FOR THE PEOPLE

FOR EDVCATION

FORSCIENCE

LIBRARY

OF

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY

r^

Bound

THE JOURNAL

OF THE

EDITED BY

Dr. J. W. B. GUNNING,
ALWIN HAAGNER, F.Z.S., and B. C. R. LANGFORD.

VOLUME VII.

PUBLISHED BY
THE UNION IN PRETORIA, TRANSVAAL.

LONDON AGKNTS :

WITHEEBY &. CO., 32G HIGH HOLBORN, W.C.

lull.

/^>C^/g'4.,^. 6

CONTENTS.

Pages
TiTLEPAGE i

OOXTEXTS iii

Roll of Members v-ix

List of Papers, &.C., in this Volume xi-xii

Subject-matter Ixdex xiii-xiv

JOURXAL 1-97

Ixdex 99-109

ROLL OF iM EMBERS

AS AT 31st October, 1911.

Year of
Election.

1909

1905
1906
J 907

1905
1904

1907
1908
1907
1909
1906

1907

1904

1906

1009
1905

1904

Kame and Address.

Abdt, Col. A. J., R.A. ; Army Head(juarters,

Pretoria.
Andersson, C. L. ; Box 2162, Johannesburg, Tvl.
Bell, Theodore; Downside, Epsom, iSurrey, England.
Bolus, Frank; Sherwood, Kenilworth, Cape Town.
Booth, H. B. ; " Eyhill," Ben Rliydding, Yorkshire,

England.
BouRKE, E. F. ; Box 321, Pretoria, Tvl.
Bridgeman", R. O. B,, Lieut. R.N". ; Weston Park,

Sliipnal, Salop, England.
Briscoe, Dr. J. E. ; Charlestown, Natal.
Chambers, Eoland, R.M. ; Lindley, O.F.S.
Chubb, E. C. ; Museum, Durban, Natal.
Clahk Kennedy, J.; Stauderton, Tvl.
CocH, Max ; Kietfontein Lazaretto, Box 1076,

Johannesburg.
Davies, C. G., Sgt. C.M.R. ; Bizana, Pondoland,

C.C.
Dayy, J. BuETT, F.L.S., F.E.G.S., Govt. Botanist ;

Dept. oi' Agriculture, Pretoria, Tvl.
D'Eyelyn, Dr. F. W. : 2103 Clinton Av., Alameda,

California, U.S.A.
DoRNAN, Eev. S. S. ; Box 510, Bulawayo, Ehodesia.
DuERDEN, Professor J. E.; c/o Albany Museum,

Grahamstown, C.C.
Evans, J. B. Pole- ; Dept. of Agriculture, Pretoria,

Tvl.
Fairbridge, \V. G. ; 141 Longmarket Street, Cape

Town, C.C.

yg I Year of
Election.

Xame and Adilress.

:^0 ^ 1904

1907
' 1909

1908

1905

1906

1904

1909
1907

1908

1906

1909
1905

1908
1905
1907
1905
1908
J '.A>o

1'eltham, H. L. L., F.E.S. ; P.O. Box 46, Johauues-

burg, Tvl.
Yry, Harold A. ; P.O. Box 46, Johannesburg, Tvl.
GiLFiLLAN, D. Y. ; JJox 1397, Joliannesburg, Tvl.
GoDfKEY, Hex. J. ; Pirie Forest Mission, King-

williamstown, C.C.
Graham, Francis, C.C. & K.M. ; Grahamstown,

C.C.
Grant, C. II. B. ; Natural History Museum, S.

Kensington, London, England.
Gronvolb, Henkik ; Natural History Museum,

South Kensington, London, England.
Gunning, J. W. B., M.D., F.Z.S.; Director, Museum

and Zoological Gardens, Pretoria, IM.
Haagner, Alwin K., F.Z.S., Col.M.B.O.U., Super-
intendent Tvl. Zoological Gardens, Pretoria.
Hale, P. E., lusp. 0.1^. C. Police; Betblel.em,O.E.C.
Halhed, N. G. B., 3rd Baltn.; Egyptian Army,

Khartoum.
Hamilton, Major J. S. ; Superintendent, Gauie

Eeserves, Komati Poort, Tvl.
Hamond, Philip, Lieut. 2nd Norfolk Eegt. ; East

Dereham, Norfolk.
Haruiman, E. H. M. ; Wepener, O.R.C.
Hatchard, J. G., F.E.A.S. ; Loco. Draw ing Offices,

C.S.A.E., Bloemfontein, O.R.C.
HoRSURUGH, Major Boyd, A.S.C. ; c/o Cox & Co.,

Bankers, 16 Charing Cross, London.
Heward, James L. ; Yaukee-DoodleMine, Selukwe,

S. Rhodesia.
Howard, C. W. ; Dept. of Agriculture, Lourengo

Marques.
Hudson, C. E. ; P.W.D., Pretoria, Tvl.
Ingle, J. C, F.Z.S. ; P.O. Sal)ie, Lydenburg, Tvl.
Innes, Dr. Walter, M.B.O.U. ; School of Medicine,

Cairo, Egypt.
Ia'V, J. RoasoN ; Taxidermist, Church Street, Pre-

toi-ia.
Ivv. JxoJiLRT 11.. F.Z.S. ; Grabaiii>to\Au, C.C.

vu

45

Year of
Election.

50

oo

1904
1905

1909
1904

1907
1910
1904
1906

1905
1908

1905

1908
1905
1907
1906

Name and Addi't'SH.

60

65

1905

1904

1907

1905

1908
1906

1904

Jeppe, Julius ; P.O. Box 60, Johannesburg, Tvl.
Johnston, C. Mc(x. ; Bloemfontein Club, Bloeni-

fontein, O.E.C.
Johnston, K. C. ; AVestminster, O.E.C.
KiEBT, W. ; Intermediate Pumping Station, Water-
works, Kimberle_y, C.C.
KiRKMAN, Dr. A., M.D. ; Queenstown, C.C.
Knapp, Col. ; Kingwilliamstown, C.C.
Knobel, J. C. J., Porter Eeformatory, Retreat, C.C.
Langfokd, B. C. E. ; P.O. Box 557, Pretoria. Tvl.
LiTTLEDALE, H. A. P., Lieut. K.O. Y.L.I. ; Eoberts

Heights, Pretoria, Tvl.
LouBSER, M. M. ; Port Elizabeth, C.C.
Mally, C. W., M.Sc. ; Eastern Province Entomolo-
gist, Grrahamstowu, C.C.
Maethinifs, Dr. J. G. ; Disti-iet Surgeon, Wepener,

O.E.C.
MoJ?s, r. E. O.; De Kroon, P.O. Brits.
MuBEAY, J. P. ; Maseru, Basutolancl.
Neethling, Harry ; address unknown.
Nehrkorn, Adolf ; Adolfstrasse, Braunschweig,

Germany.
Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Newlands,

Harrowdene Eoad, Wembley, England.
NooME, E. 0. ; c/o Transvaal Museum, Pretoria,

Tvl.
Oberholser, Harry C; Biological Survey, Washing-
ton, D.C., U.S.A.
Percival, a. B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Nairobi, Brit.

East Afr. Protectorate.
Peringuey, Dr. L., F.Z.S., &c. ; Director S.A.

Museum, Cape Town, C.C.
Pershouse, Stanley, Border Begt. ; c/o ]\Iiss

Eindlay, 9 St. Leonard's Eoad, Exeter, England.
Phear, H. H. ; Box 424, Kimberley.
PoGGE, C. ; Conservator of Forests, Eriedeburg, Oost

Erie.sland, Germany.
Pym, Frank A. O. ; Public Museum, Kingwilliams-
town, C.C.

VI n

Year of
Election.

Name and Address.

1904 Eobehts, Austin ; Box 413, Pretoria, Tvl.

1U07 RoiiERTS, Eev. Noel ; English Church, P.O. Gezina,

Pretoria, Tvl.
lUOS Robertson, Dr. W. ; Bacteriological Iiistituti',

Grahamstown.
„ Scl.vtek, Abtituh L. ; " Helvetia," Soutliern ]\IeI-

setter, S.E. Rhodesia.
1900 Sheppard, p. a. ; Mile 23, M'Zimbiti, Beira, P. E. A .

1904 Skea, Ernest M. ; Goldenhuis G.M.Co., Johannes-

burg.
„ Sparrow, R., M.B.O.U., Major 7th Dragoon Gds. ;
Rookuoods, Sible Ileadinghaui, Essex, England.

1905 Swinburne, John, M.B.O.U. ; Rand Nat. Labour

Assoc, Pietersburg, Tvl.

1904 Swinny, H. H. ; Port St. John, West Pondolaiul.
1907 SwYNNERTON, C. P. M. ; Guuguiiyaiia, Melsetter

Dist., S. Rhodesia.

1905 Tailor, C. H. ; Grassridge, P.O. Bankop, Erinelo.

1904 Taylor, L, E. ; address not known.

1907 Theiler, Dr. A., Govt. Veterinary Bacteriologist ;

Box 385, Pretoria, Tvl.
1909 Thompson, Chas. S. ; High School, San Bornardin,
California, U.S.A.

1906 TiioMSEN, F. ; c/o Govt. Entomologist, Govt. Bldgs.,

Pretoria, Tvl.

1908 Tyrrell, E. G. Harcourt ; Greytown, Natal.

1909 Upton, Capt. C, A.S.C. ; c/o Sir C. R. McG rigor

& Co., 25 Charles Street, St. James's Sq., London.
1906 Vaughan-Kirby, ¥., F.Z.S. ; Game Warden, Zulu-
land.

1905 WiGLEswoRTii, J., M.D., M.B.O.U. ; Raiuhill, Liver-

pool, England.

1906 Wood, A. R,, A.R.M. ; Wepener, O.R.C.

1904 Wood, Joun ; Box 363, East London, C.C.

1905 Workman, W. H., M.B.O.U. ; Lismure, Belfast,

Ireland.

IX

1909
1904

)j
1907
1904

Vo.

1 Year of
Elecjuion.

1

1909

2

1908

3

1907

Xame and Address.

Hon. Members,

Allen, Dr. J. A. ; Amer. Museum of Nat. Hist.,

Washington.
BucKNiLL, The Hon. J. A., M.A., T.Z.S. ; The

King's Advocate, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Haetert, Dr. E. ; Director Triug Museum, Tring,

Herts, England.
Heeman, Dr. Otto ; Hung. Central Bureau of

Ornithology, Budapest.
Eeichenow, Dr. A. ; Kaisl. Zool. Museum, In-

validenstrasse, Berlin, Germany.
Sclatee, p. L., D.Sc, F.ll.S. ; Odiham Priory,

Winchfield, Hants, England.
Sclatee, AV. L., M.A., E.Z.S. ; 10 Sloane Court,

London, S.W.
Teime:^, E., E.R.S. ; c/o Entomological Society,

London, W.

VOL. vir.

LIST OF TAPERS, &c.,
IN THIS VOLUME.

Vol. VII., No. 1, July 1911.

Page
I. On some Nests and Eggs from Mount Chirinda,
Southern Rhodesia. By C. F. M. Swynnerton,
F.L.S., Col.M.B.O.U. With Field -notes by the
Collector, D. P. J. Odendaal 1

II. Notes on a few Birds from Wakkerstroom. By Austin

Roberts 21

III. Notes on the Birds of the District of Matatiele, East

Griqualand. By C. G. Davies, M.B.O.U 23

IV. Obituary: Cajitain Boyd Alexander 48

V. Occasional Notes 50

VI. Short Notices of Ornithological Publications 52

VII. Obituary: E. H. U. Draper and A, D. Millar 55

Vol. VII., No. 2, December 1911.

VIII. Notes on a Collection of Birds in the Transvaal
Museum from Boror. Portuguese P]ast Africa. By
A rsTix Roberts 57

Xll LIST OF PAPERS.

Page
IX. A Further Note on the Mandibular Hook of
the Honey-Guide. By Alwix Haagxer, F.Z.8.,
Col.M.B.O.U 79

X. The Black-tailed Godwit {Lhnosa linwsa, Linn.) in
Natal. By E. C. Chubb, Curator of the Duiban
Museiun 80

XI. Bird Notes from East London, Cape Province. Part I.

By Joiix Wood 80

XII. Migration Report IDOO-lDll 89

XIII. Obituary: A. I). Millar (Plate) and Capt. Shelley.. 92

XIV, Short Notices of Ornithological Publications 94

Name Index 99

Titlepage, Contents, Roll of Members, List of Papers,
Subject-matter Index.

SUBJECT-MATTER INDEX,
INCLUDING NAMES OF CONTEIBUTORS.

Page

Alexander, Capt. I^oyd. Obituary 48

' Aviciiltural Magazine,' noticed 53, 96

Reethani. Bentley. ' Photos'rapby for Bird Lovers,' noticed .... 9;")

' Bird-Tjife in Uganda (van Someren), noticed ' 9")

Boror, P.E.Afr., Notes on Birds from ''T

Chubb, E. C. Bbick-tailed Godwit in Natal 80

Davies, C. G. Notes on the Birds of the District of Matatiele, East

Griqualand -3

Draper, E. TI. U. Obituary ....'. 65

East Africa and Uganda Protectorate. Jour'nnl of Nat. Hist. Soc.

of, noticed •'"'4

East Griqualand, Notes on Birds of 23

East London, Notes from 51

— , Notes on Birds of = 80

Godwit, Black-tailed, in Natal 80

Greathead, Dr. J. B. Obitunry , . . . 51

Haagner, Alwin. Note on the Mandibalnr Hook of IIoney-Guide. 79

— — ■. Migration Peport 89

Hale, P. E. White Storks near ]3ethleliem 50

' Ibis : Journal of Ornithology,' noticed 52, 96

' Jaarboekje der Ned. Orn. Vereeniging,' noticed 95

Journal East Africa and Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, noticed 54, 94

Kirby, F. Vaugban. Strange flight of Swallows 50

. White Swallow 50

Mandibular Hook of IIoney-Guide 79

Matatiele, East Griqualand, Birds of 23

VOL. VII. C

XIV SUJUECT-MATTRU TXDKX.

Page

Migration Report 1909-191 1 89

Mount Cliiriuda. Ivhodesia, Notes on Nests and Eggs from 1

Name Index 99

Nests and Eggs from Mount Cliirinda, Notes on 1

Notes on a Collection of Birds from Boror 51

Notes on tlie Birds of East Loudon 80

Obituary : Boyd Alexander 48

: E. H. U. Draper and A. D. xMillar 5o

: Dr. Greathead 51

: A. D. Millar (Plate) and Capt. Shelley 92

Occasional Notes 50

Odendaal, D. P. J. See Swynnerton.

' I'hotography for Bird Lovers,' noticed 95

Iloberts, Austin. Notes on a few Birds from Wakkerstroom .... 21

. Notes on a Collection of Birds from Boror, P.E.Africa (in

the Transvaal Museum) 57

Short Notices of Ornithological Publications 52,94

' Studies of Bird-Life in Uganda,' noticed 95

Swallows, Strange flight of 50

Swallow, White 50

Swynnerton, C. F. M., and D. P. J. Odendaal. On some Nests and

Eggs from Mount Chirinda, S. Rhodesia 1

Transactions of the London Zool. Soc, noticed 53

Van Someren. ' Studies of Bird-Life in Uganda,' noticed 95

Wakkerstroom, Notes on a few Birds from , 21

White Storks near Bethlehem, O.F.S 60

Wood, John. Notes from East London 51

. Notes on the Birds of East London (Part I.) 80

Zoological Society of London, Transactions, noticed 53

Plaik : A. D. Millar.

THE JOURNAL

OF THE

SOUTH AFRICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION.

Vol. VII. JULY 1911. No. 1.

I. — On some J^ests and Eggs from Mount Cliirhula,
Southern Rhodesia. By C. F. M. Swynnerton, F.L.IS.,
Col.M.B.O.U. With Field-notes hg the Collector, D. P. J.
Odendaal.

During my absence from the country, from April 1907 to
October 1908, Mr. D. P. J. Odendaal, who took my place,
and whom I have already had occasion (' Ibis,' 1908, p. 5)
to thank for much valuable help rendered previously in this
connection, got together for me a collection of about GOO
bird-skins and a nnmber of interestino- nests and cirss (identi-
fying by shooting or trapping at the nests), together with
many excellent field-notes. The following pages are de-
scriptive of the eggs and of such nests as remain. Unfor-
tunately, rats have eaten their way into two of the nior<!
important boxes, with the result that many nests, skins, and
labels have been destroyed.

I have not checked the egg-measurements, which are
Odendaal's. With regard to the detail with which I have
described the nests and the various clutches, I feel disposed
to make no apology, however wearisome such detail may be :
for I feel that we should aim at placing ourselves in the
position of the Collector in Europe, the man who can with a
good deal of certainty recognize the eggs or nests of the vast

VOL. VII. 1

2 Mr. ( '. F. ]M . SwvniHM'toii on y^esfs and

iii;ij()i-itv of liis l)ii-.ls at ?inlit, ; and it is the aceumulntcd
record of minute details from every locality that will, sooner
than anythinr^ else, place us in that position.

[The numbers prefixed to the species are those of Gunning
and Hangner's ' Check-list of the Birds of South Africa.']

211. Tkrtur semitorquatus (Riipp.). Red-eyed Dove.

4. 3700 ft. 2. 10. 07.— A nest was fouud 15 feet from
the ground on the horizontal houjih of a tree, and was the
slightest possible structure, consisting of a very few sticks
loosely put together, 7 inches across. One young bird and
one egg about to hatch. The egg is pradically elliptical, but
with a suspicion of pointing at one end, and measures 35 by
25 mm. ; colour, slightly creamy white. The bird was very
tame, waitinfj till the tree was shaken before taking her
departure.

87. 3200 ft. 14. 1.0<S.— Nest 12^ feet from the ground
on the fork of a horizontal bough of a Parlnarium mohola. It
was a loose flat structure (very slightly hollowed where the
eggs lay) of dry sticks and a few Parlnarium leaves. It con-
tiiiiied two half-set eggs, 32 by 25 and 33'5 b} 25 mm. ; in
colour, creamier than No. 4, and a practically perfect ellipse.
'J'he l)ird was somewhat shy.

218. Tympanistrta tympanistria (Temm.). Tambourine
Dove.

107. 3200 ft. 7. 2. 08 —Nest a flat, slight structure of dry
roots, laid 8^ feet from the ground, on a horizontal fork of
a Brachystegia raiulii standing in a semi-wooded glen ; it
contained tw'o eggs, half-set, 23'(5 by 18 and 24 by 18 mm.,
one of them a perfect ellipse (ends indistinguishable), the
other with a sus[)ic;ion of a point at the slightly thicker end,
cream-colour.

228. Pternistes humboldtt (Ptrs.). TTuml)oldt's Fran-
colin.

75. 3200 ft. 31.12.07.— The nest was a mere hollow
lined with grasses, in a small comparatively bare spot in
tlic grass-jungle. The bird sat Aery close, almost allowing

KgqK from Mount ( lurz/tcla, Smitlteni Hliodesui. ?t

hiinselt" to be captnretl on tlie nest. Eotrs 5 ; fresli ; 44') hy
34, 44 by 34, and 43 by 35 nun. They are .^harply pointed
at the small end and rounded at the other ; and, in colour,
are palest brown, nearly white, the "pores," which are pitted
densely over the Qgg, being actually wdiite. There are no
spots whatsoeyer.

31t0. Apaloderma nartna (Steph.). Narina Trogon.

97. 3200 £t. 24. 1. 08.— In a hollow, 6^ feet from the
ground, at the top of a dry, chopped-ofF Bvachystegia tree.
The hollow was one foot deep by fiye inches in diameter, and
the eggs — one fresh, two slightly set — w^ero laid on rotten
pieces of the stump itself; there was no further attempt at a
nest. They are pure white, yery rounded, and measure 27
by 23-5, 26 by 23, and 27 by 23 mm. Odendaal waited for
the bird for three hours, without its putting in an appearance;
on the following day, howeyer, his brother, Mr. Paul Oden-
daal, captured the male on the nest by hand without difficulty,
" It is a yery sulky and sayage bird when caught alive. '^

410. Halcyon albiyektris orientalis, Peters, Peters's
Kingfisher.

14. 3200 ft. 3. 1 1 , 07.— Nest in a hole, 30 inches deep by
2 in. wide (at the entrance), in the side of a dried-up dam.
The chamber was " four inches wide, and laid out with all
sorts of insect-shells and rotten wood.'' It contained three
young birds and one addled egg, this measuring 29 by
27 mm., and being smooth and white and even more spherical
in appearance than No. 12 (//. swdiusoui).

411. Halcyon swainsoni, A. Sm. Grey-hooded King-
fisher.

13. 3200 ft. 1.11.07.— A nest in the bank of the
Umswirizwi River in a hole in the ground that was only
12 inches deep by 2i wide. The four egg-^, hard-set, were
lyincr on scraps of rotten wood, and the cliitinous debris of
beetles, &c. They are glossy white and nearly spherical,
and the three survivors measure 20 by 23 mm. each.

1^

4 Mr. C. F. M. Swvniiorton on S&sts and

459. Hi RUN Do tuella, Teniin. k Sclil. Smaller Stripe J-
breasted Swallow.

25. 3300 ft. 21.11.97.— The usual mud nest attached
at a point (j^ feet from the 2;round to a shale cliff in the side
of a hill. It contained three fresh eggs, long, narrow, and
pure white, each measuring 21 by 14 mm. The birds were
very shy.

27. 3200 ft. 20. 11. 07.— A nest inside a disused house,
6^ feet from the ground, with four hard-set eggs similar to
those of No. 25. They measure : 20'3 by 14*5, 21 by 14*5,
22 by 15, and 23 by 15 mm.

492. Batis erythrophthalma, Swyn. Red- eyed Fly-
catcher.

22. 3200 ft. 20. 11. 07.— A nest C) feet from the ground,
on the drooping branch of a shrub beside a stream. It
contained two very hard-set eggs.

This clutch was ascribed by Odendaal to Tchkrea plum-
heiceps, of which s])ecies he shot a female at the nest ; but I
cannot help feelin<i that it may have been the wrong bird, for
the egg is a typical one of the above .Bafis, white (faintly
greenish) in ground-colour, with large blotches jind specks
of brown-grey and smears of light vandyk-l)r()wn. They
measure 17*5 by 14 mm.

500. TcHiTREA PLUMBEICEPS (Rchw.). Lead-headed
Paradise Flycatcher.

29. 3500 ft. 27. 11.07.— A nest in a wooded glen ; it
was sewn by cobweb to the fork of a siniill semivertical
twig, 9^ feet from the ground, and com]»osed externally of
shredded herbaceous bark, a few small roots, and, on one
side, a scanty layer of moss ; also scraps of b;irk. The outsido
is ornamented f:iirly copiously with pale green-grey lichen.
The greatest diameter and depth were each, aj)proxiuuiteh-,
2*5 inches. It contained three fresh egg:-, 1 1* Ijy 14'5, 19 by
14, and ltS'5 by 14 mm. ; creamy white, each with a fairly
dense zone of small brown madder and grey spots, the actual
colour in each case being much like that of the curres})ou(h'ng
markings on tl.e eggs of the l'hick-e:ip Iiulhul []'>/< iidiintus

J^<jgs from Mount Clihinda, Southern Rhodesia. o

layardi). A few of tlie brown blotches are scattered over
the rest of the egg, and in one case the spots coniposino- tbo
zone are markedly smaller and moie widely spaced tlian in
tbe others. The bird remained in the tree, flying restlessly
from branch to branch, while the inspection was proceeding.

47. 3300 ft. 4. 1 2. 07.— A nest in a small fork 10 feet from
the ground in a wooded glen. It contained three fresh eggs,
19 by 14, and 19-8 by 14-5 mm. (2). The markings were
paler, closer, and with the grey more in evidence than in 29.
In each of tlie three e.'gs they form a cap of mottling at the
thick end of the egg, the rest of the surface being compara-
"tively cleiir. Ground-colour palest pink.

53. 3200 ft. 17. 12. 07.— A nest 12 feet from the ground
on a drooping branch of a wild fig-tree, being held thereon
by an upright sucker. It contained three eggs, just ready
to hatch ; spots pale and generally scattered over the entire
surface of the egg, only slightly closer at the thi('k end ; the
grey markings very little in evidence, while the ground-
colour was creamy white. Nothing would move the bird
(the male) from the nest till Odend;ial had actually climbed
to within 2 feet of it.

56. 3200 ft. 20. 12. 07.— A nest (H feet from the ground
in a wide ibrk of a young Bauwolpa inehrians that forms one
of the supports in a small but dense Landolphia plantation.
A gang of boys were weeding there daily at the time, and
regularly sat to rest under that tree without appreciably
disconcerting the sitting bird. The nest contained three
fresh eggs, 18-5 by 13 and 17 by 13 nun. (two) ; speckled
all over, but most densely in the form of a cap, at the thick
end, with brown markings of a more chestnut tinge than in
No. 29. Extremely like common foims of the eggs of the
Eno-lish Parus cceraleus and Sifta cccsia.

It will be seen from the above notes that the eggs of
Tchitrea plumheicej>s vary considerably within certain rather
re.-tricted limits.

Another nest of this species (unnumbered) in Odendaal's
collection was composed externally of shreddy silky bark and
soft broad (-rass-blades worked round and round ; also the

6 Mr. C. F. M. Swynnciton on yesis ami

soft leaves of Vernonia natalensis and one or two silky cocoons,
the whole felted with spider's web, a little moss, but practi-
cally no lichen. It was placed in a small fourfold branch of
Rauwoljia inebrians (probably, therefore, the same as No. 5()
above). In another nest, dry and more or less shredded bark
of Crijptolepis ohlotujifoUa was the only material used extern-
ally, with the exception of a moderate ornamentation with
lichens. The lining is a thick one, of the dry red-brown
])edicels of Thallctrnm rh^ncJiocarjmm, wound round and
round.

515. PoMATORHYNCHUS SENEGALUS (Linn.). Black-headed
Bush Shrike.

Eleven clutches of eggs : eight of two eggs each, and
three of three. Dates : 10. 10. 07 (two, fresh, 25 by ]'J and
22 by 17 mm.) ; do. (two, hard-set, 25 by 17"5 mm. each);
28. 10 07 (three, slightly set, 24' 5 by 18-5, 22 by 18, 23-5 by
18*5); same date (two, hard-set, 2() by 18"5, 25 by 18*5 mm.);
20.11.07 (two, hard-set, 23*5 by 19 and 23 by 18-5 mm.);
same date (three, hard-set, 25'5 by 18, 2(5 by 18*5, and 24 by
17-5); 2.12.07 (two, fresh, 24-5 by 19 and 25 by 19 mm.);
4. 12 07 (three, fresh, 23-9 by 18-5 and 24 by 18-5 (two));
20. 12. 07 (a nestling and two eggs, ready to hatch, 24*5 by
19 and 24-5 by 18-5 nun.); 21. 12. 07 (two, fresh, 25-5 by 18,
25 by 17 nmi.); 9.1.08 (two, fresh, 25 by 19 and 23-5

by 18).

