108 EINAR LÖNNBERG, BIRDS. 



and Fort Hall. I found låter that it evidently was quite characteristic for the bird to se- 

 cure such a place Avhere it was plainly visible, and could display its blue-black plumage 

 to full advantage. I cannot remember having seen more than one male at a time, and, 

 as a rule, in similar positions. It was observed at Punda Melia, Kutu, Meru borna etc. 

 usually in trees in shambas. The last days of March and in the beginning of April the 

 genital organs were swelled. 



This species appears to reach its southern boundary-line in the country where I 

 found it for the first time, and has otherwise been found only to the north of these places 

 being substituted by a related form (H. amauropteryx Sharpe) in German East Africa. 



Vidua serena (L. ). 



Rchw. III, p. 217. 



Common around Nairobi in the cultivated fields, and in buslies and trees roundthem 

 but not very numerous, often only one male was seen. The testicles were swelled in spe- 

 cimens shot the first days of January, and also låter. 



Other specimens were secured at Juja farm, and Kagio. It was also seen at Fort 

 Hall, Kutu, etc. 



Linura fischeri Rchw. 



Rchw. III, p. 222. 



This bird which, when the males are in full plumage, is so easily recognized, was 

 observed a few times in the thornbush north of Guaso Nyiri but I did not succeed in ob- 

 taining any specimen. It was also seen once on the acacia-steppe south of the river 

 mentioned i2 U 1911 perching, as always appeared to be the rule, in the top of the acacias. 



Steganura paradisea (L. ). 



Rchw. III, p. 223. 



A male in full plumage but with the elongated tailfeathers much worn was shot 23 /i 

 1911 at Kagio. It was also observed near Fort Hall. The localities where it occurred 

 was grass-steppe mixed with shambas with Pennisetum-crops. 



Fringillidae. 



Passer swainsoni gongonensis (Oust.). 



Rchw. III, p. 229. 



The first specimen of this kind was obtained in a tree standing in a formerly culti- 

 vated place at the Limuru road outside Nairobi. It was a male with the iris light brown, 

 and the length of the wing 94 mm. Låter on I found it common in many places as for 

 instance between Fort Hall and Kagio, on the acacia-steppe south of Guaso Nyiri, and in 

 the thornbush north of the same river but then near some water-place as at the river itself 

 or at the water-holes at Njoro etc. 



