, \\v\seuni of \, >.^ ^ J,^IT 3!^:Di^;G A^n TO ^EDoCE FU:^THER DETER i- OPATIO:. NOTES THE BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND AND THE ADJACENT COUNTRIES OP SOUTH-WEST AFRICA. BY THE LATE CHARLES JOHN ANDERSSON. AUTHOR OF '■ LAKE NGAMI ' AND OF ' THE OKAVANGO RIVF.R. AERANGED AND EDITED BY JOHN HENRY GURNEY, WITH SOME ADDITIONAL NOTES BY THE EDITOR, AND AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER CONTAINING A SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE, ABRIDGED FROM THE ORIGINAL PUBLISHED IN SWEDEN. LONDON: JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW MDCCCLXXTI. AXEIIE Y FLAMMAM. rRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, UF.I> LION COrilT, FLKF.T RTUKKT. INTEODUCTOEY CHAPTEE, BY THE EDITOR, INCLUDING A BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR (TRANSLATED FROM THE SWEDISH). In introducing to the public the following ornithological notes by my late friend Charles John Andersson, I purpose, in the first instance, to lay before my readers a short biographical sketch of Mr. Andersson^s career which appeared in a Swedish periodical, the ' Svenska Jagarforbundets nya Tidskrift ' for 1868, and for a translation of which I am indebted to my valued friend L. Lloyd, Esq., of Gothenburgh. The details given in this sketch will enable the reader to judge of the circumstances under which Mr. Andersson made his ornithological observations, and will be followed by some remarks, in the form of a preface, relating chiefly to the mode which I have adopted in arranging the results of those observations as contained in his MS. notes, for the purpose of publication in the present volume. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Charles John Andersson was born in Wermelandf in 1827, was educated at the public high school in Wenersborg, and was afterwards a student at the University of Lund for a single term. In early life he evinced a great passion for the chase, natural history, and travel, ^ * * ^ -^ and, according to what he himself relates, his aspirations were at an early period turned towards the deserts of Africa. t A province of Sweden. «2 iv INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. In 1849 he may be said to have commenced his travels. Towards the end of that year he proceeded to England to dispose of many specimens (living and dead) of natural history that he had for some time past been collecting, pui'posing thereby to raise sufficient funds to enable him to visit distant countries. His most ardent wish, as mentioned above, was to proceed to Africa ; but this project he, for the time, was obliged to forego, as the cost of such an expedition quite exceeded his means. Already, indeed, he had determined on visiting Iceland, when an altogether unexpected circumstance enabled him to carry into execution his original and favourite scheme. David Livingstone had in 1849 commenced his wonderful discoveries in Africa. By means of the Kalahari desert he found his way to the " Lake Ngami," which had long previously been ascertained to exist, but to which no European had then pene- trated, thereby making known to the world that to the north of South-western Africa lay a well-watered country, rich in vege- table and animal life, and especially in elephants. This intelH- gence, which promised so well for the naturalist, the man of business, and the hunter, created in England and elsewhere the greatest sensation. Amongst those seized with a desire to follow in the track of Li\ingstone Avas Francis Galton, who, as early as the first months of 1850, began to make preparations for a journey to " Ngami.^' Andersson met with this gentleman in London ; and it was soon arranged between them that they should travel in company, Galton agreeing to bear all the ex- penses of the journey. The needful outfit completed, Galton and Andersson sailed from England in the month of April 1850, and arrived at the Cape the following June. From thence, in the commencement of August, they proceeded by sea to Walvisch Bay, on the south-west coast, which they reached towards the end of the month. The starting-point of their projected journey was the missionary station of Sclieppmansdorf, situated some twentv INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. v miles to the eastward of the bay in question. Galton was desi- rous that their little expedition should be thoroughly well equipped in every respect — more especially as regarded draft- and saddle-oxen, svhich were not to be had thereabouts, the Damaras in that part of the country being as poor in regard to cattle as in every thing else. The first journey of the travellers into the interior was, therefore, chiefly for the purpose of pur- chasing oxen trained as well to the saddle as to the yoke. During this excursion they were exposed to all the hardships and inconveniences that usually follow a wandering life in South- western Africa — namely, burning heat, extreme thirst, worn-out draft-oxen, and attacks by lions, which either devoured their horses and cattle, or drove them to a distance from the en- campment. After several days^ journey thi'ough Namaqua Land, and when they had reached the confines of that country, they arrived at the missionary station of Richterfeldt. Here they succeeded in procuring from Hans Larsen, a Dane, who was resident there, the requisite number of oxen, as also in inducing him to accompany them during their future wanderings. This was the greatest good fortune that travellers, unaccustomed to life in the wilderness, could have met with ; for, independently of his having a perfect knowledge of the country, he could turn his hand to almost any thing — as for example, to train oxen either for riding or draft, repairing a waggon when needful, the dis- covery of water in the desert, &c. He was, moreover, a hunter of the first order, and possessed of herculean strength, an iron constitution, and a sang-froid that nothing could move. Andersson, indeed, admits that he and Galton could with diffi- culty have traversed the wilderness had they not been accom- panied by Hans. They now retraced their steps to Scheppmansdorf. The last preparations for the journey into the interior were made ; and on the 13th of November they set forward. It had thus taken vi INTllODUCTOllY CHAPTER. some three months from their first landing in Walvisch Bay to get all things in proper order. Their course in the first instance was directed to Richterfeldt, from whence they made an excursion in a south-easterly direction to Barmen^ another missionary station, at a distance of some days' journey from Richterfeldt. On their return Andersson had his first serious adventure with a lion. At a short distance he had shot at the beast and lodged a ball in its body, when, finding itself wounded, it faced about and prepared to attack him. Andersson fell on one knee in readiness to fire his second barrel, but, being unable to obtain a proper view of its head, he delayed discharging his gun. The beast in the meanwhile suddenly made its spring, but, happily, overshot its mark, and passed clean over its opponent. With good reason Andersson called his escape " a lucky " one, as when making its bound the lion seldom miscalculates the distance. Some few days after the above occurrence the beast in question was found dead, and that at only a short distance from the scene of conflict. From one cause or another their movements were slow. It was not before the beginning of March 1851 that Galton and Andersson left Schmelen's Hope, situated near the river Swakop, to set out in good earnest on their journey of discovery. Their first ])lan of visiting Ngami had been abandoned, because Galton determined on proceeding to another and nearer lake (the Oman- bonde), of which he had received wonderful accounts from the natives. After somewhat more than a month's travel through part of Damara Land never previously explored, they reached the lake in question, which bitterly disappointed the expectations of both travellers. A dricd-up mere, altogether without water, aljout an ]<]nglish mile in length, and partly overgrown with reeds, was the only reward for months of labour and anxiety. After a short sojourn at this so-called lake, in the vicinity of which Andersson had, for the first time, the pleasure of seeing INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. vii tracks of the elephant, the travellers resolved on attempting to make their way to Ovampo Land, the nearest country to the northward, of which, and of its inhabitants, the Damaras had given them extraordinary descriptions. Their route lay through a wild and desolate country, of which they were the first to give an account. On the way it unfor- tunately happened that the axle-tree of their waggon snapped asunder, which compelled them to leave the vehicle, together with a number of their people, behind, and to prosecute the re- mainder of their journey with saddle- and pack-oxen. In the beginning of May they arrived at Ovampo, the resi- dence of Nangoro, the chief or king ; and, during a six weeks' stay there, Andersson had opportunity to make his observations on the country and its inhabitants. It was a question if they should extend their explorations to the not far-distant Cunene River, then all but unknown ; but, partly owing to the disabled state of their oxen, and partly to the many difficulties thrown in the way by the natives, this project was given up, and nothing remained for them but to retrace their steps to the disabled waggon that had been left under the charge of Hans, and which, during their absence, he had succeeded in repairing; and from thence they proceeded to the missionary station of Barmen, which they reached in the beginning of August. Galton was now wearied out with the inconveniences attendant on the life of a traveller, and determined on proceeding to Europe by the first opportunity that offered from Walvisch Bay. As, however, no vessel was expected there until December, and they consequently had several months at their disposal, they deter- mined on making an excursion to the eastward, where game was reported to be much more abundant than in the countries they had hitherto traversed. After a fatiguing journey the travellers arrived on the 3rd of October at Tunobis, where Andersson for the first time became viii INTRODUCTORY CJI AFTER. cHvarc of the riches of the African animal world. Here was found, he says, an incredible number of wild animals ; and he mentions, as an instance, that he, together with others, killed, in the course of a few days, thirty rhinoceroses, and that he him- self, M-hen quite alone, shot in one night no fewer than eight of those beasts, consisting of three diflercnt species, together with other large game. After they had hunted to their hearts' content at Tunobis they returned to Walvisch Bay, where Galton, in the early part of 1852, engaged his passage in a ship bound for England, taking with him at the same time Andersson^s collection of specimens of natural history, amongst which were the skins of about five hundred birds. The plan abandoned by Galton of penetrating from the west- ward to Ngami was now taken up by Andersson. This, never- tlieless, required a considerable outfit; and although Galton furnished him with many needful supplies, there were many more of which he stood in need. His waggon and such other things as he thought he could do without, he therefore exchanged for cattle, and with these proceeded by land to Cape Town, where he disposed of them, and with the proceeds purchased goods to barter with the natives, scientific instniments, and other requisites. Prior to parting with Hans at Walvisch Bay it should be remarked he had entered into partnership with him, they agreeing to share alike in any profits that might accrue in the barter trade which they purposed carrying on with the tribes in the interior. These preparations for his intended journey occupied Andersson a whole year : and therefore it was not before the end of January 1 H')^ that he returned by sea to Walvisch Bay. Tn the month of May we find liini again at Tunobis, the most easterly point previously reached by him when in company with Galton ; but, to the great chagrin and disappointment both of himself and of INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. ix his numerous and half-starved followers, no game was then to be found at that place. During his stay there Andersson made disagreeable acquaint- ance with one of the deep pit-falls dug by the natives for the capture of large game, into which he and his horse tumbled headlong, but from which, happily, both rider and steed extri- cated themselves without very serious injury. In consequence of the information Andersson received from the Damaras as to the difficulty of proceeding further with waggons, he left these vehicles at Tunobis and proceeded on his journey to the eastward with pack- and saddle-oxen. The supply of game now became abundant. At Kobis, one of the nearest stations to Ngami, Andersson had, he himself tells us, his surfeit of shooting. On this and many other occasions he adopted a system of hunting that in South-west Africa, during the dry season, is especially successful, namely, to lie in ambush at night near to some pool. During the daytime the larger animals are dispersed over a wide tract of country, some- times of many miles in extent ; but at night they resort to the water to quench their thirst ; and if at such times the hunter knows his business he has the opportunity of obtaining much large game. These night hunts, however, are attended with greater peril than those by day. Andersson was accustomed to ensconce himself in a so-called skarm or screen — that is, a small circular enclosure six or eight feet in diameter, the walls usually consisting of loose stones, being about two feet in height ; but this afforded him scarcely any protection, and he must besides, if he would count on a sure shot, allow the beast to approach to within a few paces before firing. We believe that the hunter is never so unprotected against savage animals as in such nocturnal combats. Andersson, indeed, on the first night of his stay at Kobis, was on three several occasions in imminent peril of his life. First came an elephant without his being aware of its approach, and with loAvered trunk stood directly X INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. over him ; that he could save himself as he did by throwing himself backwards on to the ground, and discharging his piece upwards at random is what could ouly happen once in a thou- sand times. A while afterwards he shot at and wounded a black rhinoceros; and when subsequently he left the skarm to look after another of those animals he had fired at and struck, he was fiercely attacked by the first rhinoceros, cast headlong to the earth, and had his right thigh ripped up. Lastly, when at sunrise he attempted to aid his boy, Kamapyu, who, whilst searching for his master, Avas attacked by the same beast, Andersson again escaped death as by a miracle ; for just as he was on the point of being impaled on its sharp horn, the rhinoceros fell dead from its numerous wounds. For such a rapid succession of hair-breadth escapes it would be difficult to find a parallel. A few days afterwards Andersson arrived at Lake Ngami, — " The object of my ambition," he writes"^, " for a number of * ' Lake Ngami,' p. 431. Mr. Andersson adds to the passage quoted hi the text the following characteristic reflections : — " The first sensation occasioned by this sight was very curious. Long as I had been prepared for the event, it now almost overwhelmed me. It was a mixture of pleasure and pain. JNIy temples throbbed and my heart beat so violently that I was obliged to dismount, and lean against a tree for sup- port, until the excitement had subsided. The reader will no doubt think that thus giving way to my feelings was very chUdish ; but * those who know that the first glimpse of some great object which we have read or dreamt of from earliest recollection is ever a moment of intensest enjoyment, wiU forgive the transport.' I felt unfeignedly thankful for the unbounded goodness and gracious assistance which I had experienced from Providence throughout the whole of this prolonged and perilous journey. My trials had been many ; but, my dearest aspirations being attained, the difliculties were all forgotten. And here I could not avoid passing my previous life in review. I liad penetrated into deserts almost unknown to civilized man ; had suffered the extremity of hunger and thirst, cold and heat, and had undergone desperate toil, sometimes nearly in solitude, and often without shelter during dreary nights in vast wildernesses haunted by beasts of prey. My companions were mostly savages. I was exposed to numerous perils by land and by water, and endured torments from wounds inflicted by Avild animals; but I was mercifully preserved by the Creator through the manifold •dangers that hovered round my path. To Ilim are duo all homage, thanks- giving, and adoration." INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xi years, and for which I had forsaken home and friends, and staked my Ydc." Though he had so far succeeded, yet after all, he had only reached the starting-point of his explorations, Livingstone and Oswell having four years previously proceeded thus far. His ardent desire was to follow up discoveries which with them ended here, and as a naturalist and geographer to explore the lake. He therefore commenced the ascent of the Teoughe, a river that falls into Lake Ngami, where he found a vegetable and animal kingdom far exceeding in richness any thing he had previously met with in Africa. It was here that Andersson had first an opportunity of hunting the buffalo ; and it was here he also met with the remarkable Tsetse-fly {Glossina morsitans) , whose bite is fatal to domesticated horned cattle, horses, and sheep, but perfectly innocuous to animals in a wild state. In many districts, indeed, the fly prevents the keeping of other tame animals than the ass and the goat ; and it at the same time presents an almost insurmountable obstacle to journeys of discovery, the traveller losing both his saddle- and draft-oxen shortly after entering countries infested by this pernicious insect. Andersson was not permitted to penetrate very far to the north of Ngami. For his supplies he was altogether dej)endent on the chief of the district he was traversing ; and when he had proceeded eleven short days' journey up the Teoughe, all further support was withdrawn from him. He could neither obtain a boat, people, nor a guide, and was therefore compelled to return the way he came to the lake — a sad result of his labours, more especially as a rich and new field of discovery lay before him. More than once subsequently his projects were frustrated owing to similar obstacles being thrown in his way by the natives. Andersson, during his sojourn at Ngami, devoted much of his time to studying the habits of the people and to researches in his favourite pursuit, natural history, and was thus enabled to make a large collection of zoological specimens. xii INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. When at length a waggon was required to convey these to the Cape, together with a large quantity of ivory which he had collected, he set off for Namaqua Land, accompanied by a single attendant, to procure one of these vehicles. It was a hurried journey of four months' duration ; and probably neither on any former or subsequent occasion did he suffer more from hunger, thirst, the burning rays of the sun, and over fatigue than he did on this journey. Bearing in mind all these hard- ships and sufferings, which, thanks to the elasticity of his spirit and his still unbroken strength of body, he was happily enabled to endure, one cannot Avonder at his exclaiming, in the words of a former traveller, "To journey in Africa requires the endu- rance of a camel and the strength of a lion.'' This little expedition was not without its sporting results. One night he chanced to fall asleep in his skarm, when his mind became impressed with a confused sense of danger : whilst between sleeping and waking he could not make out the nature of the peril ; but on coming fully to himself he distinctly heard the breathing of an animal immediately near his place of con- cealment, and a sound somewhat resembling the pui'ring of a cat. A lion had crept close up to him as quietly as possibJe, but still not unnoticed by his dangerous neighbour. Andersson seized his gun, which was lying ready close by his side, aimed at the dark mass before him, and fired. The beast's roai'ings and convulsive movements showed plainly that the ball had told. It was not, however, until daylight that Andersson ventured forth from the skiirm to ascertain the effect of his shot, when lie found, to his great satisfaction, the lion lying dead at no great distance. In the early part of 1854 Andersson repaired to Cape Town, and shortly