The situations of the nests were : 4 ft. 4 in. from the ground,
hidden in a branch of suckers springing from the fork of a
Faurea salhjna tree : 4 ft, in a I'arindrium moliohi, inserteil
bet\ve(^n t'.vo thick vei'tical stems and a mass of small siickeis
springing fioin one of them ; 4 ft. in the thick fork of a
/'(iriiKiriinn uiohohi. ; 5 ft. 5 in a " ('hi>iiru(l/a *' (Todilidm
sp. ?), again inserted between the main fork of the tree and
a mass of suckers ; 4^ ft. in the (juadruple I'oik of a Coni-
fn-elum splemiens ; (') ft. in an Aniidesma, firmly |)l;iced on a
twisted branch in tlir midst of a branch of suckers ; 1 1- ft.
in a branch of siudvcrs s[tringing from the side of the main
stem of a Condiretwn sj^leiidins ; N ft. in a Bridelia, at the

E<jr/s frooi Moinit Chiiinda^ Soiitlieni Rhodesia. 7

])()int where a thick horizontal bou<;h broke off into three
branches ; 4 ft., lyint;- loosely but securely in a branch of
suckers springing from a good-sized BracJiystfgia ; 4 ft.,
placed flat on the top of a decapitated sLuni]) of a Uapaca
kirkiana, and hemmed in closely by the suckers that had
sprung up all round ; 4^ ft., in the thick fourfold fork of a
Comhretum splendens.

The above series is interesting as indicating a marked pre-
ference for an innnensely solid nesting-site with, preferably,
a superabundance of additional side-support. This seems a
natural enough predilection when we consider the looseness
with which the nest is usually pieced together, and the fact
that it is seldom or never attached in any way to its supports.
The elevation was, in no less than eight cases out of the
eleven, 3200 ft. ; two nests were at about 3500 ft., and only
one at the 3800 ft. level. Tiiis accords with my oun previous
and subsequent experience, but is j)robal)!y ex[)lained by the
fact that the birds appear to prefer tbe type of country
(widely scattered trees standing in long dense grass) that
they have found at the lower elevation. Only three of the
nests are in my possession.

23. An exceedingly flimsy structure of small roots, in-
cluding a few ferns, and a few equall}'^ fine twigs.

44. Loose and flimsy ; diameter 4*5 inches ; excepting
for a few dry herbaceous stems encircling it on the outside,
it is composed entirelj* of not very fine roots ; such as still
have a portion of the stem attached are unmistakably those
of grasses.

54. More solid and compact than usual, composed entirely
of small roots with a slight outer casing of dry twigs. JJiam.
4 in. by 3.

Eggs, hi Nos. 44, 54, GO, 24, 30, and 11 the streaks are
of the reddish brown-madder type with the usual underlying-
markings of iron- to violet-grey ; in No. 7 they are a yellowish
brown, and 23 is to some extent intermediate, though nearer
44 &c. In 10 and 83 the brown-madder is cooler in tone.
In 8 the equivalent markings are scanty and confii.ed
chiefly to a thin zone of sepia spots and short streaks, with

6 Mr. C. F. M. Swj'nnerton on Nests and

the underlying grey even more reduced — quite a different
type of egg. Dark brown-madder spots are present in 54,
and in 36 this colour has resolved itself into bold but still
more or less streaky markings about the large end. In 11
the grey is much reduced, and the egg generally streaked
all over Avith finer scratchings that fill the spaces between
the bolder markings.

Odcndaal in nearly every case notes that the birds were
verv shy and evasive, at once slinking into cover ; and in
three cases he confirms my observation ('Ibis/ 11*08, p. 50)
that the birds will, Avhere possible, run along the ground
when disturbed, both in leaving the nest and in returning.

52G. Laniarius major (Hartl.). Hartlaub's Shrike.

JJvf/oscopiis guttatus, Hartl. P. Z. S. 1<S(J5.

Uryoscopiis mosscunhicus, Finsch & Rchw. Journ. f. Ornith.
1880.

9. 3800 £t. ID. 10. 07.— A nest five feet from the ground
in a small patch of den^e bush near ('hipete, attiiched by
means of tendrils on either side to a thiek fork of lihoicissns
cuneifolia. It contained two eggs, measuring 23 by 18 and
22 by 17 mm. ; they were slightly incubated.

15. 3200 ft. 5. 11.07.— In a grassy, tliiekly-wooded
glen, a nest was found five feet from the ground in a three-
jironged fork of a Comhretuni splendens. From the base of
the fork a mass of leafy suckers grew up all round the nest,
concealing it. The latter is the usual rough, shallow, oval
structure ; it measures 5 by 4 inches, and is composed
externally almost entirely of various roots, including a few
of asparagus ; two or three stri])s of sonic [liimate leaf are
worked in, and a thick s[)ray of Jh^lic/Dysinu (^apparently
//. lei(>j>odiii.)n.) with leaves attached is twined round the
whole. Inside the roots ar(^ finer and a large pi()[)ortion
are those of ferns, while a single gi ass-head is also worked in.
But, apart from this, the lining is hardly to be distingMu'shed
from the general structni'c of the nest. It contained two
eggs, half-set ; each measured 21 l)y 18 nnn.

19. 3200 ft. 11.11.07.— A ne.>t in a den^clv wooded

Eggs from Mount Chir'uida, Southern lUiodexla. D

plen. The nest was placed 5i feet from the ground, on
a tangle of climbing stems. Some of these hung over it
and concealed it excellently. There were two eggs — one
very hard-set, the other addled, — 24'5 })y 17 and 24 by
17 mm. The nest was built of material taken from the
climbers which supported it, and was quite loosely put
together and without lining. It measured 3 inches in
diameter by 1"6 inches in de})th.

32. o200 ft. 29.11.07.— In a grassy, lightly wooded
gleu a nest was found eighteen feet from the ground on
the top of a cut-off stump of " Chisurudza," and supported
by the suckers which were springing up all round. It
is a flimsy, shallow structure, of small roots surrounded
by a few herbaceous stems and with a fair admixture of
the dry stems of some tine herbaceous climber ; diameter
about 1 inches. Three eggs, slightly incubated, were taken,
two of which measured 24 by lb*5 and one 23"5 by 18 mm.
105. 3500 ft. 30.1.08. — A nest was located in a steep
densely wooded glen. It was placed three feet from the
grovmd on a big branch overlooking the kloof and supported
by a twig on either side, and contained two fresh eggs, 24 by
18 mm. each. This was probably a second brood. The birds
appear to have behaved at the nest much as described in 'The
Ibis^ for 1908, p. 54.

All five clutches in Odendaal's collection are referable to
the type figured as " 7 " in plate viii. of ' The Ibis' for 1908,
p. 443 ; but as that figure does not give a cleai- idea of the
coloration of the spots, I will describe the egg in detail : —

In 105 and 32 the ground-colour is white tinged with
greenish blue, and the markings, which are mostly small,
violet-grey and pale chestnut in colour, are speckled fairly
thickly over the egg in general, but most thickly over the
larger end. In No. 15 the markings are paler ; in No. 19
})aler still and more confined to the cap, and the giound is a
more (;ronounced blue. In No. 9 the brown markin'>s are
yello\vish-l)roAvn rather than che--tnut.

10 Mr. C. F. M. Swynnerton on Nists and

532a. Lanus collaris humeralis. Northern FisL-al
Shrike.

6. 3300 ft. 7. 10. 07.— A nest situated 7^ feet from the
ground, in the fork of a tree. It contained four fresh eggs,
three of which nie:isured 25 hy 19, 24 by 18"5, and 25
by 18"5 mm. res})ectively. They are typical of the more
boldly marked form, being pale, dull greenish, speckled all
over with light olive-brown and a few underlying iron-grey
markings. In the zone which surrounds the larger end
these grey markings become far more numerous and pro-
nounced. The birds were v«ry wild.

675. Anthus LiNEiv^ENTRis, Sund. Stripe-bellied Pipit.

68. 3500 ft. 20.12.07.— The nest was placed on the
ground under an overhanging bunch of grass, the latter
only leaving a small opening by whicli the nest was
ap[)roached. The latter was constructed externally of small
twigs and lined with grasses. It contained three eggs,
slightly sflt, 24-4 by 17'5, 24 by 17, and 23 by 17-4 nun. ;
white, mottled over fairly thickly with small reddish-brown
and underlying grey markings, and indistinguishable from a
common form of the egg of Pijcnonotus layardt.

The sitting bird, on being flushed, feigned a broken wing,

684. Macronyx capensis (L.). Cape Longclaw.

62. 3800 ft. 24. 12.07.— A nest Avas discovered of
rough grass, in a hollow in the ground, rather open and
cons{)icuous. There were three eggs, very hard-set : 24 by
18, 24*5 by 18 (two) mm. Uiither bluish white, with small
spots of grey and yellowish brown distributed fairly plenti-
fully over the whole <'gg.

108. ;5200 ft. 7.2.08. — A second nest in a grassy,
thickly wooded kloof. The description of No. (J2 applies
in every detail to this nest too. Eggs three, half-set :
2:} by 18"5, 25 by 18, and 24"5 by 18*5 mm. The spots
more washed-out in appearance, and densest at the thick
end of the egg ; ground-colour creamier than in 112. The
birds at this nest were very wild, these at the other being
boMer.

Eygs from Mount Clunnda. Southern Rlioclesia. 11

718. Phyllastrephus milaxjensis (Shell.). Nyast-a
Bulhul.

30. 3600 ft. 27. 11. 07.— A nest in a wooded glen near
Cliipete, nine feet from the ground, in the trailing twigs of
a large woody climber, containing two hard-set eggs, mea-
suring 26*5 by 18'5 and 25"5 by 18"5 mm. respectively, and
densely mottled on a white ground with more or less longi-
tudinal and streiiky markings of sepia and underlying iron-
grey. In one egg the grey markings are far more noticeable
than in the other, particularly as an ill-defined zone round
the thick end. These eggs, like those figured in ' The Ibis '
for 1908 (p. 443), are of a peculiar shape, the increase in
width occurring very high up, and giving the egg almost a
j)yriform appearance. In coloration (not in shape or size)
the two eggs of clutch No. 30 much resemble a common
form of the egg of the English Tree-Sparrow (P. montanus)

The bird showed great boldness, refusing to leave the nest
till the very last moa)ent.

721. Phyllastrephus FLAVOSTRIATUS (Sharpe). Yellow-
streaked Bulbul.

43. 3800 ft. 3. 12.07.— Three feet from the ground,
amongst the stems of a climbing shrub in the ('hirinda
forest, a nest with one egg, very hard-set, measuring
23 by 17 mm., was found. The egg had the usual ring
of a few bold, nearly black markings on a glossy ground
that is in this case rather duller, with more of a tone of
grey, than usual — possibly to some extent the result of
fading. For the more usual ground-colour, see 'Ibis,' 1908,
p. 443, pi. viii.

The ovar}' contained a nearly full-sized egg, in spite
of the fact stated above.

732. PYCNONOTrs barbatus layardi, Gurn. Black-
capped Bulbul.

The collection contains 19 oggs, of seven clutches : five of
3 eggs each, two of 2. Dates: 16.11.07, 29.11.07 (very
hard-s-t), 4.12.07 (hurd-set), 27.12.07, 1. 1. 08 (hard-set),
18.1.08 (very hard-set), and 12.2.08 (slightly set, as were

1- Mr. C. F. M. Swynnerton on Xests and

tliose of 27.12.07 and l(i.ll.07). The elevation varieJ
i'loni 3200 ft. to ;')1)50 fr. Only two of the nests have been
preserved : No. 43, which was situated about 9^ feet from
the f^round, resting on a dry branch with some further
support from growing leaves (those of Pteleopsis mTjstiJoUa
are still attached to the nest). Externally it is composed
of dry herbaceous twigs ; while the lining consists of a
layer of very fine grass-heads, with the seeds (or flowers)
shredded off. The total diameter is 3'5 inches, dej)th of
cup 1-75 inches. No. 21 was placed in the usual four-
told fork of a young RainvoJfia inebrians^ 3^ feet from
the ground ; moderately bulky, composed entirely of dry
herbaceous stems, a little green moss, and a few dry leaves,
;md lined thickly and neatly with the pedicels of ThaUctnun
'ilnjnchocarpuni and the finest of shredded grass-heads. Total
diameter 4 by 4'5 inches ; cup 2*5 inches wide by 1*5 inches
deep.

Four of the remaining nests were phiced in trichotomous
forks of Ceara rubber-trees {Manihot ylaziovii), at 7, 10, 9^,
and 13 feet from the ground respectively. The seventh was
12 feet from the ground, in the simple fork of a Parinariwn
mohola standing in grass-veld. This was firmly attached to
the tree, those in the rubber-plantation being in each case
loosely climped, so to speak, on to their resting-])laces
M'ithout an attemjtt at attachment. In some cases — rather
the opposite to my own experience — the birds showed great
excitement and 1 oldness at the nest.

Eggs. Nos. 43 and 67 belong to the type with a .[)urplish-
white ground-colour, marked com])aratively sjjaringly over
\\ ith bold and very d;ii-k spots, blotches, and streaks of brown-
madder and I ale underlying blotches of grey. The markings
in four out of the six eggs show a marked tendency towards
the formation of a zone round the thick end. In Xo. Id
(two egiis) the brown-madder blotciie^ are j)al<'r, far larger,
and equally bold, gi\ iiig. with the laigc [)ale-grey underlying
maikings, a handsome marbled apj)earaneo that is reminiscent
ol that of a Nightjur's egg.

The icniaiiiitig eggs (14. of ti\e eliitrhes) all beloi:g to the

lufcfs from Mount Cliii'iiidit, Suiillwrii I\JiO(l('s!((. 13

very coninion more or less densely-niottled ty{)e, with com-
paratively small sjiottino; of medium darkness — a type that
is so often reminiscent of the reddish, densely marked form
of the egg of the Tree-Pipit (^i. tririalis).

745. Chalcomitra olivacina (Peters). Little Olive
Snnbird.

35. B700 ft. — A nest in a deep densely-wooded glen ;
hanging from the end of a twig trailing over a small stream,
and three feet from the latter. Two eggs, fresh, each 19"8
by 14 mm., and perfectly typical of nearly all I have found
myself {v. ' Ibis,' 1908, p. 42, & pi. viii. fig. 2).

7G1, CiNNYRis CHALYB.EUS (L.), Lesscr Double-collared
Suiibird.

18. 3200 ft. 14. 11.07.— A nest, eight feet from the
ground, attached to the side of a vertical branch of Parinarhim
mobola. Two half-set eggs, 16 by 11 i^ mm. each ; ground-
colour pale grey, densely and niinutely mottled over with a
darker grey, especially at the larger end, and more especially
as a darker zone round the latter.

28. 3200 ft. 27.11.07.— A second nest, six feet from
the ground, hanging from a forked twig of Comhretvm
splendemi. Eggs two, fresh, 17 by 13 and 17'5 by 13 mm. ;
ground-colour similar to Ihat of No. 18, but the markings
less dense and less minute, a browner grey, and imparting a
longitudinally streaky appeaiance to the entire egg.

793. ('ISTICOLA NATALEXsis (A. Sm.). Natal Grass-
Warbler.

74. 3200 ft. 30. 12.07.— A nest was found in a bunch
of grass one foot from the ground. It contained four hard-
set eggs, 20 by 14-7, 19-4 by 14-7, and 19 7 by 14-7 (two).
The ground-colour is pure white, speckled fairly thickly
all over with minute spots of light purplish grey.

100. 3800 ft. 27.1.08.— A nest in grass-veld close to
CUiipete, one foot from the ground, in a tuft of green grass,
and, to judge from its ])resent appearance (it has been
preserved in ,«//»), extraordinarily well concealed, the grass

14: ]\Ir. C. F. M. Swynnertoii on Nests and

in wliicli it is placed liavino; itself been lUilized to a larcro
extent for tlie outer la3'er of tlie otherwise flimsy semi-domed
nest. The lining consists of tine grass-heads, some of which
are brought togctlier at the top of the dome, a very few
downy pappi at the bottom of tlie cup being the only other
material used. Total height 4^ inches, diameter 2'5 inches.
Some grass was hanging loosely from the opening. The
bird at both these nests was distinctly shy, readily leaving
the nest and following its usual ha])it of flying from the top
of one prominent stump to another. The eggs of No. 100
were apparently lost.

106. .'i2(:0ft. 6.2.08. — A nest one foot from the ground
in a tuft of grass, and composed, like the last, of a flimsy
layer of dry grasses, with a firm and compact outer casing of
the green growing grass-blades, some of the latter being
brought over to form the dome. Three eggs, measuring
20 by 14 mm. each ; white, strongly tinged with blue and
speckled all over, especially about the larger end, with spots
of yellowish brow^n and violet-grey, the latter in each case
predominating.

800. CiSTicoLA SEMITORQUES (Heugl.). Grey Grass-
Warbler.

82. 3800 ft. 8. 1.08.— A nest close on the outskirts of
the Chirinda Forest, 2 ft. 4 in. from the ground, in a Lippia
shrub in my cofPee-[)lantation. The nest was seated between
two vertical twigs and composed of grass, to which was
fastened an external layer of the Lippia leaves themselves.
Three fresh eggs, 18-5 by 12 and 17 by 12-1 mm. (two) ;
white, faintly tinged with blue and with bold spots and
blotches of vandyk- brown and violet-grey, confined chieflv
to the thick end — in one egg as a well-defined zone.

99. 3G00 ft. 27. 1.08.— A nest neatly fastened inside a
bunch of grass, one foot from the ground. The green
growing blades were themselves wound round the nest,
I'orming its outer layer. Next came a layer of fine grass-
heads, and next the lining, a felted mass of vegetable down.
All seeds had been removed from both these lavei-s. In

Eggs from Mount CJiirinihi, SimfJiern RIuxIcs'ki. 15

shape more or le?s spherical, with a larrre openiiio; ; avera<Te
diameter 3 inches. Eogs three, 17 by 12-3 (two) and 16'5
bj^ 12 mm. Similar to No. 82, but markings paler and
tnking the form of a zone in all three.

89. 3200 ft. IG. L 08.— A nest two feet from the ground
in a shrubby Comhreturn sphndens standing in some
open grass-flats. The nest was fastened to the side of
an upright twig, the leaves of the latter being brought
round and fastened to it nil round, affording not only ample
support but a strong outer casing. One projected over
the entrance, and must liave served the purpose of throwing
off the rain. Two half-set eggs, 18 by 12*5 and 18 by
12 mm.; again similar to No. 82, but the markings are
larger and in one of the eggs far more of the grey than the
bi'own is present ; no zone. In the other many h;iir-like
streaks of the brown find a place in the zone of blotches.

In another clutch of three eggs, number undeci{)herable,
but almost certainly of this species, the blue tint of the
ground-colour is somewhat more {)ronounced, and the blotches
of the two other colours, pale and comparatively large, are
more evenly distributed over the whole surface of the egg.

827. PRINIA MYSTACEA, Riipp. Tawny-flanked Wren-
Warbler.

39. 3200 ft. 21.2. 07.— A nest w^as found three feet
from the ground in a small shrub, attached in the usual
manner to a small drooping twdg, containing four eggs, 16"5
by 12 (three) and 17 by 12 mm. Two are peculiar in the
possession of com})arative broad, light, chestnut vertical
markings, which give one the impression that the egg had
been stood up on its small end and damped before the
fine circular lines surrounding the ci'own were drawn, and
that much of the '^ ink " had trickled from the latter
towards the small end. In the third these suffused markings
are not vertical, and evidently simply represent the usual
fine scrawlings suffused.

40. 3800 ft. 7. 12.07.— A second nest three feet from
the ground in a bed of bracken, sewn tightly and neatly to a

1() ]\rr. ('. F. M. Swyinicrton o)i Xcsfs aiul

sinole frond. Two oii<is, I'S I)y 12' 1 iiiin. e;ifli, intennodiate
ill colouring l)otween Nos. 72 and 'JG, but with leanings to
the latter. The bird was exceedingly tame, merely flying a
few 3^ard-i off and there quietly preening its feathers.

71. :52()0 ft. 30.12.07. — A third nest 1.5 inches from
the ground, slung, after the fashion of an English Reed-
Warbler's (^1. arandinacevs), between three vertical stems of
Vernnnia natalensis, to which it was looped bv means of the
same very fine grass-blades that formed the general material.
Two hard-set eggs, 16 by 11"5 and 16 by 11 mm., two of
them resembling No. 72 in ground-colour and the third 9(J ;
the markings were of the former type, but far slighter.

72. 3200 ft. 30. 12.07.— A nest in grass-veld. The
description of the situation, &c. of nest 71 a[)plies absolutely
to this nest too. There was no special lining in either case.
Four hard-set eggs, of which the survivor measures l(j by
11'3 mm., and is pale dull grey with a few long-drawn
scrawls and hieroglyphics of deepest chestnut.

96. 3500 ft. 22. 11. 08.— A nest on a grassy hill, 3 feet
4 inches from the ground, in a dense clump of Triumfetta
annua. It is unusual, in lieing built comparatively loosely
of far coarser grass-blades than are as a rule employed by
this species. No special lining, 5-5 inches deep by 2-75
inches diameter. The cup is 2*5 inches deep inside, and the
opening of the nest 1'25 inches across. Four eggs, ju^t
about to hatch, over the pale grey ground-colour, and a
suffused ring of light chestnut surrounds the thicker ends.
In and around this are scrawled a few exceedingly fine lines
of a far darker shade with, in one egg, a blot or two of the
same colour.

99 a. 3()00 ft. 27. 1. 08. — Three eggs, two comparatively
frc^h, one addled.

102. 3200 ft. 30.1.08. — A nest slung, Keed-Warbler
fashion, between thin vertical stems of Cryptolepis ohlongi'
folia, 3-2" feet from the ground, Composed externally of the
usual fine, soft, tough, reddish grass-blades, and lined with
a qua)itity of the finest soft grass-heads with seeds removed.
Total depth 4*5 inches, diameter 2-75, opening (as usual,

Eggs from Mount Cldnnda. Southern Rhodesia. 17

almost at the top) 1 inch ; cup 2'5 inches deep (inside) ;
three cgcrs, half-set, 1()'2 by 12 (two) and lG*o by 12 mm.
These eggs and the remaining eggs of No. 99 a are peculiar
in the fact that their markings take the Cisticola-like form
of blotches of pale gT<>y and chestnut-brown (pale in the
former clutch, far bolder in tlie other) scattered over the
egg. The ground-colour of 102 is that of 72, that of 99 a
is whiter. The latter has a very few of the finest streaks
and spots of the darkest shade to testify to its Prinia origin,
and the other broader but equally scanty markings of the
.same character.

83(j. Apalis thoracica (Shaw & Nod.). Bar-breasted
Warbler.

33. 3800 ft. 29. 11. 07.— A nest 5 feet from the ground,
slung to one of the thinner twigs of a bushy shrub standing
in a deep wooded glen. Material (not much left) includes
moss, fine grass-heads, downy pappi, and the pedicels of
Thal'ictrum rhj/nchocarpum. One egg, perfectly fresh, 18 by
12*G mm. : in colour a white groiind, covered fairly thickly
with smallish, light brownish-red markings. The bird,
whenever the nest was approached, at once slipped stealthily
into some dense scrub close by, and there kept np softly its
" Pi-pi-pi " note.

38. 3200 ft. 2. 12. 07.— A nest situated 10 feet from
the ground, attached to a dry twig in a densely wooded glen,
contained three eggs, fresh ; two measured 17 by 13 and
IG by 12*5 mm. respectively; colour a white ground speckled
over with very small brownish-red markings, markedly paler
than in 33.

46. 3G00 ft. 4. 12.07. — A nest in a wooded glen, slung
5 feet from the ground, to a hanging dead branch. Material :
downy pappi, fine grass-heads, and moss. It contained two
young birds and one very hard-set egg, 18*5 by 12 mm.,
faint bluish ground with almost equally faint and vague pink
markings.

48. 3800 ft. 7. 12. 07.— Inside the Chipete forest-patch,
hanging from a thin drooping twig, 4 feet 8 inches from tho

VOL. VII. 2

li^ Mr. C. F. iNI. Swvnncitoii on ^ests and

^rouiul, a ncs^t was discjovrreil ooiitaiiiino- four e^'o"?, very
hard-set, measuring IG by 11 (two), IG by l()-5, and Kra by
11 mm. Like 52, but blotches far larger.

52. 3800 ft. 16. 12. 07. — About 5 feet from the ground
a nest was found in the fork of a Solanum acideaslmm
stump on the outskirts of Chipete. It had less down in it
than is usually employed : fine grass-heads, moss, and fine
aspara<ms twigs (apparently Asparagus rirgatiis), while the
linino- is entirely of the pedicels of Thalidrtun rJnjnchocarjnun.
Three fresh eggs, 17 by 12, lG-5 by 11-5, and IG by 12 nun.
resijectively, white with smallisli l)ut bold and isolated Idots
and specks of chestnut-brown, and underlying ])iukish grey
scattered over the whole surface of the egg.

85. 3200 ft. 9.1.08. — An unusual situation, tlie nest
being fastened by means of cobweb between one or two
leaves and a shrubby upright twig, 11 feet from the ground,
of an Krythrina tomcntosa standing by itself in some oj)en
grass flats ; it is compactly built and consists chiefly of tl:e
admixture of a fine yellowish moss with small downy p'ipj)i.
A numl)er of small mid-ribs of some pinnate leaf serve to
trace the exterior, while fine grass-heads have also l);M'n
largely utilized, especially for the lining. It cont;iine<l two
(piite fresh eggs, 18 by 13 and 17 by 13 mm., marked lik-j
No. 31, but with a pale blue ground.

98. 3(')00 ft. 27. 1.08. — In a wooded glen near ('liij)ete,
4 feet G inches from the ground, the nest was slung between
and fastened neatly to hanging trailers of the lovely climbing
fern Lygod'mm sid>alatum. Fine moss, shredded fi])rous
bark, a little fine grass, downy pappi, and the pedicels of
Thalictrum form the material, the moss prcMlominating on
the outside, the papjn in the middle layer, and the pedicels
in the actual lining. The skin correlated with this nest, the
nest itself and its position are unmistakably those of Apalis
thoracica, but the eggs are obviously those of Cisticola semi-
torques. As the converse occurs in No. 100, taken on the
same date, I am, I think, justified in assuming that the eggs
marked with the latter number are actually those of 98, and
vice versa. They arc thro(> in numix'r. measure 17 by 12*5,

Eggs from Mount CJiinnda, Southern Rhodesia. 19

105 by 12, and 1{V2 Ij}' 12*5 mm. The ground-colour is
tliat of No. 85, but the specks are slightly hiroer and slightly
less dense.

S62. Crateroptjs KIRKI, Sharpe. Kirk's Babbler.

26. 3200 ft. 23. 11. 07.— A nest U, feet from the ground
in the triple fork of a bushy shrub. Two very hard-set
eggs.

66. 3200 ft. 27. 12.07.— A very deep nest, 9 feet from
the ground, in a bunch of suckers springing from the
horizontal branch of a small tree standing in open grass-
veld. Three fresh eggs, 2(5 by 19*5, 27 by 19, and 27 by
19'5 mm.

94. 3700 ft. 22. 1. 08.— A loose, unfinished-looking nest
placed in the thick triple fork of a " Water-boom " {Syztjghun
cordatum) 13 feet from the ground. It contained one egg,
quite fresh, 27'5 by 21'5 mm.

The eggs in each of the above three clutches are of a
bright glossy blue, quite unspotted, and, in all probability,
belong to the above species. But in every case it was a
Cuckoo that was shot leaving the nest — ■Chrysococcyx cujjreus
at Nos. 2G and 60, and C. klaasi at the third.

897. Pratincola torquatus (L.). tSouth African Stone
C^hat.

2. 3800 ft. 15. 9. 07.— A nest 4^ feet from the ground
in the triple fork of a good-sized orange-tree, built externally
of grass and lined with bush-buck hair and wool. Four
eggs, hard-set, 21 by 14*5, 20 by 15, and 20 by 14*5 mm.,
with the red-brown markings very pale in each and evenly
distributed over the entire pale blue surface ; a very slightly
denser zone round the thick end. In one egg the markings
are so pale as almost to be indistinguishable. The bird
feigned a broken wing for some distance on leaving the
nest.

