PLOCEUS SPILONOTUS. 



quill feather rudimentary, the third, fourth and fifth, longest and equal, the 

 second rather shorter than the third. Tail slightly rounded at the point. 

 Tarsi robust, in front scutellated, behind entire, the divisions between the 

 scuta strongly marked ; toes, particularly the hinder ones, large ; claws 

 strong, and much curved. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inch, Lin. Inch. Lin. 



Length from the point of the bill to the 



tip of the tail 7 



of the bill from the gape 11 



of the tail 2 7 



of the wings 3 6 



Nothing is known of the female. 



Length of the tarsus I 1 



of the outer toe (i 



of the middle toe 8 



of the inner toe 6 



of the hinder toe ."> 



This species inhabits the districts bordering upon the south-east coast; but I have not seen 

 nor heard of its having been found to the westward of Kafirland. Specimens are but rarely 

 discovered, and these are generally found upon the margins of rivers. From the trees 

 which overhang the waters they suspend their nests, which are of a somewhat kidney 

 form, and composed of blades of grass so closely interwoven, that they form a complete protec- 

 tion against the weather. The female lays three or four eggs, which are of a delicate greenish 

 blue colour, and about the size of those of the common sparrow — Pyrgita domestica. 



It was not till after this bird had been figured in company with Ploceus Capensis, that we 

 recollected it had been represented by Swainson (Birds of Western Africa) under the name of 

 Ploceus Jlaviceps, and in such a manner as to render any second figure quite superfluous. 