afterwards visited Europe, where he published his well known work ' Lake Ngami.' At the end of 1856 he was back again at the Cape, for the purpose, as previously agreed ujjon, of joining his friend Frederick (irecn in an expedition INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xiii intended as well for hunting as for the exploration of the river Cunene. As, however^ that gentleman was then absent in the interior of Damara Land (in company with the late Mr. Wahlberg, who was shortly afterwards killed by an infuriated elephant) ^ and was not expected to return for some time, Andersson undertook the superintendence of some recently discovered copper-mines on the confines of Namaqua Land ; and when therefore his friend returned to the Cape, which was much sooner than had been anticipated, and set oflP on the journey to the Cunene, he was unable to accompany him — a circumstance which at the time caused much annoyance to Andersson, but which, as the event proved, was little to be regretted, as, owing to the enmity of the Ovampo, the expedition proved altogether unsuccessful. But at the expiration of a year, the mines in question having proved a failure, Andersson was free from his engagement ; and he then determined on attempting to carry out the object that Green had failed in accomplishing. In March 1858 he started from Objimbinque, situated on the river Swakop, which subsequently became his chief residence, after having by his own great exertions and the kind assistance he received from the missionaries fortunately succeeded in pro- curing the needful outfit. The course he took, which was through Western Damara Land, was not perhaps the most favourable, as he had to traverse a country where both game and water were known to be scarce ; but it was shorter than the eastern route, and he hoped for the best. For two months the expedition moved forward, though but slowly, owing partly to the rough nature of the ground and the dense brakes through which they were often obliged to cut their way with the axe, and partly to the frequent detours they were compelled to make in search of water. They persevered, never- theless, and at length reached the Ovatjionba country, where they procured guides, who, however, soon lost themselves in the xiv TNTRODUCTORY CHAPTEli. desert. They had been two days without water ; and though the guides were threatened with death, they were unable to direct them to the precious liquid. On the third day Andcrsson and his people separated, and searched in different directions for water ; but not a single drop was to be found in the then totally burnt-up country. To escape, therefore, from perishing l)y thirst no other alternative was left them but to retrace their steps, which they commenced doing without further delay ; and at length, worn out with fatigue and languishing for water, of which they had then been destitute for six whole days, the caravan found its way back to Okova fountain. Andcrsson now saw the impossibility of proceeding through western Damara Land to the river Cunene. He nevertheless did not give up the project of penetrating to that river, and only altered his plans so far as to proceed in an easterly direc- tion, where it was known that running water was to be met Math. Shortly afterwards, however, the waggon broke down and Andcrsson was under the necessity of sending it to Objimbinque for the needful repairs, with orders to the people in charge of it to rejoin the expedition with the vehicle at a distant point on the river Omuramba-Matako ; and subsequently the journey was continued with saddle- and pack-oxen. Game was now met with in abundance, and Andcrsson was very successful in hunting. One day he shot two giraffes, though not aware of having killed more than a single one. It happened thus : — The first he fired at fell within a very short distance ; but as another giraffe started off from the very same spot he imagined it to be the same animal, and pursued it; and it was not until this had also succumbed, that he discovered the mistake. He was now enabled to renew his night hunts. After long fatiguing marches during burning hot days, it was truly no child's play thus to lie out on the watch ; but in this kind oi INTRODUCTORY CHAPTEB. xv chase lie nevertheless took special delight. "A moonlight ambush by a pool well frequented by wild animals/' he writes^, ''is worth all the other modes of enjoying a gun put together. In the first place there is something mysterious and thrilling in finding one's self the secret and unsuspected spectator of the wild movements, habits, and propensities of the denizens of nature's varied and wonderful menagerie — no high feeding, no barred gates, no harsh and cruel keeper's voice having yet enervated, damped, or destroyed the elasticity, buoyancy, and frolicsomness of animal life. And then the intense excitement between each expected arrival ! The distant footstep, now heard distinctly rattling over a rugged surface, now gently vibrating on the strained ear as it treads on softer ground ; it may be that of a small antelope or an elephant, of a wild boar or rhinoceros, of a gnu or a giraffe, of a jackal or a lion. And then what oppor- tunities present themselves of observing the habits and pecu- liarities of each species, and even of individuals, to say nothing of the terrible battles that take place and can so rarely be witnessed in the daytime. I have certainly learnt more of the untamed life of savage beasts in a single night's tableau vivant than during months of toilsome wanderings in the broad light of the sun." By slow stages, during which Andersson had ample opportu- nity of using his rifle, they followed the course of the Matako River, and toward the end of August were rejoined by the people from Objimbinque with the repaired waggon. Andersson, however, derived little benefit from the vehicle ; as it was soon found impossible to drag it through so rough a country as that they were then traversing. For a second time therefore he was obliged to leave it behind, and to proceed as before with saddle- and pack-oxen. On September 16th Andersson reached Omanbonde, the so-called lake with which he made acquaintance on his first * The Okavango River, p. 85. xvi INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. joiirney in Africa, when in company with Galton; bnt it was with peculiar feelings that he re\isited the spot. '' It was now close upon eight years and a half/^ he says*, " since I was first here. Eight years and a half, the fifth part of a man's life in its full vigour ! What was I at the beginning of this period, and what am I now? Where are the once ruddy cheeks? Where is that elasticity of foot and spirit that made me laugh at hardships and dangers? Where that giant health and strength that enabled me to vie with the natives in enduring the extremes of heat and cold ? Gone ! gone ! ay, for ever ! The spirit still exists unsubdued ; but what with constant care, anxiety, and exposure, the power of performance has fled, leav- ing but the shadow of my former self. What have I accom- plished during these long years ? what is the result of all this toil, this incessant wear and tear of body and mind? The answer, if candid, must be, apparently, veiy little. This is a sad retrospect of the fifth part of a man's life, whilst still in the pride of manhood. And yet I feel I have not been idle, that I have done as much as any man under similar circumstances could have done ; and so with this poor consolation I must rest content." Omanbonde now contained much more water than when first visited by Andersson ; and, as a consequence, much game was met with in the vicinity, such as the eland, the koodoo, the pallah, the quagga, the elephant, the lion, and the rhino- ceros. During a hunt, however, one of his attendants was unfortunately killed by one of the last-named beasts, that had been previously wounded, which threw a damp over the whole party ; with this exception all Andersson's hunts ended happily, and he was enabled to supply his numerous and hungry fol- lowers with abundance of food. He himself lived sumptuously. ''One day"t, he says, "I dined on beef-steak, on lion, and hump ' de rhinoceros,' done in the ashes * * * * I had never * Tln' Okflvniipo Kivcr, p. 113. t Ibid. p. 1.".0. INTEODUCTORY CHAPTER, xvii before partaken of lion's flesh, but found it very palatable and juicy, not unlike veal, and very white. Rhinoceros-hump was a frequent and favourite dish of mine." The stay of the expedition at Omanbonde was somewhat long, because Andersson, prior to plunging into an unknown country, wished to send to Objimbinque the large quantity of ivory he had collected, and to await the return of the messengers. It was therefore not until the commencement of January 1859 that he broke up the encampment and again set forward, but this time with the waggon in company. During the journey, they came to a district where elephants very greatly abounded, " T had often heard the natives say, on being questioned as to the haunts of these animals," writes Andersson^, "that in certain localities they walked about as thick as cattle ; but never till now had I been able to verify this apparently exaggerated statement. I did so at present ; for the whole country in the neighbourhood of the vley (or piece of water) lately referred to, with the adjacent plain, was literally one network of elephant footprints. The trees and bushes, moreover, were so broken that one might fairly suppose a large army had just traversed the veldt. During the daytime they were not visible, but at night their shrill trumpetings would frequently startle us from our sleep. If, instead of exploring, I had turned my attention exclusively to elephant-hunting, I might have had magnificent sport, and profit too. The temptation was strong, but I considered it ignoble, however great the allurements I had to resist, to swerve from a predetermined purpose for the sake of gain and personal gratification." At length, and after a long and fatiguing journey, Andersson reached, not the Cunene as he had intended, but another considerable river, the Okavango, which may be looked on as the greatest of his geographical discoveries, and the name of which serves as a title to the second of his published works. Having so long struggled through deep * The Okavango River, p. 175. xviii INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. sandy wastes, a broken country, and tangled underwood, it was a magnificent sight to him thus, in the heart of the continent, to view a noble stream, at least 1200 feet in breadth, but which, to his astonishment, he found to flow to the eastward instead of to the westward. His ardent desire was now to follow up this mighty discovery ; but the same adverse fate that had already more than once mocked his best endeavours even now crossed his path. He and nearly all his people were suddenly struck down with a dangerous fever, to Avhich several of them shortly succumbed ; and even when he himself began slowly to recover, many of his followers were still on the brink of the grave. He could not, therefore, longer hesitate in retreating from this most interesting, but to him most melancholy region. "To linger w^here I was," writes he*, "seemed certain death; and any visions of futm'e success I might still entertain were too remote to justify me in so fearfully imperilling the lives of my fellow creatures. A precipitate retreat appeared therefore quite imperative. It cost, nevertheless, a severe struggle between duty and ambition before I could resolve upon it. I obeyed at last the monitions of conscience, and bade, with a sigh, farewell to the pursuit of fame and glory for ever. That this act of self-renunciation was not determined on without acute pangs it would be useless to deny. After such toils ! such hardships ! such sacrifices ! and with the prospect of a final crowning success just daAvning on me, it may well be imagined that I turned my back on the land of promise with drooping spirits and a heavy heart." Andersson was thus unable to ascertain the further course of the Okavango — not even whether, as is most probable, it is con- nected with the river-system of the Lake Ngami; so far as we know this problem remains still unsolved. On their return journey, which commenced in the beginning of June, and during which but slow progress was made, owing • Tho Okavanpo River, p. 218. INTB OD UCTOB Y CHAPTER. xix to the weak state to which they were all reduced by fever, new difficulties arose. After proceeding five or six days in a southerly direction, Andersson was compelled to command a halt in consequence of intelligence having reached him, through parties he had sent forward to reconnoitre, that the country in front was untraversable owing to the scarcity of water; and sub- sequently information of a still more serious nature was brought him namely, that an attack on his encampment was imminent on the part of the Ovampo (the tribe that in 1857 made an onslaught on Green and his party). Stuck fast, so to say, as Andersson now was in the wilderness, his situation about the middle of November was very critical. Fortunately the Ovampo had taken a long time in making their preparations ; and intelligence of their murderous intentions in regard to Andersson had in the meantime reached Green, then on his return from an expedition to the eastward of the Ngami. On learning there their evil designs, this gentleman instantly resolved on proceeding to the assistance of his friend, or, in the worst event, of avenging his death. That his movements might be more rapid he separated from his companions and started off all but alone ; and though the dangers and difficulties of the route were great, they were overcome, and the travellers had once more the pleasure of embracing each other. It now only remained to gain Green's encampment ; for when their forces were united it was hardly probable the Ovampo would venture on an attack, as the prospect of success would then be small indeed. Without delay, therefore, Andersson broke up his camp, and commenced the march. They had, however, a five days' march before them through a fearful desert, but succeeded in accomplishing it without accident of any kind. "For that while''*, says Andersson, "we had little to satisfy hunger or thirst. Its happy issue was, under Providence, * The Okavango River, p. 246. b2 XX INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. mainly o-n-ing to the cheerful cooperation and indefatigable exertion of Green. Nothing less than his energy could have given us so prompt and, comparatively, so cheap a success/' "Without any thing remarkable occurring our travellers after- wards proceeded in company to Objimbinque, which they reached in safety. * •'«• * -J^- Arrived at Objimbinque, Andersson occupied himself in pre- paring for the press his second work, 'The Okavango River/ and afterwards proceeded to the Cape, where, in 1861, he was married to Miss Aitchison. His health being now much impaired, owing to the hardships he had undergone during his several journeys, and more es- pecially by the fever he caught near the river Okavango, there was no longer a possibility of his resuming a wandering Inniter's life. He therefore determined on devoting himself to trading- pursuits, for which purpose he settled at Objimbinque, where he provided the native and other hunters with what they needed for the chase, and received from them in return ivory, ostrich- feathers, and cattle. At first he prospered, but after a time, owing to a deadly feud between the Damaras and Namaquas, the tide turned against him. Andersson, who dwelt in the country of the former, took their part and assisted them both by word and deed. The Namaquas, to revenge themselves on him, seized his convoys one after the other, and at length, with arms in their hands, made an attack on Objimbinque; Andersson, who had put himself at the head of the Damaras, was wounded during the battle that ensued, by a ball that shattered one of his knees — and being deserted by his cowardly Damara allies, with difficulty saved his life. His wound confined him long to his bed, and ultimately rendered him a crip])le for the remainder of his days. Some months afterwards lie repaired to Cape Town, where he chiefly occupied himself in the composition of a new work, entitled " The Avifauna of South-west Africa." Duriu"; his manv vears' INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xxi abode there he had devoted much of his time aud attention to this object ; and numerous beautiful drawings of birds, principally from specimens in his own collection, were made by himself and by his friend, the well-known traveller and artist Mr. Baines, for the illustration of his intended work. * * * * In May 1866, Andersson again returned to Damara Land, and resumed his barter-trade with the natives and others. But, as the Namaquas continued their persecutions, he determined, with his usual indomitable resolution (although then a cripple, and although his constitution was fairly broken down), on making a journey to the Cunene for the purpose of ascertaining if further to the northward a suitable locality for a trading- station might be found, where he Avould at least be free from the robberies of his enemies. Accompanied by a young Swede named Axel Ericson, Andersson, in May 1867, left Objimbinque and set off on this long and perilous journey; and though he was then so worn out as hardly to be able to sit on his horse, he, together with several followers, succeeded, though deserted by his native guide, in reaching the river in question. Hardly had he arrived there, however, before his illness became so serious as to cause him to determine on retracing his steps. But it was not ordained that he should ever again rejoin his friends ; for on his way through Ovampo Land, on July 5th, 1867, his eyes were closed in death; and in the country of the tribe Wagaambi his remains were interred in a sand-hill by his Swedish friend and follower Axel Ericson. As an appropriate supplement to the foregoing biographical sketch, I may here add an interesting extract from the annual address of the Chairman of the Cape-Town Public Library for the year 1868 :— " Whilst Livingstone and others have been upraising the xxii INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. veil which has so long obscured South-eastern Africa, Charles John Anclerssou and others have been performing similar work lor South-western Africa : Andersson, in his quiet;, modest, but most persistent and (considering all the difficulties and obstacles he had to encounter), I will add, heroic manner, has made us as familiar with the maps of Damara Land and Ovampo Land and onwards towards the Cunene, as with those of the Free State, or Natal, or the Cape Colony itself. What could be more touching than the record of his last fatal journey, told so well a few mouths ago by his friend and fellow- explorer Mr. Frederick Green ? There amid the wilds of On- donga, tended only by his faithful servant, baffled and prostrate, he calmly prepared himself to die ; and, after farewell thoughts of his wife and children and home, he begged to have read to him the Psalms in his native Swedish, which in childhood he had learnt, and which in the supreme moment were now his consolation and his stay. The University of Lund have only by this last mail conferred on him the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, a fitting acknowledg- ment of the service he has rendered to the march of civilization and of science; but months before, he had already passed beyond the reach of earthly distinction, and finished a career which will, however, still give honour to his memory as one of the best and bravest of the pioneers of progress in South Africa. I speak of him as I knew him ; and I could not make mention of his name at all without offering this tribute at once of warm affection and high esteem." The extract above cited fitly closes the narrative of Charles John Andersson's career ; and I will only add to it the expression of my persuasion that he was one of whom it may with truth be said that he habitually " Looked through Nature, up to Nature's God," thus cultivating a tone of thought which most eflcctually en- INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xxiii hances the delight of studying the works of the Almighty Creator, who has stamped upon the face of nature the impress of his own infinity, and of whom we are assured that " his tender mercies are over all his works " *, and that before him not even one Sparrow "is forgotten" f- J. H. G. (1872). * Psalm cxlv. ver. 9. t Luke, ch. xii. ver. 6. PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. The four hundred and twenty eight species of birds enumerated in the following pages have been observed either as residents, as migrants, or as accidental visitors in that part of South-western Africa of which Damara Land is the central portion, but which also comprises Ovampo Land to the north, the district