3. 3200 ft. 16. 9. 07. — A second nest was taken from a
hole under a stump of Combretutn splendens standing in a

grassy glen. The hole was 5 inches deep by 3 broad.

9*

20 0)1 yests and l'^(jijs from Mount CJtirinJa.

Three fresh ego-s, measuring 18-5 hy 15 mm. eacli. of tlie
ii.sual pale greenish blue with light red-brown markings,
gathered for the most part in a dense zone round the thicker
end. There are three degrees of paleness in this clutch, the
palest being very pak indeed, and the darkest easily con-
fusable with one form of the egg of Erithacus swynnertom.

lH)i. (JossYPHA HEUGLINI, Hartl. Heuglin's Robin (-hat.
20. 3200 ft. 14, 11.07.— A nest in a densely wooded
glen, 0 feet from the ground, on a small dry branch, with
further support from trailing stems of our lovely climbing
fern Ltjgodium subalatum, with which it was surrounded.
Grass-blades, a grass-head or two, dead leaves of the Lygodlum
itseli", downy pappi, the fine dry petioles of some pinnate
leaf, and fern-roots all entered into its composition. Eggs
two, fresh, 25 by 17 and 24*5 by 17 mm. respectively, pale
uPiiiorm pinkish drab, this colour being, in the case of o)ie
especially, slightly deepened in the form of a zone round the
thicker end. The bird at once flew off into the neighbouring
thickets and remained there until a Bullnil {P. lai/ardi)
arrived and commenced to move about in the neighbourliood
of the nest. She then at once threw oflp her I'ear of the
human intruder and, sallying forth, drove the other off.

45. 3700 ft. 4. 12. 07. — A nest 4 feet from the ground,
flat, on the top of a thick tree-stump in a deep and densely
wooded glen, contained two hard-set eggs, 23 by 1G*4 and
23 by 17 mm. respectively. At the first glance the}^ appear
to be of the uniform olive-brown type of the eggs of Cossijpha
natalensis, but a closer inspection shows faint underlying
markings of a pinker tinge. Were it not for the position of
the nest (the glens, as opposed to more extensive forest,
being but little patronised by 6'. ))afalensis) and the fact
that the skin collected with tliis clutch is that of C. IteiKjUni,
I would still conclude that the eggs were those of the other
species.

On Birch from Wakkerstroom. 21

II. — Notes on a feio Birds from Wakkerstroom.
By Austin Roberts.

Heteronyx ruddi. Rudd^s Luik.

In Jaiunuy, 1900, I obtained u Lark near Daliiianutlia
Station, E. Transvaal, w hich I at once recognized by its song
as a species new to me. Three or four of tlieni were hovering
high overhead, uttering a series oi:' clear and distinct notes,
resembling a person whistling with bubbles in the mouth
and then breakino- out into clear whistlin"- notes with vari-
ations. When once heard it will not easily be mistaken for
any other Lark. I obtained only one specimen there, a
female with greatly enlarged ova ; it was not identified, as it
was thought to be a young bird, the plumage of the back
leading to that conclusion. During September, October, and
November, I shot a good many specimens in the vicinity of
the village of Wakkerstroom, tracing nearly all of them by
their song, uttered at that time of the year from the ground.
They all have exactly the same easily distinguished character-
istics, viz. : a tail so short and thin as to lead one to suppose
them to be another species without a tail, its resemblance in
particular to Mirafra ehhuana, its heavy bunch of feathers
on the top of the head, the feathers of the eyebrow projecting
outwards like horns, and the long hind claw. They frequent
the open grass-veld amongst the spurs of the Drakensbcrg
range, so far as I know. Two specimens were sent to the
Transvaal Museum during the same year, from Rondoland.

Anthus chloris. Little Yellow-tufted Pipit.

During September, Octaber, and November — the only
months I spent there — I found this Pipit meagrely distri-
buted over the grassy valleys, always in pairs ; and the last
one I shot was a female, on the 4th October, which would
have laid its eggs a day or two later. Subsequent to that
date I saw others which, judging by their restlessness,
seemed to have nests in the vicinity, but I was not fortunate
enough to find any. They very much resemble Anthus
rufulus in appearance when their backs are towards one, and

22 0)1 Birds from Wcihlerdroom.

they are careful not to expose tlieir yellow breasts ; when
followed they often squat and allow one to oct (juite close
before suddenly fiittiug oif.

Anthus crenatus, Finsch & Hartl. Yellow-tufted Pipit.

I found this Pipit to be fairly common on the higher
ledges and slopes of the mountains around the village. The
males are fond of perching on the point of a rock, and,
pointing their beaks skywards, utter a clear wdiistling song
of two loud pipes, followed by half a dozen quivering notes
running down the key ; when first I heard them I mistook
them for one of the many variations of the song of the
Bakbakiri Shrike (which were numerous in the patches of
scrub near at h;md). The only female I obtained was silent
and running about amongst the stones on the hill-side.
They are very shy and tantalising, and I spent hours in
chasing the birds, trying to stalk them when singing : I
I could hear one singing on the teirace above me, and after
laboriousl}^ scrambling the krantz, would be just in time to
see it disap])Gar over the rocks and hear it singing below
me ; on scrambling down again it would fiy back to near its
first post, and so the little game woultl continue, until I gave
it up. I found one nest wdiich a ])iiir were building, ])ut
they deserted it after I had inspected it ; it was placed mider
the shelter of a grass-tuft on the slope of the hill.

Anthus nicholsoni, Sh;irpe. Nicholson's Pipit.
This species is not very common, its ])lace being taken bv
the preceding species.

Anthus rufulus cinnamomeus, Hiipp.
Very plentiful, in the open veld.

BuDYTEs FLAVUs, L. Bluc-lieadcd Waxbill.
Arrived in small flocks on the 12th Nov., in very l):id
plumage, and, I was informed, remain all the sunnner.

Bradypterus bab.ecllus (Vieill.). liabbling WwA
Warbler.

This little-recorded AVai'bler is found in ;ili ilic ]i;ilchc> of
flense low sci'ub in the mountain kloof,-. It i> \er\ ditHnilt

On the Birds of tJie District of Matatiele. 23

to obtain good specimens of them, as tlioy arc so cunsfantly
moving about on or near the ground in the densest ])arts of
the scrub, that though one can follow them by their call-
notes — much to the detriment of one's clothes — when one
does catch a momentary glimpse of them they are generally
so close as to be blown to pieces with the smallest charge of
dust-shot ; the plumage is also very loose and comes away
in bunches with every pellet that strikes it. It has rather a
pretty little song, wdiich it utters at intervals nearly all day
long, whilst creeping about. One hen I shot had enlarged
ova, and a few days later, 24th Nov., I found a nest with
two eggs. It was made of dry blades of grass curled loosely
round a lining of fibrous roots, and placed in a thick, dry
patch of " kat bosch,^' a few inches from the ground.

III. — Sotes on the Birds of the District of Matatiele,
East Griqualand. By (J. G. Davies, M.B.O.U.

In the number of this Journal for October 1008, I gave
some notes on the water-birds of this district ; these notes
were mainly based on a few made by me when stationed here
in 1808 and 1890, at which time I did but little systematic
collecting. During the past year (lOlO) I have travelled
over the greater part of the district, and am able to give a
better idea of the birds inhabiting it. The species in the
following list have all been collected by myself, with the
exception of a few which have been procured by Dr. Pope
and Mr. Gould, both of this town, and to both of whom I am
indebted for notes on many species secured here before my
arrival. I also have to thank Dr. Duerden, of the All)anv
Museum, for kindly giving me a list of specimens presented
to the Museum by Mr. Gould, and forwarding some of the
doubtful ones for my inspection.

In this paper 1 have followed the new Check-list of Dr. J.
W. B. Gunning and Mr. A. K. Haagner.

Although the greater part of the Matatiele district is what
one might call high veldt, the country to the north-east
sloping gradually up to the Drakcnsberg Mountains, to the

24 Mr. C. G. Davies 071 the Birds of the

soutli-west the country drops rapidly to tbe valley of the
Mveiiyane Hiver, and at the extreme south-west corner of
the district, known as the lower Mvenyane^ the hill-sides are
covered with a fair amount of forest, and here such charac-
teristic birds of the low country as the Lourie and Drongos
are found. I have not, unfortunately, had much opportunity
of collecting in this part, but probably the Avifauna will
be found to resemble that o[' Pondoland, wbicli is not far
distant.

1. CoLYMBUs CRISTATUS, L. Crestcd Grebe.

This species was formerly fairly common in the large vleys
in the district, but seems now to have almost disappeared, and
1 have not personally met with it, but have lately had a skin
sent to me of an adult in full plumage, shot on one of the
pans near the town,

2. CoLYMBUS CAPENSis [(Licht.) Salv.], Cape Dabchick.
Very common and a resident. I have found nests ; and

when shooting in the vleys have sometimes seen young newly
hatched^ — curiously striped little things — swimming within a
few feet of me ; their mothers calling and swimming all
round me, trying to lead me away by every device possible.

.^. DiOMEDlA EXULANS, L. AVaudering Albatross.

During the great blizzard of June, l*Jt>2, a specimen was
picked up in an exhausted and dying condition on one of the
farms.

4. Hydrociielidon hybrida (Pall.). Whiskered Tern.
An occa=ional visitor to some of the vleys ; all those shot
were in non-breeding plumage. \

.5. PiiALACROCORAX LUCIDUS (Lcht.). "Wliite-breasted
Gormorant.

An occasional visitor in small juimhcrs during the summer
months.

G. PiiALACROCORAX AFRTCAXUS (Gm,). Reed Gonndrant.
Like the previous species, it is found in small niimbcrs
daring summer months.

District of Matatiele, East Gri(juala}id. 25

7. Pelecanus ROSEUS, Gm. Eastern White Pelican.
Hare. Two specimens were shot on a large pan on the

farm " Golden Fleece '^ — one in December 1906, and one in
January 1910. On the latter occasion two birds were "seen.
All these w^ere inin)ature birds in the brownish plumao-e.

8. Erismatuka maccoa (A. Sm.). Maccoa Duck.

Not common, but I think resident, as I have met with a
few at all times of the year. I have never been able to
discover a nest, but a female shot on 9. 3. 10 contained a
shelled egg, ready for laying. The egg, which was unfor-
.tunately broken beyond repair, was very large for the size of
the bird, and of a pale bluish-green colour, the shell rather
chalky in texture. When alarmed this species sinks the
body until little more than the head and tail appear above
the surface ; but when swimming at ease the bird floats with
the body well out of the water, like other ducks. When
alarmed the tail is cocked up and inclined forwards, so as to
almost touch the head, which is thrown backwards.

9. Thalassornis leuconotus, Eyt. White-backed Duck.
Common on most of the larger vleys. This curious little

duck usually swims rather deep, the tail flush with the water;
it has a curious piping note, usually uttered when flying.
On the 17. 4. 10, I found a nest containing eight eggs ; the
nest, which was rather a deep cup woven of reeds, placed in
a clump of the same in about 3 feet of water. I have some-
times seen the females accompanied by four or five j^ouno-
the latter appearing very dark brown in colour, all of them
diving at intervals and remaining quite a long time under
water. They are usually very tame, and when shooting I have
often had occasion to approach quite close before thev would
rise and make off.

10. Nyroca capensis, [Cuv.] Less, S. African Pochard.
Fairly common during the summer months, very few

remaining over the winter. They usually occur in small
flocks. The note is a grating " kerr kerr,'' usually uttered
during flight. I found a nest on the 19. 4. 10, containing

26 Mr. C. G. Davies on the Birds of the

nine hard-set eggs ; it was a hollow lined with grass, near a
small vley. The duck sat very close, almost letting me catch
her before leaving the nest. A curious thing about the males
is the colour o£ the eyes ; they are usually described as red,
but, with the exception of one bird, all I have met with were
yellow : the one exception was a bird which was alive when
picked up ; in this specimen the eyes were a brilliant red, but
on my return home I found that they had changed to the
usual yellow colour. There was no sufiusion of blood to
account for the red colour, as the bird was not hit in the
head.

11. Spatula capensis ([A. Sm.] Eyt.). Cape Shoveller.
Rather a scarce species. Several have been shot from

time to time, but I have personally only met with one pair.

12. Anas undulata, Dubois. Yellow-billed Duck.

The commonest duck in the district, occurring often in
very large flocks, except wdien breeding, when they are
usually found in pairs. The notes of the sexes differ a gootl
deal, that of the male resembling that of the English Mallai-tl,
while that of the female is a loud quack like that of the
female Mallard : there is also a difference in colouring, the
male, as well as being much larger, has all the markings
much more distinct than those of the female ; those on the
breast are more circular and scale-like, these markings in
the females and young birds being more longitudinal.
During the breeding-season I have often seen the drakes
pursuing the ducks in the air, sometimes circling round to
a great height, the female turning and dodging in cNcry
direction and (juacking loudly.

13. Anas sparsa, [A. Sm.] Eyt. Black Duck.

Found in small numbers on all the rivers, seldom visiting
the vleys, except when, after heavy rains, the rivers become
flooded.

14. Anas ervtiikoriivncha. Red-billed Teal.

Next to the Yellow-bill this is our commonest duck, usually
seen in small flocks. It breeds on most of the vleys. The

District of Mat at i eh', KasL GrirjindanJ. 27

young are avoir] evfully clever ut hiding, swimming quietly
away among the reeds, tlie head and neck stretched flat along
the surface of the water. The latter is also a habit with
" winged " adult birds. The note is a rather harsh quack,
uttered, I think, usually by the female. They are generally
rather tamer than the Yellow-bill, and are quite the best
eating of all our duck.

15. Anas capensis, Gm. Cape Wigeon.

On the 2nd January, while out shooting on some pans
near the village, I came across a single specimen of this Teal,
which I was fortunate enough to secure. It was rather wild,
but would not leave the pan on which I found it. It re-
sembled the common Red-billed Teal in appearance, but when
on the wing I was at once struck by the large amount of
white showing on the wings. I made careful notes of the
colouring of the soft parts at the time while the bird was
fresii. The colouring of the bill differed somewhat from the
description given by Lt. Littledale in a previous number of
the Journal, and was a delicate waxy pink, a patch at base
and edges near tip black, there was a slight bluish shade
along the culmen and tip. This must be a very rare species
here, and I have never heard of one having been shot
before.

16. Anas punctata, Burch. Hottentot Teal.

Rare. I have only seen one specimen, an adult male ;
killed in this district.

17. Dendrocygna viduata (L.). White-fticed Duck.

A rare visitor at irregular intervals. I have not met with
it, but specimens were procured by Mr. Gould on 25. 5. 03
and 2. 4. 05.

18. Dendrocygna fulva (Gm.). Whistling Duck.
Very rare. I saw a single specimen on a large pan about

20 miles from Matatiele on the 18. 1. 11 ; it was very wild,
and although I followed it and put it up several times I could
not get a shot at it. I, however, had a good view^ of it, and
there can be no mistake ; it also uttered, when flying, its

28 Mr. C. G. Davies o« the Birds of the

\vliistlin<!; note. It "svas associiilino; ^vitll some Yeilow-liilled
Duck, ami while flying the contrast in shape was very
marked. A friend ot" mine Avho lives in that part of the
district, and does a good deal of shooting, told me that about
two years ago he saw several of them and, although xcvy
wild, he managed to secure one of them. This species has
never been recorded from Cape Colony before.

11). Sarkidiornis MELANOTUS (Penn.). Kno])-bill('(l Duck.

On the same day that I saw the previous species 1 came
across eight of these fine ducks on a small weedy pan. They
were not very wild, but unfortunately T had only small shot
(no. (')) with me, and alhougli I had four shots at tlieni I
failed to secure one ; however, I went out after them the
next day with some larger shot and was lucky enough to
get one of them, a very fine specimen, an old male witli a
knob measuring 2 inches in height from the nostrils. TIk^
eight birds seen were all adult males, with large knobs on
their bills. This must be a very rare duck in the district,
and I cannot find any trace of their having ever been seen
before.

20. Chenalopex ^gyptiacus (L.). Egyptian Goose.

A few usually visit the district during the winter months.

21. Plectopterus gambensis NIGER, IScl. Black Spur-
wing.

Although Mr. ITaagner in his article on this species in this
Journal states his opinion that there is only one species of
Spur-wing in S. Africa, I think the southern bird should be
kept separate as a subspecies under the above nanu>. J have
seen hundreds in this district and have shot a nuniber, besides
having seen many shot by others, and without exception they
have all been black birds, none of them having any white on
the head ami neck (with the excej)tion of a few white feathers
scattered here; and there on the cheeks), the white being con-
lined to th(! wing-coverts and a small patch on the abdomen,
rmming to a point on the lower breast : in fact the geiuTal
impression, seen at a little distance, is, that the bird is black.

District of Matatlele, East Gritjualand. 21)

They nre common in lliis district and do a considerable
amount of damage to the farmers' crops ; not only do they
knock down and ti'ample a quantity of the growing wheat,
but even when it is stacked on the lands they pull about and
strip the shetives. When flying they utter a curious clucking
whistle, and when wounded and attacked by a dog hiss and
strike with their wings. The young are often caught b}'
natives and brought in for sale ; I have three at present
running at large about the camp. They will cross with the
Muscovy Duck, but the eggs invariably prove unfertile.

[In Sclater's description of P. niger no mention is made
of white on the head and wing, yet Mr. Davies says his birds
have wliite feathers on the face and white wing-patches.
Besides, ni(/er was described from the north and not from Cape
Colony. From my own experience in general I should say the
very old males have the most white on them. The Transvaal
Zoological Gardens got twelve Spur-wings in July 1910,
and when they arrived I would have certainly taken them
for P. niger had not several had white patches or freckling
on the face, wdiile others had more or less conspicuous white
wing-patches. After eleven months in the Gardens they are
beginning to get whiter and whiter, and all hope of their being
nif/er has vanished. Furthermore, Sclater's description says
that the wattles are not so well-developed as the average
yamhends ; another possible proof that his birds were young
ones. — A. H.]

22. Casarca cana (Gm.), S. African Sheldrake.
Scarce — visiting the district in small numbers at irrejiular

intervals.

23. Aeenaria interpres (L.). Turnstone.

Rare. I have only seen a single specimen killed in the
district.

24. Glareola melanoptera, Nordm. Black-winged
Pratincole.

An irregular visitor. None were seen last year (1910).

30 Mr. U. G. Davies on the Birds of the

25. Ci'RSORius KUFUs, J. Gould. Ixufous ( "ouvser.
Not uncommon on the flats and resident.

2G. Charadrius iiiaticula, L. Ringed Tlover.
Scarce. I have personally only shot one specimen.

27. Charadrius TRicoLLARis, Vieill. Three-banded Plover.
Very common and resident.

28. Stephanibyx melanopterus (Cretzschm.). Black-
wingod Lapwing.

►Scarce. I have not met with it, but Mr. Gould informs
me lie has seen flocks on sevend occasions.

29. CEdicnemius capensis, Lcht. Cape Thicknee.
Not common ; I have only seen one or two si)t'cimens.

30. NuMEXius ARQUATUS (L.). Curlew.

A rather rare migrant, single birds being occasionally
seen on the vleys.

.31. TOTANUS PUGNAX (L.). Ruff.

Very common on marshy ground, sometimes in large
flocks. This is one o£ our earliest visitors, arriving in August
and leaving in March. Amongst the specimens shot on
7.3.10 many of the females had already moulted into
breeding-plumage.

32. ToTANUS LiTTOREUS (L.). Greenshank.

Not very common ; but one or two are generally seen
amongst flocks of other waders and are a fearful nuisance to
the sportsman, being very wild, and dashing off with their
loud whistles putting every other bird on the alert.

33. ToTANUS STAGNATiLis, Bcchst. Marsli Sandpiper.

I have lately found a good many of these Sandpipers on
one of the farms. They are just like miniature Grccnshanks
in appearance, habits, and note. I did not meet with them
last year, although 1 looked out for them.

34. ToTANUS GLAREOLA (L.). Wood Sandpiper.

Very common. Specimens are sometimes found in full
breeding-plumage.

District of Matatiele, East GriquaJand. 31

35. Tr'NGOIdes hypoleucos (L.). Conmion Siuulpipor.
Not common ; usually found singly along river-banks,
rarely on the vleys.

3fj. TiiiNGA FERRUGINEA, Brunn. Curlew Sand})i[)er.
Not common ; found occasionally in small flocks.

37. Tringa minuta, Leisl. Little Stint.
Not common ; found in small flocks or singly.

38. Gallinago media (Frisch). Double Snipe.
Not common.

30. Gallinago nigripennis, Bp. Ethiopian Snipe.

Not common. Considering the amount of marsh}^ ground
in the district, it is strange that there should be so few
Snipe ; I know of only one or two places where one can
depend on finding them. A nest was found by Mr. Gould
on the 30th October, 1910, containing two eggs.

40. RosTRATiTLA BENGALENSis (L.). Painted Snipe.

Not common, but I believe resident. I have not found
eggs ; but of four shot on a small piece of marshy ground,
two were adult male and female, the other two being young
birds, probably the young of the adult pair. I have noticed
that wounded birds of this species will make short jumps
forward, with wings and tail expanded to their fullest
extent, and uttering a kind of hissing noise, as if to try and
frighten one. I have noticed a wounded Nightjar do
almost exactly the same thing.

41. Otis cafra, Lcht. Stanley Bustard.

A Bustard, either of this species or 0. ludwigii, occurs on
some of the farms in small numbers ; but I have not been
able to procure specimens for identification.

42. BuGERANUS carunculatus (Gm.). Wattled Crane.
This species was formerly not uncommon, but is now

rarely seen.

43. Anthropoides paradisea (Lcht.). Blue Crane.
This species used to be exceedingly common, occurring in

32 Mr. C. G. Davies on the Birds of the

large flocks in the winter iiioiitlis, ami occasionallv breeclino;;
but now it is rarely seen, and I have only met with one ])air
during the past twelve months.

44. Balearica regulorum (Benn.). Crowned Crane.
This species has also almost disappeared from the district,

where it was formerly fairly common.

45. AcTOPHiLUs AFRiCANUS (Gm,). African Jacana.
Rare. A specimen was shot on one of the vlcys by

Mr. Gould.

40. IIalliis c^rulesgens, Gm. Caflre Rail.

Mr, Gould tells me he shot a specimen of tliis Rail some
time ago. Birds of this family are great skulkers, and are
rarely seen ; so they may be much commoner than one
thinks.

47. Crex crex (L.). Corn-Crake.

A few visit the district during the summer months.

48. Ortygometra pusilla obsoura (Neum.). Little
Crake.

Very common on all the vleys during the summer months.

49. Sarothrura lineata (Sw.). Streaked Crake.
Apparently uncommon. The only specimens I have

secured were both males : one was rescued from a Launer
Falcon, the other from a cat.

.50. PoRi'iiYRio porphyrio (L.). Purple Gallinule.

Fairly common on some of the more reedy vleys. This
bird is an adept at iiiding itself, and after being flushed once
is rarely seen again.

51. Gallinula chloropus (L,). Moorhen.
Not common.

52. FuLiCA CRiSTATA, Gm. Red-knobbed Coot.
Exceedingly common on all the vleys.

53. TuRNix LEPURANA (A. Sm.). Kurrichaue Button-
QuaiL

Rather .scarce.

DLstr/cf. of Matatiele, East (J i-irjadland. '.Vo

54. Pterocles namaquus (Gm.). Nani;i(iu;i Sand-
Grouse.

This species has only appeared in this district during the
last few years, and then only in small numbers during
the winter.

55. Ibis .^thiopica (Lath.). Sacred Ibis.

Fairly common, and remaining in the district throufi;hout
the year, with the exception of short al)sences in spring and
autumn, probably for the purpose of breeding, as on their
return they are usually accompanied by a large number of
young birds.

56. Geronticus calvus (Bodd.). Bald Ibis.
Occasionally seen in small flocks.

57. Thehisticus hagedash (liath.). Hadadah Ibis.
Rare. A specimen was lately seen by a friend perched on

some rocks near his farm, calling loudly ; the natives told
him they had never seen the bird before.

58. Plegadis autumnalis (Hasselq.). Glossy Ibis.
Very rare. A specimen was shot by Mr. Gould.

59. Platalea alba. Scop. Spoonbill.

Not common, but found all over the district in small
numbers, principally during the summer months. They
usually associate with the Ibises ; but whereas the Ibises
are always seen scattered about all over the marsh, the
Spoonbills are usually in small flocks. I have never shot an
adult bird with a well-developed crest.

GO. Tantalus ibis, L. Wood Ibis.

Rare. A few seem to visit the district annually ; these
appear to be all immature birds in the brownish plumage.
Mr. Gould has shot one or two, and I saw a flock of six
last summer ; they were associating with Ibises and Spoon-
bills, and were quite unapproachable.

61. Leptoptilos crumenifer ([Cuv.] Less.). Marabou
Stork.

Very rare. One of these birds visited the district during
1906, and remained about the vleys for some time.

vol. VII. 3

34 Mr. (\ G. Davies ou the Birds of the

G2. (hcoxiA CICONIA (L.). AVliito Stork.

A fairly coininon nii<2;rant. Last year they were very
common, and although the mnjority left in March a good
many remained right through the winter, in spite of two
falls of snow.

63. CicoNiA NIGRA (L.). Black Stork.

Hare. One or two have been shot in the district.

64. Phgenicopterus roseus, Pall. Greater Flamingo.
Very rare. An immature specimen was shot this year by

a friend on one of the farms. This is the only occurrence of
this species in the district I have heard of.

tt.5. Scopus umbretta, Gm. Hammerhead.
Very common.

GG. Nycticorax nycttcorax (L.). Night-Heron.

Formerly common amongst <he reeds in some of the
vleys, but now appears to have .ilmost disap])eared. I have
only seen one specimen, an immature bird, which I shot last
summer.

67. Botaurus stellaris CAPENSis (Schl.). Cape Bittern.

Not uncommon and resident. Mr. Gould found a nest
containing three eggs. The nest, built of reeds and lined
with short pieces of the same, was placed in a clump of
rushes in about three feet of water. The eggs are olive-
brown in colour, ahnost exactly like those of the European
Bittern. This clutch, tog'^her with tlie parent birds, are
now in the Transvaal Museum. One of these birds,
which J wounded, was not content with ])utting itself
on the defensive, but made several determined rushes
at me, looking very fierce, with its ruff and feathers of the
body erected to the utmost.

GS. Ardetta payesi ([Verr.] Jlartl.). Red-necked Little
Bittern.

A single adult female of this species, shot on one of the
vlevs last sunnncr, is the only one I have seen.

District of Matatiele, East Griqualand. 35

69. Ardeola ralloides (Scop.). Squacco Heron.

Not common, and only seen during the summer months.
Most of those met with appear to he immature birds.

70. Ardea purpurea, L. Purple Heron.
Fairly common and resident.

71. Ardea cinerea, L. Grey Heron.
(Common and resident.

72. Ardea melanocepfiala, Vio:. & Childr. Black-headed
Heron.

Common and resident. This Heron appears more of a
land-bird than most of the family, and is usually to be seen
out on the veldt or in corn-lands, stalking along on the look-
out for the locusts, beetles, mice, &c. which seem to form its
principal food.

73. BuBULCUS IBIS (L.). Cattle Egret.
Scarce. I have only met with two or three.

74. Herodias garzetta (L.). Little Egret.

Scarce. I have only seen two or three specimens asso-
ciating with the next species.

