WAXBILLS 117 



called the Zebra Waxbill on account of the black and yellow 

 barring on the sides of the body. Chin and eyebrow red ; 

 below, yellowish-orange tinged on the chest and vent 

 with red. Length, 3f inches. This bird was present at 

 Modderfontein (Transvaal) in large flocks during the months 

 of February and March, 1907. 



The Swee Waxbill {E. dujresum) is the best known species 

 in the South- Eastern Province of Cage Colony from Uitenhage 

 to Port Alfred. It is of an olive colour above, with a grey 

 head, scarlet taU-coverts and a black tail. The male has 

 besides, the sides of the face and throat black. Length, 3| 

 inches. 



All the Waxbills are seed-eaters, thus being true friends 

 of the agriculturist. 



They all lay white eggs in large, untidy nests built in 

 bushes not far off the ground or in low trees. 



The Bar-breasted Weaver-Pinch {Ortygospiza folyzona) is 

 brown above, grey-brown on the sides of the body, and grey 

 6n the upper breast ; both the latter regions are barred 

 with black and white.. The lower chest is chestnut and the 

 abdominal regions are bu£Ssh. The throat is black and there 

 is a white ring round the eye. Length, 3| inches. This 

 little bird is a well-known species in the Central Transvaal, 

 where it may always be found in flocks feeding on the grass 

 and weed seeds in old lands or along grassy roadsides and 

 the like. 



When disturbed it flies up with a curious metallic cry 

 which gave it its local name of " Tink-tinkie." 



It builds a dome-shaped nest under a tussock of grass, 

 and lays four or five pure white little eggs. 



The Social Weaver {Philetaerus socius) is a brown bird 

 with the feathers of the nape and upper back black on the 



