by Mr. Claude Grant In South Africa. 237 



frequents the borders of rivers and streams^ although in the 

 iion-breeding-season it resorts to cultivated lands in small 

 parties in company with other Weavers. It has a harsh cry, 

 and the flight is swift and straight. The male in the 

 breeding-season indulges in a gliding-downward flight with 

 rapidly quivering wings and the rump-feathers spread out 

 on each side. 



The soft parts are : — 



(^ , breeding. Irides hazel ; bill black, greater half of 

 lower mandible towards tip pearly ; legs and toes darkish 

 brown. 



(^ , non-breeding, and ?. Bill horn-coloured; legs and 

 toes paler brown.] 



70. Pyromelana capensis approximaxs. 



Z. Sibudeni, Nov., Oct., Jan. (5) ; Tv. Wakkerstroom, 

 Apl. (1). 



This is the eastern form of P. capensis, and only diff'ers in 

 its smaller size ; it extends into the Southern Transvaal, but 

 is replaced in the Zoutpansberg district and in Rhodesia by 

 P. xanthomelana, which can be very easily distinguished 

 by the absence of the buff edging on the inner wel)s of the 

 quills. 



71. Pyromelana xanthomelana. 



Tv. Woodbush, Nov., May (6) ; P. Beira, Nov., Jan. (5) ; 

 Masambeti, Nov. (2). 



['^ Maubi " of Zulus. " Kwc " of Ntebis. 



The smaller Black- and-Yellow and the Black-thighed 

 Weaver-birds were observed in Natal and Zululand, the 

 Soutli-Eastern and North-Eastern Transvaal, and the Beira 

 district of Portuguese East Africa. In general habits and 

 call they resemble P. cajjensis. 



The soft parts are : — 



? & (^ , in non-breeding-dress . Irides hazel ; bill horn- 

 coloured ; legs and toes horn-brown. 



(^ , in breeding-dress. Upper mandible black, lower horny 

 to black as the season advances; legs and toes horn-brown 

 or dark brown.] 



SER. IX. VOL. V. s 