75. Herodias beachyrhyncha, Brehm. Yellow-billed
Egret.

This is the most plentiful of the white Egrets in this district,
and although not common is pretty generally distributed in
small numbers. On one of the farms, however, where there
is a large reed-bed, they ars common and roost in the reeds.
It is a very pretty sight, on a fine summer evening, to see
them going to roost. They arrive in parties of three and
four, and lake a long time to settle down, squawking
and squabbling for the best places ; every now and then
something disturbs them, and the whole lot rise like a
white cloud, only to settle down again in a minute to begin
the whole disturbance over again. This particular reed-bed
is also the roosting-place of vast numbers of Spreos and
Bishop Birds, together with Purple Herons and Marsh-

3*

ar. Ml. C. G. Davies on iJu- Birds of the

Hai'ri(M"s. In the cvcnin^j; tlici-c is a regular halx'l of
bird voices of all sorts, ooinhined wirh the croakin<i; of
frogs.

70. CoLUMBA PHiEONOTA, G. K. Gr. Rock-rigeoii.
Very common.

77. TuuTUR SENEOALENsis (L.). Laughing Dove.
Common.

78. TuRTiTR CAPicoLA (Suiul.). Cape Turtle Dove.
C/ommon.

79. TuRTUR SEMITORQUATUS (Riipp.). Ucd-eyed Dove.
Rather scarce and local.

<S0. (Ena capensis (L.). Namaqua Dove.

Not common. This is a species which has only made its
appearance of late years, probably owing to the increase of
plantations.

81. Numida coronata, G. R. Gr. Crowned Guinea-
fowl.

This species has been introduced on many of the farms and
seems to be increasing.

82. Francolinus levaillantii (Val.). Cape Red-wing
Francolin.

Rather scarce, and only found in small numbers on some
of the farms.

83. Francolinus AFER (Latham). Grey-winged Francolin.
Common in suitable localities all over the district.

84. CoTURNix COTURNTX AFRiCANA, Teui. & Schl. African
Quail.

Common in some years. Last year they were very
plentiful ; nii'.ny bred in the district and remained during
the winter.

85. CoTURNix DELAGORGUEi (Delag.). Ilarlccpiin Quail.
Rare. A single cock bird was shot by ]Mr. (ilould.

86. Gyps KOLBI (Daud.). GrifFon VuHure.
Not very common.

Disttict of Matat'iele, East Grhjualand. 37

87. Serpentarius serpentarius (Miller). Secretary
Birtl.

Found in small numbers uU over the district, usually in
pairs.

88. PoLYBOROiDES TYPicus, A. Sni. Harrier Hawk.
Rare. A fine adult female was sent me by a friend ; this

was probably a straggler from the low countiy.

89. Circus macrurus (Gm.). Pallid Harrier.

Not common, but found all over the district in summer.

*J0. Circus ranivorous (Daud.). South African Marsh-
Harrier.

Common on all the marshes.

91. Aquila verreauxi, Less. Black Eagle.

Appears to be found in small numbers along the Urakens-
berg, where I saw a fine pair the other day, circling round
and round and playing together in the open air.

92. BuTEO JAKAL (Daud.). Jackal Buzzard.
Fairly common.

93. BuTEO UESERTORUM (Daud.j. Steppe Buzzard.
Not common.

94. HaliaJiitus vocifer (Daud.). Sea-Eugle.

Rare. I saw a fine adult one day circling round oyer a
large pan. This was probably a straggler from one of the
larger riyers.

95. MiLVUs JiGYPTius (Gm.). Yellovy-billed Kite.

Not common, and I think only passes through the district
on mioration.

9G. Elanus c.*:kuleus (Desf.). Black-shouldereJ Kite.
Fairly connnon.

97. Falco biarmicus, Temm. Lanner Falcon.

C'Ommon, and a great nuisance when out Quail-shooting,
as Quail will not rise if there is a Falcon hanging about.
These Falcons are encouraged by the Basuto herd boys, who,
when out huntiiiu' Uuail with do<>;s and sticks, call tho

38 Mr. C. G. Davies on the Birds of the

Hawks, wliicli are generally somewhere a])Out, knowing
well tliat Quail will not ri.se if they can help it and are
then easily caught by the dogs or knocked over with sticks.
Sometimes a Quail makes a dash for liberty, and then,
should it be missed by the Hawk, which is unlikely, drops
like a stone into cover ; and it will then suffer itself to be
picked up by hand, rather than make another attempt *.
i have often heard it said that one of these Falcons cannot
catch a Rock-Pigeon in full flight ; bnt the other day I saw
a Lanner fairly catch a Rock-Pigeon, after a stern chase
which must have lasted ten minutes.

98. Cerchneis amurensis, Radde. Eastern Red-legged
Kestrel.

I saw a few of this species last summer associating with
flocks of C. naumanni ; most of these appeared to be immature
birds.

99. Cerchneis RUPicoLA (Daud.). South African Kestrel,
(jommon.

100. Cerchneis naumanni (Fleisch). Lesser Kestrel.

A good many of these Kestrels visited the district last
sunnner. Dr. Pope tells me that some years ago there were
hundreds of this species and 6'. amuretisis, and that the
telegraph-wires used to be covered with them.

101. Bubo maculosus (Vieill.). Spotted Eagle Owl.
Not common.

102. Asio NisUELLA (Daud.). Marsh Owl.
(Jonnnon everywhere on marshy ground.

lOI). I'isoKHiNA CAPENSis (A. Sm.). 'Cajie Scojis Owl.
Two s|)eciniens were caught in the town hist summer, but
I thiid< the species is rare as a rule.

* [To some such practice in tlie remote past the oripin of falconry may
perhaps be traced. Tlie above account bears a striking resemblance to
those passages in Pliny and Aristotle which have often been quoted as
proving the existence of falconry in Euiope some 300 n.c. Mr. Short-
ridge also notes (' Ibis,' 1904) a similar practice amongst the natives in
the adjoining territory of Pcndoland.— Edd.]

Distnct of Matafielc, East Griqiudand. 39

104. Strix FLAMMEA MACULATA, Brehm. Cape Bam -Owl.
Fairly common, frequenting holes in kranzes during the

day.

105. TuRACUS coRYTHAix (Wagl.). Clapo Lourie.
Found in fair numbers in the bush in the Lower Mven-

yane.

106. Clamator serratus (Sparrm.). Black - crested
(.^uckoo.

Scarce, a few seem to visit plantations of wattles during
the summer.

107. Clamator jacobinus hypopinarius, Cab. & Heine.
Black-and-Grej Cuckoo.

A regular summer visitor in small numbers.

108. Clamator glandarius (L.). Great Spotted
Cuckoo.

A few pass through the district every year on migration.

109. CucuLUS SOLITARIUS, Steph. Red-chested Cuckoo.
Scarce. I heard one calling in a small patch of bush in

a kloof on the 25th October, 1910.

110. CucuLUS CANORUS, L. European Cuckoo.

Rare. An immature male was shot last sunmier, by a
friend, in a blue gum plantation in the town.

111. Chrtsococcyx cupreus (Bodd.). Golden Cuckoo.
A few arrive every spring, but do not stay long. I might

mention here that all the females I have shot have had the
tail rufous banded with green, whereas in Stark and Sclater
the female is described as being similar to the male in
plumage.

112. Geocolaptes olivaceus (Gm.). Ground Wood-
pecker.

Common.

113. Dendropicus guineensis (Scop.). Cardinal Wood-
pecker.

A rather scarce visitor. Two or three have been shot in
the town.

40 Mr. C. G. Davies on the Birds of the

114. CoRACiAS GARRULUS, L. European Roller.

Passes through the district in fair nunihers on migration
in December and January, but I have not noticed any return
migration in the autumn.

115. CoRACiAS CAUDATUS, L. Lilac-breasted Roller.

Rare. A specimen was shot in a plantation on the out-
skirts of the town by Mr. Gould some time ago, another by
myself in the same place on the 1st January, 1910 ; both
these were immature birds. This is the first record, I think,
of the species from (Jape Colony.

116. BucoRVUS GAFFER (Schl.). Ground Hornbill.

Scarce. I saw a small flock of this species on the race-
course last summer ; probably these were stragglers from
the liower Mvenyane.

117. CoRTTHORNis GYANOSTYGMA (Rlipp.). Malachite -
crested Kingfisher.

Not very common, but generally distributed.

118. Algedo semitorquata, Sw. Half-collared King-
fisher.

Not so common as the previous species, but found in the
same localities,

119. (Jeryle rudis (L.). Pied Kingfisher.

Scarce. Occasionally seen on the rivers, rarely on the
vleys.

120. Ceryle maxima (Palb). Giant Kingfisher.
Seen now and again on the large rivers.

121. Merops APiASTER, L. Euro})ean Bee-eater.

A specimen was seen a few days ago in one of the gardens
in the village, but was not secured. This species is, I think,
only a rare straggler to tliis district.

122. Urupa africana, Bechst. African Hoopoe.
Rather scarce I have seen one or two in the town

gardens.

District of Matatiele, East Griqtialaml. 41

123. Caprimulgus rufigena, A. Sm. Rulbus-clieeked
Niglitjar.

Scarce. I have only met with one specimen, an immature
male.

124. Macrodipteryx vexillarius (J. Gd.). Standard-
wing Nightjar.

Very rare. Dr. Pope informs me that, some years ago, an
adult male with fully developed streamers was killed in one
of the gnrdens in town.

125. Apus melba africanus (Tcmm.). White - bellied
Swift.

Fairly common.

126. Apus barbatus ([Temm.] Scl.). Black Swift.
Common.

127. Apus caffer (Schl.). African White-rumped Swift.
Fairly common and nesting under many of the eves of

houses in the town.

128. RiPARiA GINCTA (Bodd.). Banded Sand-Martin.
Fairly common, but keeping mostly to the higher part of

the district.

129. RiPARiA PALUDicoLA (VieilL). African Sand -
Martin.

Common about the vleys and rivers.

130. RiPARiA FULiGULA (Lcht.). Rock-Martin.
Very common and resident all the year round.

131. HiRUNDO ALBiGULARis (Strickl.). White- throated
Swallow.

Fairly common.

132. HiRUNDO RUSTICA, L. European Swallow.
Common, arriving in October and leaving again in March,

133. HiRUNDO CUCULLATA, Bodd. Larger Stripe-breasted
Swallow.

Common.

42 Mr. C. G. Davies on the Birds of the

133 a. Stenostira scita (Vicill.). Fairy Flycatchor.

Hare. A single female brought to nie by a small boy
v/lio had shot it with a catapult is the only example I have
seen.

134. TcHiTREA PERSPiciLLATA (Sw.). Paradise Fly-
catcher.

A rare straggler. A single specimen shot in the town by
Mr. Gould.

135. Campophaqa nigra, Vieill. Black Cuckoo Shrike.
Rare. A specimen shot in the town by Mr. Gould.

136. Pelecinids zeylonus (L.). Bakbakiri Bush Shrike.
Common.

137. Laniarius major (Hartl.). Larger Puff- backed
Shrike.

Rare. A specimen shot by Mr. Gould in the town.

138. Lanius collaris, L. Fiscal Shrike.
Common.

139. Lanius collurio, L. Red -backed Shrike.
Appears in small numbers in summer.

140. CORVUS SCAPULATUS, Daud. Pied Crow.

Local ; fairly common in some parts, almost unknown in
others.

141. Heterocorax capensis (Lcht.j. African Rook.
Fairly common.

142. CoRVDLTUR ALBicoLLis (Lath.). White - necked
Raven.

Fairly common.

143. DiCRURUS afer (A. Loht.). Fork-tailed Drongo.
Rare. A single specimen was shot in town by Mr. Gould.

144. Creatopiiora carunculatus (Gm.). Wattled
Starling.

Rather scarce. I met with a few last summer feeding
among eatth' in company with Spreo (ncolor.

District of Matatiele, East Griqualand. 43

14o. Spreo BicoLOK (Gni,). Pied Starling.
Very common,

146. Amydrus MORiO (L.). Red-wing Starling.
Not very common.

147. Ploceus spilonotus, Vig. Spotted-bucked Weaver.
Fairly connnon.

148. Ploceus capensis olivaceus (Halm). Olive
Weaver.

Not 80 common as the previous species.

149. Pyromelana taha (A. Sm.). Golden Bishop
Bird.

I was surprised last summer to find this beautifull little
bird quite common all over the district, as it was never met
with in former years. This is, 1 believe, the first record of
the species being found in (Jape Colony.

150. Pyromelana orix, L. Red Bishop Bird.
Very common.

151. Euplectes capensis approximans (Cab.). Lesser
Cape Bishop Bird.

Not very common, and keeping to the hill-sides on the
higher ground. I might mention that specimens shot iti
Pondoland appear to be intermediate between P. caj^ensis
and P. capensis .vantJiomelas, the feathers of the thighs being
mixed brown and black.

[Two examples procured by me at Modderfontein had
also mixed brown and black thighs, but were determined by
the late Dr. Sharpe as approj-imajis. — A. H.]

152. Urobrachya axillaris (A. Sm.). Red-shouldered
Widow Bird.

Rather scarce.

153. Coliuspasser ardens (Bodd.). Red-collared Widow
Bird.

Not verv common.

44 Mr. C. G. Uavies on the Birds of the

154. Nkisxa dufresnei (Vicill.). Swee AVaxhill.

An adult male was sbot lately in one ot" the gardens in tlie
village. This is a rare species here and 1 have not met
with it.

155. Vidua serena (L.). Tin-tailed Widow Bird.
Connnon.

15(). Passer melanurus (St. Miill.). Cape Sparrow.
Very common.

157. Petronia superciliaris ([Hay] BIyth). Diamond
Sparrow.

I have only seen one or two examples.

158. Serinus canicollis (Sw.). Cape Canary.
Very common.

159. Fringillaria reidi, Shell. Natal Bunting.
Fairly comsnon.

IGO. Fringillaria tahapisi, A. Sm. Pock Bunting,
Very common. Con:?orting with the Sparrows in the
town.

1()1. MOTACILLA capensis, L. Cape Wagtail.
( V)nnnon.

1(52. Aktiius CIILORIS, Lcht. Yellow-breasted Pipit.

Rather scarce. No description is given in Stark and
Sclater ot" the breeding-plumage ot" this species. In the
nuptial plumage the throat, breast, and eyebrows are bright
yellow ; the breast spotted and the flanks streaked with
l)rown.

IGI). Anthus crenatus, Finseh c*i: llartl. Large Yellow-
tufted Pipit.

Not uncommon in the more hilly pai'ts ot" (he district,
l"re(|uenting r(K*ky ground singly or in pairs. In the sjiriiig
the males iiiav oltcn lie seen perched on the to|is «)!' rocks
ulterina- a curious lonu-draw n-ont note.

Di^friet of Mafafiele, JtJasl Gri(/ii(ihni<l. 45

1G4. Anthus rufulus cinnamomeus, Riipp. Tawny
Pipit.

Very common.

1G5. Anthus nicholsomi, Sharpe. Nicholson's rij)it.
Not uncommon, frequenting rocky ground, usually in
pairs.

166. Anthus leucophrys, Vieill. Plain-backed Pipit.
Not so common as the two previous species.

167. Macron Yx capensis (L.). Cape Long-claw.
Very common.

168. Mirafra chiniana, A. Sm. Latakoe Lark.

They are not common, and I have only met with them
during the summer, frequenting the corn and forage lands,
lying very close, and when flushed only flying a few yards
before dropping into cover again.

169. Heteronyx ruddi, O.-Grant. Crested Lark.
A small Lark which is common on the flats.

170. Certhilauda semitorquata, a. Sm. Grey-collared
Lark.

Fairly common on rocky hill-sides.

171. Calandrella cinerea (Gm.). Red-capped Lark.
Very common.

172. Andropadus importunus (Vieill.). Sombre Bulbul.
Common in the bush in the Lower Mvenyane.

173. Pycnonotuscapp:nsis nigricans (Vieill.). Red-eyed
Bulbul.

Not common. T have met with a few in some of the
gardens during the summer.

174. Pycnonotus barbatus layaedi, Gurn. Black-cap
Bulbul.

Fairly common during the summer in the gardens, but
disappears during the winter.

46 Mr. C. G. Davios on the Birds of the

175. ZosTEROPS YlRENs. Siuid. Green White-eye.

Rare all aver the greater part of the district, hut common
in the Lower Mvenyane.

176. CiNNYRls AFER (L.). Great Douhle-collared Sun-
bird,

Only found in the Lower Mvenyane.

177. Nectarinia famosa (L.). Malachite Sunbird.
Common.

178. Promerops gurneyi, Verr. Natal Lono;- tailed
Sugar-bird.

Fairly common amongst the sugar-bush on the hills.

179. CisTicoLA SUBRUFICAPILLA (A. Sui.), Grey-backcd
Grass- Warbler.

Fairl}' common.

180. CisTicoLA TiNNiENS (Lcht.). Lovaillant's Grass-
Warbler.

Common on the marshes and along river-banks.

181. CiSTicoLA TERRESTRis (A. Sm.). Wren Grass-
Warbler.

Very common.

182. CiSTlCOLA FDLVICAPILLA (Vieill.). Tawny - headed
Grass-Warbler.

Not uncommon amongst the scrub in the kloofs.

183. SCHCENICOLA APiCALis (Cab.). Fan - tailed Reed-
Warbler.

A few were heard and seen lately amongst the reeds in one
of the vleys.

184. LusciNiOLA GRACiLiROSTRis (Hartl.). Babbling
Reed- Warbler.

I have lately found a few inhabiting some of the reed-beds
in the larger vleys.

185. AcROCEPiiALUS ARUNDINACEUS (L.). Great Reed-
Warbler.

I lately saw a specimen amongst the reeds on one of the

District of Matatiele, East Griquahind. 47

vleys, and also lieard its loud croaking song, but 1 think it
is a rather scarce species.

186. AcROCEPHALUs PALUSTRis (Bechst.). Marsh- Warbler.
Not nncomnion. This species is sometimes found fre-
quenting the gardens and cornfields.

187. AcROCEPHALTTS B^TICATUS (Vieill.). African Reed-
Warbler.

Fairly common. Not only found in the marshes, but I
have met with a good many in the gardens and amongst the
corn.

188. Prinia maculosa, Bodd. Cape Wren- Warbler.
Not very common.

189. Phylloscopus trochilus (L.). Willow-Wren.
Fairly common during the sunmier, arriving early in

December.

190. Sylvia simplex, Lath. Garden- Warbler.

Rare. 1 have seen only one specimen, shot in one of the
gardens in town.

191. Ch^TOPS aurantius, Say. Orange-breasted Rock-
Jumper.

Scarce, only found amongst the rocks in the highest parts
of the district, along the Drakensberg.

192. Monticola RUPESTRis (Vieill.). Ca[)e Rock- Thrush.
Fairly common.

193. Monticola explorator (Vieill.). Sentinel Rock-
Thrush.

Common.

194. Thamnol^a bifasciata (Temm.). Buff -streaked
Chat.

Not yevj common.

J 95. Myrmecocichla formicivora (Vieill.). Ant-cating
Chat.

Not uncommon amongst the ant-hills on the flats. A

48 Obifuari/.

yonno- male of the year had tlie lesser wiiig-coverts white,
like the adult male.

196. Saxicola monticola (Vieill.). Mountain Chat.
Fairly common. I have shot specimens in all the various

plumages mentioned in Stark and Sclater, and have written
some notes on the plumages of this species elsewhere.

197. Saxicola PiLEATA (Gm.). Capped Wheatear.
Not common.

198. Pratincola torquata (L.). South African Stone
Chat.

Fairly common.

199. Cossypha caffra (L.). Cape Robin Chat.
Rather scarce.

200. Ph(EN1CURus familiaris (Steph.). Familiar Chat.
Not common.

lY.—Ol>ituar>/.

Captain Boyd Alexander.

This intrepid explorer and keen naturalist met with a violent
death on the 2nd April, 1910, in the Lake Chad region,
being little short of murdered by natives for no appareut
reason, except perhaps that he was a white man.

The country w^as then in an unsettled condiiion-, owing to
the French reverse at Nassalit.

In the Octol)cr 1910 No. of the 'Ibis/ Mr. Ogilvie-Grant
writes an apjireciation of the life and work of Boyd Alex-
ander, from which these few remarks are culled.

He was the eldest son of Lt.-Col. B. F. Alexander, of
Swii'ts Place, C!ranbrook ; being born on the IGth January,
1873, thus only 37 years old at his death. At 20 years of
age he entered a Militia Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, but
evinced a great love for Natural Histor}' and collecting from
oaj-ly boyhood.

ohitiiarii. 49

His first expedition on the C ontinentof Africa was that to
the Zambesi, when he formed one of the members of Major
Gibbons^s "Cape to Cairo" Expedition, which started from
Chinde on I8th July, 1898.

He formed on the Zambesi and the Kafue Rivers a collec-
tion of about 1000 bird-skins of 212 species, several of which
were new to science, and the results were published in the
' Ibis ' for 1899 and 1900, After his work on the Zambesi
Collection was completed, he left England and joined the
Gold Coast Constabulary, taking part in the relief of Kumassi
.in 1900 (medal and clasp). He was accompanied by a
Portuguese collector named Jose Lopez, whom he brouo-ht
from the Cape Verde Islands and who remained with him
throughout his wanderings. He collected many specimens
during his stay in West Africa. Ho visited Fernando Po in
1902 and formed another valuable collection.

He next undertook a daring expedition, in company with
his brother Claud, of the Scots Guards, and Capt. Gosling, of
the Rifle Brigade, from the Niger to the Nile ; during the
three years which it occupied both his companions met their
death. Undaunted by misfortune, sickness, and danger
Alexander triumphed and gave his results to the world in
tw^o large volumes entitled ' From the Niger to the Nile.-'
He received the gold medals of the Royal Geographical
Society of Antwerp (in 1907) and the Royal Geographical
Society of London (in 1908). The full ornithological results
of this expedition have not yet been published.

In his last trip he ascended Cameroon and then travelled
through Wadai, where he met his death, and now lies buried
beside his brother at Maifoni, a British post near Lake Chad.

During his lifetime Alexander published n.any papers in
the 'Zoologist,' 'Ibis,' and 'Bulletin Br. Ornith. Club,'
besides the two volumes referred to above, and the "■ Birds cf
Kent" in the 'Victoria History of the County of Kent.'

VOL. VII.

50 Occasional Xotcs.

V, — Occasional Kates.

1. Whitk Stukks near Bethlehem, O.F.S, — I luive
noticed that the White Storks are very fond of feeding
in the close proximity of veldt fires, some even approaching
to within a couple of feet of the actual blaze, and appear to
be very busy catching insects &c. which are driven out by
the heat. Percy E. Hale.

Bethlehem, O.F.S.,

21.2.11.

2. Strange Flight of Swallows. — On Jainiary IGtli
last a vast concourse of Swallows (species ?) was seen at
Silverton, near James' Halt. The time was 6.45 p.m., and
the birds were tiying in an E.N.E. direction very close to
the ground. They were seen by two Silverton residents,
who had no doubt that the birds were Swallows, and later
by the N.C.O. in charge of the Silverton Police Station,
through which the birds passed, still flying very low. It
wonld be interesting to know what was the object of this
concerted movement, and to which species they belonged.

Pretoria, F. VaUGHAN KuujV.

9 2.11.

3. Whjte SwALLdW. — On Januai'}' 1st of this year 1 was

walking in froiu Silverton to Pretoria, and close to where

the Delagoa Bay line crosses the road, about 1 i miles west

of Silverton, 1 passed a number of Swallows and Martins

perched on the wire fence and along the telegraph-wires.

Amongst them was one snow-wdiite in plumage, and as

J twice iiot within 30 feet of it T was able to assure mvself

that he carried no dark feathers whatever. The first time

I a])proached it from the front, the bird being ^ery tame

and confiding ; then it flew nj), circled in the air a lew

times, and again settled, this time permitting me to creep

through the wires and approach it from behind and as

closely as before. Most of the Swallows accompanying it

were IJirundo albiyulavis, with a few //. semirufu.

Occaswnal Notes. 51

Mr. R. T. N. flumes, of Silverton, has since infoinu'd me
that he has seen a white Swallow at the same spot ; but
though I have passed it several times since, I have not seen
the bird again. F. Yaughan Kikbv.

Prelorin,

9. 2. IJ.

4. Notes feom East London. — During the last year
or .so I have been giving some little attention to the notes
and calls of birds. Those that puzzle me seem rather to
increase than diminish in number : our thick busli often
stands in the way of one making certain.

Yesterday I was watching the antics of a Blue Crane
{T. paradisea) in our Public Park. He knows me well,
and as usual greeted me with his screaming croak ; but
when I had strolled away thirty yards, I was surprised
to hear coming from him a short churring sound, suggestive
of that the Nightjar produces, but, of course, ever so much
deeper, though by no means loud. He stood fixedly gazing
after me, and holding his bill a little bit up, whilst he
expressed himself in that, to me, unusual manner.

I have been assured by two different farmers of late that
})oth the " Piet-mijn-vrouw" Cuckoo [Cucidvs clamosus) and
the Bromvogel {Bucorax cafer) may be occasionally heard
calling well on towards midnight. There was a case under
mv notice recently in which the Black-and-White Cuckoo
{Clamator jacoUmis) laid its egg in the nest of the Cape
Wagtail. John \Yood.

East London, C.C.,
10. 12. 10.

5. Obituary ; Dk. J. B. Greathead. — Those members
of the Union who had the good fortune to know tiie late
Dr. J. B. Greathead, of " Greystone,^^ Grahamstown, will
be grieved to hear of his death at the age of 54. He had
retired and taken a farm called " Yanwj-ksfonlein."' near
Norvals Pont, in the Northern Cape Colony.

52 Short JSolices of Ornithohxfical PiihJicalioiis.

He was a keen sportsman, and on liis last shooting-trip to
Rhodesia fell ill and died at Seren je, on the way from Mpika
to Broken Hill, on or about the 17th October, 1910, after an
illness of about six weeks.

He and a friend had only left Fort Jameson a fortnight
when ho got laid up with trypanosomes in his blood, and
when they got as far as Serenje pneumonia set in and
Dr. Greathead died.

A genial gentleman, a true sportsman, and a keen field-
naturalist, he will be missed by many friends. A. K. H.

VI. — Short Notices of Ornkhological Piihlications.

1. The Ibis, a Quarterly Journal of Ornithologij.

The October 1910 number contains a paper Ijy Dr. A.
Bannerman, B.A., on the Birds of British East Africa, col-
lected by A. B. Percival, illustrated by a coloured lithograph
of Pytelia nitidula, male and female, of which the British
Museum contains an immature male from Durban, collected
by Grordge. Descriptions are now given of the adult male
and female.

Mr. Percival also procured a specimen of Cerchneis amur-
ensis, with the white under wing-coverts.

This number also contains an account of the fifth Inter-
national Ornithological Congress in Berlin, which seems to
have passed off very successfully.

We have also a full account of the late Capt. Boyd
Alexander and his Ornithological work, with portrait and a
list of |)ublications.

The January 1911 number contains rather a scathing
criticism on (running and Haagner's ' Check-list of South
African Birds,' the reviewer taking great excej)tion to the
departure from the arrangement and nomenclature of \V. L.
Sclater's Check-list of 1905, which is in many cases quite
incorrect. Why do Dr. Sharpe and Prof. KeichcMiow
ao'ree in so many instances ? (ride 'Hand-list of Birds').
If an end is to be put to this incessant changing of
names, the sooner we conform to the international rules of

Short Xutices of OvnUliolojlcal l^uhlicatioiis. 53

nomenclature the better for all concerned, as the conservatism
oE a few ot* the good old school will not stem the tide. No
one regrets more than we do the alteration of old estahlished
names, biu we also recognise the vital fact that the sooner
all conform to hard-and-fast rules the sooner will an end be
put to our troubles.