adjacent to Lake Ngami to the north-east, a portion of the Kalahari Desert to the south-east. Great and Little Naraaqua Land to south, and the coast and adjacent islets of the Atlantic to the west. All the species included in this volimie have been identified by myself from an examination of specimens obtained in the above-mentioned countries, except in those cases where the contrary is specifically mentioned^. The specimens so identified were chiefly contained in the collection left by Mr. Andersson at his decease, and subsequently sent to London for the purpose of being disposed of; but some were seen by me in other collections of Mr. Andersson's which reached England in previous years. In this work of identification I have been exceedingly in- debted to the assistance of my friends Mr. R. B. Sharpe, Mr. J. E. Harting, M. Jules Verreaux, Mr. Layard, my late much-regretted friend Mr. G. R. Gray, and other eminent ornithologists, whose kind aid is more particularly acknow- ledged in the following pages. To the two first-named * A memorandum to the above effect, however, was accidentally omitted in the case of C%rcus maurns and of Circus ranivorus, pp. 33 and 34. xsvi EDITORS PREFACE. gentlemen I am under especial obligation for a free access to tlieir rich collections, as well as for much valuable informa- tion ; and, indeed, but for the help of my friend ]\Ir. Sharpe, I should have despaired of effecting a satisfactory identification of many of the smaller insessorial species ; but with the aid which I have received, this has, I believe, been accomplished with considerable accuracy. Most of Mr. Andersson's specimens were numbered by him as they were obtained ; and many of these numbers corresponded with memoranda in his note-book, which greatly facilitated the work of identification. By far the gi'cater number of the species referred to in the following pages were obtained by Mr. Andersson himself; but a few which he did not meet with, but which have been satisfactorily ascertained on other authority to have occurred within the districts to which the present volume refers, are here included, for the purpose of making the entire catalogue of the birds known to inhabit these countries as complete as possible. Mr. Andersson^s notes as here given, have been extracted partly from his rough note-book and partly from the MS. (which he had partially prepared at the time of his decease) for his projected work on the avifauna of South-western Africa, to both which documents I have had full access by the kind permission of Mr. Andersson^s widow. To have given the whole of these MSS. in full would have extended the present work to a very inconvenient size ; and I ha>c therefore only extracted such portions as appeared to me to embody Mr. Andersson's personal and original observations. The operation of combining these extracts into a consecutive account has made it necessary to have recourse to some verbal emendations ; but I have endeavoured scrupulously to avoid any alterations which could in any degree vary the meaning of the author. EDITOR'S PREFACE. xxvii Mr. Andersson^s MSS. contained minute descriptions of tlie plumage of most of tlie birds of South-west Africa -, but to have introduced these into the present volume would have unduly- increased its bulk ; and their introduction is the less requisite as, probably, almost all ornithologists who may peruse these pages are possessed of Mr. Layard's most useful ' Catalogue of the Birds of South Africa/ where a sufficient description of each species will readily be found. I have, however, transcribed Mr. Andersson^s account of the colouring of those parts which fade after death, in all cases where he has recorded these particulars from the examination of freshly killed specimens ; and I have also inserted descriptions of plumage in a few instances where it has appeared to me desirable to do so. Of the measurements of such newly killed specimens as Mr. Andersson has recorded, I have given examples in the case of all those species in respect of which he has also recorded the sex of the individuals measured. For the nomenclature and arrangement of the species con- tained in this volume Mr. Andersson is not answerable; that duty having fallen to my lot as editor, I am responsible for the manner in which it has been carried out. The generic and the specific names are, for the most part, those used in Gray's ' Hand-list of Birds;' but I have not scrupled to deviate from that high authority in some cases in which it appeared to me that adequate reasons existed for making such a deviation. I have not intercalated in the text the names of the various subfamilies, but such of them as appear to me to have a sound and natural foundation are given in the preliminary table of species at the commencement of the volume. I have not attempted to give a full synonymy of each species ; but I have given a reference to Mr. Layard's volume in the case of everv bird recorded in that work, and in the case of other xxv'm EBITOKS PREFACE. species I liavc referred to such authors as have noticed the occurrence of these additional species in Southern Africa. I have alsOj in all cases, referred to those authors who have re- corded the occurrence of any of the birds here mentioned in the countries to which the present volume refers, and occasionally to other authors whose works elucidate questions of interest as to the synonymy or economy of various species referred to in the following pages. I have also given a reference to a figure of each species in all cases where it was known to me that the species had been figured. It may be right to add that certain extracts from Mr. Andersson's ornithological notes have been already published, some ha\dng been contributed by Mr. Andersson to the ornitho- logical appendix to Chapman's 'Travels in South Africa,' and others to the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society' for 1864; but this circumstance, it is apprehended, does not materially diminish the desirableness of preserving in a more complete form the record of the personal observations of so eminent a traveller and so persevering an ornithologist as the late Mr. Andersson imquestionably was. At the commencement of this volume Avill be found a map of Damara Land and the countries adjacent; and at its close a scale of British inches and lines, which latter may be useful to any continental naturalists who have occasion to refer to Mr. Andersson's measurements ; also lithographs of the sternum and larynx of Macharamphus Anderssoni from Mr. Andersson's original drawings. These litliographs are not referred to in tlic article on this very interesting bird of prey, as the original drawings liad been accidentally mislaid, and were not found again until after that article had been printed. A list of the various works referred to in this volume will be found at the end of this preface, as it is thouglit tliat this may prove convenient to readers desirous of consulting any of these authorities. i EDITOR'S PREFACE. xxix The following memorandum from the pen of Mr. Andersson is here inserted as giving some interesting information relating to the nidification and migration of the birds of Damara Land and the neighbouring countries : — '' The pairing-and-breeding season of birds in Damara^ Nama- qua, and parts adjacent depends much, if not entirely, on the falling of the rains ; that is, the breeding-season is late or early according to late or early rains. From November to May is probably the chief period of incubation ; but very many birds pair as early as September : Owls, Bee-eaters, and Grouse are amongst the earliest breeders. ^' Near the sea-coast, or rather those portions of it where the periodical rivers have their embouchures, the breeding-season is somewhat different, or, perhaps it would be more correct to say, occurs later in the year. The cause is simple : rain rarely or never falls in those parts ; and it is not until long after the rivers {having their sources and origin in the distant interior) have subsided that the scanty vegetation recovers from its 'torpor;' and with it returns the insect-life which enables the parent birds to seek and obtain suitable sustenance for their tender broods. ''The moulting-season begins with the return of the wet season. " It is during the rainy time of the year that the greatest variety of birds is to be observed ; for, though all but deserts during the dry season, Damara and Namaqua Land, from their peculiar positions &c., are then a regular paradise to the feathered tribes, the insect- and reptile-life being at that period exceedingly prolific. Swarms of migratory Hawks and Kites may then be observed in pursuit of the myriads of Termites which at this season infest the air, but at the same time brighten it, as it were, with innumerable silvery dots and streaks as their gorgeous wings and white bodies encounter the fiery sunlight. Here and there a flock of Storks may be observed busily XXX EDITORS PREFACE. chasing the devastating loeusts, or performing graceful gyrations in the air ; and whilst the temporary rain-pools often abound with rare and handsome Waterfowl^ the shores are frequented by the elegant Heron, the lively Sandpiper, the graceful Avocet, and the gorgeous Flamingo. The Atlantic on the west, the Orange River to the south, the Okavango River and the Lake Ngami with the watersheds to the north and east, contri- bute chiefly to these large and varied annual incursions and migrations/^ In conclusion it may be desirable to refer to the synonymy of the Plover which is included in the present volume under the name of Eudromias asiaticus (No. 316), in order to add an ob- servation respecting it, which, as the article upon that species is already printed, cannot be inserted in its proper place. In ' The Ibis ' for 1872, p. 144, Dr. Finsch gives it as his opinion that this Plover should bear the specific name of '' damarensis," proposed for it by Strickland in the ' Contributions to Orni- thology' for 1853, p. 158, it being Dr. Finsch's view that the older specific names of "asiaticus" and "caspius" were intended by their author (Pallas) to apply to the nearly allied species figured by Mr. Harting in 'The Ibis ' for 1870, pi. 6, under the title of Eudromias veredus. The synonymy of both these Plovers is fully discussed in Dr. Finsch's paper above cited, to which, as well as to Mr. Harting's paper in "^The Ibis' for 1870, p. 201, I beg to refer my readers. J. H. G. (1872). ERRATA. Page 13 line 3 /or " preceding " read " succeeding." „ 2GG ,, 14 /or "uncommon" rer/fZ "not uncommon." „ 3(>4 „ 7 oniii " shading lighter on the imier vanes." LIST OF WOEKS REFERRED TO IN THIS VOLUME. Alexander, Sir J. E. Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa. Description of New Species of Birds, by G. R. Waterhoiise. 8vo. London, ] 838. (See also letter W.) Andeesson, C. J. Lake Ngami. 8vo. London, 1856. . The Okavango River. 8vo. London, 1861. Annals and Magazine oe Natural History. 8vo. London (second series), 1848 to 1857. Baines, T. Explorations in South-west Africa. 8vo. London, 1864. Blanford, W. T. Observations on the Geology and Zoology of Abys- sinia. 8vo. London, 1870. Bonaparte, C. L. Conspectus Generum Avium. 8vo. Leyden, 1850. . Iconographie des Pigeons. Fol. Paris, 1857. BouRJOT St.-H., a. Collection de Perroquets. Fol. Paris and Stras- bourg, 1835 to 1839. Bree, C. R. a History of the Birds of Europe not observed in the British Islands. 8vo. London, 1863 to 1867. BuEFON, G. L. L. DE. Planches Enluminees, Fol. Paris, 1770 to 1786. BuRcnELL, "W. J. Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa in 1811 to 1815. 4to. London, 1822 to 1824. Chapman, J. Travels in the Interior of South Africa. 8vo. London, 1868. CuviER, LE Baron. Le Regne Animal, distribue d'apres son organisa- tion. 8vo. Paris : ed. 1, 1817 ; ed. 2, 1829. Datjdin, F. M. Traite elementaire et complet d'Ornithologie, ou His- toire Naturelle des Oiseaux. 4to. Paris, 1800. xxxii LIST OF WORKS EEFEBliED TO. Decken, Baron C. C. von deb. Reisen in Ost-Afrika. Vol. III. Siiuge- thiere, Viigel, Amphibicn, Crustaceen, Molluskeii, unci Echino- dermen. Bearbcitet W. C. H. Peters, J. Cabanis, F. Hilgendorf, Ed. Villartens und C. Semper. 8vo. Leipzig, 1869. . Ditto. Vol. IV. Viigel Ost-Afrika's. Von 0. Einsch und G. Hartlaub. (See also under letter F.) Svo. Leipzig, 1870. Des Murs, 0. Iconographie Ornithologique. Eol. Paris, 1849. Des Muks, 0., Lefeij\tie, T., and Dillon, Q. Voyage en Abyssinic par unc Commission Scientifique composce de M. Lcfebvre, Lieutenant de Vaisseau, A. Petit et Quartin Dillon, Naturalistes du Museum. Zoologie par 0. Des Murs. Text Svo, Atlas fol. Paris, 1848. Edinbukgh Journal of Natural and Geograpuical Science. Svo. Edinburgh, 1819 to 1831. Edwards, G. Natural History of Birds. 4to. London, 1743 to 1751. . Gleanings of Natural History. 4to. London, 1758 to 1764. Eyton, T. C. Monograph of the Anatida). 4to. London, 1838. Exploration Scientifique de l'Alg^rie pendant les Anne'es 1840, 1841, 1842, publiee par ordre du Gouvernement et avec le concours d'unc Commission Academique. Sciences Physiques, Zoologie. Vol. IV. Fol. Paris, 1849. Finsch, 0., and Hartlaub, G. Die Vogel Ost-Afrika's, in Baron Carl Claus von der Dockcn's lleisen in Ost-Afrika, vol. iv. Svo. Leipzig, 1870. (See also under letter D.) Gjielin, J. E. Systema Naturae, per Regna tria Naturae secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Svo. Leyden, 1789. Gould, J. Birds of Australia. Eol, London, 1848. . Birds of Europe. Eol. London, 1837. . Birds of Great Britain, Eol. London, 18G2. . Icones Avium. Eol. London, 1837. Gray, G. R. Appendix to Trotter, AUen, and Thomson's Expedition to the Niger in the year 1841. Svo, London, 1 841, (See also letter T,) . Genera of Birds, comprising their generic characters, illustrated by D. Mitchell. Eol. London, 1844 to 1849, , Hand-list of Genera and Species of Birds, distinguishing those contained in the British Museum, Svo, London, 1869 to 1871. Gray, J. E, Gleanings from the Menagerie and Aviary at Knowsley HaU, Eol, Knowsley, 1846, Hartlaub, G, Beitrag zur Ornithologie Wcstafrica's, in ' Abhiindhingen aus deni Gebictc der Naturwissenschaftcn.' 4to, Hamburg, 1852. I LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO. xxxiii Hartlaub, G. System der Ornithologie Westafrica's. 8vo. Bremen, 1857. Hempkich, F. G., and Eheenberg, C. G, Symbolse Phjsicse. Fol. BerHn, 1828. Heuglin, T. von. Ornithologie Nord-Ost Airika's. 8vo. Cassel, 1869 to 1871. . Systematische Uebersicht der Vdgel Nord-Ost Afrika's. 8vo. Vienna, 1855, Ibis. The Ibis, a Magazine of General Ornithology. 8vo. London, 1859 to 1872. Isis. Isis oder encyclopadische Zeitung. 4to. Jena, 1817. Jabdine, Sir W. Sun-birds, in Jardine's ' Naturalist's Library.' 12mo. Edinburgh, n. d. Jardine, Sir W., and Selby, P. J. lUustrations of Ornithology. Fol. Edinburgh, 1826 to 1843. Jornal de SciEifciAS Mathem. Phys. e Naturaes. Publ. da Academia R. de Lisboa. 8vo. Lisbon, 1867 to 1871. Journal fur Ornithologie. 8vo. Cassel, 1853 to 1871. Latham, J. General Synopsis of Birds. 4to. London, 1781 to 1785. La YARD, E. L. The Birds of South Africa, a Descriptive Catalogue of aU the known Species occurring south of the 28th parallel of South Latitude. First Edition. 8vo. Cape Town, 1867. Levaillant, F. Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d'Afrique. Fol. Paris, 1799 to 1808. . Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux de Paradis et des Eolliers, suivie de ceUe des Toucans et des Barbus. Fol. Paris, 1806 and 1807. , Histoire Naturelle des Promerops et des Guepiers. Fol. Paris, 1807. . Histoire Naturelle des Perroquets. Fol. Paris, 1801 to 1805. LicHTENSTEiN, H. Verzeichniss der Doubletten des zoologischen Mu- seums der Konigl. Universitat zu Berlin. 4to. BerKn, 1823. Livingstone, D. Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa. 8vo. London, 1857. Malherbe, a. Monographic des Picidees. Fol. Metz, 1861 to 1863. Marshall, C. H. T., and Marshall, G. F. L. A Monograph of the Capitonidae or Scansorial Barbets. 4to. London, 1870 and 1871. MuLLER, Baron J. W. de. Description de nouveaux Oiseaux d'Afiique. Fol. Stuttgart, 1853. Naumann, J. A. Naturgeschichte der Vdgel Deutschlands, 8vo. Leipzig, 1822. Newton, A. A History of British Birds by the late William Yarrell. xxxiv LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO. Edited by Alfred Newton. 8vo. London, 1871. (See also under Y.) Of\-eksigt af Kongl. Vetcnskaps Akademicns Furhandliiigar. 8vb. Stockholm, 1844 to 1871. Pallas, P. S. lleise durch verschiedene Provinzcn des Russischen Reichs. 4to, and Atlas fol. Petersburg, 1771 to 1776. . Zoograpliia llosso-Asiatica. 4to. Petersburg, 1811. Radde, G. Reiscn im SUden v. Ost-Sibirien in d. J. 1855-59. Sauge- tbiere u. Vcigel. 4to. Petersburg, 18G2 and 1863. REiCHEXBAcn, A. B. Praktiscbo Naturgesehicbte der Vogel. Leipzig, 1847. REiciTEXBAcn, L. Synopsis A\-ium. 8vo. Dresden and Leipzig, L851. Revxxe et Magasix de Zoologie pure et appliquee. 8vo. Paris, 184!) to 1870. RljppELL, E. Atlas zu der Reise im nordlichen Afrika. Fol. Frank- furt am Main, 1826. . Monographic der Gattung Otis im Museum Senckenbergianum. 4to. Frankfurt am Main, 1837. . Neue Wirbelthiere, zu der Fauna von Abyssinicn gchurig. Fol. Frankfurt am Main, 1835 to 1840. . Systematische Uebcrsicht der Vcigel Nord-Ost Afrika's. 8vo. Frankfurt am Main, 1845. ScHLEGEL, H. Museum d'Histoirc Naturelle des Pays-Eas. Revue Methodique et Critique de la Collection des Oiseaux. Leyden, 1862 to 1866. Shaepe, R. B. Catalogue of African Birds in the Collection of R. B. Sharpe. 8vo. London, 1871. . A Monograph of the Alcedinid® or Kingfishers. 4to. London, 1868 to 1871. Sharpe, R. B., and Dresser, H. E. A History of the Birds of Europe, including aU the Species inhabiting the Western Palaiarctic Region. Fol. London, 1871. Shaw, G. General Zoology, or Systematic Natural History. 8vo. London, 1809 to 1812. Shaw, G., and Nodder, F. P. Naturalist's Miscellany. 8vo. London, 1790 to 1813. Shelley, G. E. The Birds of Egypt. 8vo. London, 1872. Smith, A. Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa. Aves. 4to. London, 1849. . Report of the Expedition for Exploring Central Africa from the Cape of Good Hope. 8vo, Cape Town, 1836. South-African Quarterly Journal. 8vo. Cape Town, 1829 to 1835. LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO. xxxv South-Afeican Musettm. Catalogue of the South-Africau Museum now Exhibiting in the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly. 8vo. London, 1837. Spabrman, a. Museum Carlsonianum. 4to. Holmise, 1786 to 1788. Stricklai^d, H. E. Ornithological Synonyms. 8vo. London, 1855, Stricklan-d, H. E., and Sclatee, P. L. List of a Collection of Birds procured by C. J. Andersson in the Damara Country, with notes. In Jardine's ' Contributions to Ornithology' for 1852. 8vo. Edin- bu:'gh, 1853. SirNDEVALL, C. J. Conspectus Avium Picinarum. 8vo. Stockholm, 1866. Swainso:n-, "W. Birds of "Western Africa. In Jardine's ' Naturalist's Library.' 12mo. Edinburgh, 1837. . Zoological Illustrations. 8vo. London, 1820 to 1833. Temminck, C. J. Histoire NatureUe Generale des Pigeons et des Gal- linaces. 8vo. Amsterdam, 1813 to 1815. . Manuel d'Ornithologie. 2Qd edition, 8vo. Paris, 1820 to 1835. . Histoire Naturelle Generale des Pigeons, avec figures en couleurs peintes par Madame Knip, ne'e Pauline de CourceUes. Le texte par C. J. Temminck. Eol. Paris, 1807. Temminck, C. J., and Laugiee, Le Baeon. Nouveau Recueil de Planches Coloriees d'Oiseaux. Eol. Paris, 1820 to 1836. Teottee, H. D., Allen. W., and Thomson, T. E. H. An Expedition to the Niger in the year 1841. Appendix by G. R. Gray. 8vo. London, 1848. (See also letter G.) ViEiLLOT, L. P. Galerie des Oiseaux. 4to. Paris, 1825. . Histoire Naturelle des plus beaux Oiseaux Chanteurs de la zone torride. Fol. Paris, 1805. . Nouveau Dictionnaire d'Histoire Naturelle. 8vo. Paris, 1816 to 1819. Waglee, J. C. Systema Avium. 12mo. Stuttgard, 1827. Wateehotjse, G. R. Descriptions of New Species of Birds. In Sir J. E. Alexander's ' Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa.' 8vo. London, 1838. (See also letter A.) Yaeeell, W. a History of British Birds. Edited by Alfred Newton. 8vo. London, 1871. (See also under N.) Zoological Jouenal. 8vo. London, 1824 to 1834. Zoological Society. Proceedings of the Scientific Meetings of the Zoo- logical Society of London. 8vo. London, 1830 to 1871. . Transactionsof the Zoological Society of London. 4to. London, 1835 to 1871. c2 TABLE OF SPECIES. ACCIPITRES. FamUy VULTURIDiE. Subfamily BTJXEONiNiE. No. 15. Buteo jackal. Subfamily NEornRONiN^. No. 1. Neophron percnopterus. 16. desertorum. 2. pileatus. Subfamily FALCONiNiE. Subfamily Vtjlttjrin^. 17. Falco minor. 3. Otogyps auricularis. 18. cervicalis. 4. Vultur occipitalis. 19. Cbicquera ruficollis. 5. Gyps Kolbii, 20. Hypotriorehis subbutco. 6. Riippelli. 21. Erythropus vespertinus. 22. amurensis. Family FALCONID^. 23. Tinnunculus cenehris. Subfamily Aqtjilin^. 25. rupicolus. 7. Aquila vulturina. 