240 Breed iiifr of the Red-collared Whydah. 
to have a thorough searc h to see if she really was incubating. 
Sure enough, there was the nest, right at the top of the first 
laurel bush I examined. It was very small for the size of 
the bird and not unlike some of the Weavers' nests {vide plate 
of Nest of Napoleon Weaver for comparison), being a domed 
structure with an cmrance at the side. It was roughly con- 
structed of grass and quite unlined. It contained two, rather 
large, white eggs, which had the appearance of having been 
incubated for two or three days. It was obvious from the 
exposed position of the nest, and the very flimsy nature of its 
construction, that there would be little chance of her rearing 
young unless some shelter were provided; so 1 had my man 
place a sheet of galvanized iron on the wire netting, immedi- 
ately over the nest, thus protecting it from the direct effect of 
Hen Red-collared Whydah uith niealwonii in lieak. 
heavy thunderstorms. (This is a plan I have adopted with 