2. Trail Aadioiis of the Zoological Societi/ of London, vol. xix.

part 4, March 1010.

This issue of the Society's ' Transactions ' forms No. IG of
the Ruwenzori Expedition Report, and deals with the Birds
collected by the Expedition. The paper is by W, R. Ogilvie-
Grant, F.Z.S., &c., and is followed by an Appendix "On
some Points in the Anatomy of Bradi/pteriis cinnamomeus,"
by W. P. Pycraft.

We are told in the Introduction that the collection of
Birds nuide was very complete, only four birds seen and
heard were not obtained. Twenty species peculiar to the
Ru'.venzori Mountain were collected. Four purely South
African forms range north into the locality (viz., Cinnyris
niariquensis, Schcenieola apicalis, Irrisor viridis, and Turnix
nana), and ninety-fonr widely distributed African species
were procured, such as IHcrurus afer, Sitayra ocularia, Qiielea
quelea, Pyromelana xanthomelas, CoUuspasser ardens, Vidua
serena, &c. About ninety-four si)ecies found in South
Africa, all told, were obtained, including such as extend
beyond the range of the African Continent. Three hundred
and eighty-five species were procured, including twenty-
seven new to science, described in the Bulletins B. 0. C. for
IDOC) to 190*J by Mr. Ogilvie-Grant.

This exhaustive piece of work is illustrated by ten beautiful
lithographic plates by Gronvold, nine of birds and one
of eggs. The latter contains, amongst others, representa-
tions of Emhenza Jiaviventris (2), Camaroptera g7'iseoviridisy
(J^dicnemus verinicitlatus, and Caprimulgus fossei.

3. ilie Avicultural Magazine, November and December,

1910.
The November number contains, inter alia, an interesting

54 Short jyoflces of Omit hoi oi//'cal Pi(hUfatii)i)s.

article on some Ijirtls in conHiieineiit hy I)f. A. (iiiiitlier,
M.A. F.K.S.

In Mr. Seth-Smith's series, " Bird -notes from the Zoolo<i;ical
GardfMis/' he records tlie arrival of a ])air of (jompaauws
(^Oti.f kori) and a Harrier Eagle (('j/v'/eY;/^ />^c/(>/Y(//i"), pre-
sented by Dr. Peringuey, of the South African Museum, to
His Majesty King George's South AiVican Collection (which
is destined for the London Zoological (liirdens). This is
illustrated by a photographic plate of the two Paauws.

In the correspondence column we see that Mr. Phillii)jis is
still busy with his old time-worn theme, the sexual ditlerences
of the Black-cheeked Love-bird.

The December number gives us an account of Koss's
Touracou (^Musophaga ros.^(r) by L. M. Seth-Smilh, illustrjited
by a coloured plate.

Here we also have a photographic plate of the Black-
breasted Harrier Eagle.

4. IJic, Joxirnal of the East Africa and U(janda Sat mud
History Societ//, vol. i. No. 1, January IDU.

In our August 1910 number of the Journal S. A. 0. U.
we had occasion to refer to this Society, and avc have now
received their first publication. "\Ve welcome this the first
number of the new ' Journal,' and wish it long life. It is a
very creditable production and consists of 57 pp. and 3 plates,
one of which is a coloured representation of Francolinuft
huhhardi (^ ct ? .

The paper of most interest to us is one by F. J. Jackson,
C.B., C.M.G., &c., on " East Africa and Uganda Fi ancolins,"
in whit h he deals with twelve species of Francol/nns and
four of J'tcrnistes, only two of the former and one of the
latter ranging into our limits. We also have an article on
" Fishing on Lake Victoria, with notes on the lladadah
Ibis,"^ illustrated by a jjhotographic ])!ate of the nest, with
adult and two young ones.

The l'i-c>i(lciit of the Society is F. d. dack.-on. Fsij., (\B.,
C.MAi., F.Z.S.. (kc, and the Hon. S<'crctary. John Sergeant,
Esq., Pul)r!c Works Department, Nairobi.

Obltuari/. 55

VTI. — Obllvary.

Just after goino; to press we received tlie sad news of the
death of two more of our Members, Messrs. E. H. U.
Draper, of the Johannesburg Laboratories, and Alfred D.
Millar, Col.M.B.O.U. and Vice-President of our Union.
Both gentlemen will be sorely missed, especially the latter,
who was a keen ornithologist and collector. A fuller
review of his life and work will appear in a subsequent
number.

THE JOURNAL

OF THE

SODTH AFRICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION.

Vol. VII. DECEMBER 1911. No. 2.

VIII. — jVotes on a Collectmi of Birds in the Transvaal
Miiseinn from Boroi\ Fortuguese Ecist Africa. By AuSTlN
liOBERTS.

Members of our Union have already been made acquainted
with some of the birds collected by Mr, F. Vau^han Kirby
and myself, by their inclusion in the Check-list recently
issued by the Director of the Transvaal Museum (Dr. J. W. B.
Gunning) and the Hon. Secretary of our Union (Mr. A. K.
Haagner), In these notes I propose to detail the collection
with notes on observations made in the field, and give a short
account of the nature of Boror territory.

Boror is situated midway between Quelimane, a port on
the Quaqua Iliver, and the southern strip of Nyassaland. To
reach this District, or Frazo as it is locally called, we pro-
ceeded by a Portuguese mail-lx)at leaving Lourenoo Marques
on the 16th April, 1908, touched at the ports of Inhambane,
Bartholomeu de Diaz, and Beira eyi route, and landed at
Quelimane on the 21st. Here we were delayed for a few
days until the necessary permits to proceed inland and shoot
could be obtained. Our destination was Villa Pereira, but
at that season the country was so swamped by the summer
rains that it was impossible to get there by the most direct
road, and we found it necessary to make a Avidc circuit vid

VOL, VII. 5

58 Mr. A. Roberts on Bmh 171

Khamacurra. Leaving Quelimane on the morning of the
2Gth, we travelled first by a diminutive railway-line to
Maquival, then up the Makuse River by a small paddled
house-boat to Maxixine, where we landed at about 4 p.m.
"We spent the following day at this place and secured a few
specimens, while our outfit was sent on by boat to Nhama-
curra. On the 28th we travelled by machilla as far as
l^hamacurra, calling a short halt at ]\Ialinguine, a station of
the Boror (Company on the Makuse River, and securing a
few specimens. Another delay of a day occurred, owing to
the non-arrival of our outfit, and we did not reach our desti-
nation until the evening of the 30th. On the last stage of
our journey the path was so swamped in many places that
our machilla-bearers were up to their necks in water and
mud, and we had to cling to the pole while they held it at
arm's lenoth above their heads.

We were soon made to realize that May was not by any
means the best month for either sport or collecting, and we
had to put up with much inconvenience on account of the
rains which were still falling. Tangled grass surrounded us
on all sides and was always wet, so that to venture off the
j)aths always resulted in our being soaked to the skin and a
change of clothing was necessary after every excursion : this
grass also rendered the stalking of specimens very difficidt
and they were often lost, as anj-one who has collected under
such conditions will understands Mosquitos sw'armed in
countless numbers, even harassing us in the shade during
the daytime, and, needless to say, it was not long before both
of us were attacked by malaria. These attacks recurred
regularly, almost to a day, every fortnight. But apart from
these difficulties the bird-life w'as so interesting and varied
that we felt amply comj^ensated, liardly a day passing during
the first three months in which we did not observe some one
or more species new to us.

Kirby's |)rimary reason for making ihc trip was for the
])urposo of shooting lions, particularly some troublesome
man-eaters, which were cai-i-ying off natives in different
parts of the jnxtzo at the rate of about twenty ])er mensem.

the Transvaal Museum from Bnror. 59

Lions were shy and difficult to gei at on account of tlio rank
grass, but numerous ; on one day to our certain knowledge
there were fifteen within ten miles of our camp, in three
I)arties. Kirby's time was therefore mainly taken up in
h-ying to secure largo game for bait, but notwithstanding he
managed to preserve many interesting specimens, even at
the risk of scaring lions from tlie neighbourhood by the
report of the shot-gun. Finding the neighbourhood of Villa
Pereira unsuitable for his object, he reinained there for only
one month, and then proceeded to Muriela's kraal at the
junction of the Mungusi and Kane Kivers, while I continued
to collect specimens at Villa Pereira for another month. The
following is a record of his itinerary : —

Villa Pereira May;

Muriela ... ... ... June and to 7th July ;

Manta ... 7th to 30th July ;

Malava and Namaserengo. August ;

I'ovarello ... ... September to loth October.

At the last place the attacks of malaria took a serious turn,
and developed into blackwater fever, which necessitated hi.s
going to hospital in Quelimano.

Leaving Villa Pereira at the end of June, I encamped at
the following places : —

Mpimba ... ... 1st to 16th July ;

Ngamwe 18tli July to 4th August ;

Namagoa (v'ld V^illa Pereira). hi\\ to 21,-^t August ;
Muandama {rid Burunia). 22nd Auou.st to Dth Sept. ;
Nanuibieda ... ... Itth to 31st September

(during this period visiting Marunganya for two days) ;
P)uruma ... ... 1st to 21st October ;

hearing then of Kirl^y's serious illness, I proceeded by way
of a path running parallel to the Inhamacurra River to the
village and Sugar Estate of that name, to make enquiries,
and then to Villa Pereira to })ack up our collection and kit
in readiness for leaving the country ; but hearing from
Kirln' that he would not bo able to undertake the voyage for

60 Mr. A. Roberts on Birds in

some time, I spent some ten Jays at Matiwe, near Ngamwo,
finally returning, via Eara, to Quelimane about the 13tli
November.

The country between Quelimane and Nhamacurra in April
was one almost continuous marsh, patches of jungle and
tangled forest covering the greater extent, and for the rest
here and there open tracts covered with tall rank grass.
Tlie Inhamacurra River is tidal up to the sugar estate of that
name ; beyond that it is hidden for some distance by tangled
forest, except where natives have made clearings for agri-
cultural purposes, and gradually becomes less sluggish, and
in its higher reaches becomes rocky and more interesting.
The same description applies to the other rivers we saw, the
lower reaches being more or less bounded by tangled forest
and extensive reed-beds, and the higher more easily
approached and a happy relief from the everlasting forest.

Villa Pereira (300 feet above sea-level according to Kirlu)
is situated about fifty miles as the crow flies N.N.AV. of
Quelimane, on the west bank of the Liquari River. It is
the headquarters of a Portuguese clerk of the Boror
(Vimpany, who has in his charge the collection of taxes from
natives in the district of Rara, and the superintendence of a
rubber plantation, which was, during our stay, taking the
})lace of coffee. This station was an ornithologist's paradise,
sis within easy reach it contained various classes of forest, a
large clearing, stretching for a mile and half along the river
l)ank, and a large number of orange-trees which attracted
frugivorous birds.

Namagoa is very similar to Villa Pereira, but lacks the
open ground and a river. Mpimba is situated in the heart
of tangled forest and open marshy glades, and about twelve
miles S.W. of Villa Pereira. Manta is in much the same
class of country, but even more marshy, and some seven miles
S.W. of Mpimba. Muriela is about nine miles W. of Villa
Pereira, at a point on the Mungusi River where it gradually
assumes the rocky nature of its bed characteristic of the
iiiohcr reaches, and llu^ forest to the N. is more open.
N<'"amwe is on the banks of a beautiful I'ocky tributai'v of

the Transvaal Museum from Boror. CI

tlie MungnsI, wliicli it joins about midway between that
place and Giiju, and about thirty miles N.W. of Villa
Pereira. At this place I found larf^e game fairly plentiful,
especially elephants, the forest open and the grass short and
not so troublesome as in the marshy region. Matiwe is
about eight miles W.S.AV. of Ngamwe, a few miles from the
Lualua River, the boundary of Boror territory, and the
nature of the forest in the vicinity is much like that at
Ngamwe. Guju is about six miles S.B. of Ngamwe, on the
Mungusi River and the path leading to Villa Pereira.
Namagoa is situated on the road between Villa Pereira and
Nhamacurra, about nine miles from the former. Buruma is
about fourteen miles N. of Namagoa, in open and more or
less dry forest. Muandama is six miles to the E.N.E. of
Buruma, and here the first view over the forest to the S. was
obtained, as it is situated on higher ground which slopes
away towards Nhamacurra. Large game, except elephants
and rhinoceros, was here more easily obtained than to the S.,
as the grass was shorter. Namabieda is about ten or twelve
miles to the N.E. of Muandama, and a few miles south of
Parakomi Mountains. These mountains are table-like, and
rise some five hundred feet sheer above the surrounding
forest, forming the first of a series of similar mountains
connecting up to the N.W. with Chiperone. Around the
base of these are numerous mound-like kopjes devoid of
vegetation and intersected by strips of forest, the haunts of in-
numerable baboons, rock-rabbits, rock-hares, klipspringer (?),
reed-buck, bush-buck, duikers, eland, Lichtenstein hartebeest,
sable antelope, water-buck, rhinoceros, and the rarer John-
ston's wildebeest and zebra ; besides these, leopards, jackals,
and hysenas were numerous, but, strange to say, lions are said
never to frequent the neighbourhood, and natives travel fear-
lessly at night, which they would never venture to do a few
miles to the south. A man-eater, however, visited Marun-
ganya when I was at Namabieda and took the head-man of
a village, but it had left the neighbourhood when I went
there to shoot it a few days later. The whole aspect of the
forest was undergoing a change during my stay at Namabieda

62 Mr. A. Rol)erts o?i Birds in

on account of frrass-fires, -wliicli Avere SAvee})inp; all the dry
herbage before them ; procuring game after this was easy,
and many interesting forms of small animals Avhich before
liad been hidden in the undergrowth and grass were then
observed. Trees were found burning weeks after the grass-
fires had passed, and it is noteworthy that large game had
become so accustomed to hearing the crash of trees that had
been gradually burnt away at their roots about this time,
that they took no notice of the i'e])ort of firearms, and only
})ecame alarmed when they caught sight of us. The last
showers of rain had fallen in duly and the streams had
become drier and drier, until by the end of September only
pools were to be found here and there in their beds. Mists,
however, continued to rise during the night and hang over
the forest until the sun dispersed them, and these produced
a certain amount of moisture for the trees ; but after the
grass-fires even these disappeared, and not a breath of air
was there to stir them, so that very little shelter was afforded
from the blazing sun, and the heat was most oppressive.
Under these conditions, the preservation of specimens was
most difficult, and but little collecting was done. At Buruma
it rained for one day, followed by two misty days, jjroducing
the most wonderful results in the springing into life of green
herbao-e, and the awakening of animal and bird life. Note
the number of birds' eggs which were collected at this time !
But from then onwards until we left the country it did not
rain ao-ain, and the tender green herbage drooped and
withered. When returning to Quelimane the aspect of the
country was in extraordinary contrast to what it had been
six months before, the one-time marshes being now nothing
but bare and uninteresting parched-up ground, bounded by
dreary-looking forest and relieved only in a few places along
the banks of streams, where the soil was able to retain some
moisture, by the; green foliage of some hardiei- species of
trees. The effect of this peculiar climate upon bird-life will
form the subject of another article which is now in the
course of preparation.

Before proceeding to detail Iho collection, I wish to take

the Transvaal Museum from Boror. 63

this opportunity of expressing the sincere thanks of Mr. Kirhy
and myself for the kindness we received at the hands of our
friends in Boror, j)articularly Messrs. le Comte Stucky de
Quay, G. Stucky, and — Bonnet, of the Boror Company,
and to Mr. R. Trotman, of the W.N.L.A., for many acts of
kindness to Mr. Kirby during his iUness.

In the following enumeration, all measurements have been
taken in millimetres, and classification from Reichenovv's
' Die Vogel Afrikas.^ Abbreviations refer to : — I. iris ;
B. bill ; L. legs (and feet). Leng. length ; W. wing ;
Tl. tail ; Ts. tarsus ; C. culmen. Measurements recorded of
the length have been taken along the ventral surface from
specimens in the flesh, and all others from the dried skins.
Reference has been made after each name and authority to
Reichenow's No. of species as in his work above mentioned.
The figures in brackets refer to the number of specimens
collected by us and now in the Transvaal Museum, Follow-
ing this, when members of the species were only observed
by me during certain months, these have been quoted, and
wdien observed during all months of our stay, the species is
marked as being resident.

Phalackocoeax africanus (Gm.). R. 89. (1.) Nov.
A specimen was shot while perched on a rock in the
Mungusi River near Guju.

Charadrius tricollaris (Vieill.). R. 155. (1.)
Resident.

Not uncommon and usually found on stretches of sand in
the beds of rivers. A pair seen at Villa Pereira on 20th
October appeared to have young ones, judging by their
actions when approached.

XiPHIDIOPTERUS ALBICEPS (J. Gld.). R. 170. (1 F.)
April and May.

I. sea-green ; B. basal two-thirds yellow, apical one-third
black; L. pale green. Skin round eye greenish yellow ;
wattle, upper one-third greenish, lower two-thirds yellow.
Leng. 318; W. 205 ; C. 35 ; wattle 32.

64 Mr. A. Roberts on Birds in

A large flock was found at Villa Pereira wlien we arrived
there, but they left a week later and were not seen again.

Qi]DicxE:\rus vermiculatus, Cab. R. 177. Augnsit.

A few individuals were seen on the banks of tlio stream
at Ngamwe, but tliey were very shy and no specin^ens wore
secured.

Otis melanogaster, Riipp. R. 224. April and July.

A specimen was shot at Nliamacurra, where numbers
were seen scattered singly about the borders of the sugar
]»l:intations, but it was not preserved. A few were also
seen in marshy glades at Mpimba.

AcTOPHiLUS AFRiCAxrs (Gm.). R. 2?)2. (2.) July ?

(Data lost.) W. 139 ; Tl. 41 ; Ts. 58 ; to top of shield
42.

These two specimens were procured by Kirby on an open
sheet of water in which lotus plants were growing, between
Mpimba and Villa Pereira. They are much marked with
white and seem to be juvenile birds.

LiMNOCOBAX NIGER (Gm.). R. 240. (2.) July ?

(Data lost.) W. 98-103 ; Tl. 42-44; Ts. 40 ; C. 22-23.

These specimens have more or less white on the throat,
which is characteristic of young birds. The smaller is the
darker of the two specimens.

Kirby secured these at the same })lacc as the foregoing.

PoDiCA SENEGALENSis (VieiU.). R. 259. (1 F.) Resi-
dent.

T. dull yellow; B. dark brown a1)0ve, base scarlet; scarlet
below, base white ; L. vermilion-pink. Leng. 52G ; W. 19G ;
Tl. 145 ; C. 45.

This specimen was shot at Muandama on Gth September ;
its ovaries were much enlarged, and eggs would no doubt
have been laid in a few days. These birds were not un-
common on quiet pools near rocks on the higher reaches of
the rivers, Init very shy. They usually dive at once on
alarm, and take shelter under weeds or overhanging banks ;

the Transvaal Museum from Boror. G5

if slicltor is not available, tliey take to fliglit, just .slviinmin<^
the water as they do so, but never remain longer on the
wing than necessary.

Leptoptilos ckumenifePv ([Cav.] Less.). R. 285. Sept.
and Oct.

The Marabou Stork was frequently seen in twos or threes
in the neighbourhood of Muandama and Biiruma, sometimes
in company with Vultures and other scavengers^ feeding on
the remains of animals killed by lions.

Abdimia abdimi (Licht.). R. 287. Nov.

Several parties of two or three were seen on the Kane
River near Matiwe ; they took to the tops of tall trees
when disturbed, and would not let one get within gunshot
range.

BuTORiDES ATRiCAPiLLUS (Afz.). R. 304. (1 F.) Resi-
dent.

I. lemon, inner ring orange-yellow ; B. black, genys
greenish ; L. brownish yellow ; bare skin of lores and eye-
lids greenish yellow. Leng. 443 ; W. 172 ; Tl. 60 ; G. 63.

Solitary birds were seen at Villa Pereira, Matiwe,
Ngamwe, and Muandama, usually perched in small trees
overhanging water. At the last-named place a nest was
discovered in a small tangled tree overhanging a pool of
water ; it was a platform of twigs and roots and contained
two partly incubated eggs. These eggs are pale green,
rather elongated in shape, and measure 40*5 x 27*y and
39"1 X 27"3, respectively.

Ardea ealloides (Scop.). R. 308. (1 F.) May.

I. lemon-yellow ; B. above dark brown, below dull
greenish yellow ; L. and bare skin of face yellowish green.
Leng. 450 ; Tl. 69 ; W. 198 ; Ts. 58 ; C. G2.

This specimen was shot on a pool of rain-water in the
clearing at Villa Pereira, and was in a starved condition and
very tame. It was the only one observed.

Herodias alba (Linn.). R. 317. (1 M.) May.

I. creamy white ; B. yellow, darker at the tip ; bare skin

C>G Mr. A. Iloberts on Birds in

of face groenisli yellow, the lores yellower and o;apc greener ;
L. l)lack, tinged with green. Leng. 80-4 ; W. 348 ; Tl. 137 ;
Ts. 145; C. 'J5.

This specimen was shot on the Liqnari lliver, and others
were also seen in open swamps.

ViNAGO DHLALAXDEI OIUEXTALIS, Gun. ifc Rbts. (3 M.,

1 F.) Resident.

This subspecies was described from these specimens in the
' Annals of the Transvaal Museum,' 1911. It is distinguished
from the typical T. delalandei in having a clear wash of
yellow over the greenish feathers of the head, neck, and
under surface of the body, and in being slightly smaller,
MM. measuring: W. 1G7-174, Tl. 94-102; and FF. :
W. 163-1G5, Tl, 92-97. The F. resembles l". delalandei
but is consideral)ly smaller.

This Green Pigeon was fairly plentiful, and was usually
to be found eating the fig-like fruit of a parasitic tree in the
mornings and evenings.

TURTUR CAnCOLA TROI'ICUS, licliw. E. 342 b. (1 F.)
Resident.

I. deep umber ; B. black ; L. purplish pink. Leng. 255;
W. 150 ; Tl. lOG ; Ts. 21 ; C. 13.

Very common in the vicinity of native villages.

TuRTUR SEMITORQUATUS (RUpp.). R. 337. (1 M., 1 F.)
Resident.

I, Indian red ; ]j. black ; bare skin of face and L. purplish
pink. M.: Leng.? ; W. 190 ; Tl. 130 ; Ts. 2(1 ; C. 19.
F. : Leng. 298 ; W. 178 ; Tl. 120; Ts. 23 ; C. 17.

Very common in native gardens.

CiiALCOi'KLiA AFRA (Linn.). 11. 354. (1 F.) Resident.

I. dark brown; B. ashy grey ; L. ashy pink. Leng. 254;
^^\ lOG; Tl. 80; Ts. 18; i). 14.

This skin is somewhat paler than those from the Cape.

The Metallic-spotted Dove was plentiful in the marsh
region, and often heard but seldom ^qqw.

tlie Transvaal Museum J rom Boror. 67

NuMiDA MiTRATA, Piill. E. ;>t)l. (1 F.) Resident.

I. straw-yellow ; eyelids, iipjtor half of wattle, and bare
skill of neck greenirih ; B. red at base, changing to dull
horn-colour at tip ; casque dull horn-colour, lighter poste-
riorly ; lower half of wattles scarlet ; bare skin of head dull
scarlet ; an irregular band extending from the occiput to
feathers on the lower hind-neck^ black ; throat dull Prussian
blue. Leng. 527; W. 2(y^ ; Tb 105; Ts. 75; C. 25;
casque from occiput to })eak 14.

Laro;e flocks of these Guinea-fowl were found in the
neighbourhood of all large clearings. Native name
" Kanga."

Pternistes humboldti (Ptrs.). p. 378. (2 M., 1 F.)
Pesident.

Native name " Kuali."

1. light brown ; B. upper mandible, basal two-thirds
brownish, apical third dull red-brown, lower mandible orange;
L. dull red-brown. M. : Leng. 353 ; W. ll»3-203 ; Tl. 82-
[)5; Ts. 59-60 ; C. 23-24. F. : Leng. 325; W. 170; Tl. 74;
Ts. 51; C. 20.

The smaller of the two MM. has two spurs, and the larger
only one, on each leg.

The White-ringed Pheasant has a noisy habit of crowing
from the top of some conspicuous perch, such as an ant-hill
or stump of a tree; this might be described as " Kw^aherie,"
repeated several times with a stress on the last two syllables,
at first increasing in volume and then dying down to a
chuckling note. It is a common bird in old clearings, and
is often caught in traps by natives. Newly hatched chicks
were brought to us by natives early in May.

Francolinus coqui (A. Smith). II. 416. (2 M.) Resi-
dent.

I. pale brown ; B. above dark brown, below light brown,
tip yellow; L. pale yellow. Leng. 298; W. 138; Tl. 70;
Ts. 28; C. 23.

These two specimens agree with the description of F. coqui
arigolens'is, Rothschild, but as they have only half-developed

G8 Mr. A. Roberts on Birds in

spurs and arc also soiuowliat similar io younn-or spocimens
ot" typical ('o<ini from Transvaal wliieli I have seen, I do not
feel justified in placino- tlieni under that suhspecific name.

The Coqui Francolin uas not uncommon on the hi;j;lier
sandy ridges where the grass was short and the forest more
or less open. It was usually found in coveys of about six
until the beginning of September, when the breeding-season
connuenced.

Fkancolinus KiRKf, Plartl. \\. 422. (2 F.) Resident.

Native name " Kuerikuechi.'^

I. light brown ; B. dark brown, paler at the base ; L.
dark brown. Leng. 295-314 ; W. 14G ; Tl. 8G ; Ts. 35-37 ;
C. 23?

This Francolin was fairly plentiful in the marsh region,
and usually found in coveys of five or six. It reminded
me \QYj much of Haplopelia larvata in its manner of running
for a short distance when alarmed and then rising with a
startling whirr ; it was remarkably sharp in dodging through
the trees in flight and was then almost impossible to hit.
Small coveys were observed on several occasions running
along the horizontal branches of tall trees at dusk, and no
doubt they always roost in trees to be safe from their
numerous enemies. Kirby found two nests near Muriela in
June and July, })laccd in patches of grass at the foot of small
bushes. The eggs vary from cream-colour to salmon-pink
and measure 40-4-4o-8 x 31-0-32-3.

Fbaxcolinus spec. ? Resident.

A large Francolin, closely resembling F. JevaiUanli, was
frequently flushed near Parakomi Mountain, but I did not
succeed in procuring a specimen.

Neophron MONACHUS (Temm.). R. 453. (1.) Resident.
Native name " Kovi." (JJata lost.)
W. 490 ; Tl. 247 ; Ts. 85 ; C. 33.

The Hooded Vulture was very common throughout the
jwazo.

tlie Transvaal Museum front Buvor. 69

KaupiFxVLCO MONOGRAMMicus (Temm.). R. 4r)3. (3 M.,
1 F.) May-June.

I. bright sienna ; B. above black, cere and base of lower
mandible orange ; L. orange. MM. : Leng. .300-322 ;
Y\\ 115-222 ; Tl. 128-137 ; Ts. 49-51 ; C. 17. F. : Leng.
336 ; W. 238 ; Tl. 155 ; Ts. 53 ; C. 17.

Very common at Villa Pereira. One of the specimens
was killed while it was eating a small bird.

AsTUR POLYZoxoiDEs (A. Sm,). R. 456. (1 juv. M.,
1 juv. F.)

I. deep orange-red ; B. black, cere yellow ; Ts. pale
yellow, claws black. M. : Leng. 398 ; W. 1G4 ; Tl. 135 ;
Ts. 41 ; C. 10. F. : Leng. 279 ; AV. 190 ; Tl. 147 ; Ts. 44 ;
(;. 12.