26. rupicoloides. 8. nsevioides. 27. Polihierax semitorquatus. 9. Hieraetus pennatus. 10. Pseudaetus spilogaster. Subfamily Milvin^. 11. bellicosus. 28. Elanus ca^ruleus. 12. Haliaetus vocifer. 29. Milvus migrans. 13. Circactus pectoraHs. 30. Forskahli. 14. Helotarsus ecaudatus. 31. Machacrhamphus Andersso TABLE OF SPECIES. Subfamily AcciriTRiN.E, No. 32. 33. Kaupifalco mouogrammicus. Melierax musicus. No. Subfamily Steiginje. 34. polyzonus. 46. Strix poensis. 35. 3(3. gabar. niger. Subfamily SuRNiNiE. 37. Accipiter tachiro. 47. Athene perlata. 38. polyzonoides. 48. Ta^nioglaux capensis. 39. 40. minullus. rufiventris. Subfamily Bubonin^. 41. Subfamily Circin^. Circus Swainsoni. 49. 50. 51. Scops capensis. leucotis. Hubua Verrcauxi. 42. ciBerarius. 52. Bubo maculosus. 43. maurus. 44. ranivorus. Family SERPENTAEIID^. Subfamily SEEPENTAEIINiE. 45. Sagittarius secretarius. Family STIilGID^. Subfamily Sykniin^. 53. Phasmoptynx capensis. PASSERES. Division FISSIIiOSTliES. Family CAPRIMULGID^. Subfamily Capeimulgin^. 54. Caprimulgus rufigena. 55. pectoralis. 5G. lentiginosus. 57. Cosmctomis vexiUarius. FaraUy CYPSELIDJE. Suljfamily Cypselin^e. 58. C'ypselus gutturalis. 59. Cypsclus barbatus. 60. i)arvus. Family HIRUNDINID^. Subfamily Hihundinin-e. 61. Hirundo Monteiri. 62. i-ustica. 63. cucullata, 64. diraidiata. 65. CotHe fidii^ula. TABLE OF SPECIES. Family CORACIAD^. Subfamily Coeacian^. No. 66. Coracias caudata. 67. nsevia. 68. garrula. FamUy ALCEDINID^. Subfamily Dacelonin^. 69. Halcyon cyanoleuca. 70. semicserulea. 71. cheKcutensis. Subfamily Alcedlnin^. 72. Alcedo semitorquata. 73. Ceryle maxima. 74. rudis. 75. Corytbornis cyanostigma FamUy MEROPID^. Subfamily Meropin^. 76. Merops apiaster. 77. superciliosus. 78. nubicoides. 79. Melittophagus pusillus. 80. Dicrocercus hirundinaceus. Division TENUIROSTRES. Family UPUPID^. Subfamily Upupinjj. 81. Upupa minor. Subfamily iREisoRiNJi. 82. Irrisor erytlirorhynchos. No. 83. Irrisor cyanomelas. 84. aterrimus. FamHy PROMEROPID^. Subfamily Necxarinin^. 85. Nectarinia famosa. 86. Cinnyris cbalybea. 87. afra. 88. bifasciata. 89. fusca. 90. talatala. 91. Chalcomitra gutturalis. 92. Anthobapbes violacea. Family MELIPHAGID^. Subfamily Melipuagin^. 93. Zosterops eapensis. 94. senegalensis. FamUy TROGLODYTID^. 95. Sylvietta rufescens. Division DENTIROSTllES. FamHy PARID^. Subfamily Paring. 96. Parisoma siibcteruleum. 97. Layardi. 98. Antboscopus minutus. 99. Caroli. 100. Parus afer, 101. nigcr. xl TABLE OF SPECIES. FamHy LUSCINID^. Subfamily Calamodttin^. No, 102. Drjmoica maciilosa. 103. affinis. 104. flavicans, 105. ocularius. 106. Smithii. 107. chiniana. 108. subruficapilla. 109. rufilata. 110. Lcvaillantii. 111. Cisticola terrcstris, 112. Aedon subcinnamomca. 113. fasciolata. 114. leucophrys. 115. paena. 116. Thamnobia coryphaeus. 117. Camaroptera olivacea. 118. Dryodromas damareusis. 119. flavida. 120. Eremomela flaviventris. 121. usticollis. 122. Calamodyta arundinacea. 123. baeticata. 124. Calamodus schcenobaenus. Subfamily SYLviANiE. 125. Sylvia hortcnsis. 120. Phyllopneuste hypolais. 127. trochilus. Subfamily SAxicoLiNiE. 128. Pratincola torquata. 129. Saxicola familiaris. 130. Schlcgelii. 1 31 . Stricklandii. No. 132. Saxicola infuscata. 133. pileata, 134. leucomelaena. 135. Atmorii. 136. Myrmecocichla formieivora. Family MOTACILLID^. Subfamily Motacillin^^:. 137. Motacilla capensis. 138. Vaillantii. 139. Budytcs flava. Subfamily ANTUiNJi. 140. Antbus Eaaltcni. 141. cafFer. 142. pyrrhonotus. 143. campestris. Family TURDID^. Subfamily Turdin-s. 144. Tardus letsitsirupa. 145. libouyauus. 146. olivaceus. 147. Monticola brovipes. 148. Cha)tops pycnopygius. 149. Cossypha caffra. 1.50. bicolor. Family PYCj^ONOTID^. Subfamily Pyononoxin^. 151. Pycnonotus nigricans. 152. tricolor. Subfamily PnYLLORNiiniNiE. 1 53. Phyllastrcphus capensis. 154. Crinigcr flaviventris. TABLE OF SPECIES. xli Subfamily Crateropodin^. No. 155. Crateropus bicolor. 156. melanops. 157. Jardinii. 158. Hartlaubi. Family OllIOLID^. Subfamily Oriolin^. 159. Oriolus galbula. 160. notatus. Family DICRURIDiE. Subfamily Dicritbin^i. 161. Dierurus musicus. Family MUSCICAPID^. Subfamily Mtjscicapin^. 162. Melanopepla pammelsena. 163. Bradornis mariquensis. 164. Muscicapa griseola. 165. Tchitrea viridis. 166. Platysteira pririt. 167. affinis. 168. torquata. Subfamily CAMPEPnAGiNiE. 169. Campephaga nigra, 170. Ceblepyris pectoralis. Family LANIID^. Subfamily LANinsriE. 171. Lanius minor, 172. Enneoctonus coUurio, 173. Fiscus coUaris. 174. subcoronatus. Subfamily Malaconotinje. No. 175. Urolestes melanoleucus. 176. Nilaus brubru. 177. Eurocephalus anguitimens. 178. Prionops talacoma. 179. Retzii. 180. Laniarius atrococcineus. 181. major. 182. sticturus. 183. Dryoseopus cubla. 184. Telophorus gutturalis. 185. Cbloropboneus similis. 186. Pomatorbynchus erythro- pterus. 187. trivirgatus. Division CONIROSTRES. Family CORVID^. Subfamily Corvine. 188. Corvultur albicoUis. 189. Corvus scapulatus. 190. capensis. Family STUKNID^. Subfamily JtJiniNiE, 191. Cinuyriciuclus Verreauxi. 192. Juida australis. 193. Mevesii. 194. Lamproeolius pbcenicopterus, 195. Spreo bicolor. 196. Amydrus caffer. Subfamily SxuKNiNiE. 197. Dilophus carunculatus. xlii TABLE OF SPECIES. Subfamily BupnAGiNJ,. No. 198. Buphaga africana. FamUy FRINGILLID^. Subfomily PLOCEiNiE. 199. Biibalornis erythrorhynchus. 200. Plocepasser mahali. 201. Philettenis socius. 202. Hyphantornis spilonotus. 203. velatus. 204. Eiiplectes capensis. 205. taha. 206. Pyromelaiia oryx. 207. Quelea sanguinirostris. Subfamily Speemestinje, 208. Amadiua erythroccphala. 209. Alario aurantia. 210. Hyiwchera ultramarina. 211. Pytelia melba. 212. Lagonosticta minima. 213. Sporopipcs squamifrons. 214. Estrelda astrild. 215. eiythronota, 216. Mariposa cyanogastra. 217. IJrseginthus granatinus. Subfamily Viduan^. 218. Vidua regia. 219. principalis. 220. paradi.sca. Subfamily Pyrruulin-E. 221. Crithagra angolcnsis. 222. clirysop}ga. 223. chloropsis. Subfamily FRiNOiLLiNiE. No. 224. Poliospiza gularis. 225. crocopygia. 226. Petronia petronclla. 227. Passer arcuatus. 228. motitensis. 229. diffusus. Subfamily Emberizin^. 230. Fringillaria flaviventris. 231. impetuani. Family ALAUDID.^. Subfamily Alaudin^. 232. Pyrrhulauda Smithi, 233. verticalis. 234. australis. 235. Alauda conirostris. Grayi. erj-tlirochlamys. Calendula crassirostris. Megalophonus sabota. cinereus. ■ Andcrssoni. africanoides. 236. 237. 238. 239. 240. 241. 242. 243. nsevius. 244. lagepa. 245. Ccrthilauda rufula. 246. scmitorquata. Family MUS0PHAGID.1<] Subfamily CoLiiNiE. 247. Colius capensis. 248. erytliromclon. Subfamily MusornAGi.NiE. 240. Sclii/.i>rhis coucolor. TABLE OF SPECIES Family BUCEROTID^. Subfamily Btjceeotin^. xliii No. 250. Bucorvus abyssinicus. 251. Tockiis nasutus. No. 252. Tockus melanoleiicus. 253. Monteiri. 254. flavirostris. 255. erythrorhynchus. SCANSORES. Family PSITTACIDiE. Subfamily Psittacin^. 256. Poicephalus robustus. 257. Meyeri. 258. Eiippelli. 259. Psittacula roseicollis. Family CAPITONID^. Subfamily PoGOxoEHTNcniNiE. 260. Pogonorhyuchus leucomelas. Family PICID^. Subfamily Picin^. 261. Thi-ipias namaquus. 262. Dcndropicus Hartlaubii. 263. cardinaHs. 264. Ipagrus capricorni. 265. 266. Ipagrus Brucei. variolosus. Family CUCULID^. Subfamily IsDiCATOKiNiE. 267. Indicator minor. Subfamily Cknteopodin^. 268. Gentropus senegalensis. Subfamily Cticijlin^. Coccystes glandarius. 269. 270. 271. 272. 273. 274. 275. 276. 277. Oxylophus jacobinus. caffer. serratus. Cu cuius clamosus. canorus. gularis. Chrysococcyx cupreus. Klaasi. COLUMB^. Family COLUMBID^. Subfamily Tkekonin^. 278. Phalacrotreron calva. Subfamily Columbine. 279. Stictoenas pha^onotus. 280. Turtur senegalensis. 281. Streptopelia damarensis. 282. semitorquata. 283. (Ena capensis. 284. Chalcopelia afra. xliv TABLE OF SPECIES. GALLING. Family MELEAGRID^. Subfamily NuMiDiNiE. No. 285. Numida cornuta. FamHy PTEROCLID^. Subfamily Pteroclin^. 286. Pteroclcs bicinctus. 287. varicgatus. 288. Ptcroclurus uamaqua. Family TETRAONID^. Subfamily PERDiciNiE. 289. Pternises nudicollis. 290. Pternises Swaiiisonii. 291. Scleroptcra gariepensis. 292. subtorquata. 293. pilcata. 294. adspersa. 295. Coturnix communis. 296. Delegorguei. Subfamily Turnicin^. 297. Turuix lopurana. STRUTHIONES. Family STRUTHIONIDiE. Subfamily STRUiniONiNiE. No. 298. Struthio australis. GRALL^. Family OTIDID^. Family CHARADRIADiE. Subfamily Ottdinje. No. 299. Eupodotis kori. 300. ruficrista. 301. RiippcUii. 302. afra. 303. afroidcs. Subfamily Cursorin.15. No. 304. Cursorius scncgalensis. 305. bicinctus. 306. cinctus. 307. chalcoptcrus. TABLE OF SPECIES. xlv Subfamily GLAREOLiNiE. No. 308. Glareola melanoptera. 309. pratincola. Subfamily (Edicnemin-e. 310. (Edicnemus capensis. 311. vermiculatus. Subfamily Chaeadrin^. 312. Lobivanellus lateralis. 313. Hoplopterus speciosus. 314. Cbettusia coronata. 315. Squatarola varia. 316. Eudromias damarensis*. 317. .^gialites alexandrinus. 318. mai-giuatus. 319. pecuarius. 320. tricoUaris. 321. hiaticula. Subfamily Cinclinji;. 322. Cinclus interpres. Subfamily HxEMatopin^. 323. Haematopus Moquini. Family GRUIDjE. Subfamily Gktjin^. 324. Bugeranus carunculatus. 325. Tetrapteryx paradisea. 326. Balearica regulorum. FamUy CICONIIDiE. Subfamily CicoNiiNiE. 327. Ciconia alba. 328. Sphenorrhynchus Abdimii. * Vide No. 329. Ephippiorhynchus senega- lensis. 330. Leptoptilus crumeuiferus. Family ANASTOMATID^ Subfamily Anastomatin^. 331. Anastomus lamelligerus. FamUy AEDEID^. Subfamily ARDEiNiE. 332. Ardea cinerea. 333. melanocephala. 334. goliat. 335. purpurea. 336. rufiventris. 337. Bubulcus ibis. 338. Ardcola comata. 339. Herodias alba. 340. intermedia. 341. garzetta. 342. ArdeiraUa Sturmii. 343. Butorides atricapilla. 344. Ardetta minuta. 345. Nycticorax segyptius. Family SCOPID^. Subfamily ScoPiNiE. 346. Scopus umbretta. Family PLATALEIDvE. Subfamily PLAXALEiNiE. 347. Platalea tenuirostris. Preface, p. xxx. xlvi TABLE Family TANTALID.E. Subfamily Tantalinje. No. 348. Tantalus ibis. Subfamily Ibidin^. 349. Geronticus calvus. 350. Ibis tcthiopica. 351. Hagcdashia cafFrensis. FaraUy SCOLOPACID^. Subfamily Numeniin^. 352. Numenius arquatus. 353. phseopus. Subfamily ToiANiNiE. 354. Totanus calidi-is. 355. glottis. 356. staguatilis. 357. glareola. 358. Actitis hypolcucus. 359. Terekia cinerea. Subfamily Tringin-t;. 360. PhUomachus pugnax. 361. Tringa canutus. 362. subarquata. 363. Bairdii. 364. minuta. 365. Calidris arenaria. Subfamily ScoLOPACiNiE. 366. Galliuago major. 367. llhynchsDa capensis. OF SPECIES. Family IIECURVIROSTRID^. Subfamily Avocettin.i:. No. 308. llccurvirostra avocetta. Subfamily HiMANToroDiN^. 369. Himantopus autumualis. FamHy RALLID^. Subfamily RALLiNiE, 370. RaUus caerulescens. 371. Ortygometra pygmacii. 372. marginaHs. 373. Alectbclia dimidiata. 374. Limnoeorax niger. Family GALLINULID^. Subfamily GALLiNULiNiE. 375. Gallinula angulata. 376. chloropus. 377. Porphyrio smaragnotus. 378. Alleni. Subfamily Fulicinj-;. 379. Fulica cristata. FamUy PAllIlIDiE. Subfamily Parking. 380. Parra africana. 381. caponsis. TABLE OF SPECIES. xlvii ANSERES. Family PHCEJ^ICOPTERID.E. Subfamily Ph(en-icoptekin^. No. 382. Phoenicopterus erytkrsous. 383. miuor. Family ANATID^. Subfamily Plectropterin.e. 384. Plectropterus gambensis. 385. Sarkidioruis melauotus, 386. Chenalopex aegyptiacus. Subfamily Axserin.e. 387. Nettapus auritus. Subfamily Anatin^. .388. Dendrocygna viduata. 389. Mareca capensis. 390. Poecilonetta erythrorhyncha. 391. Nettion hottentota. 392. Anas sparsa. 393. xanthorhyncha. 394. Spatula capensis 395. Aythia capensis. 396. Thalassornis leuconota. 397. Erismatura maccoa. FamHy PODICIPID.E. Subfamily Podicipin^. 414. 415. Subfamily SiEENiNiE Sterna caspia. Bergii. 398. 399. 400. Podiceps cristatus. nigricollis. minor. 416. 417. 418. cantiaca. fluviatilis. Sternula balsenarum. Family SPHENISCID^. Subfamily SPHENisciNiE. No. 401. Spheniscus demersus. Family PROCELLARIIDyE. Subfamily Pkocellariin^.. 402. Puffinus major. 403. Procellaria pelagica. 404. oceanica. 405. Pseudoprion turtur. 406. Daption capensis. 407. Ossifraga gigantea. Subfamily Diomedein^. 408. Diomedea exulans. 409. melanophrys. Family LARID^. Subfamily Stercorariin^. 410. Stercorarius pomarinus. 411. parasiticus. Subfamily Larin.^:. 412. Larus vetula. 413. Cirrhocephalus poioccpbalus. xlviii No. 419. Pelodes hybrida. 420. Hydrochelidon nigra. Subfamily EnYNcnopsiN^. 421. Rhynchops flavdrostris. Family PELECANID.E. Subfamily SuLARiNiE. 422. Sula capensis. TABLE OF SPECIES. Subfamily Plotinje. No. 423. Plotus Levaillantii. Subfamily Graculin^. 424. Graeulus carbo. 425. capensis. 426. ncglectus. 427. afrieanus. Subfamily Pelecantntk. 428. Pclecanus minoi-. THE BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND AND THE ADJACENT COUNTRIES OF SOUTH-WEST AFRICA. ACCIPITRES. VULTURID^. 1. Neophron percnopterus (Linn.). Egyptian Vulture. Neophron percnopterus, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 3. „ ,, Layard's Cat. No. 2. „ „ Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 33. This Vulture is not uncommon in Damara Land and Great Namaqua Land and the parts adjacent, more especially in the neighbourhood of the coast. It is usually found in pairs, and is a regular scavenger, being generally seen in search of the filthiest food. The irides are reddish yellow; the bill and naked patch on the lower part of the throat are bright orange, darkest above, the tips of both mandibles pale liver- brown ; the feet and legs yellowish white. B 2 BIBDS OF DAMAUA LAND. [Mr. Andersson, in a note to p. 22 of his work entitled ' Lake Ngami/ says that he has seen this Vulture feed on the fruit of a wild gourd found near the coast of Damara Land, and called " Naras." I have not myself seen a Damara example of this Vulture, but the species is too well known to admit any doubt as to its identification . — E d .] 2. Neophron pileatus (Burch.). rileated Yulturo. Cathnrtes monachus, Temminclt's PI. Col. pi. 2'2'2. Neophron pileatus, Layard's Cat. No. 3. „ „ Finsch & Hartlaub's Vcigel Ost-Afrika's, p. 37. This species is not so common as the preceding one in Damara Land, but becomes more numerous as one approaches the Orange River. Its habits are similar to those of N. perciiopterus^ and it is comparatively fearless where it is not disturbed. I have observed it single and also in small families. [Mr. Andersson^s identification of this species is confirmed by an excellent coloured drawing from the pencil of Mr. Baines ; but I have not personally had the opportunity of examining a Damara specimen. If BurchelFs description of his Vultiir pileatus, given in liis ' Travels in South Africa/ vol. ii. p. 195, was really intended to apply to this species, it is not very accurate, as has been already pointed out by a subsequent author, vide Blauford's ' Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia,' p. 287, note. — Ed.] 3. Otogyps auricnlaris, Daiul. Sociable Vulture. L^Oricou, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 9. Otogyps auricularis, Layard's Cat. No. 5. This is the commonest Vulture in Damara and Great Namaqua T^md, and is also found in all tlie parts border- VrLTUJi/D.F. -^ ing on those countries. It is a very powerful bird, and is the first to appear about a carcase. I believe naturalists are not quite agreed as to whether Vultures hunt by sight, by scent, or by both faculties combined. I have myself no doubt that they employ the one sense as well as the other in finding their prey, though I feel inclined to give sight the preference; and I had once a very striking proof of how they employ their vision in guiding them to carrion — in this instance, however, not so much by the actual sight of the carrion (though the first discovery probably originated in that way) as by another singular contrivance. Early one morning as I was toiling up the ascent of a somewhat elevated ridge of hills, with the view of obtaining bearings for my travelling map, and before arriving at the summit, I observed several Vultures descending near me ; but thinking I had merely disturbed them from their lofty perch, I did not take any particular notice of their appearance, as the event was one of usual occurrence ; but on gaining my destination, I found that the birds were not coming merely from the hill summit, but from an indefinite distance on the other side. This circum- stance, coupled with the recollection that I had wounded a zebra on the preceding day in the direction towards which the Vultures were winging tlieir way, caused me to pay more attention. The flight of the Vultures was low, at least five hundred to a thousand feet below the summit of the mountain ; and on arriving near the base they would abruptly rise witliout deviating from their direct course ; and no sooner was the obstacle in thtur a 2 4 BIIWS OF BAMARA LAND. way thus surmounted than they again depressed their flight. Those Vultures which I saw could not have themselves seen the carrion, but simply hunted in direct sight of one another. There was a numerous arrival ; and although I could not always detect the next bird as soon as I lost sight of the previous one, yet, when at length it did come into view, it never seemed uncertain about its course. Having finished my observations I descended, and proceeded in the direction which the Vultures had pursued, and after about half an hour's rapid walking I found, as I anticipated, the carcase of a zebra, with a numerous company of Vultures busily discussing it. [The drawings of birds from Damara Land and the adjoining countries, which were executed by Mr. Baines for the late Mr. Andersson, include this species. I have not myself had the opportunity of examining a Damara specimen. — Ed.] 4. Vultur occipitalis, Eurch. A^'hite-heade(l Viiltiiro. Vultur eulophus, Hempricli & Ebrenberg's Aves, pi. 14. Vultur occipitalis, Layard's Cat. No. 4. I do not remember to have met with this fine Vulture in Damara Land, but have observed it (though only at a distance) on a few occasions in Great Namaqua Land. [Mr. Andersson's collection of ornithological drawings con- tains an excellent portrait, from the pencil of Mr. Baines, of an adult bird of this species, which appears, by a memorandum attached to the drawing, to have been obtained ''near Seeo- Kaama Hill, the Koppes, S.W. of Lake Ngami, March 2, 1862.'' I have not myself seen it from Damara Land.— Eu.] VULTU1UD.E. 5 5. Gyps Kolbii (Daud.). South-African Griffon -Vulture. Le Cluisse Jiente, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 10. Gyps fuh'us, Layard's Cat. No. G. Gyps Kolbii, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 9. Viiltur fuhms (part.), Finsch & Ilartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 1. This Vulture is sparingly found in Damara Land. I have chiefly observed it in the vicinity of the sea, above Oosop rocks on the lower course of the Svvakop River. [I have had some hesitation in treating this Vulture^ which is evidently the southern representative of Gyps fulvus, as speci- fically distinct from its more northern congener, from which however^ it constantly differs in being less fulvous when in imma- ture plumage^ and also in having its head and neck less com- pletely clothed with downy hairs and plumelets — differences which may perhaps suffice to constitute a specific distinction. I have seen specimens from various parts of South Africa^ but have not personally examined one from Damara Laud. — Ed.] 6. Gyps Riippelli, Bon. lliippeU's GrifFon-Vulture. Vultur Kolbii, Riippell's Atlas Reise ncird. Afr. pi. 32. Gy^ys vulgaris, Layard's Cat. No. 7. Gyps Riijypellii, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 12. [Mr. Andersson's last collection contained a Vulture of this species shot in Ondonga^ Ovampo Land^ on the 14th November, 1866.— Ed.] FALCONIDiE. 7. Aquila VUlturina, Daud. Verreaux's Eagle. Aquila Verreataii, Ues Murs, Zool. de la Voyage en Abyssinie, pi. 5. