PRINGILLID^E. 167 



likewise occurs, through less frequently, in Great Namaqua 

 Land. It is gregarious in its habits and may occasionally 

 be seen in large flocks ; it usually frequents the wildest 

 and most desolate spots, far away from either fountain 

 or stream. It feeds chiefly on seeds and insects, which it 

 seeks for on the ground, and, if disturbed, usually takes 

 refuge in the nearest tree, remaining there till the sup- 

 posed danger is passed, when it resumes its previous 

 occupation. At the beginning of the rainy season this 

 bird occasionally, though rarely, sings so melodiously 

 that I have seldom heard any thing more exquisite. 

 Several pairs of these birds build on the same tree, con- 

 structing large rambling nests of coarse grass near the 

 extremities of the boughs : each nest contains two or, 

 rarely, three eggs; and I have observed that all the 

 old nests have two entrances. 



The bill, legs, and toes in this species are yellowish 

 red. 



Measurements of a female : — 



201. Philetserus SOCinS (Lath.). Social Weaver bird. 



Philetarus lepidns, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 8. 



Philetfsnis socius, Layard's Oat. No. 371. 



JSujjlectes lepidus, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 401. 



Great Namaqua Land is the headquarters of this 

 species, and the Orange River is its southern limit ; in 