The M. was shot by Kirby at Malava, N.W. of Parakomi,
and the F. by myself at Villa Pereira, while it was devouring
a Levaillant's Barbet (TracIu/fJtonus cafer). I do not
remember to have seen any more.

MiLYUS JSGYPTius (Gm.). R. 499. (1 M., 1 F.) Resi-
dent.

M. : I. light brown; B. horn-yellow; L. yellow. Leno-.
507 ; AV. 410-415 ; Tl. 253-275 : Ts. 40-45"^; C. 22-24.

The Egyptian Kite was very common throughout the
prazo, and on several occasions was seen to dash down and
make off with scraps of meat thrown away by the native
servants as they squatted round the fire. A nest was found
at Villa Pereira about the 30th October, but unfortunately
the bird in leaving the nest kicked out and broke the only
egg she was sitting on. The nest was a rough structure of
sticks ])laced in the fork of a tree about twenty feet from
the ground, within a few yards of a much-frequented foot-
path.

Cerchneis dickinsoni (Scl.). R. 519. May and June.

A AVhite-headed Hawk was often seen at Villa Pereira,
usuallv perched on the top of some dead trees left standino-
in the clearing, and repeated attempts were made to secure

70 Mr. A. Eobcrts on Hu'ds in

a specimen ; but they ahvays managed to escape into the
forest when wounded. The 'I'ransvaal Museum has a speci-
men recently collected at Hector Spruit, and I think that the
l)irds we saw were referable to this species.

BuBOLACTEUS (Tcmm.). E. 532. May, June, and
August.

The Giant Eagle-Owl was often seen at Villa Pereira, and
several were wounded but ahvays succeeded in escaping into
the bush. A pair was also seen on several occasions near
Namabieda. Its note is a slow mournful whistle, usually
uttered at dusk while the bird is perched on the top of some
conspicuous tree left standing in a clearing.

Bubo maculosus (Vieill.). H. .'>3G. (1.) June.

I. yellow ; B. & L. black. Leng. 4'J5 ; W. 380 ; Tl. 190 ;
C. 20.

Only noted from Villa Pereira, where this specimen was
procured in open forest.

PiSORHINA CAPENSIS PUSILLA, Gun. & Ptbts. (2 31.) Sept.-

Nov.

The description of this new subspecies was taken from
these two specimens {vide ' Ainials Transvaal Museum/ 1911).
It differs from the typical P. capensis in being smaller,
whiter on under surface of body and k'ss thickly nuirked,
and the ground-colour greyer.

This iSco{)s Owl was first observed at Xamaljieda, a native
pointing it out to me one evening as it was perched in a tree
close to my camp ; subsequently, when I had learnt to dis-
tinguish its call-note, I often heard it calling at night. It
sometimes calls also during the daytime when one happens
to pass near the tree in wliieh it is ])erclied, but it is then
most difficult to locate, as it stops calling wIh'U one gets
beneath the tree. The note is a quiet " Kerre kerre.^'

Syiinium wooDFoiU)! (A. Sm.). K. r>5J. (1 M.) May
and >) une.

1. black ; B. & L. pale yellow, culmen })ale brown. Leng.
:};55; W. 2I(; ; Tl. ICO; C. 10.

tlie Transvaal Museum from Boror. 71

The Busli Owl was only oL?ervecl at Villa Poreira, nsnally
perched in matted trees overhanging stre.'ims.

Glaucidium capense eufa, Gun. & Rbts. (2 M., 2 F.)
Resident.

This subspecies was descril)ed from these specimens in the
'Annals of the Transvaal Museum,' I'Jll. It differs from
the Cape race in having from ten to twelve bars only on the
tail, and in being* lighter-coloured generally.

This species was fairly plentiful, and was observed in all
parts of the prazo. It frecjuently flies about during the
daytime like its congener, G. perlafiim, of the Transvaal ;
but is more active during the evening. Three fresh eggs
were taken at Namabieda on 2Gili Se|)tember ; the nest was
a liollow, about a foot deep, in the top of a small tree which
had snapped off about 20 feet from the ground, and was
discovered by seeing the bird fly from it. Tiie eggs are
glossy white, almost round in shape, and measure 32-34 X
27-3-27-5.

AVhen travelling along the road between KhamacUrra and
Villa Pereira in October I observed one of these Owlets fly
from a hole in a tree : one of the native servants was sent
up the tree to investigate, and presently made out that tlie
liole Avas occupied by a " gorra-gorra " (squirrel); after
trying to poke it out with a stick, he managed to lay hold
of the tail and attempted to pull it out. This he did not
succeed in doing, and iu the end half of the tail was left in
his hand ; throwing this down to me, I noticed at once that
it was not an ordinary squirrel, of which we had obtained a
fair number of specimens, so climbed up after the native
and succeeded in driving it out. I'o my surprise it sprang
clear of the tree and floated round in graceful circles until
striking the trunk of another tree, up which it scurried at a
surprising pace and hid in the topmost branches. With tlie
'"four-ten" I managed to wound it and it came floatino;
slowing down, eventually clinging to the trunk of a tree
near the ground. The skull was unfortunately lost, bnt the
skin brou"ht back. It l)elone;s to the fjenus Anomalurus, I
))elieve, but has not 1)cen placed.

72 IMi'. A. Eobeits <vt Blrd^ in

PoiCEPHALUS FusciCAPiLLUs (VciT. Dcsm.). R. 5G8,
(1 M., 1 F.) Resident.

I. greenish yellow ; B. above dark brown, below black ;
L. black, m/: Leno-. 213 ; W. 150; Tl. Gl ; C. 20. F. :
Leng. 201; W. lU; T\. GO ; C. 19.

The Grej-liead-ed Parrot was very. plentiful and usually
found in large flocks until the breeding-season — July — when
nests were started. It is very partial to berries of manioc
cultivated by natives, and is often to be seen quite close to
the huts in villages. Nests were examined up to the end of
September, but eggs had not yet been laid.

Gallirex chlohochlamys, Shelley. R. 5'JO. (1 M.,
3 F.) Resident.

I. dark brown ; B. & L. black ; bare skin of face crimson-
scarlet, exce])t a semilunar white mark below the eye.
M. : Leng. 437 ; W. 183 ; Tl. 192 ; Ts. 4G ; C. 2G. F. : Leng.
440-446 ; AV. 170-182 ; Tl. 193-203 ; Ts. 44; C. 25-2G.

The Zambesi Purple-crested Lourie was fairly plentiful in
the marsh region, frequenting tall trees in the forest.

TuRACUS LiVTNGSTOXEi, G. R. Gray. R. GOG. (1 M.,
2 F.) Resident.

I. light brown ; B. dark red, tip paler ; T;. black. Leng.
(1) 417 ; W. 190-210 ; Tl. 220-225 ; ^Is. 42-47 ; C. 22-25.

This species was not so common as the foregoing, and
was first observed at Ngamwe in large trees on the river
bank, and subsequently at Namagoa in large trees in more
or less open forest. Its alarm chuckle is indistinguishable
from that of C. conjthaLv.

CucULUs soLiTAiiius, Stcph. R. G3(). (1 F.) Sept.-
Nov.

L dark brown, eyelids yellow; B. dark brown, base of
lower mandible yellow; L. and gape yellow. Jjcng. 304;
AY. 174 ; Tl. 155 ; Ts. 21; C. 22.

The Red-chested Cuckoo was v(M-y comuion from <he
])eginning of October onwards, but Aei"v sli\-.

the Transvaal ]\[aseum from Boror. 73

CucuLUS spec. ?

A large species o£ Cuckoo was very common at Buruma,
littering a " Hoop hoop hoop " throughout the day, and
frequently at night as well. A specimen was shot at that
place, but it was in such poor plumage that it was not
preserved.

C!!hkysococcyx cdpreus, Bodd. R. 642. Oct.-Nov.

A specimen was shot at Buruma and preserved, but lost
on the journey. It was a common species after its arrival,
at the end of September.

Chrysococcyx klaasi ( Steph.). R, 643. (2 M.) Resi-
dent.

I. light brown ; B. horn-blue; L. slate-blue. Xeng. 176;
W. 102 ; Tl. 76 ; Ts. 16 ; C. 1.5.

A few were seen in the tangled forest at Mpimba in July,
and a specimen secured there ; but they were not heard
calling until September. The other specimen was shot at
Buruma.

Metallococcyx smaragdineus (Swains.). Oct.-Nov.

A specimen was procured at Villa Pereira in October, l)ut
lost on the journey. It was first heard calling at the end of
September, and seemed to be fairly plentiful.

Indicator indicator (Gm.). (1 F.) Resident.

I. straw-yellow ; B. & L. dark brown. Leng. 185.

The Greater Honey-Guide was rather rare and I remendjcr
to have seen only two — one procured at Villa Pereira, and
another at Namabieda.

Indicator minor, Steph. R. 652. (2 M.) Resident.

I. umber-brown ; B. dark brown, base of lower mandible
white. Leng. 163 ; W. 90.

These two specimens were taken to be a pair when shot,
as they were perched close to each other on the same branch,
but dissection proved them to be males ; this is remarkable,
because they are very pugnacious and jealous of other

vol. vii. 6

74 Mr, A. Eoberts on Birds ni

niomliors of tlieir own species strayiiifr into their own
particular liuntino-grounds. This species was much in
evidence whenever cliopping trees was undertaken by
natives, and it tlicn always sought to lead them to bees'
nests.

Lybits zomb^ alrigilaris, Kenni. Bull. B. 0. C. vol. xxi.
p. 4(5. (1 M., 2 F., 1 y.) Resident.

I. In-lian red; B. black; Ti. dark slate-blue or l)la<'k.
Leng. 182-187 ; ^V. 82-88 ; Tl. 51-5(] ; i\ 19-22.

This Barbet was common wherever we cncam[)ed, and its
noisy duets and call-notes were always much in evidence.
I once witnessed a remarkable gathering of these birds at
Mpimba. Seeing large numbers flying towards a certain
large dead tree and causing a tremendous commotion in its
branches, I approached closer and found that there were
scores of them, all in pairs, uttering their harsh duets,
bobbing their heads up and down, each pair regardless of the
others, and, as can be imagined, making a frightful din and
discord ; others continued to join their ranks for about
fifteen minutes, wdien they gradually disj)ersed in all
directions, still in couples.

A nest containino- five much incubated eo'os was found at
Buruma on 21st October ; it was of the usual Barbet type
and with so narrow an entrance that the bird could just
manage to squeeze in and out ; the bottom of the nest was
filled to the depth of about an inch with finely ground touch-
wood, in which the etros were half-buried. The eoo-s are
pure white, inclined to taper at the acute end, and measure
22-7-24-Gxl7-3-l8-l.

Barbatula bilineata (Sund.). B. 711. (1 F.)
July.

I. dark brown ; V>. A: L. black. Leng. ll(j ; W. 55 ;
Tl. :^0 ; C. 13.

Only one was seen and secured. It was perched in a tree
in which were large numbers of Sunbirds, attracted by the
flowers of a jiarasitic plant.

the 7'r<(nsvaal Mitscmn from Boror. 75

Barbatula extoxi. La}'. R. 718. (2 M., I F.) Kosi-
dent.

I. dark brown ; B. black ; L. dark brown. Lencr. 108-
112 ; W. 59-62 ; Tl. 30-33 ; C. 10-11.

Exton's Barbet was not uncommon, and usually found
consortino- with other small birds which were to be found in
parties hanoing to the leaves of laroe trees in search of
insects.

Trachyphonus CAFER (Vieill.). R, 724. (1.) Resident.

I. pale red ; B. horn-oreen, tip dark brown ; L. slate.
Leng. 22G ; W. 100; Tl. 84 ; Ts. 28 : C. 24-5.

These Barbets were not noticed until one was found in the
clutches of a Little Banded Goshawk ; subsequently I came
across a fair number, but they were more often heard tlian
seen, as they kept to the tops of tall matted trees. The note
is a prolonged cricket-like sound, while uttering which the
body quivers with the effort.

Dendromfs MALHERBEi (Cass.) . B. 74G. (1 M., 4 F.)
Resident.

I. chocolate-brown ; B. dark brown, lower mandil)le liovn-
colour ; L. olive-green. Leng. 1G2-180 ; W. 91-97 ; Tl.
58, && ; C. 14-15.

Malherbe's Woodpecker was everywhere common. Its
tapping is rapid and impatient, but not very loud, and
individuals were frequently seen attacking the seed-pods of
trees. A clutch of two fresh eggs was taken at Matiwe on
3rd November, the measurements of which are 24*8 x 18"5
and 22*6 X 18 respectively.

Dendromus chrysurus 'abingoni (A. Sm,). R. 747 a.
(2 M.) July.

I. deep red-brown ; B. dark brown, base of lower mandilde
lighter ; L. ohve-grey. Leng. 215-217 ; W. 114 ; Tl. C.8 ;
Ts. 21 ; C. 24.

One specimen only was secured at Ngamwe, the other
having been procured by us at Bartholomeu de Diaz during
a Aiovt halt at that port.

C*

76 Mr. A. Ttoberts on BinLs in

Dendromus albifacies, Gun. & "Rbts. (1 M., 2 F.)
May-Jnne.

The description of lliis now s])ecies has been tal^en from
the^e specimens, details of \\hich are to be found in the
'Annals of tlie Transvaal jMusenm,' I'.Ul. It differs from
D. script or I Cauda, Keichenow, in havino; a white eyebrow,
pale band across the lower back, and its slightly larger
size.

This Woodpecker was very shy and difficult to procure,
as it is not so noisy as most species, seeking rather to avoid
than attract attention. It has a knack of keeping out of
sight behind the trunk or limb of a tree, not peeping
curiously round to watch the actions of the intruder as do
others, but content to remain out of sight until it finds itself
observed, when it darts off to another tree and disappears
behind the trunk again. Freshly killed specimens give off
a strong but not unpleasant scent. It was only observed at
Villa Pereira.

Mesopicus namaquus (Lcht.). 1{. (u?). (3 M., '^ F.)
Resident.

I. Indian red ; B. dark horn-colour ; L. olive-greon.
M.: Leng. 237-241 ; W. 133-13G ; Tl. 72-80 ; Ts. 21-l>3 ;
C. 34-37. F. : Long. 227-230 ; W. 130-135 ; Tl. 71-72 ;
Ts. 22 ; (J. 32-34.

The Bearded Woodpecker was very common, and its
resonant tapping was one of the notable features of the
forest ; sometimes this tapping would be repeated at intervals
for quite a long time, and usually when following up the
sound 1 discovered that it was much farther off than ex-
pected ; it was then also generally made by an individual
which seemed to be trying to attract attention rather than
drive insects from shelter in the decayed tree on which it
was tapping. At other times occasionally small parties were
disturbed amongst large trees, and they at once set up a
chattering, and if still further disturbed, would dart off to
other trees uttering a shrill screech of alarm. Freshly killed
specimens smelt strongly of ants.

tlie l^nviscaal Museum from Boror. 77

Dendhomus haktlaubi, Malh. K. 7G(J. (3 M., 7 F.)
Resident.

I. hazel ; B. horn-brown ; L. olive-green. M. : Leng. 150-
160 ; W. 87-94 ; Tl. 49-51 ; Ts. 16-17 ; C. 17-19.
F.: Leng. 144-152; W. 87-92; Tl. 48-50; Ts. 16; C.
15-17.

This species was the commonest in the prazo, as can be
seen by the number of specimens procured. One was shot
in the act of pecking at a wild fig, but it may have been
doing so to get at the grubs which infest that fruit. Nesta
were started eai'ly in August, but I did not find eggs until
the 21st of October, when another nest was also found with
newly Latched young ; they were usually made in half-
decayed trees at a height of about fifteen feet from the
ground. The eggs are white, three in number, and measure
23-8-24-7X 18-18-5.

CoLius STRIATUS MINOR, Cab. II. Ill CI. (2 M.) Resi-
dent.

I. dark brown ; B. maxilla black, mandible grey ; L. ashy
pink. Leng. 291-314; W. 92-94 ; Tl. 188-206; Ts. 23;
C. 14.

The Lesser Speckled Coly was always common in the
neighbourhood of European Stations, where orange-trees
were cultivated.

Apaloderma narina (Steph.). R. 785. (1 M.) Resi-
dent.

rData lost.) W. 131 ; Tl. 164 ; Ts. 16 ; C. 19.

The Narina Trogon was common in dark forest over-
hanging streams. Young birds were seen in May and June ;
but judging by their call-notes, ^hich were more often
heard in October, I think that they breed about that time,
and the young retain their juvenile plumage until the
following spring.

CoRACiAS WEiGALLi, Dresser. R. 791. (1 M., 1 F.)
Resident.

I. grey-brown ; B. black ; L. brownish yellow. M. : Leng.

78 UlrJs h) fJw Transvaal Museum from Boror.

370 ; AV. IGl ; Tl. 205 (shorter feathers 133) ; Ts. 22 ;
C. 30. F. : Leng. 350; AV. 1(J7 ; Tl. TJO (sliorter feathers
138) ; Ts. 23 ; C. 32.

This UoUcr was I'ouml in the (h'i'T open forest more
frequently t\\v.\\ in the marsh region. It usually perches on
the top of some dead tree, sometimes singly but more often
in family parties. One was startled I'rom a nest early in
November near Matiwe, but I wns too early for eggs ; the
nest seemed to be one which had been made by Parrots and
deserted before completion.

EuiiYSToMUs AFEK (Latli.j. U. 7'.t7. (3 M., 1?.) Sept.-
Nov.

J. light dusky; B. pale yellow; L. greenish Ijrown.
Leng. 2f)5-2'J2;*^ W. lt]8-180 ; Tl. 90-103; Ts. 18-20;
('.2-4-25.

Tlie Cinnamon-backed Holler was first seen at Namal)ieda,
and subsequently also to the south and near Villa I'ereira.
Clutches of two and four eoos were taken on the 14tli and
16th of October, respectively, at Buruma. Many nests were
observed in holes in decayed branches of trees, usually at a
great height from the ground and inaccessible, and therefore
not examined ; any old Parrot's nest or natural liole is
utilized, and the cock remains on guard in the vicinity,
fiercely attacking intruders, in the shape of Hawks or other
large birds, with loud, harsh shrieks, until the very often
well-intentioned trespasser is only too glad to get away from
the clamour. After having made one of these noisy sallies,
it returns to its {)ost, uttering croaks of self-satisfaction at
having so ably discharged its duty ! The eggs which were
taken are pure white and measure 31*5-31'lx 25-2tj"7.

[To be cuulinut'cl.]

Mandihiikir Hook oj the //oueif-GxiJe 79

IX. — A Fiivtlier Xoie on the Mandibular Hook of the Honeu-
Gxdde. By Alwin Haagner, F.Z.S., Col.M.B.O.U.

Since writing my account of the strange occurrence of a
pair of hooks on the extremity of the beak of the nestlino-
^^ Indicator^' or Honey-Guide (see 'Journal of the S.A.
Ornithologists' Union,' June 1907, pp. 1-5), I have come
across another case which increases our knowledge a little.
The specimen from \^ hicli my original notes were taken was
only half-fledged, and I was rather curious as to the approxi-
mate age at which these temporary appendages would be
cast from the young bird.

Mr. Austin Roberts brought me in a living example of
Indicator maior (Yellow-throated Honey-Guide) some 5 or
G months ago, which he had taken out of the nest of the
(Jape Sparrow (Passer melanurus). This bird was fully
fledged and ready to fly, and had both the hooks still
attached to the beak. It was placed in a cage, where its
foster-parents fed it from without.

A few days after being caged the bird lost one of the
hooks (the lower one), whereupon we decided to kill and
skin it, in order to preserve the specimen with the remaining
hook attached.

There is nothing new to be added to my previous notes so
far as the physiological characters are concerned, but I was
very pleased to obtain this example as further evidence,
because it proved (1) that the first specimen was not a
" sport,^' accident, or chance-occurrence; (2) that the
characteristic is applicable to at least the genus Indicator,
since the first case was that of Indicator variegatus, while
the present one is that of another species — Indicator maior !
It would further seem that my surmise in the first paper,
that these hooks fall off upon maturity, was correct.

80 J. AVootl — Bird SiUi's from

X. — The Black-tailed Godwit (Liiiiosi liniosn, Linn.) in
J^'atal. By E. C. Chubb, Curator of the Durban Museum.

An exani])le of this species was obtained in Durban Bay, in
the early part of Februaiy last, by Mr. Harold M. Millar,
who presented it to the Durban Museum. When seen,
Mr. Millar tells me, it was alone on the mud at the edge
o£ the Bay, t'eedino- in a similar manner to a Curlew, and
thrusting its bill down the hole ot' a craker-shrinip. It
whistled in a short chirping manner.

This species is found in Central and Northern Europe
and Siberia during the Northern sunnner, and sj)ends the
Northern -winter in the Mediterranean region and North-
east Africa, . but has not hitherto been recorded south of
Abyssinia, as far as I am aware ; so that its appearance
here, in Natal, is not a little remarkable.

The present example agrees very well with the description
of the bird in winter-plumage given in the British Museum
(Catalogue, and, from its reddish bill, one would judge it to
be a female. It measures : total length 17 inches, culmen 4,
wing &6, tail 2-7, tarsus '6 2.

The only other Godwit which visits Africa is the Bar-
tailed Godwit [Limosa lapponica, Linn.), whose southern
limits on this continent are the Gambia on the west and
>>onudiland on the east. It also occurs in Madagascar.

Xr. — Bird ]S\-)tes from .East London, Cape Province.
Bart I. By John Wood.

I PRESENT herewith a few notes jotted down as, for the
most ])art, week-end observations throughout many years of
residence at East London.

I have taken the species as they come in the first ninety
pages of volume iv. of Stark and Sclater's ' Birds of
S. Africa,' but am afraid readers of oiii- Ornithological
Journal will find little that is original in what follows.

Kast London, Cope Province. 81

Cormorants.

I cannot say that the Trek-Duiker (^Phalacrocorax capensii)
is upon our coast in numbers every year, but, as a rule, it
may be looked for during June to August in companies
ranging up to, say, 300, and those sometimes enter our tidal
rivers for a short distance. From the high banks one can
generally then have the birds well under observation, and be
sure to witness their strenuous work in feeding. Anglers
say the fish come in mostly with the flowing tide, and that
is why the Duikers choose, as they usually do, to appear in
the rivers when the latter are full. This seeming preference
may, however, be partly occasioned by less favourable con-
ditions for diving in the surf-belt during high water. For
nearly an hour I have watched over 100 of them feeding in
the Nahoon River close to East London ; they were very
busy, and approximately one-third of their number were
under the surface at a time. If one were to judge by the
number of silvery flashes he saw, how many fish they caught,
then I would say that the whole lot of them together did not
average more than a capture per five minutes ; but a good
many of them swam for a little with a brownish object in
their l)ills which they shifted about, and it may have been a
crab that had to be crunched before swallowing.

When about to dive they raised themselves upon their
w-ebbed feet, then, arching their bodies, a vigorous kick sent
them below for about a minute. I was in such a position
that I could see that some went straight down into the deep
water, but most shot along just under the surface ; and occa-
sionally one would bob up at least 50 yards beyond where it
had disappeared. Oddly enough, these birds are very fond
of bathing ; many a tiu)e I have seen them splashing and
flapping the water with their wings so as to get themselves
well wetted, after which they go off to some stretch of sand
or flat rock to preen and titivate.

The large White-breasted Cormorant, too, is fond of giving
itself a special washing, and may often be seen in groups of
six or eight during the summer months sitting on the beach-
rocks with heads erect and half-stretched wings in suppli-

82 J. Wood — Bird Sol Of from

catin<>- attitude, Leld out to dry, lor quite a Ion**; time. They
thus make themselves look a bit grotesque.

The Reed-Duiker (^P kalacrocorax africamis) occurs here
also, and may be seen either singly or in j)airs pretty well
all the year round, swimming about the Buffalo Harbour,
and likewise upon our Town Reservoir, where it breeds
amongst the rushes — a sanctuary it shares with the Grebe,
the Water-hen, the Coot, and Wild Duck.

Darter, or Snake-bird. (AnJunr/a ru/a.)

This is a resident sj)ecies, though 1 do not think there are
more than a couj)le oE pairs to about 20 miles ot" our coast
here, notwithstanding there is a river entering the sea every
second or third mile, I hose (about half of them) which are
" blind " at the mouth being the ones the Darter seems to
prefer. They are very shy birds, and have never let me
reach a favourable position for watching them intimately.
Now and again I have noticed one making a flight high
overhead, holding its long neck stiffly out as if determined
to get on ; and once I saw one upon a])proaching the Gonubie
River at a considerable elevation, start circling a good many
times, going away and coming back, and circling again to a
wearisome extent before finally settling. Whilst doing all
that, it two or three times gave utterance to a whistling-
shriek, and though I heard no answering one, the bird was
doubtless trying to locate its mate.

Malagash. (^Sula capensis.)

This is a common bird along our coast, one of its breeding-
resorts — Bird Island, off Port Elizabeth — being near at hand ;
and when it is most in evidence during the winter months
its fine feats as a diver attract attention almost every day.
In May or June, when the shoals of mackerel pa«s eastwards,
the Malagash follow uj) in large numbers, and then one may
sometimes witness a sort of avian waterfall ; those in the
front ranks for ever precipitating themselves upon the tish,
while the others are either by the hundreds pushing forwards
for position, or have just left the sea to mount onwards and
again make the headlong plungr' upon coining abrea-t of the

East London, Cape Province. 83

fish. It is an exciting time, and when the pilchards come
along in January there is another just like it. These inter-
esting feeding operations are usually conducted about a mile
or two from the shore, and the birds are seldom within close
observation, though 1 have at odd times seen individual ones
}>assing up and down the tidal portion of the Buffalo River ;
and mention may be made of my having on 12th January,
1899, purchased from a native a young Malagash, or Gannet,
which he had captured at Gonubie liiver mouth some nine
miles to the eastwards. Its plumage was brownish black,
but a good bit lighter on the underparts, and the whole was
profusely marked with small white arrow-heads formed by
the tip of each heart-shaped feather being margined with
that colour.

Pink-backed Pelican. (Pelecanvs roseus.)
Some years ago — 9th January, J904 — I inspected alive
specimen of this species, on its way to the Kingwilliamstown
Museum, which had been shot at and wounded about a dozen
miles on this side of the Kei River mouth. It was come
upon stalking along the sands, and I have not seen nor heard
of another one since. I have no doubt interestino- bird-
visitors look in on us at odd times, but it is only by the
merest chance one hears of them.

White Stork. {Ciconki ciconia.)

The nearest to the coast that I have noticed the Great
Locust Bird was at Berlin Station some 30 miles inland, and
that was within a few days of the end of May of this year.
It lingered about theie for three weeks, and then, presum-
ably, fell in with others that, like itself, had not reacted to
the usual migratory promptings. 1 have since heard that
about 80 of them were seen at Debe Nek, between King-
williamstown and Alice, early in June last, and a few in the
Komgha Division also at that time. On 4th November,
1905, I came upon a single specimen of the AVliite Stork in
the Kubusie River valley near Stutterheim ; but if a pro-
portion of them are liable to winter with us those arrival
dates which have been called for must be carefully scanned.

84 .1. Wood — Bird yotcs from

Black Stouk. (Ciconia nhjra.')

To observe this sjiccies one inust go to our river-nioutlis
^vhen the tide is ebbing, and then he may chance to see a
single bird or, now and again, two standing or wading about
in the shallows as the water receded from the mud-banks.
It is rather a fine-looking Stork, with its shining upper
plumage of black, white belly, and bright red bill and logs ;
but I have always had to be content with making my obser-
vations through afield-glass, because its great wariness gene-
rally keeps it beyond the reach of everything save a rifle.

