GROSBEAK. 229 



This species is found in the interior parts of the Cape of Good 

 Hope, and builds in vast numbers on the Mimosa Trees, uniting 

 their nests under one common roof, sometimes to the number of 800 or 

 1000 in one community; not that, perhaps, this circumstance happens 

 in one year, for they are observed to add to the size of the nest from 

 year to year, till the tree, unable to bear any further addition of 

 weight, not unfrequently falls beneath its load ; when the birds are, 

 of course, constrained to search a new place of abode. 



Mr. Paterson, on examining one of these, found many entrances, 

 each of which formed a regular street, with nests on both sides, each 

 at about two inches distance. The materials with which they build, 

 is called Boshman's Grass ; and the seeds of it said to be their prin- 

 cipal food ; but the wings, and legs of insects have been likewise 

 observed in the nests. It not only makes the group of nests on the 

 Acacia trees, but likewise on the smooth-stemmed tree Aloe,* which 

 grows to the stature of a tree of no inconsiderable size; for Mr. 

 Barrowt mentions the circumstance of one which had steps cut out 

 in its trunk, to enable a person to climb up to obtain the nests of 

 these birds. 



23.— TOTTY GROSBEAK. 



Loxia Totta, Ind. Orn.L 393. Gm. Lin. i. 858. Mus. Carls. Fasc. i. t. 18. Daud. 



Orn. ii. 399. Shaw's Zool. ix. 302. 

 Totty Grosbeak, Gen. Syn. Sup. p. 156. 



LENGTH four inches. Bill nearly white ; forehead greenish 

 brown ; crown of the head, hind part of the neck, space between 

 the shoulders, and upper wing coverts, testaceous brown; under 

 parts of the body brownish white ; quills and tail black, and all the 

 feathers of both tipped with white ; the tail a trifle forked at the end ; 

 shins yellowish, feet black. 



* Aloe Dichotoma. — Lin. f Travels in South Africa, p, 393. 



