Birds of Gazaland, Southern Rhodesia. 39 
11. Esrrinpa asrritpa. Common Waxbill. 
This bird is found in large flocks in the winter, especially 
about fallow land, living on the seeds of the weeds and grasses. 
‘The natives, on catching one, use it as a decoy, and tie it by 
the leg in the centre of a number of limed twigs; usually 
with considerable success, for it calls well and soon brings 
its fellows to the spot. 
12. Esrritpa cLarkiI, Sanguineous Waxbill. 
Estrelda clarket Shelley, B. Afr. iv. p. 209. 
I obtained a single specimen of this Waxbill on the 10th of 
August, 1899, in a small swamp in Mafusi’s country, at an 
altitude of 4000 feet. The crop contained small seeds only. 
13. Spermestes scutatus. Hooded Weaver-Finch. 
In the middle of December I found a nest of this species, 
cleverly hidden amongst the leaves of a young “ Mushagata” 
tree standing in open grass-veld, about nine feet from the 
ground. It was a thick-walled and, in comparison with 
the size of the bird, a bulky structure, composed entirely 
of grass in flower and seed, which gave it quite a striking 
appearance: the ends of some of the grasses, studded with 
seeds, were brought forward over the entrance so as to forma 
rough porch, rather after the manner of Coliopasser ardens ; 
while grasses in flower, and therefore soft, were used almost 
exclusively for the lining. Diameter of nest, measured ex- 
ternally, from 4 to 4°5 inches; diameter of cup about 3°5. 
Both birds flew out as I approached, having probably been 
engaged in putting the finishing touches to the interior, for 
there were no eggs. 
14. SPERMESTES NIGRIcEPS. Rufous - backed Weaver - 
inch. 
This bird is not uncommon in the rank grass which skirts 
Chirinda. It is found in pairs or small parties. 
15. Pyromrezana oryx. Red Bishop-Bird. 
Pyromelana oryx sundevalli Shelley, B. Afr. iv. p. 98. 
By no means plentiful, but occasionally found in grass- 
jungle. 