I would not say positively that the Black Stork pairs in
this part of Africa, for though they are represented here all
the year round, yet I have never seen the slightest sign of
any two consorting as mates. As I remarked above, occa-
sionally two may be observed upon the same feeding-ground,
but they will not show interest in each other's presence.
Two were reported from the Kieskhama Hiver mouth last
June, and J have them recorded locally as at Christmas,
Easter, Whitsuntide, and at Michaelnuis.

Marabou Stork. {Leptoptllos crumenifer.)
I have never seen it here, but from a description given me
by a competent witness I believe it was near the Kei River
mouth a few summers ago; and my informant mentioned
certain of the Kaffirs told him that tiieir witch-doctor would
})ay a few pounds for it to be used as medicine if he shot it
for them to hand over.

Wood Ibis. ( Tantalus ibis.)

I cannot doubt the accounts given me of this bird being
seen every second or third year passing the East London
district, but I have always missed coming across it.

Hammekkot. (Scopus nmhretta.)

A fairly common bird, and though the coast-belt does not
lend itself to the formation of persistent pans and vleys, yet
there are many rivers, such as the Buffalo, Nahoon, Gonubie,
Kwelegha, Ohalumna, &c., with always more or less of a
How, ill which are many pools overshadowed by krantzes

East London, Cape Province. 85

wliere these Jingy, weird birds may often be disturbed. But
tliey frequently make visits to the tidal parts as well, where
they seem to feed upon small crustaceans to be caught on
the mud-flats as the tide runs out. Sometimes I see one
bent upon an excursion, for they can mount to a good alti-
tude, and pass away with heron-like progression. They are
very solitary birds, and even in the nesting-months are
seldom seen other than singly. What purpose that shrill,
nasal whistle of theirs serves I do not know, but it comes
with startling effect at times from the bottom of some deej),
dark kloof. The natives call it "Tekwane," and say it
spends most of the day admiring its reflection in the water,
which notion they apply to the individual who is conceited
of his personal looks — he is no better than a Tekwane, they
say.

Goliath Heron. {Ardea poUatJi.)

I have only seen this striking bird once during 15 years'
observation in this part of the country. It was a single
specimen near the mouth of the Nahoon River on 7th October,
1901. It was wading up to the belly in a bit of l)ackwater
when I suddenly came upon it, and though ap{)arently at my
mercy yet it did not seem to think so, but made quite a
dignified retreat. Its bayonet-like beak was held at the
charge, and I did not feel called upon to test the bird's
courage at the expense of my own perha})s.

Grey Heron. (Ardea c'merea.)

This is about the commonest of the large birds here, and
occurs upon all our rivers, especially at the tidal parts,
where the chance of food seems improved by the water alter-
nately covering and receding from muddy margins. Some
days, when boating, I have seen a Grey Heron ahiiost every
100 yards wading or standing deep in the water, apparently
unheeding of my movements as I rowed along ; then a little
later these birds might be noticed perched on the topmost
y)otnts of the Melkbosch growing upon the banks, where they
waited patiently till the waterside was shallow enough again
for them to resume fishing. When rains have been plentiful,

8C .). \\ood — J>trd Xolcs front

and the various \ku\s and vloys about the vehl have had
water in them sufficiently h)ng (only a very few days seem
necessary) to become stocked with frogs, then the Herons
withdraw from the river-estuaries and resort to those collec-
tions of fresh water to play the part of " paddavangers."
Occasionally I have observed the Grey Heron standing
intently over some rock-pool on the beach.

I only know of two heronries in the district, one being on
the Nahoon, four miles from town, where three years ago I
counted eight pairs, though last season I did not see more
than two pairs. This species being socinl at nesting-time,-
there are not likely to be many such spots.

They seem to like a change of feeding-ground, and from
time to time — especially during the winter months — are to
be observed in calm weather with steady, well-drilled like
wincf-strokes, flying high above the town in small companies
— up to seven or eight — towards the westward rivers as a
rule. Just lately I was interested to watch one which was
going at a good elevation over the Buffalo Iliver suddenly
change its mind, pull np, and, with feet hanging down,
descend in fine sweeping circles upon that river.

Black-headed Heron". (Anlea mclanocejdiala.)
This species is also sure to be seen in the course of a day's
travelling across our river-valleys ; but it is always alone,
and for every one of the Black-headed we appear to have
half a dozen, or more, of the previously mentioned bird.

A young one shot at the Cefani River mouth — towards
the Kei — on 27th October, 11)07, was brought to me for
identification.

PuurLE Hkron. {Ar-dea imrpurea.)

I have only once seen this bird locally, and that was during
July 190G, when a female, also shot at the Cefani liiver
mouth, was sent to me.

Great Whitk Egrkt. {Ilcrodkis alha.)
I saw a pair at Waterlord on the Kubusie River about tlio
middle of November 1905 ; in fact there were three. bu( ono

Kast London, Cape Piorbirc. 87

persisted in associatino- with a, Grey Heron rather tlian with
its own kin, which might be taken as indicatinof that tlie
other two were mating. A farmer there tohl me that for
some years he had seen a pair of these birds in that neigh-
bourhoo(], but thoiigli they kept pretty nuich to the same
stretch of river yet he h.ad never been able to make out
whether they were breeding.

I liave also seen them during Cliristmas weeks at tlie
mouths of the Keskama and other rivers, and on 20tli
August, 1910, a couple of birds were descriliod to me as
liaving stayed in the vicinity of the "ebb and flow " of the
Buffalo Eiver throughout the first half of that month, which
I could not regard as answering to anything else than
Herodia.t alha. The details given included an item decidedly
pointing to there having been a shining metal ring upon the
leg of one of these birds. If any European ornithologist
has been bestowing such attention upon this species, he
would be interested to hear of this observation, though, of
course, there is nothing decisive about it. South African
bird-lovers do not live in the open : most of them are cooped
u}) in offices, and seldom can follow up a bit of news like
this when it comes to their ears.

But since some of our White Stork visitors have l)een
reported by competent ornithologists this year as having
remained on into June with us, the significance of only an
observation or two as to the occurrence of a species at any
time in South Africa must be carefully interpreted.

Yellow-billed Egret. (Herodias hraclnjrlnjnclui.)

Little Egret. (Ilerodias f/arzeffa.)

I have watched both of these species feeding upon the
mud-flats of our rivers during the summer months.

In November 1908 I noticed a score or more of the first-
mentioned walking about the veld with about the same
number of White Storks near the town of Alice. They were
all going in company, and I have been wondering why that
particular bit of veld attracts the Siork, because in the

88 Bird Sotrs from F.ast London, Cape Province.

course of a <2;ood many years I have often seen them collected
upon it.

The Little Ef^ret is in my records as occurring here on
9th October.

Cattle Egret. (Bidmlcus ibis.)

It is also seen hereabouts, but not often in the districts
fronting the coast, which is strange considering that nowhere
are the ticks so abundant. One might ask, indeed, why has
not the terribly tick-infested coast cattle which has obtained
for so long induced these and certain other birds with the
" O.xpecker'' habit to make a ])ermanent home in our midst ?

Squacco Heron. (Ardeola ralloidea.)

I have never seen it in the flesh, but know of a stuffed
specimen in East London which was undoubtedly shot near
this place some years ago. It must be regarded as seldom
in evidence down this way.

Night Heron. {Njicticorax nycticorax.)

I have twice been shown specimens of this bird by our
local taxidermist, to whom they had been sent by neighbour-
ing farmers to be mounted as rare birds. One of them was
said to have been flushed from some thick grass close to a
spring out on the veld, where it apparently passed the day.

Bittern.

At one time or other during the summer months oF the
last 15 years I have had specimens in my hands of the lied-
necked Bittern, the Dwarf Bittern, and the Cape Bittern ;
all procured between here and the Kei liiver mouth by a
friend who had a farm on the coast out that way, and having
acrpiired ornithological tastes whilst a gamekee})er in Sco'-
land in his young days he had an eye for anything out of
the common, and often furnished me with interesting items
for record in those days upon the margins of Sharpe's edition
of Layard's ' liirds of South Africa.' A poor man with a
little enthusiasm might scrape together so much as to acquire
a copv of that work, but the i)rice of the four volumes by

Migration Report 1909-1011. 89

Stark and Sclater is unattainable by the great majority o£
those I know scattered up and down South Africa who are
disposed to interest themselves in making observations upon
its birds.

'y^ll.— Migration Report 1909-1911.

We are sorry to say this Report is no better than its pre-
decessors— perhaps even more meagre. It seems hopeless to
expect any real enthusiasm (except amongst a certain section
of our own Members) until the youth of the country have
Deen educated up to a love of Nature study. To those
of our Members who have assisted with their observations
we tender our heartiest thanks. We have inserted a few
dates of back years, which were not available before.

White Stork (Clconia ciconla).

Locality. Observkr. Arrival. Depart. Wixd. Remarks.

Wepener, O.F.3. E. H. M. llardi- 2S. 8.10. — N.X.E. Only one.

man.
Lindley, O.F.S. P. E. Hale. 26. 10. 10. — Variable. In poor condition.

Maseru, Bas. J. P. Murray. SO. 11.09. — ■ Stormy. About 50 seen.

Bankop, Ernielo. 0. II. Taylor. 10.11.10. — — 10 birds.

Sabi, Tvl. Major Hamilton. — 7.4.11.

Pirie, Cape. Mi.is Carry Ross. 25. 10, 08.

Do. Rev.Rob.Godfrey. — 15.3.08,

Do. Do. ' 25.11.09.

Do. Do. 12,11.10. 20.4.11.

A peculiar feature in this year's migration of the White
Stork was the fact of its winterino- over in larse numbers.
From all parts come reports. Rev. Robert Godfrey reports
it from Pirie on 11th June and 24th July ; Sgt. Davies, of
the Cape Mounted Rifles, says a few remained at Matatiele
all the winter ; while Inspector Hale, of the O.F.S. Police,
states that he saw a few near Bloemfontein in July. I saw
four in the vicinity of the Zoological Gardens on June 4th,

VOL. VII. 7

90 Muiration Report 1909-1 911.

and sovoral wocks later heard ot" a small flock of twenty just
outside of Pretoria.

Black Stork {Ciconia mqra).

Locality. Observer. Arrival. Depart. "Wind. Kkmarks.

Bankop, Erraelo. C. II. Taylor. 2.12.10. — — Oue only.

Pirie. Cape. E.Godfrey. 1.10.09.

Do. Do. ' 29. 9.10. 24.6. 10.

Black-winoed Pratincole ( (jUirpolu protincola).

Bankop, Ermelo. C.H.Taylor. 18.11.10. .",.4.11. N. («). FlocLs.

Lindley, O.F.S. E. Chamljers. 14.12.10. — — „

Wepener, O.F.S. E. II. M. Ilardi- 28. 8. 10. — N.N.E.

man.

Matatiele. Cape. C. G. Davies. 11. 1.11. — S.W.

Cxreensliank ( Totanii^ (//olt/s).

Bankop, Ermelo. C. II. Taylor. 1.12.10.
Matatiele, Cape. C. G. Davies. IS. 8. 10.

Eg3''ptian Kite (Milr)is /rot//>fius).

Beira, P.E.A. P. A. Sheppard. 2.",. 8.08. 10.8.09.

Do. Do. 5. 9.09.

Bankop, Ermelo. V. II. Taylor. 22. 11. 10. 14. 2.09.

Pirie, Cape. R. Godfrey. 25. 10. 08. 20. 2. 10.

Do. Do. ' 80. 9.09.

Do. Do. 2:3. 9.10.

Eastern Red-leo-o-ed Kestrel {Crrcliueis cnnurensis).
Matatiele, Cape. C. G. Davies. 11. 1.11. — — Suialltlock.

Lesser Kestrel (CerrJmei.'! vmnnanni).

Ermelo, Tvl. C II. Taylor. 17.11.10.

Wepener, O.F.S. E. II. M. Ilardi- 2^. 9,10. — — Few only.

man.

Ma.seru, lias. J.P.Murray. 7.11.10. — — 12 birds.

Do. Do. 28.1109. — SW. strong. Hundreds.

Matatiele, Cape. C. G. Davies 12.12.10. — S.W. Smainiocl

Mlgmtloa Report 10O9-1911,

01

Locality.
Sabi, Tvl.
Matatiele, Cape.
Kingwilliamstown,
Pirie, Cape.

Wepener, O.F.S.
Pretoria (Zoo).

Keira, P.E.A.
Zoutpansbery.
Bankop, Ermelo.
Wepener, O.F.S,
Butialo Basin.

Do.

Do.

European lioller [Corac'uu (jarndus).

Observer. Arrival. Depart. Wind. Remarks.
J. S. Hamilton. — 6.4.11.

C. G. Davies. 21. 1.11. — N. One only.

A. Weir. — 10.8.11.

W. J. A. Moir. 22. 12. 10.

EuropeMii Bee-eater {Merops apiatfier).

E. II. M. Ilardi- 25. 9. 10. — N.N.E. In numbers.

man.
A. K. Ilaaguer. 19. 9.10. 27.4.11.

European Swallow (^Illramlo rti.^tica).

P. A. Sheppard. 24. 10. 08. 30. 4. 09.

R. Godfrey. — 27.4.11.

C. H. Taylor. 4. 11. 10. — — Few only.

E. llardiman. 29. 9.10.

R. Godfrey. 18.12.09. 28.:^.. 09.

Do. 10.11.10. 13.4.10.

Do. — 11.4.11.

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius colliwio).

'ietersburg.

R. Godfrey.

— 20.4.11

'irie, Cape.

Do.

21.11.08. 15.3.11

Golden Oriole [Onolus (jallnda).
Sehiliwe,Rhodesia. J. L. Ileward. 28. 8. 10. — N.W.

Willow Wren {Fhf/lloscopjns trocldlus)

— 24. 3. 09.
24.3.10.

— 29. 3. 11.

Pirie, Cape.

R. Godfrey,

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Afeican Migrants.
White-throated Swallow (Uirundo alb'ujLdaris).

Selukwe, Rhodesia. J. L. Ileward.
Lindley, O.F.S. R. Chambers.
Matatiele, Cape. C. G. Davies.
Pirie, Cape. It. Godfrey.

East London. Do.

29. 8.16.

—

N.W,

7.11.10.

—

N.W.

11. 9,10.

28. 8.10.

28. 3. 09.

15. 0.09.

Flock.

02 • OhltKciri/.

Liirger Stripe-breasted Swallow (^llirwido cucidlata).
Locality. Observer. Arrival. DFrART. Wind. Remarks.

Zoutpfinsberii'. R.Godfrey. — 10. o. 11.

Kingwilliam.vtown. Do. 22. 9.10.

Firie, near Do. Do. 25. 9.08. 28.4.00.

Do. Miss F.Ross. 21. 9.09. 2.5.10.

Smaller Stripe-breasted Swallow {II/'nDido jixella).
Beira, P.E.A. P. A.Sheppanl. 18. 9.09. 24.7.09.

A. K. Haagner,

Hon. Sec. S.A.O.U.

Memo. — WltUe Stork. Two more Hun<j,ariaii l\iii_i;('d
Storks have been notified to us : —

3873. From Mumbwa, Chebebe ' Distr., N.W. Iihodesia,
by Mr. E. J. Trenoweth, on 17. G. 11.

2537. From Lemon Kop, Melsetter Distr., Southern
Rhodesia, by Mr. J. Ward, on 28, 12. 10.

XUl.-^Ohihiar//. A. D. MiLLAK and Caj)t. SlIELLEY.

1. Alfiied Duchesne Millar.

(Phite.)

In our last numbei" we announced llie death of our esteemed
and lamented colleaoue, Mr. A. D. Millar, of Durban,
Natal, which occurrt'd on the lOtii May, after a short illness
consequent upon l)l()od j)()isonino-.

A. D. Millar was the son of the Hon. J. Millar, sometime
Member of the old Legislative (.^ouncil of Natal, and was
born in Durban in 1858, being thus 53 years of age at his
death. He was a respected member of the Legal {)rofession
and a Vice-President of the Natal Law Society. Millar
devoted nearly all his leisure to the study of Natural
History, and his uanu; is familiar to every student of
Soutli African ( >rnitliology. AHhough lie did not write

ALFRED DUCHESNE MILLAR.

:Born 1858 -~ 'Died 1911.

OhifiKvy. 93

nincli himself, lie assisted AV. J^. Sclater very materially
in the preparation of his ' Birds of South Africa/ and
Millar's notes can he found quoted on many a page. In
the same way h(i notified his valuable breeding experiments
with Ijuttertlies to Professor Poulton.

He joined the Museum Committee of Durban in 1895,
and was one of the most enthusiastic and indefatigable
workers, being afterwards Secretary of the Museum, and
consequent upon the illness of the then Curator took upon
himself the supervision of the removal of the collections to
the new IMunicipal Buildings.

Mr. Millar was a Corresponding Member of the London
Zoological Society, a Member of the Entomological Society
of London, "Colonial" Member of the British Ornithologists'
Union, Vice-President of the S.A. Ornithologists' Union,
President of the Natal Field Naturalists' Society and Natal
Scientific Society. Besides being an ardent naturalist,
Millar was a keen sportsman.

He left a fine collection of Birds' eogs which has so far
not been disposed of.

We may add that Mr. Millar was a nephew of " Uncle"
Tom Ayres, of Potchefstroom, the famous old field ornitho-
logistj whose notes — even to-day- — constitute our only records
upon certain species, and "who is still living, albeit old and
feeble.

To the widow, daughter, and two sons of our lamented
friend we tender our sincere sympathy. — A. K. H.

2. Captain George Eknest Shelley, F.Z.S.

The death of this well-known authority on African birds
occurred on the 29th November, 1910, after a long illness.
He was a son of the late Mr. John Shellev, of Avinoton,
Hants, the younger brother of the famous poet. Captain
Shelley was born in 1840.

He joined the Grenadier Guards in 18G3, but owing to
his tastes for science retired after a few years with the rank
of Captain. He was shortly afterwards sent to South Africa
on a Geological Survev.

94 Short Notices of OrnithoJogical Publications.

Ill 1872 Shelley published his '' Handbook to the Birds
o£ Egypt/ and in 1880 his handsome ' Monograph of the
Nectarinii(la», or Family of Sun-birds,' illustrated by coloured
plates by Keulemans. In this work he had the assistance of
Dr. Bowdler Sharpe and the collection of Sun-birds of the
Marquis of Tweeddale.

Captain Shelley was a good shot, and was truly happy
when out collecting specimens.

In 1896 Shelley published the first volume of his ' Birds
of Africa,' the first part of vol. v. appearing ten years later.
This was the last work from his pen, as shortly after its
completion a sudden stroke of paralysis brought his labours
to a close.

Captain Shelley possessed great natural abilities and a
Avonderful memory, which, with a painstaking habit and
literary excellence, made him resemble his famous uncle.

He married in 1889 Janet, daughter of Mr. E. Andrewes,
and had two sons and a daughter.

Capt. Shelley contributed many papers to ' The Ibis ' from
1870 to 1901, and to the ' Proceedings of the Zoological
Society ' from 1879 to 1889.

Of course Shelley's name is indelibly stamped on South
African Ornithology, by the birds which bear his name,
either in the sjjecific name or the " authority.^' It is much
to be regretted that he did not survive long enough to
complete his enormous work on the birds of Africa men-
tioned above. [From ' The Ibis/ April 1911.]

XIV. — Short 2sot'ices of Ondlhohhiical PiibVicatious.

5. The Jovrnal of the Ead Africa and Lyanda Natural
Jlistor// Societf/, vol. i. no. '2.

The second numljcr of this new Journal gives us a con-
tinuation of Mr. F. J. Jackson's articles on the (Tame-birds
of East Africa and Ugan(hi (ride .loiirn. S.A.O.U. vii. p. 51).
In the ])rcscnt jiapcr the autlioi- deals witli the Quails. Guinea-

Sho7'f Notices of Oruitliological PvJd'icat'ions. 95

fowls, and Sandoronse, of which seven of the species are
found in South Africa. AVe have also a paper by R. van
Soniereu on tlu^ Water Dikkop {G^dienemits vermicitlatus),
here called the Central African Stone Curlew, illustrated by
three photographic reproductions.

Mr. A. B. Percival gives us a short account of European
migrants in British East Africa.

6. Jaarhoehje der Nederlandsclie Orvithol. Vereenigiiuj.

No. 7 (1910).
Amongst articles of purely local interest, attention may
be drawn to one entitled '' Enkele biologische Opmerkingen
over den Draaihals {lynx forq^dUa, L.),^' by J. H. F. de
Meijere.

7. Photography for Bird Lover.s : a practical Gitide, By

Bentley Beetham, F.Z.S. London : Witherby & Co.,
32G High Holborn, AV.(\ (1911.) Price 5.?. (five
shillings) net.

This is a practical and well-planned little guide to what is
becoming more in vogue every day — namely, the application
of the camera to the study of ornithology. The author deals
in turn with the apparatus necessary, nest photography,
photographing young birds, and the various methods of
photographing adult birds, ?*. ^., the " stalking,^' "conceal-
ment,''' &c. He gives clear instructions on exposure and
other important details, and we strongly recommend the
l)ook, not only to bird photographers and would-be photo-
grapherSj but to all lovers of field ornithology.

The writer knows from experience the difficulties and
trials attendant upon bird photography, as he also knows
the pleasure and excitement of the " sport.'' The book is
illustrated by 16 full-page photographic plates. — A.K. H.

8. Studies of Bird-Life in Uganda. By R. A. L. van

Someren, M.D., and V. G. L. van Scmeren.

This is in reality a " picture book ■" or photographic album

9Q Short JS^otices of Ormthohni'ical PnhJ'icai'ions.

of 25 enlarged photogravures of wild birds taken in Uganda,
accompanied ])y a brief descriptive letterpress. The book is
published by Bale Sons & Danielsson, at 31.f. Cx?. net.

ib Av'icidtural 2Jar/azine. January to August 1011.

In these nundx'rs there appears little of sjiecial interest to
South African ornithologists beyond a pa])cr on the Broni-
vogel (^Ducorvus caffer') by Mr. W. L. Sclater, illustrated by
a photographic plate. A series of articles entitled " Hints
on Practical Bird-keeping " are of consideral)]e interest and
value to bird-keepers.

10. llie Ibis, a Quart rrli/ Journal of Orn!tJioIo;p/.

The April ll'll issue of the ever-green 'Il)is' contains
Part I. of a valuable paper by Mr. W. L. Sclater on the
birds collected by Mr. Claude H. B. Grant during a four-
and-three-quarter-years' collecting in various parts of South
Africa. The cost of this much-needed zoological ex))loi'ati()n
was entirely borne by Mr. C. D. Rudd, a well-known Cape-
tonian, and it is extremely to be regretted that this gentleman,
who made his home in South Africa for many years, should
not have arranged that at least half of the material collected
should have remained in the country. The collections
totalled — besides mammal skins- — 3527 birds, representing
591 species, about two-thirds of tlie known number of
species inhabiting South Africa They were C(dlected in
six localities, viz. Little Namaf|ualand, ('ape Town district,
Knysna district, Natal and Ziduland. Tians\aa], and l\:)rtu-
guese East Africa. Eight new species were obtained, of
which six have already been described in the ' l?ulletin
B. 0. Club,' and noticed in these pages. Two additional sub-
species are now described in this paper : Pratiiwola torquata
orientalis and Cossi//>lia cajfra namarpi^nsis. The classifi-
cation and nomenclature follow almost exactly th(> author's
" Check-list of the Birds of South Africa," i)ubiished in I'.H)')
as a number of the 'Annals of the TranK\nal IVIuseum.'

S/iorf JS^otires of Omithohn/ical PxihUcat'ions. 07

Coiiiin;;- to the paper itself, we notice that the Black-
backed AVeaver is called Sycohrofus gregalis, whose correct
name is clearly pointed out by Dr. Hartert to be hicolor
{vide Nov. Zool. 1907, p. 501). On p. 235 Mr. Sclater
says Quelea erythrops is new to South Africa ; but Mr. C G.
Davies procured it in Pondoland some two or three years
aoo. Mr. Sclater comes to the same opinion regarding
Alarlo leucolamia as we have in our ' Check-list/ Hartert's
Mirafra africana transvaalensis is substantiated ; while a
new addition to South Africa is included — Mirafra rufo-
chniamomea, Shelley (from Klein Letaba, Tvl.).

Coloured plates are given of Cinnyris neergaardi (^ & 2 ,
also of Ajialis claiulei and A. ruddl. Specimens of the
recently described Antlireptes reicJienotci, (isticola cuinamo-
meiceps, and Heliolais Jarhyi were obtained.

VOL. VII.

N AM E INDEX.

Ahdimia ahdimi, 65.
Acrocvplialits arundinaceus, 16, 40.

bceticatns, 47.

palnstriii, 47.

Actophihis africanus, 32, 64.
Africaii Hoopoe, 40.

Jacana, 32,

Quail, 36.

Iteed-Warbler, 47.

Rook, 42.

Saud-Martin, 41.

White-rumped Swift, 41.

Alario leucohcma, 97.
Albatross, Wandering, 24.
Alcedo semitovquata, 40.
Aniydrus morio, 43.
Anas capenais, 27.

erythrorhyyicha, 26.

punctata, 27.

sparsa, 26.

tindulata, 26.

Andropadus importimus, 45.
Anliincja rvf<i, 82.
Ant-eating Chat, 47.
Anthreptes reichenowi, 97.
Anthrojjoides paradisca, 31.
Anthus chloris, 21, 44.

crenatus, 22, 44.

■ leucoph)-ys, 45.

• lineiventris, 10.

nichoboni, 22, 45.

VOL. VII.

Anthus rufulus, 21.

dmiamomeus, 22, 45.

trivia lis, 13.

Ap>alis claudei, 97.

ruddi, 97.

thoracica, 17, 18.

Apaloderma narina, 3, 77.
Apus bai-batus, 41.

caffer, 41.

melba africanus, 41.

Aquila verreauxi, 37.
Ardea cinerea, 35, 85.

yoliath, 85.

vielanocephala, 35, 86.

purpurea, 35, 86.

ralluides, 65.

Ardeola ralluides, 35, 88.
Ardetta payesi, 34.
Arenaria ititerpres, 29.
.4s/o nisuella, 38.
Astur polyzonoides, 69.

B.

Babbler, Kirk's, 19.
Babbling Reed- Warbler, 22, 46.
Bakbakiri Bush Shrike, 42.
Bald Ibis, 33.
Balearica reyulorum, 32.
Banded Sand-Martin, 41.
Barbatula bilineata, 74.

extoni, 75.

Barbet, Exton's, 75.

100

NAME INDEX.

Barbet, Levaillant's, HO.
Bar-breasted Warbler, 17.

tailed Godwit, 80.

Batis erythrophthalmci, 4.
Bearded Woodpecker, 76.
Bee-eater, European, 40, 01.
Bi-sliop Bird, Golden, 43.

■ , Lesser Cape, 43.

, Hed, 43.

Bittern, Cape, 34, 88.

, Dwarf, 88.

, Red-necked Little, 34, 88.

Black-and-Grey Cuckoo, 39.

White Cuclcoo, Td.

capped IJiilbul, 4, 1 1 , 4-"J.

cheeked Love-bird, ')\.

crested Cuckoo, ?y.).

Cuckoo Shrike, 42.

Duck, 20.

Eagle, 37. ■

headed 15ush Shrike, G.

Heron, .j"3, 80.

shouldered Kite, 37.

• Spur-winjr, 28.

