116 BIRD ARCHITECTS 



usually close to the ground, and is -a. round, loosely built 

 structure of grass, lined with feathers. Eggs three to five 

 (occasionally even six), and of a pure white colour. 



The Common Waxbill {Estrilda astrild) is known as the 

 Eooibekje (Eed-biU) amongst the Boers, and, unlike the 

 preceding species, may be found in enormous flocks during 

 the autumn and winter months, searching for seeds amongst 

 the weeds and grass in old lands, or amongst the open scrub 

 and bush. 



They have a shrill, ping-ping like call, and are well known 

 in their plumage of brown back, crimson breast, and red 

 bills. Length, 4f inches. They build a large, untidy nest 

 of grass, lined with feathers, and lay four to six eggs of a 

 pure white colour. 



The Blue-breasted Waxbill {Urceginfhus angolensis) has the 

 rump regions, face and under parts, except the thighs and 

 centre of abdomen, light blue. Length, 4f inches. This 

 bird is not found south of the Orange Eiver valley. Mr. 

 Harry Neethling found them common at Parys in the 

 Orange Eiver Colony, during April, 1907. 



The most beautiful species of the Sub-family is the Violet- 

 eared Waxbill {U. granaima), which has the top of the head, 

 neck, breast and back chestnut-brown, the sides of the face 

 lilac, the throat black, and the rump and taU-coverts bright 

 blue. Length, 5f inches. The female is paler and less brightly 

 coloured than the male. 



They do not congregate in large flocks like most of the 

 Waxbills, although the late Dr. Symonds, of Kroonstad, 

 has recorded the fact of having occasionally seen them in fair 

 numbers. 



The Orange-breasted Waxbill {E. clarkei) is sometimes 



