290 Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 
thorn-bush, often alighting amongst the grass for the small 
seeds abundantly strewn upon the ground. 
Lagonosticta rubricata (Licht.). South-African Ruddy 
W ax bill. 
Male, river Limpopo, 11th July, 1885. 
Pyromelana taha (Smith). Taha Bishop-bird. 
This little Bishop-bird has now (1886) almost disappeared 
from the neighbourhood of Potchefstroom; why, I know not. 
Pytelia melba (Linn.). Southern Red-faced Finch. 
These beautiful little birds affect the dense thorn-bush in 
preference to more open places ; they are generally tame and 
easily got when found; one scarcely ever finds more than a 
pair together. 
Hyphanturgus olivaceus, Hahn. Cape Weaver-bird. 
About Potchefstroom the birds of this species are much 
brighter in plumage this season (1886) than I have ever 
noticed them previously. 
Fringillaria tahapisi (Smith). Rock Bunting. 
This species frequents the rough, rocky, scrubby ranges on 
the upper parts of the Mooi river, where it is not un¬ 
common. 
[Judging from dissected specimens sent by Mr. Ayres, it 
would seem that the females are brown on those parts of the 
head which in the adult males are black.—J. H. G.] 
Mirafra NiEviA (Strickl.). Dark-lined Lark. 
These Larks are rather common amongst the thorn-trees on 
the banks of the Limpopo, where they occur either singly or 
in pairs. When disturbed they usually settle on the top of 
some low thorn, and remain till the cause of alarm has dis¬ 
appeared, when they return to the ground in search of seeds 
and insects. 
Mirafra nigricans (Sund.). Wahlberg's Lark. 
Male, shot 10th January, 1885. Iris fine hazel-brown; 
bill dusky brown, with the under mandible bluish, the com¬ 
missure and gape yellowish ; tarsi and feet ashy white. 