Stork, 34, 84, 90.

Swift, 41.

tailed Godwit, 80.

winged Lapwing, 30.

Pratincole, 21), 90.

Blue Crane, 31,51.

headed Wnxbill, 22.

Botuurus stellark capoisig, 34.

Bvadypterus hahfeciihtu, 22.

cinnainomcus, 53.

Bromvogel, 51, 96.

Buhl) lacteus, 70.

maculosus, 38, /O.

Buhidcus ibis, 35, 88.

Bucurax cofer, 51 .

Buconms caffcr, 40, 90.

Budi/tes /lavtis, 22.

Buff-streaked Chat, 47.

Biff/cramis carunculatns, 31.

J'.ulbul, Jilack-capped, 4, 11, 45.

, Nyassa, 11.

r>uibul, r»ed-eyed, 45.

, Sombre, 45.

, Yellow-strcaked, 11.

P.untino:, Natal, 44.

, Rock, 44.

Bu^h Owl, 71.
Bustard, Stanley, 31.
Bidm detertorian, 37.

jnkal, 37.

Bidorides atricapiUits, 05.
Buzzard, .Jackal, 37.
, Steppe, .37.

c.

CnffreRail, .32.
CalundreUd clnerea, 45.
Camaroptera f/ribenriridis, 53.
Vampophaya ni(jra, 42.
Canary, Cape, 44.
Cape Birn-Owl, 39.

Bittern, 34, 88.

C'anarv, 44.

Dabchick, 24.

Longclaw, 10, 45.

Lonrie, 39.

Red-wing Francolin, 3G.

Robin Chat, 48.

Rock-Thrush, 47.

Scops Ov.d, 38.

Shoveller, 20.

Sparrow, 44, 79.

Thickuee, 30.

Turtle Dove, 36.

Wagtail, 44.

Wigeon, 27.

Wren- Warbler, 47.

Capped Wheatear, 48.
Caprimuhjus fo^sei, 53.

rufujrna^ 41.

Cardinal Woodpecker, 39.
Casnrca cana, 29.
Cattle Egret, 35, 88.
Central African Stone Curlew,
95.

NAME INDEX.

101

Cerchrieis nmurensis^ 38, 52, 00.

lUckinsoni, 69.

naumanni, 38, 90.

rupicola, 38.

Certhilauda seniitorqiiata, 45.
Ceryle rnaahna, 40.

ruch's, 40.

Chcetops aurantius, 47.
Chalcomitra olivacina, 13.
Chalcopeliii afer, 66.
Charadiius hiaticula, .30.

tricullaris, 30, 63.

Chat, Ant-eating-, 47.

, Bulf-strealved, 47.

, Cape Robin, 48.

, Familiar, 48.

, IJeuglin's Robin, 20.

, Mouutain, 48.

, South African Stone, 19, 48.

Chenalopex <xgyptiacus, 28.
Chrysococcyv cupreus, 19, 39, 73=

klaasi, 19, 73.

Ciconia ciconia, 34, 83, 89.

■ nigra, 34, 84, 90.

Cinnamon-backed Roller, 78.
Cinnyris cifer, 46.

chalybfsus, 13.

marirjtisnsis, 53.

Circa'ctus jwctoralk, 54.
Circvs macrvrvs, 37.

ramvorous, ot.

Citi/icola, 17.

97.

ci?wa?iiot7ieJcrps,

• fuhicapilla, 40.

naUili-nsis, 13.

snnitorques, 14, 18.

snbi njicapilla, 40.

terrestris, 46.

tinniens, 46.

Clamafor (ilaiidarius, 39.
jacuhiiiNs, 51.

hypopinarius, 39.

serriitus, 39.

Coliiis striutus muior, 77.
CoUuspasser ardens, 43, 53.

Columf/a phceonota, 36,
Coly, Lesser Speckled, 77.
Colytnbus capensis, 24.

cn'sfatus, 24.

Coot, Red-knobbed, 32.
Coqui Francolm, 68.
Coracias caadafus, 40.

garrulus, 40, 91.

loeigalli, 77.

Cormorants, 81.

, Reed, 24.

, White-breasted, 24, 81.

Corn-Crake, 32.
Corvultur albicollis, 42.
Corvus scapulatus, 42.
Corythornis cyanostygma, 40.
Cossypha caffra, 48.

namaquensis, 96.

heuglini, 20.

natalensis, 20.

Coturnix coturni.v africana, 30

delagoryuei, 36.

Courser, Rufous, 30.
Crake, Corn-, 32.

, Little, 32.

, Streaked, 32.

Crane, Crowned, 32.

, Blue, 31, 51.

, Wattled, 31.

Crateropiis kirki, 19.
Creatophora cunmcuUdus, 42.
Crested Grebe, 24.

Lark, 45.

Crex crex, 32.
Crow, Pied, 42.
Crowned Crane, 32.

Guinea-fowl, 36.

Cuckoo, Black-and-Grey, 39.

, White, 51.

, crested, 39.

, European, 39.

, Golden, 39.

, Great Spotted, 39.

, "Piet-mijn-vrouw," 51.

, Red-chested, 39, 72.

102

>"AMH IXDKX.

Cucuhts sp., 73.

canorus, 89,

• clamosus, .51.

solitarius, 30, 72.

Curlew, 30.

, Central African Stone, 95.

Sandpippr, 31.

Cursorius rufus, 30.

D.

Dabcliick, Cape, 24.
Darter, 82.
JJendrocyfina fnlva, 27.

viduata, 27.

Dendromus alhifacies, 76.

chrysKTus ahinf/oni, 75.

hartlauhi, 77.

onalherbei, 75.

scriptoricauda, 76.

Dendropiois f/iiiiteensis, 39.
Diamond Sparrow, 44.
Dicrurus nfer, 42, 53.
Dikkop, Water, 95.
Diomedia e.vulans, 24.
Double Snipe, 31.
Dove, Ca])e Turtle, 36.

, Lanj^'liiiipr, 36.

, Metallic-spotted, 66.

, Nauiaqua, 36.

, Red- eyed, 2,36.

, Tambourine, 2.

Drongo, Fork-tailed, 42.
Dryoscopiis f/idtatns, 8.

mossambicns, 8.

Duck, Black, 26.

, Knob-billed, 28.

, Maccoa, 25.

, Whistling, 27.

, White-backed, 25.

, faced, 27.

, Yellow-billed, 20.

Dwarf Jiittern, 88.

E.

Eagle, Black, 37.

Eagle, Harrier, 54.

Owl, Giant, 70.

, Spotted, 38.

, Sea-, 37.

Eastern lled-legged Kestrel, 38, 90.

White Pelican, 25.

Egret, Cattle, 35, 88.

, Great White, 86.

, Little, 35, 87.

, Yellow-billed, 35, 87.

Egyptian Goose, 28.
— Kite, 09, 90.
Elaniis cceruleus, 37.
Emberizaflaviventvis, 53.
English Tree-Sparrow, 11.
Erlsmcdura maccoa, 25.
ErithacKS srcynnertoni, 20.
Ethiopian Snipe, 31.
Euplectes capensis approxiniatis, 43.
European Bee-eater, 40, 91.

Cuckoo, 39.

Roller, 40, 91.

Swallow, 41,91.

Eiiry.stomus afer, 78.
Extou's Barbet, 75.

Fairy Flycatcher, 42.
Falco bianniciis, 37.
Falcon, Lanuer, 37.
Familiar Chat, 48.
Fan-tailed Iteed- Warbler, 40.
Fiscal Shrike, 42,
Flamingo, Greater, 34.
Flycatcher, Fairy, 42.

, Lead-headed Paradise, 4.

, Paradise, 42.

, Ked-eyed, 4.

Fork-tailed Drongo, 42,
Francolin, Cajje Ked-wing, 30.

, Coqui, 68,

, Ci rev-winged, 36.

, llumbiildl's, 2.

Erii)i((/liiiH'<, 54.

NAME INDEX.

103

JFrancolinu-'i, sp., 08.

afer, 36.

coqui, ()7.

a77(/uk')isis, 67.

hiihhardi, 54.

kirki, 68.

licaiUantii, 30, (58.

Fr'uuiilliiria reidi, 44.

ta/aipisi, 44.

Fulica cyi>>t(Ua, 32.

G.

(JalUnago media, 31,

ni(jripennis, 31.

Gallinula chloropus, 32.
Gallinule, Purple, 32.
Gallirex chlorochlamys, 72.
Garden- Warbler, 47.
Geocolaptes olivaceus, 39.
Geroiiticus calvus, 33.
Giant Eagle-Owl, 70.

Kingfisher, 40.

Glareola melanoptera, 29.

pratincola, 90.

Glaueidhim capeyise rufa, 71.

perlatum, 71.

Glossy Ibis, 33.
Godwit, Bar-tailed, 80.

• , Black-tailed, 80.

Golden Bishop Bird, 43.

Cuclioo, 39.

Oriole, 91.

Goliath Heron, 85.
Gompaauwp, 54.
Goose, Egyptian, 28.
Grass-Warbler, Grey, 14.

, Grey-backed, 40,

, Levaillant's, 46.

, Natal, 13.

, Tawny-headed, 46.

, Wren, 46.

Great Uoiible-collared Suubird, 40.

Beed- Warbler, 46.

Spotted Cuckoo, 39.

Great White Egret, 86.
Greater Flamingo, 34.

Honey-Guide, 73.

Grebe, Crested, 24.
Green White-eye, 46.
Greenshank, 30, 90.
Grey-backed Grass- Warbler, 46.
- — - -collared Lark, 45.

Grass- Warbler, 14.

headed Parrot, 72.

Heron, 35, 85.

' hooded Kingfisher, 3,

winged Francolin, 36.

Griffon Vulture, 36.
Ground Hornbill, 40.

Woodpecker, 39.

Grouse, Namaqua Sand-, 33.
Guinea-fowl, Crowned, 36.
Gyps kolbi, 36.

H.

Iladadah Ibis, 33.

Halcyon alhiientris orientalis, 3.

swiiinsoni, 3.

Half-collared Kingfisher, 40.
Ilaliai'fus vocifer, 37.
Hammerhead, 34.
Hamnierkop, 84.
IlapJopelia larvata, 68.
Harlequin Quail, 36.
Harrier Eagle, 64.

, Hawk, 37.

, Pallid, 37.

, South African Marsh, 37.

Hartlaub's Shrike, 8,
Hawk, Harrier, 37.

, White-headed, 69.

Ildiolais kirbyi, 97.
Herodias alba, 65, 80, 87.

brachyrhyncha, 35, 87.

yarzetta, 35, 87.

Heron, Black-headed, 35, 86.

, Goliath, 85.

, Grey, 35, 85.

104

NAME IXDEX.

Heron, Night-, 34, 88.

, Purple, 35, 8(3.

, Squacco, 35, 88.

Hpterocora.v cn/>ensi,<, 42.
Jleteronyx ruddi, 21, 4o.
Henglin's Robin Chat, 20.
Hirundo albigularis, 41, 50, 91,

cucuUata, 41, 1)2.

■ jyuclhi, 4, 92.

7-ustica, 41, 91.

seminifa, 50.

Honey-Guide, 79.

, Greater, 73.

Hooded Vulture, 68.
Hoopoe, African, 40.
Ilornbill, ( Jround, 40.
Hottentot Teal, 27.
Humboldt's Francolin, 2.
Hydrochelidon Ivjhrida, 24.

I.

IhU afhiopicn, 33.
Ibis, llald, 33.

, Glossy, 33.

, Hadadali, 33.

, Sacred, 33.

, Wood, 33, 84.

Indicator indiaitor, 73.

niaior, 79.

minor, 73.

mriegatus, 79.

Irrisor viridis, 53.
lynx torquilla, 95.

Jacana, African, 32.
Jackal Buzzard, 37.

K.

" Kanga," G".

Kaupifaico tnonof/rafnnitcus, 69.

Kestrel, Eastern Red- legged, 38, 90,

Kestrel, Lesser, 38, 90,

, South African, 38.

Kingtisher, Giant, 40.

, (irey-hooded, 3.

, Ilalf-collared, 40.

, Malachite-crested, 40.

, Peters's, 3.

, Pied, 40.

Kirk's Babbler, 19.

Kite, Blaek-slunddered, 37.

, Egyptian, 69, 90.

, Yellow-billed, 37.

Knob-billed Buck, 28.

"Kovi,"68.

" Kuali," 67.

" Kin'rikuechi," 6S.

Kurrichane Button-Quail, 32.

Lftniaritis vinjor, 8, 42.
Lanius collaris, 42.

hicmeralis, 10.

coUurio, 42, 91.

Banner Falcon, 37.
Bnpwing, Black-winged, 30.
Large Yellow-tufted Pipit, 44.
Larger Puil-backed Shrike, -12.
Stripe-breasted Swallow, 41,

92.
Lark, Crested, 45.

, Grej'-colhuc'd, 45.

, Latakoe, 45.

, Bed-capped, 45.

, Budd's, 21.

Latakoe Lark, 45.

Laughing Uove, 36.

Lead-headed Paradise Flycatcher,

4.
Lejitoptilos crumcnifer, 33, 65, 84.
Le.'-ser Cape Bishop Hird, 43.

Double-col hirud Suiibird, 13.

Kestri'l, 38.

Speckled Coly, 77.

Levaillant's Barbet, 69.

NAME INDEX.

105

Levaillant's Grass- Warbler, 4G.
Lilac-breasted Holler, 40.
Limiiocoi'ax nitjer, 04.
Limosa lappcmicn, 80.

limosa^ 80.

Little Crake, 82.

Egret, 35, 87.

Olive Suubird, 13.

Stint, 31.

\ellow-tufted Pipit, 21.

Loiigclaw, Cape, 10, 45.
Lourie, Cape, 39.

, Zambesi Purple-crested, 72.

Love-bird, Black-cheeked, 54.
Liischiiola (jrucilirosfris, 46.
Lybius zombce dlliii/i'Jaris, 74.

M.

Maceoa Duck, 25.
Macrodipteryx vexillarius, 41.
3Iacronrjx capensis, 10, 45.
Malachite-crested Kingh>lier, 40.

Sunbird, 46.

Malagash, 82.

Malherbe's Woodpecker, 75.

Marabou Stork, 33, 84.

Mar«h- Hairier, South African, 37.

. Owl, 38.

Sandpiper, 30.

AVarbler, 47.

Martin, African Sand-, 41.

, Banded Sand-, 41.

, Bock-, 41.

Merops cqnaster, 40, 91.
Mesopicus namaquus, 76.
Metallic-spotted Uove, 66.
Metallococcyx smaraydweiis, 73.
Milvus (syyptius, 37, 69, 90.
Mirafra africanu trcmsvaalcnsis, 97.

chmiana, 21, 45.

rufucinnamomea, 97.

Monticola explorator, 47.

rupestris, 47.

Moorhen, 32.

MotaciUn ca2)cnsis, 44.
Mountain Chat, 48.
Musophaya rossee, 54.
My)iiiecocichla for mici cunt, 47.

N.

Namaqua Dove, 36.

Sand-Grouse, 33.

Narina Trogon, 3, 77.
Natal Bunting. 44.

Grass-Warbler, 13.

Long-tailed Sugar-bird, 46.

Nectarinia famosa, 46.
Neisna di/fresnei, 44.
Keop/tron monacltus, 68.
Nicholson's Pipit, 22, 45.
Night-Heron, 34, 88.
Nightjar, Rufous-cheeked, 41.

•, Standard- wing, 41.

Northern Fiscal Shrike, 10,
Numenius arqiidtiis, 30.
Numida curunata, 36.

mitrata, 67.

Nyassa Bulbul, 11.
Nycticorux nycticorox, 34, 88.
Nyruca ccqjensis, 25.

0.

CEdicnemus capensis, 30.

vermictiUitus, 53, 04, 95.

Q£na capensis, 36.
Olive Weaver, 43.
Orange-breasted Bock-Juuiper, 47
Oriole, Golden, 91.
Oriolus yalbula, 91.
Ortyyometra pusilla obscvra, 32.
Otis cufra, 31.

• kari, 54.

ludinyii, 31.

melanoy aster, 64.

Owl, Bush, 71.

, Cape Barn-, 39.

, Sc(>ps, 38.

lOf)

NAME INDEX.

Owl, Giant Eagle-, 70.

, Marsh-, 38.

, Spotted Eagle-, 38.

P.

Taintpd Snipe, 31.
I'allid Ilarner, 37.
Paradise Flycatcher, 42,
Parrot, Grey-headed, 72.
Parus cceruleus, 5.
Paiser melanunis, 44, 79.

moniaiius, 11.

Pehcanus ruseus., i'5, 83.
Pelecinius zeylonus, 42.
Pelican, Eastern White, 25.

, Piuk-baclved, 83.

Peters's Kingfisher, 3.
Pefronia superciliaris, 44.
Phalacrucorax africanus, 24, 63, 82.

capeyisis, 81.

lucidiis, 24.

Pheasant, White-ringed, 67.
Phcenicopterus roseus, 34.
PhceJiicurusfamUians, 48.
Phyllastreph us fia vostriatus, 1 1 .

7nilunjensis, 1 1 .

Phylloscopus trochilus, 47, 91.
Pied Crow, 42.

Kingfisher, 40.

Starling, 43.

"Piet-mijn-vrouw " Cuckoo, 51.
Pigeon, Rock-, 36.
Pink-backed Pelican, 83.
Pin-tailed Widow Bird, 44.
Pipit, Large Yellow-tufted, 44.

. , Little Yellow-tufted, 21.

• , Nicholson's, 22, 45.

, Plain-backed, 45.

, Stripe-bellied, 10.

, Tawny, 45.

, Trt.e-, 13.

, Yellow-breasted, 44.

. , tufted, 22.

Pisorhiitd rapfnsi'<, 38, 70.

Pisorhina capensis 2'>usilla, 70.
Plain-backed Pipit, 45.
Platalea alba, 33.
Plcctopterus yamhensis, 29.

nu/er, 28.

niyer, 29.

Pleyadis autumnalis, 33,
Pluceus capensis oUvaceus, 43.

spilonotus, 43.

Plo\-er, Ringed, 30.

, Three-banded, 30.

Pochard, South African, 25.
Podica seneyuJe7i4s, 64,
Poicephaliis fuscicapillus, 72.
Pulyhoraides typicus, 37,
Pomatorhynchus seneyalus, 6.
Porphyrio porphyria, 32,
Prutincola turquata, 19, 48.

orientalis, 96.

Pratincole, Black-winged, 29, 90.
Prima maculosa, 47.

inystacea, 15,

Promerops yurneyi, 46.
PtcrnisteK, 54.

hnmholdti, 2, 67.

Pterocles namarjuus, 33.
Purple Galliuule, 32.

Heron, 35, 86.

Pycnonotus harhalus layardi, 11, 45.

capensis niyrica?is, 45.

layardi, 4, TO, 20.

Pyroiiielana cajK'iisis, 43.

appro.rimans, 43.

xanthoinalas, 4,3.

ori.r, 43.

taha, 43.

.ra)i//tomel(is, 5-3.

Pytclia nitidala, 52.

Q.

Quail, African, 36,

, Harlequin, 36.

, KurricliaMe Button-, .32.

NAME INDEX.

107

Qiiclcn crythroj)s, 97.
qiielen, 53.

R.

Rail, Caffre, 82.
JRallus carulcscens, 32.
Haven, White-necked, 42.
Red-backed Shrike, 42, 91.

billed Teal, 20.

Bishop Bird, 43.

Red-capped Lark, 45.

chested Cuckoo, 39, 72.

■ -collared Widow Bird, 43.

eyed Bulbul, 45.

Dove, 2, 36.

Flycatcher, 4.

knobbed Coot, 32.

necked Little Bittern, 34, 88.

shouldered Widow Bird, 43.

wine: Starlino-, 43.

Reed Cormorant, 24.

Duiker, 82.

W^arbler, 16.

, African, 47.

, Babblini?, 22, 46.

, Fan-tailed, 46.

, Great, 46.

Ringed Plover, 30.
Riparia cincta, 41.

faligida, 41.

jyaludicola, 41 .

Rock Bunting', 44.

Jumper, Orange-breasted, 47.

Martin, 41.

Pigeon, 36.

Thrush, Cape, 47.

, Sentinel, 47.

Roller, Cinnamon-backed, 78.'

, European, 40, 91.

, Lilac-breasted, 40.

Rook, African, 42.
Ross's Touracou, 54,
Rostratula bengalensis, 31.
Rudd's Lark, 21.
VOL. VII.

RuflF, 30.

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, 41.

Courser, 30.

S.
Sacred Ibis, 33.
Sand-Grouse, Namnqua, 33.

Martin, African, 41.

, Banded, 41.

Sandpiper, Common, 31.
- — -, Curlew, 31.

, Marsh, 30.

, Wood, 30.

Sarlddiornis melanotiis, 28.
Sarothrura I in eat a, 32.

Saxicola vioriticola, 48.

pileata, 48.

Schocnicola apicalis, 46, 53.

Scopus umhretta, 34, 84.

Sea-Eaglb, 37..

Secretary Bird, 37.

Sentinel Rock-Thrush, 47.

Serinus canicoIlis,,A'^-

Serpentarius serpentarius, 37.

Sheldrake, South African, 29.

Shoveller, Cape, 26.

Shrike, Bakbakiri Bush, 42.

■ , Black Cuckoo, 42.

, headed Bush, 6.

, Fiscal, 42.

, riartlaub's, 8.

, Larger Puft-backed, 42.

, Northern Fiscal, 10.

, Red-backed, 42, 91.

Sitagra ocularia, 53.

Sitta,ccesia, 5.

Smaller Stripe-breasted Swallow, 4,
9i

Shake-bird, 82.

Snipe, Double, 31.

, Ethiopian, 31.

, Painted, 31.

Sombre Bulbul, 45.

South African Kestrel, 38.

Marsh-Harrier, 37.

10

108

NAMK INDEX.

South African Pochard, 25.

Sheldrake, 29.

Stoue Chat, 19, 48.

Sparrow, Cape, 44, 79.

, Diamond, 44.

, English Tree-, 11,

Spatula capensis, 26.
Spoonbill, 'j3.
Spotted-backed Weaver, 43.

Eagle Owl, 38.

Spreo hicolor, 43.
Spur-wiug, Black, 28.
Squacco Heron, 35, 88.
Standard-wing Nightjar, 41.
Stanley Bustard, 31.
Starling, Pied, 43.

, Red-wing, 43.

, Wattled, 4-^.

Stenostira scita, 42.
Stepha72ibi/.r melanopterus, 30.
Steppe Buzzard, 37.
Stint, Little, 31.
Stork, Black, 34, 84, 90,

, Marabou, 33, 84.

, White, 34, 50, 83, 89, 92.

Streaked Crake, 32.
Stripe-bellied Pipit, 10.
Strixjlamvieci maculata, 39.
Sugar-bircl, Natal Long-tailed, 40.
Sula capensis, 82.
Sunbird, Great Double-collared, 40.

, Lesser Double-collared, 13.

, Little Olive, 13.

, Malachite, 46,

Swallows, 50.

, European, 41, 91.

, Larger Stripe-breasted, 41, 92.

, Smaller Stripe-breasted, 4, 92.

, White, 50.

, throated, 4.1, 91.

Swee \Va.xbill, 44.

Swift, African White-ruuiped, 41,

. , Black, 41.

, White-bellied, 41.

Sycobrotus oicolur, 97.

Sycohrotus yregalis, 97.
Sylvia simplex, 47.
Syrnium ivoodfordi, 70.

Tambourine Dove, 2.
Tantalus ibis, 33, 84.
Tawny-flanked Wren- Warbler, 15.

headed Grass-Warbler, 40.

Pipit, 45.

Tchitrea perspicillata, 42.

plumheiceps, 4, 5.

Teal, Hottentot, 27.

, Ped-billed, 26.

Tern, Whiskered, 24.
Tetrapteryx paradisea, 51 .
27ialassoniis leuconotus, 25.
Thamnolcea bifasciata, 47.
Theristicus hagedash, 33.
Thicknee, Cape, 30.
Three-banded Plover, 30.
Thrush, Cape Rock-, 47.

, Sentinel Rock-, 47.

Totanus ylareola, 30.

ylottis, 90.

littorms, 30.

piiynux, 30.

staynatilis, .30.

Touracou, Ross's, 5-1.
Trac/iyphoims cafer, 69, 75.
Tree-Pipit, 13.
Trek-Duiker, 81.
Tringa ferruyinea, 31.

minuta, 31.

Tr illy aides Jiypoleucos, 31.
Trogun, Naiina, 3, 77.
Turacus corythaix, 39, 72.

livinystonei, 72.

Tuniix lepurana, 32.

nana, 53.

Turnstone, 29.
Turtur capicola, 36.

tropicus, 66.

seniitorquatus, 2, 30, 6G.

NAME INDEX.

101)

Turtur seneyalensis, 06.
Tympanistria tympaaisti-ia, 2.

U.

Upupa afrieana, 49.
Urobracliya u.villarls, 43.

Vidua Serena., 44, 53.
Vinayo dclalandci, 66.

orientalis, 06.

Vulture, GritFon, 36.
, Hooded, 68.

W.

Wagtail, Cape, 44.
AVaiidering Albatross, 24.
Warbler, African Keed-, 47.

, Babbling Reed-, 22, 46.

, Bar-breaated, 17.

, Oax^e Wren-, 47.

. , Fun-tailed Keed-, 46.

, Garden-, 47.

, Great llee(i-, 46.

, Grey -backed Grass-, 46.

, Grass-, 14.

, Levaillant's Grass-, 46.

, Marsh-, 47.

, Natal Grass-, 13.

, Tawuy-flanked Wren-, 15.

^ headed Grass-, 46.

, Keed-, 16.

, Wren Grass-, 46.

Water Dikkop, Uo.
Wattled Crane, 31.

Starling, 42.

Waxbill, Blue-headed, 22.

, Swee, 44.

Weaver, Olive, 43.

, Spotted-backed, 43.

Wheatear, Capped, 48.
AVhiskered Tern, 24.

Whistling Duck, 27.
White-backed Duck, 25.

bellied Swift, 41.

breasted Cormorant, 24, 81.

eye, Green, 46.

faced Duck, 27,

• -headed Hawk, (59.

necked Kaven, 42.

-ringed Pheasant, 67.

Stork, 34, 50, 83, 89, 92.

Swallow, 50.

throated Swallow, 41, 91.

Widow Bird, Pin-tailed, 44.

, Ked-collared, 43.

, shouldered, 43.

Wigeon, Cape, 27.
Willow-Wren, 47, 91.
Wood Ibis, 33, 84.

Sandpiper, 30.

Woodpecker, Bearded, 76.

, Cardinal, 39.

, Ground, 39.

, Malherbe's, 75.

Wren Grass- Warbler, 46.

Warbler, Cape, 47.

, Tawny-flanked, 15.

, Willow-, 47, 91.

X.

Xipliidioptenis albiceps, 63.

Y.

Yellow-billed Duck, 26.

Egret, 35, 87.

Kite, 37.

breasted Pipit, 44.

-streaked Bulbul, 11.

tufted Pipit, 22.

Zambesi Purple-crested Lourie, 72,
Zosterojis virens, 46.

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IV. Obituary: Captain Boyd Alexander 48

V. Occasional Notes 60

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Portuguese East Africa. By Austin Robeuts 57

IX. A Further Note on the Mandibular Hook of the Honey-Guide. By

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X. The Blacli-tailed Godwit {Limosa limosa, Linn.) in Natal. By E. C.

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XI. Bird Notes from East London, Cape ProTince. Part I. By John Wood. 80

XIL Migration Report 1909-1911 89

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Name Index 99

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