Zululand, where 

 it occurred in small flocks on the open hill-sides and fed 

 principally upon grass-seeds. 



The soft parts are : — Irides hazel; bill dark red; legs and 

 toes lightish browu.] 



60. SpERMESTES FKINGILLOIDES. 



p. Beira, Jan. (1) ; Tambarara, July (1). 



[" Simbasili " of Ntebis. 



This Weaver- Finch was only found in the Portuguese 

 country. It occurs in small flocks in the native lands, where 

 it feeds on grain, especially millet, and the seeds of various 

 wild plants and grasses. It is a lively and dainty little bird, 

 and spends the greater part of its time on the ground. 



The soft parts are : — Irides hazel ; bill, legs and toes dark 

 slate-coloured.] 