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 13. Pteroaetus vulturina, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 98, This Eagle nests in Little Namaqua Land on lofty H BINDS OF DAM AHA LAND. rocks ; but I cannot specify an instance of its occurrence to the northward of the Orange River. It is at once a friend and a foe to the farmer, as, though it occasionally devours the young lambs and kids, it is said to warn the Boer of another enemy, the leopard, to which it attracts notice by its piercing cries and by circling over the spot where the intruder has appeared. It generally selects some projecting inaccessible ledge, on which it constructs a large eyrie composed of sticks. The egg is nearly oval and of a whitish colour, sparsely spotted with brown, more especially towards the thicker end ; its length is 3" 8'", and breadth 2" 7'". [The identification of this Eagle rests on Mr. Andersson's authority, as his collection did not contain an example of it. — Ed.] 8. Aquila naevioides, Cuv. Tawny Eagle. Aquila ncsvioides, Cuvier's Regne An. ed. 2, vol. i. p. 32(3, Falco helisaiius, Levaillant jeune, in Expl. de I'Alg-orie, Ois. pi. 2 (adult in worn plumage). Aquila iucvioidcs, Lord Lilford in Ibis, 18G5, pi. 5 (adult newly moulted, and young in pale plumage). Aquila 7no(jilnik, Alison in Rev. de Zool. 18GG, pi. 20 (young in dark plumage). Aquila sem'ijalla, Layard s Cat. No. 11. Aquila nccvioiilcs, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 389. ,, ,, Elwes & ]>uckley in Ibis, 1870, p. 07. The Tawny Eagle is not uncommon in Damara Land and Great Namaqua Land. It perches usually on the topmost branches of lofty trees, often remaining station- ary for hours together ; it builds on the top of high and generally of inaccessible trees, and constructs a large neist of dry sticks. It is very destructive to the young FAWONID.E. 7 of diminutive antelopes, and to hares, bustards, and plovers ; but it also feeds largely (and, I fancy, by choice) on carrion, besides which it devours fish, frogs, and earthworms ; it pursues and plunders other less powerful birds of prey, and also robs the sportsman of wounded game. In immature birds the iris is brown, in adults pale yellow freckled with brown, and with a narrow exterior edging of dark brown ; the bill is dark horn-colour, but livid at the base and with the under mandible yellow ; the gape, cere, and feet are also yellow. 9. Hieraetuspennatus (Gmol.). Booted Eagle. Aquila pennata, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 9. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 10. Hieraetus pennatus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 100. [Mr. Andersson's last collection contained one of these Eagles obtained in Ondonga, Ovampo Land, on 14th November, 1866. —Ed.] 10. Pseudaetus spilogaster (Dub.). Spotted-breasted Hawk-Eagle. Spizui'tos zonurifs, Midler's Ois. d'Afrique, pi. 1 (adult). Spizaetm Axjresii, Guruey in Ibis, 1862, pi. 4 (immature). Spizaetus spilogaster, Layard's Cat. No. 17. Aquila Bonellii, Layard's Cat. No. 12. ,, „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 380. Aquila fasciata, Gurney in Ibis, 18G8, p. 138. Aquila sinloyaster, Finscb & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 48. I have obtained examples of this species at Objim- binque, the mouth of the Onanes River, Bull's Port, the Omaruru River, and Ondonga. Its flight is heavy ; but when it has once risen to a certain height it soars power- 8 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. fully ; it perches on trees and rocks, and is fond of re- turning to the same tree or other post of observation. Its food consists of small quadrupeds and birds of all kinds. The irides are yellow, but paler in the immature than in the adult bird ; the toes, cere, and basal part of the mandibles greenish yellow ; the anterior part of the bill dark horn-colour, almost black at the point. Measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire length 28 16 Length of fokled wing 15 7 „ tarsus 3 10 „ middle toe 2 0 tail 10 9 bill 1 10 [It appears to me that this and the succeeding species be- long most properly to the genus Pseuclaetus of Hodgson, of wliicli the type is the Bonelli's Eagle [Aqidla fasciata of Vieil- lot), to which the present species^ in particular, is very closely aUied. An intlividual of this species, which was incorrectly identified by me some years since as Aquila BoneUii (= fasciata), led Mr. Layard into the error of introducing the latter species into his Catalogue of South- African Birds, loc. cit. — Ed.] 11. Pseudaetus beUicOSUS (Daud.). Martial Hawk-Eagle. Aquila hellicosa, Smith's Zool. of S. Afr. pi. 42. Spizaetus bellicosus, Layard's Cat. No. 15. Aquila bellicosa, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 389. I never identified but one pair of these Eagles, which I found close to Objimbinque, and the female of which I killed ; they were both very wild, always perching on the topmost branches of the loftiest trees. FALCONID^. 9 Measurements of the female above referred to : — in. lin. Eutire lengtli 32 10 Length of folded vring 25 0 „ tarsus 5 5 „ middle toe 3 3 „ tail 13 0 „ bill 2 9 [The female bird above alluded to, a fine adult specimen, formed a part of Mr. Andersson's collection of specimens ; and his portfolio of coloured draAvings comprised one by Mr. Baines of an adult of this species, to which is attached the following note : — " Eagle supposed to be living on a brood of young ostriches, having killed one on the morning of this day, March 18th, 1862, between Mount Lubels and Mount Nguiba, twenty or twenty-five miles south of Lake Ngami"^"^. Mr. Andersson states in his notes that he believes that he also observed the Crowned Eagle {Spizaetus co7'onatus) at least tAvice during his travels, but, not having succeeded in obtaining a specimen, he was unable to include it as an ascertained Damara-Land species. —Ed.] 12. Haliaetus VOcifer (Daud.). African Sea-Eagle. Ilaliaetus rocifer, Des Murs, Icon. Orn. pi. 8. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 21. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 389. This very handsome species is not an inhabitant of either Damara or Great Namaqua Land, but is tolerably common in the Lake-region and its watersheds and also along the course of the Okavango. [Mr. Andersson^s portfolio contained a portrait bv Mr. Baines of an adult Eagle of this species obtained on the Botletle River on 30th April, 1862, but I have not personally examined a Damara specimen. — Ed.] * Cod/. Baines, ' Explorations in South-West Africa," pp. 401, 402. 10 BIRD^ OF DAM AM A LA^^D. 13. Circaetus pectoralis, Smith. Black-breasted Harrier-Eagle. Circaetus pecforuJi-'^, Strickland's Orn. S}T1. No. 75. ,, tliorackus, Layard's Cat. No. 18. On March 1st, 1865, I observed an adult of this species soaring very low, just in front of my window*; and 1 have subsequently killed this bird in Damara Land. [I aiu not aware that any plate of this fine species has as yet been published. Circaetus cinereus of Vieillot, of which C. funereiis of Riippell is a synonym, is a somewhat larger species, and is darker in its colouring than the immature bird ot C. pectoralis, with which some naturalists have supposed it to be identical. C. pectoralis has been ascertained by Mr. Ayres to feed chiefly on reptiles. — Ed.] 14. HelotarsUS ecaudatuS (Daud.). lIufous-backedBateleur Eagle. Le Bateleur, Levaillanf s Ois. d'Afr. pis. 7 & 8. Helotarsus ecaudatus, Layard's Cat. No. 23. „ ,, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 3G1. This is probably the most common Eagle in Damara and Great Namaqua Land ; it is usually found in plains, and builds its nest on trees. The nest consists of a large mass of sticks pretty firmly bound together without any kind of lining. Several pairs bred in the neighbourhood of my place at Objimbinque ; but their nests were always exceedingly difficult of access, on account of the terribly thorny nature of the trees on which they constructed their eyries. The iris of this species is of a magnificently brilliant and transparent brown ; the legs are a light orange ; the basal part of the bill a rich dark orange, the tip black, and the intermediate part yellow. * Tn.lmbly iit ( tl.jimlujHiu.'. FALGONID.E. 11 [The notes of coloration given above by Mr. Andersson have probably been taken from a bird not fully adult, as in old birds the feet and bare skin between the eye and the bill are of a coral-red. It is, however, remarkable (as I am informed by Mr. Bartlett of the Zoological Society's Gardens in the Regent's Park) that, if the bird be irritated, the coral-red of all these parts fades temporarily to an orange-yelloAv, as he has frequently observed in the case of living specimens which he has had under his care. Mr. Chapman [loc. cit.) states that this species is found at Lake Ngami, and gives a remarkable account of his being fiercely and pertinaciously attacked by one of these birds, at which he had fired as it was sitting on its nest : this nest, like those observed by Mr. Andersson, was on a tree ; but an instance of this Eagle nesting on a rocky cliff is recorded in ' The Ibis,' 1868, p. 140.— Ed.] 15. Buteo jackal (Daud.). Jackal Buzzard. Le RouHuir, Levaillaut'a Ois. d'Afi*. pi. 16. Buteo jackal, Layard's Cat. No. 8. To the best of my belief this Buzzard has never been observed in Damara Land ; and it is scai'ce in Great Namaqua Land, where, indeed, I have only occasionally observed it in the southern parts, usually in the neigh- bourhood of rocks, on which it perches. When hunting, it soars steadily aloft, swooping down suddenly with great force and velocity. Its chief food consists of moles, rats, mice, lizards, and insects. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female, in. lin. in. lin. Entire length 20 .'i 21 0 Length of folded wing . . . IG 0 17 10 ,, tarsus 3 () 3 6 „ middle toe .... 1 0 19 „ tail S iS . . . ■ . 8 fi bill 19 1 10 12 BIRDS OF DAM AH A LAND. 16. ButeO desertorum (Dand.). Desert Buzzard. Faloo cirteiisis, Levaillant jeime, in Expl. de I'Algerie, Ois. pi. 3. Faico tnchardus, Bree's Birds of Eui-ope, vol. i. p. 97 (pi.). Btdeo desertorum, Layard's Cat. No. 9. This species is not uncommon in Ondonga, but it is very wary ; the stomach of a female shot by my servant contained two fully fledged Doves [Tiirtur senegalensis) ; this specimen was excessively fat. Measurements of a female : — in. lin. Entire length 19 5 Length of wings when folded . . .14 2 „ tarsus 3 0 ,, middle toe 17 „ tail 8 3 bUl 17 [The ouly difference which I can detect between the South African and the northern races of this Buzzard is, that in the southern race immature specimens usually have more white mingled with the brown plumage of the abdomen than occurs in young birds from more northern localities ; but this does not seem to me to be an adeqviate ground for specific distinction, and I therefore consider Daudin^s specific name cited above to be applicable to the northern as Avell as to the sovithern examples of this species. — Ed.] 17. Falco minor, Bon. South-African Bcrcgrinoid P'alcon. FaIco minor, Layard's Cat. No. 2o. I never observed but one individual of this Falcon, a young female, which I obtained at Objinere, about two days journey from Objimbinque. [Mr. Andcrsson's last collection contained an adult male of this species, obtained in Ondonga on 30th January, 1867, M'hich FALCONID^. 13 was doubtless subsequent to the date of the note above recorded. This species has not as yet been figured. In the English names which I have appended to this and the preceding species, I have aimed at indicating their near affinity to the two more northern Falcons with which they are respectively most closely allied. — Ed.] 18. FalcO cervicalis, Licht. South-African Lanneroid Falcon. Fako biarmicKS, Temminck's PI. Col. pi. 324. „ „ Gurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. ,, „ Andersson, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 3, „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 27. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 390. Faico cervicalis, Gray's Hand -list of Birds, No. 172. This Falcon (called in Damara Land "Onikothe") is to be met with from the Cape Colony in the south to the Okavango River in the north, and as far eastward as Lake Ngami; it is particularly numerous in Little Namaqua Land and also in the neighbourhood of the Okavango, and it is occasionally seen along the sea- coast. It preys chiefly on birds and has a very powerful and sweeping flight. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length .... . . 16 3 . . . . . 18 0 Length of folded wing . . . 12 3 . . . . . 13 6 „ tarsus . . . ..20.. ...22 ,, middle toe . . ..17.. . . . 1 11 „ tail .... . . 6 10 . . ...60 „ bill .... ..10.. ...13 The female bird, of which the measurements are here given, flew fiercely above me, and so near that I felt the air driven by its wings against my face. [The tail in this female specimen, which formed part of the 14 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. collection left by Mr. Andcrssoii at his decease, appears to have been recently moulted and not fully re-grown. Mr. Andcrsson mentions another female specimen in which the tail measured 7" 6'". — En.] 19. Chicquera ruficoUis (Swains.). Rufous-necked Falcon. Falco nificollis, Swainson's Birds of West Africa, vol. i, pi. 2. Hypotriorchis ruficoUis, Layard's Cat. No. 28. Falco rnficol/is, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 390. Chicquera ruficoUis, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 196. Falco rxfcohis, Finsoh & Ilartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 72. This beautiful Falcon is rare in Damara and Great Namaqua Land and in all other parts of South Africa which 1 have traversed ; it is invariably found in pairs, and perches on the tops of trees, from whence it watches by the hour for its prey, which consists of birds and insects. It feeds voraciously on white ants whenever it has the opportunity. The iris is a deep brown, the legs, cere, and base of bill bright yellow, point of bill bluish. Measurements of a male and a female : — Mall'. Fi'iualp. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length 11 11 1:5 7 Length of folded wing ... 8 1 91 „ tarsus 10 17 „ middle toe .... 1 3 14 „ tail 5 4 »'. 2 „ bill 0 10 10 20. Hypotriorchis SUbbuteo (Linn.). British Hobby. Fain, suhhiileo, Couhrs IJirds of Europe, pi. 22. Hypotriorchis subbateo, Layard's Cat. No. 29. Falco suhbuteo, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 390. This handsome species occasionally makes its appear- ance in Damara Land dnrins: the rainv season, and is VALCONTDJE. 15 then often found in company with the myriads of Erythropus vespertinus, Tinnunculus rupicolus, Milvus mi- grans, &c. which appear nearly simultaneously. During its temporary visit to Damara Land its chief food con- sists of locusts and white ants, which usually abound during the rainy season. The irides are dark brown, the cere greenish yellow, the bare skin round the eye yellowish, the legs and toes clear yellow. Average dimensions of two females : — in. liu. Entire leiioftli 13 4 Length of folded wing 10 8 „ tarsus 1 ;■> „ middle toe 15 „ tail 5 11 „ bill 0 11 [The Hobby appears to occur in Ovampo Land as well as in Damara Land^ a specimen from Ondonga being comprised in Mr. Andersson's last collection. — Ed.] 21. Erythropus vespertinUS (Linn.). Western Red-footed Hobby. Falco rnjipes, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 23. Falco vespertinus, Hartlaub's Orn. West- Africa's, No. 738. Enjthro])us vespertinus, Gurney, Birds Bamar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G4, p. 2. Falco rufipes, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 391. Erythi-oims vespertmuSy Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 213. Falco vespertinus, Sharpe & Bresser's Birds of Europe, pi. 1. This pretty Falcon strongly resembles the Hobby both in form and habits, but is much more numerous; it usually arrives in Damara and Great Namaqua Land about the rainy season, and again retires northwards upon the approach of the dry season. During these 16 BinnS OF DAMATiA LAND. annual visits it is exceedingly abundant and may be counted by hundreds and by thousands ; nay, their numbers at times exceed all belief. On one particular occasion a friend of mine and myself attempted to form a rough approximation to the number of these birds actually within sight, and of the black and yellow-billed Kites with which they appeared to be mixed up in about equal proportions. Taking a small section of the sky, we came to the conclusion, by counting and estima- ting, that there were at least ten thousand individuals ; and as the heavens above and all around us appeared to be darkened by a living mass of Kites and Hawks, we set down the aggregate number immediately within our view at fifty thousand, feeling at the same time that we were probably below the mark. These birds, during their stay in Damara Land, feed almost exclusively on white ants, on which they fatten amazingly, as does every other bird and animal that diets upon this insect; locusts are another favourite kind of food, but less certain. The irides in this Falcon are dark brown, the upper part of the base of the bill, the ring round the eyes, the legs and the toes are all reddish orange ; the points of the mandibles are bluish. [Mr. Andersson's last collection contained examples of this species obtained in Ovampo Land as well as in Damara Land. —Ed.] FALCONID^. 17 22. Erythropns amurensis (Radde), Eastern Red-footed Hobby. Falco vespertinus, var. amure^isis, Radde, Sibir. Reise, p. 102, pi. 1. fig. 2. Falco amurensis, Von Homeyer, in Journal fiir Om. 1868, p. 251. Erythropns amurensis, Gumey, in Ibis, 1868, pi. 2. „ „ Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 214. Falco Itaddei, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 74. [An example of this species, which was obtained by Mr. Andersson in Damara Land, is recorded in ^ The Ibis ' for 1868, p. 43. An adult male and an immature male, but both without tickets attached, were comprised in Mr. Andersson^s last collection. — Ed.] 23. TinnunCUlus cenchris (Frisch). Western Grey-winged Kestrel. Falco tinnunculoides, Gould's Birds of Eiu'ope, pi. 27. Tinnunculus cenchris, Gumey, Birds Damar., Pr. Zool.Soc.l864,p. 2. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 31. Falco cenchris, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 390. Tinnunculus cencliris, Sharpe & Dresser's Birds of Europe, pi. 23. This species is rather scarce in Damara Land, and only makes its appearance during the rainy season, when it is found in company with Tinnunculus rupicolus, Ery- thropus vespertinus^ Milmis migrans, &c. The irides are brown, the basal part of the bill greenish yellow merging into bluish black, bare skin round the eye yellow, legs and toes pale yellow. Measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire length 12 0 Length of folded wing 9 7 „ tarsus 15 „ middle toe 10 „ tail 5 10 „ bill 0 10 C 18 BIRDS OF DAMAEA LAND. 24. Tinnunculus alaudarius (Gmel.). British Kestrel. Falco tinminculus, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 26. „ „ Ilartkub's Orn. West-Africa's, No. 20. Tinnunculm alaudarhis, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 203. Falco tinnunculus, Sliarpe & Dresser's Birds of Europe, pi. 12. [The only South- African example of this Kestrel which has come under my notice is a female killed at Objimbinque, Damara Land, on 1st Fcbruarj^, 1865, and comprised in Mr. Andersson's last collection. This specimen, which is preserved in the Nor- wich Museum, is of the ordinary European type. — Ed.] 25. Tinnunculus rupicolus (Baud.). Lesser South-African Kestrel. Le Montagnard, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 35. Tinnunculus riqncolus, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Dam., Cont. Om. 1852, p. 142. „ ,, Layard's Cat. No. .32. Next to Hi'i/fhrojms vespertinus, this is the commonest species of Falcon in Damara and Great Namaqua Land ; it is one of the few Hawks which remain in Damara Land dnring tlie dry season ; but its numbers are then lessened by a partial migration to more favoured regions. These Kestrels perch on rocks and trees indiscriminately ; but I have found that, when they have the choice of both, they generally rest on the trees during the heat of the day, but on the least approach of danger retreat to the hills. They usually nest on rocks ; but I have found exceptions to this rule. The nest is composed of sticks, and lined internally with hair and feathers. They lay from six to eight eggs, very similar to those of the European Kestrel. This species feeds on mice, lizards, beetles, «&c. There does not seem to be any very marked difference in size between the male and female. FALCONIDJE. The iris is dull brown, the bare skin round the eye and the legs are yellow. 26. Tinnnunculns mpicoloides (Smith). Greater South- African Kestrel. Falco mpicoloides, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 92. Tinnunculns mpicoloides, Cxurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G4, p. 2. