Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 107 
seeds, much as an ordinary sparrow would do.” Another, 
but more advanced, immature specimen, shot near Potchef- 
stroom, 13th March, has the striations on the upper surface 
much more developed, though the markings, especially on 
the head are less clear and bright than in the adult bird in 
winter dress. Mr. Ayres sends three adults in winter plu- 
mage, shot at Rustenburg on 26th July and 9th August, and 
a male in full breeding-dress shot at Potchefstroom, 30th 
January.—J. H. G.] 
344. CHERA PROGNE (Bodd.). Great Widow bird. 
This species is found about Potchefstroom, as well as in the 
open valleys of the Magaliesbergen. 
OrryeosPiza potyzona (Temm.). Little Barred-breasted 
Finch. 
This species is common about Rustenburg, and seems 
pretty well distributed throughout Transvaal. 
345. Estrecpa DUFRESNII (Vieill.). Dufresne’s Finch. 
Estrelda melanogenys, Sund. 
I met with one or two small flights of these pretty little 
fellows ; they were amongst low bushes and grass, hunting 
on the ground for small seeds, and were most of them in very 
poor plumage. 
[ Mr. Ayres sends a male shot at Rustenburg on 12th June, 
in which the black throat and ear-coverts are well-developed, 
showing that this plumage is maintained in winter.—J. H.G.] 
EstreLpa cyanocastra (Daud.). Blue-cheeked Finch. 
This is a very common species in the Rustenburg district ; 
it is found in flights inhabiting bushy country. 
[In ‘ The Ibis’ for 1869, p. 294, I erroneously called this 
bird the “ Purple-eared Finch,” a name which is only appli- 
cable to the male of the more northern but closely allied spe- 
cies E. phenicotis; in the southern bird the cheeks and ear- 
coverts are blue in both sexes.—J. H. G.] 
EstrRELDA*GRANATINA (Linn.). Granadine Finch. 
Male, Rustenburg, 22nd June. Irides and eyelids scarlet ; 
bill deep rose-red ; tarsi and feet very dark ash-colour. 
