EAST AFRICAN BIRDS. 839 



but tbis was evidently an old injury, as it had long since healed. 

 Whilst examining it, my attention was attracted by the 

 demonstrations of a Shrike {Harpolestes senegalensis orientalis), 

 and a short search discovered its nest with the hen bird sitting 

 on the clutch. Was it possible that the Shrike had killed the 

 Weaver, Avhich had been unable to escape owing to its crippled 

 condition? (Morogoro, 29. iii. 17). 



COLIUSPASSER ARDENS TROPICUS Reichw. 



Nests of the Red-collared Whydah with three eggs in each 

 were found on 9.iv. 17 and l.vi. 17, a,nd many more between 

 those dates, the species being quite common at Morogoro 

 (Morogoro, 1917). 



COLTUSPASSER LATIOAUDA Licllt. 



Many nests Avere found on the plains at Nairobi between 



22. v. 1 5 and 5.vi. 15, containing three eggs, which comprises the 

 clutch. Two clutches of three eggs Avere found at the same place 

 on 7. V. 19. (Nairobi). 



CoLiusPASSER EQUES Hartl. 



Four nests Avith two eggs in each were found between 13 <& 



23. iii. 17. It would appear that two is often the full clutch. 

 The nest is similar to those of other members of the genus. At 

 first H. frameAvork in the shape of an owsA is made between tAvo or 

 more stout grasses at a height of 3 feet from the ground, or 

 thereabouts. A loosely-built domed grass net is Avoven on to the 

 frameAvork, and the eggs laid in the bottom of the nest Avithout 

 lining of any kind (Morogoro, 1917). 



CoLiusPASSER .TACKSONi Sharpe. 



The males of Jackson's Whydah and the foregoing species 

 dance round and round the female as she sits on a tuft of grass, 

 the object of the dance being to display the extraordinary long 

 black tail-feathers Avhich are put on for the breeding season. 

 The dance is really a hop, and it is quite ridiculous to see the 

 birds appearing and disappearing as if shot into the air by some 

 unseen spring. Round and round goes the bii-d, till the grass is 

 ti-odden down in the vicinity of the central tuft to such an extent 

 that one could hardly credit that it was the Avork of so small a 

 creature. Doubtless they resort to the same spot day after day. 

 The dancing rings, about tAvo feet in diameter, are common 

 enough, and become almost bare of grass. The lengthy tail 

 seems to hamper the bird in flight as it leaA^es the grass or 

 bushes ; occasionally one is seen Avith its tail a,t right angles to 

 its body as it sits on a branch or briar. UnAvieldy as they appear, 

 attempt to catch one, and you ahvays find you just fail ; at the 

 eleventh hour the owner of the tail manages to get under way 

 (Nairobi, 1. v. 9). 



57* 