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 33. Falco mpicoloides, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 390. „ „ Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 76. This species is very sparingly met with in Damara Land, but is a little more frequent as one approaches the Orange Eiver ; it is also found at Lake Ngami. The iris is whitish, deeply impregnated with brown ; the eyelid and cere are yellow ; the bare space round the eye and the basal part of the bill livid yellowish, the remainder of the bill horn-colour; the legs and toes bright yellow. [In addition to the localities above given, this species occurs in Ondonga, Ovampo Land, Mr. Andersson's last collection having contained specimens from that locality. — Ed.] 27. PolihieraX Semitorqnatus (Smith). African Dwarf Falcon. Falco semitorqiiatus, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 1 (male, adult). Poliohiei'ax semitorquatus, Andersson, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G4, p. 4. Hypotriorchis castanonottis, Ileuglin, in Ibis, 1860, p. 407, and Sclater, in Ibis, 1861, pi. 12 (female, adult). Falco semitorquatus, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 391. „ „ Heuglin's Om. Nord-Ost-Afr. pi. 1 (male, im- mature). Polihierax semitorquatus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 197. Falco semitorquatus, Finsch k Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 77. This exquisite little Falcon may be regarded as very c 2 20 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. rare in both Great Namaqua and Damara Land, es- pecially in the latter, where I have only seen it once or twice ; altogether I have probably not come across above eight individuals, three-fourths of which I have secured. It is always met with in pairs, and usually perches on bushes or on the lower or middle branches of small trees, though I have seen it on the topmost boughs of lofty trees. I never saw it soar like other Falcons ; it is not shy, and when disturbed it never moves further than to the next conspicuous tree or bush. It feeds on small birds, mice, lizards, and coleopterous insects, the latter being, I apprehend, its chief food. 28. Elanus caeruleus (Dcsfont.). Sonnini's Kite. Elanus melanopteruf;, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 31. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 38. Falco melanopterus, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 392, This is a rare bird in Damara Land, and is only found about the estuaries of some of the large periodical watercourses ; but it is not uncommon at Lake Ngami and its watersheds. It is invariably seen either singly or in pairs, and is usually difficult to approach on account of its watchful habits and from its perching on the tops of trees or lofty bushes. A pair observed in Ondonga were heard to whistle to each other as they flew from tree to tree. This species hunts at a moderate height, but now and then ascends to a considerable elevation, and at such times may be heard to utter a succession of piercing cries. FALCONID^. 21 The irides are deep bright orange ; the bill yellow at the base, the remainder being bluish black ; the legs are yellow. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length .... . 11 9 . . . ... 12 5 Length of folded wing . . 9 8 . . . ... 10 9 „ tarsus . . . . 1 0 . . . ... 1 3 ,, middle toe . . . 1 0 . . . ...10 „ tail . . . . . 4 6 . . . ... 4 9 „ biU . . . . . 1 0 . . . ...11 29. Milvus migrans (Bodd.). Black Kite. Milmis ater, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 29. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 3G. ,, „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 392. Milvus migrans, Newton's Edition of Yarrell's Br. Birds, vol. i. p. 98. The Black Kite appears in Damara and Great Nama- qua Land with the first rains or even before ; the earliest arrival that I have noticed was on the 24th August, or about two months before any rain would fall. Usually it arrives in October and November : at first only a few individuals make their appearance ; but in a few days their name is legion; indeed this Kite and its con- gener, the Yellow-billed Kite, are then more abundant than almost any other species of bird. In 1866 the first Kites were unusually late, and did not appear till the 23rd December. The Black Kite is a very bold and fearless bird; it is by no means an uncommon occur- rence for it to swoop down under your very nose and carry off the meat set before you, and I have even known it to snatch a piece of flesh out of a person's 22 BIRDS OF DAMAEA LAND. hand. It attacks birds much its superior in size and strength, either with the view of depriving them of their prey or from sheer pugnacity. The chief food of this species consists of carrion and offals ; but it devours with equal relish fish, mice, lizards, snakes, insects of all kinds, especially locusts, and not unfrequently it also proves destructive to young poultry. The irides are brown, the bill black, the tarsi and feet lemon-yellow. Measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire length 20 3 Length of folded wing 15 10 „ tarsus 2 0 ,, middle toe 15 „ tail 9 1 bill 17 [Mr. Anderssou's last collectiou contained specimens of this Kite from Ondonga, in both adult and immature plumage ; the specimens in apparently adult dress did not, however, exhibit the grey tints on the head which distinguish the adult Black Kites of Europe and of Northern Africa, but which I have not yet met with in any South-African specimen. — Ed.] 30. Milvus Forskahli (Gmel). Yellow-billed Kite. Lc I'drasiie, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 22. Milvus parusiticns, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Cent. Orn. 1852, p. 142. Milvus Forskahli, Strickland's Ornitholog. Synonyms, No. 225. Milvus parasiticus, Layard's Cat. No. 37. Milvus agyptitis, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 392. Milvus Forskali, Finsch & Ilartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. C3. What has been said of the Black Kite will equally apply to this species, which, however, is probably the FALCONIBM. 23 more common of the two in Damara and Great Namaqua Land. Measurements of a male : — in. liu. Entire length 21 0 Length of folded wing 16 6 „ tarsus 2 0 „ middle toe 16 „ taU 10 4 bill . 17 [A specimen of this Kite contained in Mr. Andersson's last collection was obtained in Ondonga, Ovampo Land, which must therefore be recorded as an additional locality for this species. Mr. Campbell, a gentleman formerly residing at Abeokouta, in West Africa, informed me that this Kite is sometimes ex- tremely common in that locality, but always leaves in the rainy season, which appears to be the time when it makes its migratory appearance fm*ther south in Damara Land. — Ed.] 31. MachaerliamphllS AnderSSOni (Gurney). Andersson's Pern. Strimjonyx Anderssoni, Gurney, in Proc. of Zool. Soc. 1865, p. 618. Machaerhamphus alcinus, Bartlett, in Proc. of Zool. Soc. 1866, p. 324. Macheirhamplms alcinus, Gurney, in Trans, of Zool. Soc. vol. vi. p. 117, pi. 29. Machcerhamphus Anderssoni, Sharpe in Proc. of Zool. Soc. 1871, p. 502. On the 10th March, 1865, I obtained one specimen, a female, of this singular bird at Objimbinque, Damara Land ; it was shot by my servant, who observed another, probably the male. I imagine that I have myself ob- served it once or twice in the neighbourhood of Objim- binque just before dusk. When brought to me, I instinctively suspected the bird to be a feeder at dusk or at night, and called out " Why, that fellow is likely to feed on bats!" And truly enough, so it turned out; for, 24 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. on dissection, an undigested bat was found in the stomach ; and in another specimen, subsequently killed by Axel, there were several bats in the stomach. In this species the irides are bright lemon-yellow, extremities of mandibles black, basal parts and gape bluish lead-colour, tarsi and toes bluish white. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male, in. lin. Entire length 17 8 . . . Length of folded wiug ...139... „ tarsus 2 2... „ middle toe ....20... „ tail 7 3... biU 1 10 . . . in. lin. 18 2 13 11 2 5 2 1 7 0 1 9 [The female specimen above referred to, which was obtained at Objimbinque on the 10th March^ 1865, was presented to me by Mr, Audersson, and was added to the collection of Rap- torial birds in the Norwich Museum. Amongst the skins of birds left by Mr. Andersson at his decease was the male specimen Avhich he subsequently obtained ; and this, on the sale of his collection, was secured for the British Museum, in the ornitho- logical gallery of which it is now exhibited. These two specimens oidy differ from each other in the somewhat smaller cUmensions of the male bird. The female example was described by me in the ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society ' for 1865, under the belief that it was both generically and specifically new, and I suggested for it the name of Strinyonyx Anderssoni. Mr, A. D. Bartlett very obligingly undertook to mount this specimen for the Norwich Museum ; and whilst the bu'd was thus passing through his hands, it occurred to him that it certainly belonged to the same genus, and probably to the same species, as a bird in the Museum at Ley den, which had been figured and described by i\Ir. G. F. Westerman, under the name of Machae- rhamphus* alcinus, in the first volume of a scientific work pub- lished at Amsterdam under the title of ' Bijdragen tot de Dier- kunde, &c,^ This specimen had been purchased for the Leyden * Equivalent to Machccrhamphus m the type used by English printers. FALCONILJ^. 25 Museum from Mr. Frank, the well-known dealer in birds and animals, and was stated to have been brought from Malacca ; but Mr. Bartlett was of opinion that this locality had been erro- neously assigned to it, and that the bird was really a native of Damara Land, especially as many birds collected by Mr. Andersson in Damara Land had passed through the hands of Mr. Frank about the same date as that at which the Machcerham- phuswas acquired for the Ley den Museum; and it was therefore presumed that some accidental confusion of tickets might have caused a mistaken habitat to be asssigned in error to this specimen. Mr. Bartlett's views on this subject were recorded in the ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society ' for 1866, p. 324 ; and as I concurred in his opinion, the female specimen from Damara Land, now in the Norwich Museum, was figured and described under the name of Macheirhaniphus alcinus in the ' Transactions of the Zoological Society,^ vol. vi. pi. 29. This conclusion, however, has proved incorrect — two specimens of the true Machcerhatnphus alcinus, agreeing with that at Ley- den, having subsequently occurred, an examination of which has proved that the Damara-Land bird, though a nearly allied, is yet a distinct species, and therefore entitled to retain the specific name of Anderssoni which I originally proposed for it. Of the two additional specimens of M. alcinus above referred to, one is in the possession of Count Turati, of Milan (as I am informed by my friend M. Jules Verreaux) ; but the locality whence it was obtained has not been recorded. The second additional specimen, which is now in the collection of Viscount Walden, was obtained by the late Dr. Maingay at Malacca, thus confirming the correctness of the locality originally assigned to the Leyden specimen. Mr. R. B. Sharpe in an able paper on this subject, published in the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society' for 1871, thus sums uj) the distinctions between these two nearly allied species: — " The Malaccan species coincides with the Damara bird in the form and style of plumage, having the white ring round the eye and the stripe down the tlu'oat, but differs in its larger bill, darker colom-s, brown abdomen, and long occipital crest : there seems, however, to be a difference in the white feathers round the eye : M. Anderssoni has a white superciliary line and a white spot 26 BIIiDS OF DAMARA LAND. below the eye ; M. alcinus has the latter plainly mottled, but has no distinct supercilium, though the feathers round the rim of the eve are whitish." — Ed.] 32. Kanpifalco monogrammicus, Temm. One-streaked Hawk. Aster monogrmmnieus, Swainson's Bii'ds of West Africa, vol. i. pi. 4. Astur monogrammicus, Hartlaub's Birds of West Africa, No. 30, Melierax jnonogrammicus, Gumey, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Sec. 18G4, p. 2. Kanpifalco 7nonogra7nmieus, Gray's Haud-list of Birds, No. 352, [The Norwich Museum contains a male of this species, obtained by Mr, Andersson at Elephant's Vley^, on October 26th, 1859, which is the most southern example of this species that has come under my notice. — Ed.] 33. Melierax musicus (Daud.). Chanting Hawk, Le Faucon chantenr, LevaiUant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 27. Melierax musicus, Layard's Cat. No. 4(5. Falco musicus, Chapman's Travels in S. Air., App. 391. This handsome species is one of the most common Hawks in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, where it is found throughout the year ; it is particularly abundant about Walvisch Bay, and is usually found in open country. It perches on a dry branch on the top of some low acacia, whence it will watch with the greatest assiduity for hours together. It has a skimming flight, occasionally moving its large wings with a slow and heavy undulation. From the contents of the stomachs of those I have * [Mr. Andersson appears to have given this name to a locality about six days' journey to the south of the Okavango River, whore he remained encamped from about July 20th to November 23rd, 1859, and made a large collection of birds' skins. Vide Andcrssou's ' Okavango l\iver,' pp. 220, 234, 2.3G, 244.— Ei).] FALCONID.E. 27 dissected I am inclined to think that the chief food of this species consists of rats, mice, small reptiles, and many kinds of insects ; it also occasionally devours young birds. The irides in adult specimens are of a deep reddish brown ; the cere and base of the bill bright brick-red, the rest of the bill dark horn-colour ; the legs and feet vermilion. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length .... . . 20 6 . . . . . 21 5 Leng-th of folded wing . . . 14 0 . . . . . 14 6 „ tarsus . . . ..40.. ...45 „ middle toe . . ..17.. ...20 „ tail .... ..94.. . . . 10 1 bill .... ..16.. ...17 34. Melierax polyzonus, EUpp. lliippell's mauy-zoned Hawk. Nisns polyzonus, Riippell's Fauna Abyssin. pi. 15. Melierax polyzonus, Gurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. „ „ Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 354. [An adult male of this species was obtained by Mr. Andersson at Elephant's Vley on November lOtlij 1859, and is preserved in the Norwich Museum. I know no other instance of this species occurring so far south ; and it is remarkable that it should have been obtained at the same spot, and within fifteen days of the same date, as the specimen of Kaupifalco monogrammicus previously refeiTed to. Mr. Andersson, in his notes on some of the Birds of Damara Land, published in the Zoological Society's ' Proceedings ' for 1864, p. 4, erroneously gave the name of this species to Accipiter polyzonoides, Smith, the bird to Avhich he then applied the latter name being in reality A. tachiro (Daiul.). — Ed.] 28 BIIWS OF DAMARA LAND. 35. Melierax gabar (Daud.). Gabar Hawk. Le Gabar, Levaillant's Ois. cVAfr, pi. 33. Accipiter gahar, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Cont. Orn. 1852, p. 142. „ „ Andersson in Proc. of Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 4. Melierax gabar, Layard's Cat. No. 44. Accipiter gabar. Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 391. Nisus gabar, Finscli & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 86. This is one of the commonest Hawks in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, as well as in the Lake-regions. In Damara Land it is partially migratory, arriving with the rain and retiring on the return of the dry season ; nevertheless stragglers remain throughout the year. Its favourite resorts are thickly wooded districts, where it hides amongst the foliage, never being seen to perch on the topmost boughs of trees. It feeds chiefly on mice, lizards, white ants, locusts, and many coleopterous insects. In the adult birds the anterior parts of the bill, together with the legs and toes, are a bright reddish orange, the irides are a brilliant purple. Average dimensions of seventeen males and of eleven females : — Malea. Females. in. lin. in. lin. Entire lenj^th 11 10 13 8 Length of folded wing ... 7 3 ,, tarsus 2 0 „ middle toe .... 1 3 tail 6 1 bill 0 0 7 11 2 0 1 5 6 8 0 10 FALCONID^. 29 36. Melierax niger (VieiU.). African Black Hawk. Sparvius niger, Vieillot's Gal. des Ois. pi. 22. Accipiter niger, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. to Om. 1852, p. 142. Melierax niger, Layard's Cat. No. 4o, Nisus niger, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vcigel Ost-Afrika's, p. 88. This rather scarce Hawk is usually met with either singly or in pairs. I do not recollect having seen it in Great Namaqua Land ; but it is found to the north as far as the Okavango and eastward to the lake, though nowhere numerous. It is not particularly shy ; its food consists of small birds, mice, &c. The irides are cherry-colour; the base of the bill yellowish red, the tips of the mandibles black ; the legs and toes vermilion, with the scutellated parts yellowish. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length .... . . 12 9 . . . . . 13 6 Length of folded wing . ..76.. ...80 „ tarsus . . . . . 1 10 . . . . . 1 11 „ middle toe . . ..13.. ...14 „ tail .... ..67.. ...70 „ biU . . . . . . 0 10 . . . . . 0 10 37. Accipiter tachiro (Baud.). Taehiro Sparrow-Hawk. Fako taehiro, Teniminck's PI. Col. pi. 377 & 420. Accipiter taehiro, Gumey, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. Aecipiter polyzonoides, Andersson in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 4. Accipiter taehiro, Layard's Cat. No. 40. Nisus taehiro, Finsch & Hartlaub, Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 78. I only obtained two or three specimens of this Hawk, which is very rare in Damara Land. 30 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 38. Accipiter polyzonoides, Smith. Manj^-banded Sparrow-Hawk. Accipitcr polyzonoides, Smith's Zool. of S. Afr. pi. 11. „ ,, (rurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G4, p. 2. Meliemx pohizonus, Anderssou, ibid. p. 4. Accijnter polyzonoides, Layard's Cat. No. 41. Falco poh/zonoules, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 391. Nisus hadms (part.),Finsch & Ilartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 81. I think the adult birds of this species are rather rare both in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, as I succeeded in obtaining comparatively few of them ; the young birds, however, are in some years very abundant. It is a migratory species, arriving in Damara Land after the first rains have fallen and retiring again on the approach of the dry season, though a few individuals probably remain throughout the year. The females are the first to arrive, and are followed by the males after a consider- able interval. Both sexes are much emaciated on their first appearance ; during their temporary stay in Damara Land they chiefly feed on white ants ; but their food also includes grasshoppers, lizards, and mice. They are par- tial to well and deeply wooded districts, where they seek shelter amongst the foliage and are never seen to perch in any very conspicuous situations. The base of the upper mandible is yellow, that of the lower mandible bluish black, and the remainder of the bill darkish ; the edges of the gape are dusky yellow, the irides bright orange, the legs and toes yellow. [Drs. Finsch and Hartlaub, loc. cit., blend in one species Accipiter badius, Gmel. (= A. dussumieri, Temm.), of South- eastern Afiia and Ceylon, Accipiter sphenurus, lliipp. (= A. brachydactylus, Swains.), of intertropical Africa, and Accipiter polyzonoides, Smith, of Sonthern Africa ; but it appears to me FALCONID^. 31 that these three local races, though unquestionably very nearly allied, are constantly distinguishable, and may therefore be cor- rectly treated as specifically distinct ; as regards the two former, Mr. Blanford^s observations in his ' Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia,' p. 294, may be consulted with advantage*. In Mr. Andersson^s notes in the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society ' for 1864, there is an accidental error at page 4 as to the nomenclature of this species, which I have already explained under the head oi Melierax polyzonus. — Ed.] 39. Accipiter minuUuS (Daud.). Minulle Sparrow-Hawk. Le Minulle, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi 34 (immature). Accipiter minullus, Gurney, Bii'ds Damar., Pr. ZooL Soc. 18G4, p. 2. „ „ Andersson, ibid. p. 4. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 42. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 392. To the best of my recollection I have never met with this bird either in Damara or Great Namaqua Land, though I have observed it sparingly in the Lake-regions and near the river Okavango. Notwithstanding its dimi- nutive size, it is a bold and fearless bird, more especially during the time of incubation, when it will unhesitatingly face enemies more than twice or three times its own size, and is much assisted in its attacks by the swiftness of its flight. A curious incident occurred to myself which will serve to illustrate its daring and recklessness ; I was crouching on the ground near a water-hole in the desert for the purpose of securing such birds as might come there to quench their thirst, when a Hawk of this species perched on a dry tree in my neighbourhood, but out of range of my gun ; suddenly it left its perch and * Some valuable remarks on the differences between these three species will be found in Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser's article on Accipiter hredpcs in their excellent work on the Birds of Europe. 