70 
Mr. H. T. Ussher on the 
143. Spermestes bicolor (Fras.): Sharpe, p. 64. 
Not quite so common as S. cucullata and others, but of 
frequent occurrence on the Gold Coast. 
144. Lagonosticta rufopicta (Fras.): Sharpe, p. 66. 
This pretty little Bengali is one of the commonest birds on 
the west coast of Africa. It is extremely tame, frequenting 
the vicinity of houses, and hopping about the yards with the 
confidence of the common House-Sparrow of England. The 
males in full plumage are extremely pretty. 
They build in low grass, on the seeds of which they also 
feed, and are gregarious; in the bush they will associate in 
flocks with other Bengalis. 
145. Spermospiza h^matina (Y.): Sharpe, p. 68. 
Scarce. Procured by Aubinn in Denkera. 
146. Pyrenestes capitalbus, Temm.: Sharpe, p. 68. 
This bird is not common on the Gold Coast, although Au¬ 
binn obtained it for me once or twice. Captain Haynes also 
collected one or two specimens near Cape Coast and Accra. 
147. Macronyx croceus (Y.): Sharpe, p. 73. 
This handsome Lark is tolerably common in all parts of the 
Gold Coast, and in many other parts of West Africa. It is 
always to be obtained in open grassy spaces, and is almost 
invariably in pairs. 
The male appears very fond of the female; and while the 
latter remains on the ground the male will take short flights 
or “ soars 99 above her. 
They will frequently perch on bushes, especially if disturbed; 
but, as a rule, they prefer marshy or grassy ground. 
148. Treron calva (Temm.): Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 194. 
Appears on the Gold Coast in large flocks at certain seasons 
of the year; I have generally observed it from January to 
March. 
They are very destructive, and are also much shot for food. 
I have also seen them in large numbers in the mangrove- 
forests bordering the creeks around Sierra Leone and the 
Lagos Lagoons. 
