Layard EL. 1867. The Birds of South Africa: A Descriptive Catalogue of all the Known Species occurring South of the 28th Parallel of South Latitude. Juta and Longman Green, Cape Town and London. (Biodiversity Heritage Library).

The first systematic book of South African birds was written by Edgar Layard, the second curator of the South African Museum, as early as 1867. In this 382-page book, Layard listed 702 species with synonyms, references, descriptions, and measurements (in inches), followed by some notes. The notes included localites of specimens, and where known, notes on breeding or other interesting facts. The book did not contain illustrations of the species, not English names, and thus it did not appeal to the general public. Layard's book was revised between 1875 and 1884 by RB Sharpe.

Layard listed 19 weaver names, and these represent 19 weavers in current taxonomic terms, but in very different combinations of species and subspecies! This table shows the weaver species included in Layard, with the species number and scientific name given by Layard, and the current English name.