CATALOGUE. 
519 
bird sits. It is clearly not placed there to strengthen the structure : 
can it be for the purpose of sharpening its bill ? and may not the 
husks of seeds, and perhaps the wing-cases of a stray beetle, left 
sticking upon it, have given rise to the idea which the natives 
entertain ? " — (E. L. Layard.) 
Mr. Blyth states that " the males of the three Indian species of 
Weaver-bird assume, after the breeding season, the colouring of 
their females, by a change of plumage, and resume their bright 
colours, by a partial change of plumage, at the commencement of 
the hot season, or during March." 
Genus Pyromelana, Bonaparte (1831). 
EuPLECTES, Swainson (1829). 
Oktx, Lesson, Tr. cTOrn. (1831). 
Oetnx, BeicTienlach (1850). 
Xanthomelana, Bonaparte, G. G. Av. p. 447 (1850). 
786. PYROMELANA ORYX, Linn. Sp. 
Loxia Oryx, Linn., Manf. p. 527 (1771). 
Euplectes Oryx, Swainson, B. of W. Afr. I. p. 187 ; 
Classif. of Birds, p. 279. Bonap., C. G. Av. p. 446. 
Cahanis, Cat. B. Mus. Seine, p. 177. 
Ploceus Oryx, G. B. Gray, Gen. of Birds, II. p. 352. 
A. ^. Abyssinia. From Harris's Collection. 
787. PYROMELANA XANTHOMELAS, Ruppell. 
Euplectes xanthomelas, Riippell, Faun. Ahi/ss. p. 94 ; 
Sijst. TTelers. p. 67, t. 28. 
Euplectes (Xanthomelana) xanthomelana, Bonap., C, G. 
Av. p. 447. 
Ploceus xanthomelas, G. B. Gray, Gen. ofB. II. p. 352. 
A. B. S ? • Abyssinia. From Harris's Collection. 
Genus Hyphantornis, G. R. Gray, Gen. of Birds, II. p. 351 
(1849). 
Textor, Bonaparte, C. G. Av. p. 440 (1850), {nee, 
Temm.) . 
788. HYPHANTORNIS VITELLLNA, Lichtenstein 8p, 
Fringilla vitellina, Liclit., Cat. Dupl. Berl. Mus. No, 237 
(1823). 
