PLOCEUS CAPENSIS. 
rather shorter. Tail slightly rounded at the point. Tarsi and toes very 
strong; the former scutellated in front and entire behind. Claws, particularly 
those of the middle and hinder toes, strong and much curved. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
Inches. 
Lines. 
Length of the tarsus 
Inches. 
1 
Lines. 
2 
the tip of the tail 
. 7 
0 
of the outer toe 
0 
H 
Length of the bill from the gape 
1 
0 
of the middle toe 
0 
9 
of the wings when folded 
. 3 
6 
of the inner toe 
6 
of the tail 
. 2 
6 
of the hinder toe 
0 
The colours of the female are less brilliant, the front, top of the head, 
and all the under parts being nearly of the same hue. In birds of the first 
year the upper parts are intermediate between yellowish and greenish grey ; 
the under parts inclined to primrose-yellow ; the bill is dull yellowish brown 
and the feet and claws are of the same colour only brighter. 
This species is generally diffused over the more southerly districts of South Africa, and 
flocks of from ten to forty individuals are often to be seen on or near the edges of marshes 
and rivers. From the trees or shrubs which fringe these, they suspend their nests, five or six 
of which are sometimes attached to a single branch. They are formed of coarse grass, and 
so substantially constructed that each requires some weeks for its completion. They are some- 
what kindney-shaped, with the entrance towards the upper end, and directed downwards. 
Trees which overhang pools of water are invariably preferred, and the twigs which approach 
nearest to the water are commonly best supplied with nests. There can be no doubt, parental 
affection dictates the choice. All the birds of South Africa are liable to have their nests 
robbed by small quadrupeds and snakes, and as no position is so likely to secure them against 
such misfortunes as those we have mentioned, they are, doubtless, selected under that con- 
viction. During the breeding season, and for some months after the young are fully fledged, 
each flock continues firmly attached to some chosen locality, and whenever its members are 
driven from their feeding grounds, they invariably repair to the trees upon which the nests 
are situated. During the remaining portion of the year they are less stationary, and though 
they rarely remove from a district where they may have reared young, yet they extend over 
it, without evincing a marked partiality for any individual spot. 
