23G Mr. W. L. Selater on Birds collected 



taken on February .2lst, and two nests, one witli four 

 ego-s and one with three eggs, taken in March, all at 

 Pietersburg. 



The wings of the males measure between 166 and 168 mm., 

 and those of tlie Woodbush females about 164-, thus clearly- 

 bringing these examples into the smaller and more northern 

 subspecies. 



[The Red Bishop Bird frequents more or less open 

 country along reedy streams and rivers, and feeds largely 

 upon grain and various seeds, doing considerable damage 

 to crops of oats and native millet. It was found breed- 

 ing plentifully at Woodbush and around Pietersburg, 

 generally placing the nest among the upright stems of reeds 

 over water ; the full clutch apparently was four in number. 

 At all times it is a noisy bird, continually chattering. 

 In the breeding-season the females appear to be rather 

 retiring in habits, and unless waited for cannot always be 

 secured. 



The soft parts are : — 



(^ . Irides hazel ; bill black ; legs and toes fleshy brown. 

 ? . Bill fleshy brown ; legs and toes paler than in male.] 



68. Pyromelana taha. 



Tv. Pietersburg, Feb. (3) ; P. Tcte, Aug. (1 ? ). 



[I only noticed this little Weaver near Pietersburg, where 

 it was not uncommon and frequented the reedy streams in 

 company Avith P. oryx and P. capensis. In habits it much 

 resembles P. capensis, spreading the soft feathers of the 

 rump in flight like that species. 



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

 toes pale brown.] 



()9. Pyromelana capensis. 



CC. Table Mt., Feb. (1); Durban Rd., Sept. (1); 

 Knysna, Apl. (5) ; Plettenberg Bay, Mch. (3). 



['' Kaflir-fink " of Colonists. 



The Black-and-Yellow Weaver was only found in the 

 Cape Peninsula and the Knysna district, it being replaced 

 further east and north by P. c. ajiproximaiis. It usually 



