pretty little Finch is common at Lake N’gami and in the neighbourhood
of the Okavango River; but I do not think that it is found
either in Damara or Great Namaqua Land. I have heard occasionally
of immense gatherings of these birds; but usually they are found
in small flocks seeking on the ground for their food, which consists
almost entirely of the seeds of grasses. On the 2nd of February,
1867, I found in Ondonga a nest of this species in a palm bush
about six feet from the ground; it was constructed of grass, and
had no internal lining; the eggs were five in number.”
Senor Anchieta has met with the species at Biballa, where it
is called “ Kaxexe.”
Above grey-brown; rump, tail, and under parts, with the
exception of the centre of the body, which is white, verditer-blue.
Length, 4" 6 '" ; wing, 1" 11'"; tail, 1" 10"'.
466. URjEQinthus granatinus {Linn.). Grenadier Waxbill.
Estrelda granatina, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 199.
Sir Andrew Smith found this species between the Kiegariep and
Kurrichane, and we have received it from Mr. T. C. Atmore from
Griqua Land. Writing from the Transvaal, Mr. Ayres says :—“ The
first of these pretty birds which I met with I shot in the Mariqua
district, amongst some very thick cover; and I afterwards found
them plentiful all along the Limpopo: they are generally in pairs,
but sometimes three or four may be seen together. All the Estreldce
are pretty nearly alike in their general movements, and eat similar
food.”
Mr. Frank Oates obtained the species at Tati, and Mr. T. E.
Buckley also procured it in the Matabele country. Mr. Ayres states
that it was not uncommon along the Limpopo, but he fancies that
it does not range beyond the Tatin River.
Mr. Andersson o b s e r v e s " This species is not uncommon in
Damara Land, but is more abundant further north, and also at Lake
ISP garni. It congregates in small flocks and feeds on little seeds,
which it seeks upon the ground.'"
Chestnut; cheeks a well-defined and beautiful violet; front and
rump blue; throat, vent, and tail black; bill red. Length, 6";
wings, 2" 2 " '; tail, 3'".
According to Mr. Andersson, the iris is red, and the naked ring
found the eye is usually red also, but sometimes of a greyish drab;
DAGONOSTICTA JAMESOIfl.
the bill purplish, but red at the extremity; the legs are purplish
grey-”
Fig. Vieill. Ois. Chant, pi. 17.
467. L agonosticta rubbicata (Licht.).S
outh African Ruddy Waxbill.
Estrelda rubricata, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 197.
This little species is common about Grahamstown, and we have
received the nest and eggs from Mrs. Barber, taken at Highlands;
the eggs are pure white; axis, 7 '" ; diameter, 5 | . In Natal,
writes Mr. Ayres “ These Finches are generally found m pairs,
and never congregate like Estrelda astrild. Their food consists of
grass-seeds; they frequent rough high grass, hedgerows, and low
underwood at the edges of the dense bush. Their nest is generally
placed a foot or two from the ground, supported amongst coarse
grass; in shape it much resembles that of Estrelda astrild, but
is built of coarser materials and lined with feathers; the eggs are
of a pure white, and-from four to six in number.
Captain 'Shelley procured specimens near Pinetown, and it has
also been obtained in the Transvaal by Mr. Ayres, who met with
it in the Lydenberg district.
Above dark olive-brown; rump vinaceousj beneath the same,
changing into brown in the centre of the belly; vent and tail black;
spot between the bill and the eye the same colour as the lower
parts; sides of chest ornamented with minute white dots; under tail-
coverts black; bill black, Length,-4"; wing, 2 ; tail, 1 9
Fig. Yieill. Ois. Chant, pi. 9.
468. L agonosticta jam e so ni, Shelley. Jameson’s Ruddy Waxbill.
This species is described by Captain Shelley as very closely allied
to L. rubricata, but the red portions of the plumage are paler and
of a pinker hue; the white spots on the sides of the chest are
scarcely visible; the sides of the head are rosy pink, like the chest;
the upper parts are tinted with the latter colour, most strongly
so on the sides of the crown and back of the neck. The present
bird was discovered during Mr. Jameson’s travels in the Mashoona
country, and Mr. Ayres gives the following note:—"W e met with
but very few of these Finches; near the Umvuli we found them