32 BIRDS OF DAM AHA LAND. flew straight at me, almost sweeping the ground, and with such rapidity that before I could raise myself and point the fowling-piece, I felt the Hawk's wings fanning my face ; and, to save my head from its claws, I had, actually to throw myself on my back, at the same time making a sweep at the bird with my gun ; even after this it hovered over me for a while almost within reach of the gun's muzzle, and evidently only abstained with great reluctance from further attempts at molestation. \\ am not aware that any figure of this species in its adult plumage has yet been published. — Ed.] 40. Accipiter mfiventris, Smith. Rufous-bellied Sparrow-Hawk. Accipiter rujiventris, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 93. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 43. This must be a scarce bird in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, as it has but very rarely come under my notice ; it is, however, common to the south of the Orange River and in various parts of the Cape Colony ; Mr. Layard also found it amongst the birds collected by the Messrs. Chapman in the Lake-regions. 41. Circus Swainsoni, Smith. Swainson's Harrier. Circtis Swainsonii, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pis. 43 & 44. Circus Swainsoni, Gurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. „ „ Andersson, ibid. p. 4. Circus Sioaitisonii, Layard's Cat. No. 49. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 392. This bird is migratory, appearing towards the return of the rainy season in Damara and Great Namaqua Land ; I have observed very few adult specimens ; but young and middle-aged birds are pretty numerous. FALCONID^. 33 This Harrier chiefly haunts the sides of marshes, the banks of rivers, and other humid places, in search of lizards, mice, moths, white ants, &c. ; it usually flies low and straight, and only occasionally in circles. [This Harrier also occurs in Ovampo Land, a specimen ob- tained in Ondonga on January 22nd, 1867, having been contained in Mr. Andersson^s last collection. In addition to this species, Mr. Andersson states that Circus cyaneus " occurs very sparingly in Damara Land ; " but I suspect that in this remark there has been an error of identification, and that the specimens thus referred to in reality belonged either to the present or to the succeeding species, as I have never seen an example of Circus cyaneus from any locality south of the equator, — Ed.] 42. Circus cinerarius (Mont.). Montagu's Harrier. Circus cineracem, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 35. Circus (iter, Vieillot's Nouv, Diet. d'Histoire Xat. vol. iv. p. 459 (melanism). Circus cine)-arius, Strickland's Om. Synonyms, No. 247. „ „ Gumey, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. Circus cinerascens, Layard's Cat. No. 50. [Mr. Andersson^s record of this species is limited to the follow- ing measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire length 17 0 Length of folded wing 13 2 ,, tarsus 2 4 „ middle toe 15 „ tail 8 3 hill 12 I have seen specimens of this Harrier which were obtained by Mr. Andersson at Objimbinque in Damara Land, and in On- donga, Ovampo Land. — Ed.] 43. Circus maurus (Temm.). Fuliginous Harrier. Falco mcmrtis, Temminck's PI. Col. pi. 461 (adult). Cii-cus maurus, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 5S (immature). „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 62. D 34 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. I have observed this bird in Little Namaqua Land, but am not aware that it is an inhabitant of Great Namaqua or Damara Land ; it frequents the banks of lakes and rivers and marshy places in general, along which it leisurely hunts for birds, mice, lizards, frogs, &c. 44. Circus ranivorus (Daud.). Levaillant's Harrier. Le Grenuidllard, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 23. Circus ranivonts, Layard's Cat. No. 51. I do not recollect to have met with this Harrier in Damara or Great Namaqua Land; but Mr. Layard informs me that he received specimens collected in the Lake-country by Mr. James Chapman. SERPENTARIID^. 45. Sagittarius secretarius (Scoi).). Secretary bird. Le MiuKjenr de Serpents, LeA'aillaut's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 25. Sagitturms secretarius, Strickland's Orn. Syn. No. 242. Serpentaz-ius reptilivorus, Layard's Cat. No. 48. Secretarius reptilivorus, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 392. The Secretary bird is found sparingly in Great Na- maqua and Damara Land and on the plains of Ondonga in the Ovampo country; it also occurs about Lake Ngami. It spends most of its time upon the ground, rarely, if ever, taking to the wing ; and if compelled to do so, it is only for very short flights, as it seems to prefer seeking its safety by means of its long legs, which are admirably adapted for running. Its swiftness is wonderful, and it actually seems to skim the ground SERPENT ARIID.^. 35 when briskly pursued; sometimes, however, this con- fidence in its legs costs the bird its life, when the well- mounted horseman, aware of its terrestrial propensities, steadily pursues it until it becomes too much exhausted to avail itself of its wings, and ultimately falls a prey to its enemy. When undisturbed, it usually stalks about with considerable ease, grace, and dignity; but it is difficult to approach, as its long legs and neck, and its habit of frequenting open and exposed localities, enable it to espy an enemy at a great distance, and thus to guard against any sudden surprise. When seen making steadily for a particular point, it may sometimes be successfully cut off by pressing forward rapidly across its path, as on such occasions, instead of deviating from its straight course, it trusts to its legs for outstripping its pursuer by holding on at all risks, in this respect resembling the Ostrich. The food of the Secretary bird is very various, consisting of snakes, lizards, tortoises, mice, rats, insects of almost every kind, and even young birds ; but these latter, I believe, it only devours when distressed by hunger ; for amongst the old Dutch colonists it was frequently kept in captivity as an excellent me- diator in the poultry-yard, as well as a protector to the young fowls from the attacks of snakes, rats, &c. Many snakes show fight when attacked by the Secre- tary bird ; and it is a most amusing and ludicrous sight to witness a combat between such different oj^ponents ; the bird, however, invariably comes off" victorious after a short but desperate resistance : the reptile hisses and darts at the Secretary, which not only skilfully wards off d2 36 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. the attack, but, by a rapid succession of violent blows from its formidably armed wings, generally succeeds, in a short time, in prostrating its wily enemy ; and some- times a well-directed blow on the vertebrse of the snake at once ends the combat. As soon as this is ac- complished the bird dexterously seizes its fallen enemy in its bill, and, after having well tossed it backwards and forwards, finally puts an end to the death-struggle by transfixing the brain with its powerful beak. STRIGID^. 46. Strix poensiSi Fraser. South-African Screech-Owl. Strix poemis, Fraser, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1842, p. 189. Strix affinis, Layard's Cat. No. 65. Strix Jlaimma, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 393. South of the Orange River this Owl is exceedingly common ; but north of that river it is a very scarce bird, tliough widely distributed over all tlie countries of which these notes treat. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length . . . . . 13 5 . . . . . . 13 8 Length of folded wing . . 11 4 . . . ... 11 3 „ tarsus . . . .28... ... 2 6 „ middle toe . . .13... ... 1 3 tail 5 0 6 0 „ hill . . . . .17... ... 1 7 [I believe that no figure of this Owl has yet been published. It is very closely allied to Strix flummea of Europe and Northern Africa, from wliicli it appears only to differ in its slightly larger average measurements^ in the somewhat deeper colouring of the upper surface generally^ and in the under surface being more [)rofusely sprinkled with small dark spots. — Ed.] STRIGID^. 37 47. Athene perlata (Vieill.). African Pearl-spotted Owl. La Chevechette Perlee, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 284. Strix perlata, Vieillot's Nouv. Diet. vol. vii. p. 26. Athene licua, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Orn. 18o2, p. 142. „ „ Layard'3 Cat. No. 50. Strix seneffalensis, Cliapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 393. Athene perlata, Finscli, in Trans, of Zool. Soc. vol. "vii. p. 209. This is the smallest as well as the commonest Owl in Damara Land, Great Namaqua Land, and Ovampo Land. It is met with singly or in pairs, and though nocturnal in its habits it seems nearly as much at home in the daylight as by night, and can see its way perfectly well even in dazzling sunshine. It possesses quite an intelligent look, and hops about on its perch in the liveliest and briskest manner. It is quite tame, allowing a person to approach within a very few paces ; and when at last compelled to retreat it only moves to the next convenient perch. At night it utters a shrill cry very unlike the usual hooting of Owls. It appears to feed largely on insects. The sexes in this species are of about the same size. The iris is bright lemon-yellow, the bill and legs greenish yellow. [Specimens of this Owl from Damara Land and also from Trans Vaal appear to be identical with those obtained on the Gambia ; and I therefore do not here use the specific name of " licua " applied by Lichtenstein to South-African examples of this species under the idea that they could be specifically distin- guished from those which occur to the north of the equator. — Ed.] 38 BIRDS OF DAMAllA LA^W. 48. TaenioglaUX capensis (Smith). African Barred-tail Owl. Athene capensis, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 33. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 55. Tcenioglanx capensis, Gumey, in Ibis, 1868, p. 147. This, I apprehend, is a very scarce bird in Damara Land, as I saw but very few specimens in all my travels. I have never observed it in Great Namaqua Land. [Mr. Andersson's collection contained a pair of these Owls obtained at the river CunenC; and also a specimen from Ovampo Land. — Ed.] 49. Scops capensis, Smith. Cape Scops Owl. Scops capensis, Smith in South-African Quarterly Journal, 183-1, p. 314 (.=iub Scops europcRHs). Scops seneffulensis, Strickland & Sclater, Bhds Damar., Contr. Orn. 1852, p. 142. Scops latipennis, Kaup, in Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. iv. p. 223. Ephialtes capensis, Gurney in Ibis, 1859, p. 242. Ephialtes senegaletisis, Layard's Cat. No. 60. Strix scops. Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 393. Ephialtes sencf/alensis, Finsch, in Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. vii. p. 210. To the best of my belief this is a very rare species in Damara Land ; and I have never met with it elsewhere ; indeed I had been many years in the Damara country before I became aware of its existence, and at last made the discovery in the following rather singular manner : — One day, whilst reloading my gun in a wood, my attention was attracted by a noise like that of the gentle and measured tappings of a Woodpecker against the stem of a tree. I approached cautiously the spot from which the sound appeared to proceed ; but, after making several turns round the tree, I could find nothing, and began to doubt whether the sound could ha^e been caused by a STRIGID^. 39 Woodpecker, as it was scarcely jarring or hollow enough ; still there the sound was. At last, when I was on the point of giving up the search, I espied in a small cavity, caused by the breaking off of a branch close to the stem, a small, dark, and all but immovable mass ; I fired at once, and down came one of the prettiest and most perfect little Owls 1 had ever seen. Undoubtedly this was the bird which had attracted my attention in so peculiar a manner ; and the noise was probably caused by the opening and shutting of its bill. At long intervals I obtained three more specimens in the same locality ; and as the four consisted of an adult male and female and two young, I inferred that they all belonged to the same family. The iris in this species is bright yellow, darkest on the outer side of the ring ; the bill and toes are a bluish horn-colour. Measurements of two specimens, both males : — in. lin. in- lin. Entire length of one 7 0 .. of the other G 10 Length of folded wing ... „ 54.. „ 53 „ tarsus „ 11.. „ 10 „ middle toe ... „ 08.. „ 08 „ tail „ 2 7.. „ 24 biU „ 0 8.. „ 08 [I am not aware that any figure of this species has yet been published ; a specimen brought from Abyssinia^ by Mr. Jesse, and now in the collection of Viscount Walden, though referred by Dr. Finsch {loc. cit.) to S. senegalensis, appears to me to belong to this species, as it exactly agrees with those obtained in Damara Land by Mr. Andersson. I have seen several Damara specimens of this bird, all of which, as well as the Abyssinian example above referred to, exhibit a much darker tint of grey over the entire plumage than is to be found in any other Old- 40 BIEDS OF DAMARA LAND. World species of the genus Scops with which I am acquainted. The only other indiWdual of Scojjs capensis which has come under my notice was obtained in Natal by INIr. Ayres, and is now pre- served in the Norwich jNIuseum ; this is a more rufous specimen, but appears to me to be nevertheless referable to this species. From a recent comparison of specimens I believe Scops capensis to be quite distinct from the West- African S. senegalensis, which I have only seen from Senegal, Bissao, and the Gaboon, and which I consider is also distinct fi'om tlie more northern S. zorca. This last-named species occurs in jNIorocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Nubia, which seems to be its most southern limit. — Ed.] 50. Scops leucotis (Temm.). White-faced Scops Owl. Strix leucotis, Temminck's PI. Col. pi. IG. Scops leucotis, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Coutr. Oru. 1852, p. 142. Tufted Owl, Baiues's South-west Africa, woodcut at p. 213. Ephialtes leucotis, Layard's Cat. No 01. Strix leucotis, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 393. Bubo leucotis, Fiusch & Hartlaub's Vogel Oat-AMka's, p. 106. Next to Athene perlata, this is about the most com- mon Owl in Damara Land and the parts adjacent to the northward; it is also pretty frequent in the Lake- regions, but is less frequently observed in Great Namaqua Land. It is always seen in pairs ; and though strictly a night Owl, its vision by day is by no means bad. This Owl lays two or three pure-white eggs, rather smaller than those of Otus vulgaris., very broad, and equally rounded at both ends. I found nests of this species on the respective dates of September 18th, October 15th, October 31st, and November 10th. The first of these was in the hollow of a tree : the STRIGID^. 41 female bird and one egg were brought to me ; and she laid a second g^^ during the ensuing night. The second was in one of the hollows or nests in a mass of nests constructed by Textor erythrovliynchus ; but it appeared as if it had been enlarged by the Owl. The third was a small open stick nest, evidently constructed by the bird itself and composed of a few sticks so loosely put together that the single egg the nest contained could be discerned between the interstices ; the Owl remained upon this nest till the tree began to give way under the strokes of the axe, and did not appear to care for our presence or our shouting. The fourth nest was about twelve feet from the ground, and situated on a branch ; it was composed of only a few straggling sticks, and was probably an abandoned pigeon's nest. The iris in this species is bright orange-yellow, and its eyes are exquisitely beautiful ; the bill and feet are of a light bluish white. There does not seem to be any marked difference of size between the sexes. 51. Huhua Verreauxi (Bon.). Yerreaiix's Eagle-Owl. Buho verreauxi, Bonaparte's Consp. Avium, p. 49. Bubo lacteus, Guruey, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. Buho verreauxi, Layard's Cat. No. 57. Huhua verreauxi, Guruey, iu Ibis, 1868, p. 147. Nyctaetus verreauxi, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 450. Strix lactea, Chapman's Travel's in S. Afr., App. p. 392. This is the largest Owl found in Damara Land. It is of not unfrequent occurrence from the Okavango Kiver northward, to the Cape Colony in the south, and it is also met with in the Lake-regions ; it is generally found 42 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. in pairs, and perches on large trees ; it utters at night, and sometimes during the day, a most formidable, hollow, and sepulchral cry or hoot. Its food consists of mice and other small quadrupeds, birds, lizards, and large beetles. The iris is very dark hazel. Measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire length 23 10 Length of folded wing 16 7 „ tarsus 3 0 „ middle toe 2 3 „ tail 0 8 „ biU 2 0 [I believe that no figure of this South-African species has yet been publislied^ though the nearly alhed but smaller and more northern race, Huhua lacteus (Temm.) is figui'ed in the ' Planches Coloriees/ pi. 4. — Ed.] 52. Bubo maculoSUS (Vieill.). Spotted Eagle-Owl. ^trix africana, Temminck's PI. Col. pi. 50. Bubo mactdosus, Layard's Cat. No. 59. „ „ (part.), Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 103. This Owl is sparingly met with in Damara and Great Namaqua Land ; its food comprises rats and large beetles. The irides are bright yellow, and the bill black. [Some naturalists, including Drs. Finsch and Hartlaub,/oc.«^., have supposed this species to be identical with Bubo cinerascens, of (juerin, from Equatorial Africa, a very distinct species be- longing to the genus Huhua (or Nycta'etns) , and having, like the other species of Huhua, dark brown irides, very diflcrcnt from the golden-yellow iris which is universal in the genus Bubo. — Ed.] STRIGIDJ^. 43 63. Phasmaptynx capensis (Smith). African Short-eared Owl. CM,us capensis, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 67. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 64. Phasmaptynx capensis, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 553. [Mr. Andersson^s last collection contained examples of this species, one of which was marked as having been obtained in Ondonga, Ovampo Land — Ed.] 44 BIRDS OF DAMAEA LAND. PASSERES. FISSIROSTRES. CAPRIMULGIDiE. 54. Caprimulg^S rufigena, Smith. Kufous-cheeked Goatsucker. Cajjrimuli/us nifiyena, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 100. Caprimulc/ris damaremis, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr, Ora. 1852, p. 143. Caprimulgus ruftgeyia, Layard's Cat. No. G8. Caprimnlffus damarensis, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 410. I have found this bh*d. tolerably common in the southern portion of Damara Land; and it is also an inhabitant of Great Namaqua Land. It is met with singly or in pairs, and frequents moderately dense brush- wood. I have, to the best of my recollection, always found these Goatsuckers settled on the ground during the day, and not on the lower branches of small trees as observed by Sir A. Smith. They are fond of settling in open spaces, and more especially in roads and footpaths ; they make their ap- pearance a little before dusk, and appear to be partially migratory, as they are much more common in the rainy than during the dry season. The irides are very dark brown, the legs and toes bright flesh-colour. [I have ascertained the identity of Caprimulgus damarensis of Strickland with tliis species l)y examination of the type speci- men preserved in the Museum of Zoolo}i,y at Cambridge. — Ed.] CAPRIMULGID^E. 45 55. CaprimulgUS pectoralis, Cuv. Pectoral Goatsucker. V Engoule-vent h colliet-, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 49. Caprimulgus pectoralis and C. rttjigena, Strickland & Sclater, Birds of Damar., Contr. Orn. 1852, p. 14.3. Caprimulgus atrovarius, Layard's Cat. No. 72. This species is tolerably common in the north of Damara Land, It is usually found singly, and is partial to open roads and paths about dusk. Its food consists of beetles and other insects, their eggs, and small seeds. The irides are deep dark brown, the bill black, the feet grey. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. ire length .... ..95.. ...95 igth. of folded wing . ..66.. ...66 „ tarsus . . . . . 0 10 . . ...09 „ middle toe . . ..08.. ...09 „ tail .... ..49... , . . 