L8 



Von Heuglin (Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 221) gives the following information respecting this bird : — 

 In North-east Africa it is very limited in range, having only been observed by him during the 

 winter and spring months in the highest ranges of the Central Abyssinian Alps, where the Erica, 

 Eckinops, and the Djibara plant (Bhynchopetalum montanum) occur at an elevation of from 10,000 

 to 14,000 feet above the sea, in the province of Semien, and at Begemedere, on the Guna. He 

 observed it in pairs or small flocks, sometimes in company with N. tacazze ; and, notwithstanding 

 the cold and the strong winds, they flutter and sing around the few bushes which grow on these 

 dreary and often snow-clad mountain-ranges. 



It does not, he remarks, assume its full plumage before May or June, although N. tacazze 

 has already done moulting in April ; and whether it be a resident throughout the year he is 

 unable to affirm ; but I think we need not doubt its being such. According to Brehm (Habesch, 

 p. 211) its occurrence at Mensa may be doubted ; but it was found, as we are informed, by 

 Lefebvre at Adowa ; and in the province of Semien, according to Riippell, it is plentiful up to an 

 elevation of 12,000 feet. 



