380 Mr. T. E. Buckley on Birds observed 
the river-side being literally covered by their pendulous 
nests, which are very slightly constructed of grass. Their 
eggs are blue speckled with dark brown. 
Hyphantornis nigrifrons, Cab. 
a, d. Matabili, September 29th, 1873. 
Bill black; legs brown; iris reddish. 
b, $. Tatti, October 10th, 1873. 
Bill and legs dark brown; iris reddish brown. 
c, d, S. Bamangwato, October 14th, 1873. 
Bill and legs brown; iris yellowish white. 
e,f, d- Bamangwato, October 14, 1873. 
Bill black; legs brown; iris yellowish white. 
These birds were very common through the Bamangwato 
district, and when first met with had scarcely got their full 
plumage. The difference in the colour of the bill and iris 
may be attributed to difference of age. 
Hyphantornis capensis (Gm.). 
d, Transvaal, December 16th, 1873. 
Beak black; legs light brown; iris light straw-colour. 
Apparently not very common, but generally to be seen 
singly about water in the marshes. 
Plocepasser mahali, Smith. 
d. Matabili land, September 8th, 1873. 
Beak horn-colour; legs brown ; iris dark red. 
First met with on the Limpopo. They build large nests of 
dried yellow grass in the flat tops of the mimosas, several pairs 
occupying the same tree. Most of these nests have a hole 
right through, and seem only used for roosting in, as there 
is no place for eggs; it is the older-looking nests that contain 
the eggs, which are pink, speckled with light brown; these 
nests have only one entrance. The male has a short but 
sweet song. 
Sporopipes squamifrons (Smith). 
d. Matabili; September 29th, 1873. 
Beak rose-colour; legs greyish brown; iris dark brown. 
A common bird in the Bamangwato and Matabili countries. 
