females concealed in the grass, would betake themselves to some
elevated head of corn or rush, and thence survey the field. We
feel convinced that all the species of the genus Vidua, and also Ohera
progne, that we have encountered in South Africa are polygamous.
This may also account for what Mr. Atmore and others tell us of the
breeding of several females of Fstrelda astrild in the same nest.
Male.—In fall breeding plumage, generally velvet-black, with a
broad half collar beneath of brilliant scarlet; wings, thighs, under
tail-coverts, and rump striped with grey, that colour being on the
edges of the feathers; tail elongated. Total length, IQ" 6 " ';
tail, 7 " ; wing, 3"; tarsus, 11". Male in non-breeding dress
variegated black on a ochrey-white ground; under parts ochrey-
white, not so dark as that of the back; wings and tail-feathers black,
the former edged with whitish; a faint trace of the red collar is
visible on the throat.
Fig. Buff. PI. Enl. 647.
442. S p e r m e s t e s cucu l la ta , Swains. Hooded Weaver Finch.
The chief habitat of this species is the west coast of Africa. Professor
Peters, however, procured it at Inhambane. Mr. Ayres has
found it in Natal, and it appeared in a considerable flock at Table
Farm near Grahamstown. It is a common West African species,
and has been found by Senor Anchieta at Dombe and Caconda in
Bengnela.
General colour above, greenish brown; head, neck, and breast
deep brown with a purple-bronze gloss; shoulder coverts black, with a
green gloss; under parts white, with bronze patches on sides of flanks
and wavy lines on the under tail coverts; tail nearly black with
a slight green gloss. Length, 3" 3'"; wing, 1" 11'" ; tail, 1 ^/ 4///.
'Fig. Reichb. Singv. taf. xiii., figs. 114, 115.
443. S p e r m e s t e s r u fo d o r sa l is , Peters.
Rufous-backed Weaver Finch.
This pretty little species was described by Dr. Peters from Inhambane,
but is more generally seen in collections from the Zanzibar
district.
Head, neck, breast and ‘ tail black; hind-neck, mantle, wing-
eoverts, and tips of secondaries rufous; quills dusky, partly black
on the outer margin, spotted or banded with white, and internally
whitish ; rump, flanks, and thighs black banded with white ; abdomen
and under-wing coverts white ; bill bluish-white ;, feet black.
Total length, 3" 4'" ; bill, 4'" ; wing, 1" 9'" ; tarsus, 5 '" (Hartl.
and Finsch).
Fig. Bianc. Spec. Zool. Mozamb. Fase, xviii., taf. iv., fig. 1.
4t4. Ò r t z g o s e iz a po ly zo n a (Temm.) Little barred-breasted Finch.
A large series of this little Finch was collected by Mr. T. 0.
Atmore at Eland’s Post, and we have received it from Golesberg
from Mr. Ortlepp. Mr. T. Atmore says that “ it is very common on
the flats in the Free State, and small as it is, its scent is so strong
that piointers will stand to them. In rising they utter a sharp ehirrup,
and then fall suddenly to the ground.” Mr. Ayres, has procured it
in Natal, and Mr. Frank Oates shot two out of a flock in the desolate
Country near Newcastle, in June, 1873 ; Mr. Ayres has likewise met
with it in the Transvaal, and he observed it in the Matabele country
in December. In Natal Mr. Ayres writes, “ these Finches are
only found here during the autumn and winter months, from May to
August or thereabouts ; they are generally, but not invariably, gregarious
; they seem always to settle on the ground amongst grass or
weeds, and not on the stalks of the grass or on bushes ; their flight
is rapid ; on rising, they utter a chattering note with a peculiar
metallic sound. The seeds of grass and weeds form, I think, their
entire diet.”
Above, fuscous-grey ; below, banded black and white ; chin and
eyebrows white ; throat and front black ; chest and sides grey,
banded black and white; centre of chest rufous; vent white; tail
tipped with white ; bill, lower mandible black, upper red. Length,
3" 3'" ; wing, 1'"; tail, 1" 9'".
Fig. Temm. PI. Col. 221, fig. 3.
4 4 5 . H y p o c h e r a u l t r a m a r i n a (Gmel.) Ultramarine Finch.
Amadina nitens, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 201.
Mr. Ayres procured this species in Natal, and Mr. F . A. Barratt
met with it near Rustenberg ; it was also obtained by Dr. Kirk on
the Zambesi, and Mr. Andersson’s last collection contained a single
example from Ondonga.
Shining bluish-black ; wings and tail rather fuscous, with pale