4 11 „ bill .... ..13.. ...13 56. Caprimulgus lentiginosus, Smith. Freckled Goatsucker. Capriimdgus lentiginosus, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 101. ,, „ Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Orn. 1852, p. 14.3. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 70. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 4. I am inclined to think that this is a scarce bird in South Afi-ica, though, at the same time, somewhat widely diffused, as I have obtained specimens in every part traversed by myself. 57. Cosmetornis vexillarius (Gould). Standard-wing Goatsucker. St'fneiojjhorus vexillarius, Gould's Icones Av. pi. 3. Cosmetornis vexillarius, Hartlaub in Ibis, 1862, p. 143. 4G BIRDS OF DAMAllA LAND. Cosnietornis vexillarius, Sclater in Ibis, 1864, pi. 2. „ „ Finscli and ILvrtlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, pp. 129, 856. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 11. I only observed this singular Nightjar in the large forests about one degree south of the river Okavango ; I never saw many of them ; and the few that were observed were all found within from twenty to one hun- dred yards of each other. This bird, when seen on the wing at dusk, presents a most singular appearance, giving the idea of a huge double-winged bat. [INIr. R. B. Sharpe possesses a specimen of this Goatsucker which was obtained by Mr. Andersson at Elephant's Vley, on October 13tli, 1859.— Ed.] CYPSELIDiE. 58. Cypselus gutturalis, Vieill. White-throated Swift. Lo Martinet a (jorgc blanche, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi, 243. Cypsehis gidturaUs, Tristram in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 887. Cypselus melba, Layard's Cat. No. 74. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 16. On July 8th, 1866, I observed at Objimbinque a large flight of these Swifts, which, to the best of my recollection, were the first I ever saw in Damara Land. Subsequently I observed immense numbers in various places, and particularly noted them as very numerous on the Omaruru River on November 2nd. The food of this Swift consists of flies and beetles. The iris is brown, the bill black, the legs flesh-coloured, and the toes brownish. CYPSELID^. 47 [The Rev. H. B. Tristram, in the ' Proceedings of the Zoolo- gical Society of London^ for 1867, p. 887, has recorded his reasons for considering this Swift to be specifically distinct from the more northern but closely allied C melba. One of the differences which he mentions, the greater breadth of the brown gorget in the South- African bird, is, however, by no means con- stant, and the whole question as to the specific distinctness of the two races can probably only be satisfactorily decided by a comparison of a larger series of northern and southern ex- amples than has hitherto been instituted. Mr. R. B. Sharpe has given it as his opinion, in 'The Ibis,^ for 1870, p. 427, that the two supposed species are not in reality distinct ; and it is quite possible that further investigations may confirm this view. — Ed.] 59. Cypselus barbatus, TeimiT. MS. South-African Black Swift. Cypselus barbatus, Sclater in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1865, p. 599 (sub Cypselus apus). „ „ Tristram in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 887. Cypselus apus, Layard's Cat. No. 75. „ „ Finsch in Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. vii. p. 213. „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 17. I am far from certain that the Black Swift of Damara Land is identical with Cypselus apus, of Europe. The bird found in Damara and Great Namaqua Land is com- mon during the rainy season. Great numbers are often found in the neighbourhood of the sea, near the mouths of periodical watercourses that have a moist bed. Measurements of two specimens, both males : — in. lin, in. lin. Entire length of one 7 6 . . of the other 7 4 Length of folded wing ... „ 6 10^ . . „ 67 „ tarsus „ 0 6.. „ 05 middle toe . . . „ 0 3 . . „ 0 3 tail „ 3 0.. „ 30 bill „ 0 lOi . . „ 0 9 48 BIIWS OF DAMARA LAND. [Dr. Tristram, in his paper in the Zoological Society's ' Pro- ceedings/ already allnded to under the head of Cypsehis gutturalis, also describes the distinguishing differences between the Black Swift of Eiu'opc and that of South Africa. These, though slight, appear to be constant ; but at the same time the specific value of the distinction must probably remain in abeyance until a larger number of specimens have l)een obtained for comparison than have as yet been made available for that purpose. I am not aware that the South-African Black Swift has yet been figured; and in the opinion of Dr. Finsch, loc. cit., the South- African bird is merely the young of C. apus ; but if so, it seems singular that only the immature birds should migrate so far south. — Ed.] 60. Cypselus parvus, Licht. Little African Swift. C'l/psc/us cnnhrodnms, Temm. in PI. Col. pi. 4C0. fig. 2. Cypselus pnrvtin, Sclater, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G5, p. GOl . Cotyle ambrosineiis, Layard's Cat. No. 92. Cypselus parvus, Sharpe's Cat. No. 1.3. I observed this species at Ondonga, where I found it pretty common. At the end of February these Swifts appeared to be nesting, as they were seen in pairs, and a male and female were both shot with feathers in their bills. The flight of this species is generally lofty. The iris is dark brown, the legs and feet brown, and the bill black. Measurements of two males : — Entire length of one 0 4 Length of folded wing ... „ 64 „ tarsus „ 0 5 „ middle toe . . . „ 0 .3 „ tail „ 3 G bill 0 7 lin. in. lin. of the other 6 3 6 4 0 4 0 3 3 G 0 7 CYPSELIDjE. Measurements of two females :— 49 in. lin. in. lin. Entire length . . . of one 6 3 . of the other 5 11 Length of folded wing ,, 5 4 . 5 2 „ tarsus . . , 0 4 . „ 0 5 „ middle toe . 0 3 . 0 3 „ tail . . . 3 6 . 3 4 bill . . . „ 0 7 . 0 7 HIRUNDINID^. 61. Hirundo Monteiri, Hartl. Monteiro's Swallow. Hinmdo Monteiri, Ilartlaub, in Ibis, 1862, pi. 11. „ „ Giirney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. „ „ Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afi-ika's, p. 139. „ „ Sharpe, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1870, p. 316. „ „ Sharpe's Cat, No. 437. To the best of my knowledge this fine Swallow (of which I first obtained a few individuals on the river Okavango in 1859) never extends its migration so far south as Damara Land proper; and, indeed, very few individuals come much further south than the Okavango. Those that came under my notice were always found in large open forests, flying high above the tree tops in pursuit of their insect prey, or occasionally perching on lofty, isolated, and aged trees, and they were in consequence by no means easy to procure. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female in. lin. in. lin tire length .... ..95.. ..93 igth of folded wing . ..59.. ..59 „ tarsus . . . ..08.. ...08 „ middle toe . . ..05.. ..06 tail .... . . 4 11 . . . . 4 10 bill .... ..09.. ..09 [A specimen obtained by Mr. Andersson at Elephant's Vley, 50 BIRDS OF DAMABA LAND. and two others from Oudonga, are in the collection of Mr. R. B. Sharpe.— Ed.] 62. Himndo rustica, Linn. Chimney-Swallow. Hirundo rustica, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 54. „ „ Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. to Orn. 1852, p. 144. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 79. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 410. „ „ (part.), Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 134. „ „ Sharpe & Dresser, in I'roc. Zool. Soc. 1870, p. 244. This well-known species is pretty common in Damara and Great Namaqua Land during the rainy season, and I have found it very numerous at Wahisch Bay and in other localities near the coast. In uncivilized parts of Africa these Swallows affix their nests to some projection of a rock or trunk of a tree, or occupy cavities in rocks or banks. The iris is dark brown, the bill black, the legs brownish. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female, in. lin. in. lin. Entire length 7 ?, 6 8 Leng-th of folded wing ... 5 0 410 tarsus 0 ti 0 5 middle toe ....05 05 tail 3 3 3 0 bill 08 08 [Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser, in their paper in the Zoological Society's ' Proceedings ' above referred to, have recorded some interesting facts relative to the changes of plumage which this species undergoes during its migration to Southern Africa. — Ed.] 63. Hirundo CUCuUata, Bodd. Rousdline Swallow. L" Hirondelk' rouseUine, Levaillant's t)is. d'Afr. pi. 245. fig. 1. HIRUNDINID.^. 51 Hirundo capcnsis, Layard's Cat, No. 81. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p, 410. Hirundo cticullata, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 795. „ „ Sharpe, in Proc. Zool. See. 1870, p. 318. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 440. This is not a very common Swallow in Damara Land, where it usually arrives later than Hirundo dimidiata ; it courts the society and neighbourhood of man, and, where permitted, will unhesitatingly enter his dwellings and construct its nest and rear its young in the midst of the household duties of the family. The nest is built of clay, and at first resembles in shape that of Hirundo rustica ; but gradually the hollow bowl is narrowed into a tube of some extent. If the nest be destroyed at this stage, the poor bird at once sets about repairing the damage, but generally contents itself with rebuilding the dome, to which a narrow entrance is added. 1 have known a pair of these Swallows reconstruct their nest three times in one season, the female deposit- ing a nearly full complement of eggs on each occasion. At the Cape this species commences its incubation towards the latter end of September or early in October, but in Damara Land it is somewhat later. The e^ffs are four or five in number, of a pure white, dotted over with minute brown spots ; the irides are brown. Measurements of a male and a female : — in. lin. in. lin. Entire length .... ..76... ..70 Length of folded wing . . 4 10 . . . ..46 „ tarsus . . . ..07... ..06 „ middle top . . ..07... ..06 tail .... . . 3 11 . . . ..38 „ bill .... . . 0 7i . . . ..07 e2 52 BIBDS OF DAMAllA LAND. 64. Hirundo dimidiata, Sundev. Pearly-breasted Swallow. Ilirmuh dimidiata, Simdevall, Ofvers. 1850, p. 107. Hirundo scapuJaris, Cassin, in Pr. Ac. Phil, 1850, pi. 12. fig. 3. Hirnndo dimidiata, Layard's Cat. No. 87. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afi'., App. p. 410. „ „ Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 133. „ „ Shai-pe, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1870, p. 310. These Swallows are tolerably common in Damara Land, Avhere they arrive about November ; but on the Okavango River I have seen them as early as the 1st of September. They do not stay any great length of time in Damara Land, in fact barely long enough to rear their young. In December 1863 a pair of these birds took up their abode in my dining-room at Objimbinque, where they half completed a nest and then abandoned it ; another pair (at least I conjectured that they were not the same) after a time continued the labour ; but finally they also abandoned the nest whilst still incomplete ; the next season, however, it was finished, probably by the original projectors, and the parent birds safely brought up their young. The nest of this Swallow is cup-shaped, and the eggs pure white. The irides in this species are dark brown; the bill, legs, and toes are black. 65. Cotile fllligula, Licht. Fawn-breasted Martin. LJIinmdcUefauve, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 246. fig. 1. Cotijlcfnlidula, Layard's Cat. No. 89. Hinimlo 7->/p(:stris, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 400. Cotylc fidiijula, Sliarpc, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1870, p. 299. „ „ Shai-pe's Cat. No. 425. This ^lartin is common in Damara and Great Namaqua i UIIIUNDINIDJ^. 53 Land, and is the only species of Swallow which remains throughout the year, a few couples being always to be found in suitable localities. I once saw a very large number at Hykomkap on the 20th of May. This species breeds in the holes of low rocks and clay- banks. The nest is cup-shaped, and built of the usual clay materials ; the eggs are five or six in number, white, tinged with fawn, and spotted with brown. The iris in this species is of a very dark brown ; the bill is brown, the upper mandible being darker than the lower ; the legs and toes are brown. Measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire length 5 8 Lenp^th of folded wing .... 5 0 „ tarsus 0 0 ,, middle toe .... 0 (3 „ tail 2 3 „ bill 0 71 CORACIAD^. 66. Coracias caudata, Linn. Green-necked Holler. C'oracias cauduUt, Des Murs, Icon. Orn. pi. 28. „ „ Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Cunt, to Orn. 18.j2, p. 154. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 96. Coracias ahjssinica, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 408, Coracias caudata, Finscli & Ilartlaub's Vogel Ost-^Vfiika's, p. 1''34. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 36. „ „ Sharpe, in Ibis, 1871, p. 1!)4. This species is common in the Lake-regions, and is also pretty common in Damara Land, where, however, I imagine that it must be partially migratory, as during 54 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. the dry season comparatively few individuals are seen. It is more shy and difficult of approach than Coracias jnlosa, which it otherwise resembles as to food and habits. The iris is yellowish brown, the ring round the eyes greenish yellow, as are also the legs and toes ; the bill is black. [It may be right here to mention that Mr. Layard, in his ' Catalogue of the Birds of South Africa,' p. 60, states that he has received Coracias abyssinica " from the neighbourhood of Springbok Fontein, in Namaqua Land, and from Damara Land]" but it is not referred to in Mr. Andersson's MS. notes, and I have not met with it in any of his collections. Possibly some confusion may have arisen between specimens of C. caudata and supposed examples of C. abyssinica, the two species being very nearly related. It appears clear from Mr. Andersson's MS. notes that the species referred to in Mr. Chapman's appendix, loc. cit., under the name of C. abyssinica, is in reality C caudata. — Ed.] 67. Coracias naevia, Daud. White-naped Holler. LeltulUer vurie cT Afriquc (jeune age), Levaillant's Ois. de Paradis et Rolliers, pi. 29. Coracias nccvia, Daudin's Traitt^ d'Orn. vol. ii. p. 258. Coracias inlusiiH, Giu'uey, Birds Uauiar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1804, p. 2. Coracias nuchalis, Lavard's Cat. Xo. 93. Coracias pilosa et nuchalis, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 408. Coracias pilosa, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No, 898. Coracias nccvia, Shai^ie's Cat. No. 34, „ „ Sharpe, in Ibis, 1871, p. 190. This richly coloured and exceedingly handsome though somewhat coarse-looking Roller is not uncommon throughout Damara Land, and it is also found in the Lake-regions ; it is usually met with in pairs, and is not ])articularly shy. It seldom extends its flight far, but occa- COEACIAD.^. 55 sionally rises suddenly to a considerable height, rocking violently to and fro, and descending in a similar manner, with a motion resembling that of a boy's kite when falling to the ground on the guiding force being with- drawn. When on the wing it makes a great noise, rapidly uttering harsh and discordant sounds ; its notes are at times not unlike the sound produced by a broad- bladed knife passing through a tough piece of cork, but are in a louder key. This species seeks much of its food on the ground; but sometimes it watches from some elevated position, and, the moment its prey comes within sight, darts upon it with unerring certainty, its habit in this respect being very like that of the Butcher-bird Shrikes. It is a most useful bird, feeding largely on centipedes, scorpions, tarantulas, and other insects, as well as on small snakes and lizards. This Koller is one of the earliest breeders in Damara Land, and makes its nest in the hollows of trees, usually such as have been previously occupied by some Woodpecker : the stems of these trees are mostly veiy tall and straight ; and in consequence of this, and of the smallness of the apertures, the nests are very inac- cessible. I have frequently seen such breeding-places without being able to reach them ; but I believe the eggs are white and two in number, and that both parents assist in their incubation. The iris in this species is dark brown, the bill black, the legs and toes greenish brown. [Mr. Chapman, who refers to this Roller in his ' Travels iti South Africa/ vol. i. p. 282, and Appendix, p. 386, confirms 56 BIRDS OF DAMAEA LAND. Mr. Andersson's belief that the egg of this species is white, and adds the following information respecting its habits : — " These birds before they are fledged, as well as the hen while breeding, are fed by the male bird ; the hen never leaves the nest until the brood are fledged. The birds cannot fly well, and if seen in an open field, where an occasional resting-place is not to be found, are easily run down and eaten by the Bushmen." — Ed.] 68. Coracias garrula, Linn. European Roller. Coracias yarndus, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. GO. Coracias garrula, Layard's Cat. No. 94. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 33. „ „ Sharps & Dresser's Birds of Em-ope, pi. 5. This species is common in Ondonga, but is less so in Damara Land proper, than either C. jpilosa or C. caudata. As far as I recollect, it is only seen during the rainy season. The iris is dirty brown, the bill black, the legs and toes brownish yellow. ALCEDINIDJE. 69. Halcyon cyanoleuca (Vieill.). Angola Kingfisher. Huleyou scncydlcnsis, Ciurney, in Ibis, I8G5, p. 265. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 98. Hakyo)i cyanoleuca, Sliai-pe's Alcedinidne, pi, 69. „ ,, Sharpe's Cat. No. Go. This species is very abundant in Ondonga. It gene- rally perches on or near the summit of lofty trees, from whence it sends forth a succession of rather pleasant, thrilling or whirring notes. The iris is dark brown ; the upper mandible red, the lower black. ALCEDINID^. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. Un. Entire length .... ..96.. ...99 Length of folded wing . ..47.. ...47 „ tarsus . . . ..07... ..07 „ middle toe . . ..08... ,..08 „ tail .... . . 2 10 . . . . . 2 10 bill .... ..24... ..24 70. Halcyon semicsendea (Forsk.). African White-headed King- fisher. Halcyon Swainsonit, Layard's Cat. No. 100. Halcyon semiccerulea, Sharpe's Alcedinidse, pi. 63. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 59. [This species is not mentioned in Mr. Andersson's MS. notes; but a single immature specimen obtained in Ondonga^ Ovampo Land, formed part of his last collection, and is now in the possession of Mr. R. B. Sharpe, who refers to it, in his excellent ' Monograph of the Kingfishers/ as the most southern example of this species with which he is acquainted. — Ed.] 71. Halcyon chelicutensis (Stanl.). Striped Kingfisher. Halcyon damarensis, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Oru. 1852, p. 153. Halcyon striolata, Layard's Cat. No. 102. Halcyon damarensis, Chapman's Travels in S. Afi-., App. p. 409. Halcyon chelicutensis, Sharpe's Alcedinidse, pi. 67. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 62. This Kingfisher is very sparingly met with in Damara Land and the parts adjacent to the northward; it is partial to localities where the vegetation has been de- stroyed or partially injured by fire; and it selects, if possible, a low dry branch on an isolated tree, where it watches by the hour for its prey ; this, as far as I could ascertain, consists of insects, which it generally seizes on the wing. 58 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. It utters loud, sharp, and shrill cries, and is always found either singly or in pairs. The irides in this species are claret-coloured, the bill reddish brown on the upper mandible and orange-red on the lower, the lores are dusky, the legs and toes yellowish. [Mr. Sharpe^ in his ' Monograph of the Alcedinid^e/ loc. cit., makes the following remarks on this species : — " All the examples of the present species from South Africa are much larger than those from West Africa and Abyssinia. Strickland separated them under the name of Halcyon dama- remis on receipt of some specimens collected by Andersson. It is, however, impossible to separate them specifically, as, taking the Abyssinian bird as the type of the species, a regular series of gradations is reached according as specimens from the different parts of Western Africa are examined, those from Angola being intermediate in size and nearly attaining the large form of H. damarensis, " I therefore regard these races in a subspecific light only, as in the case of the species of Corythornis." I have thought it best to follow the view taken by Mr. Sharpe on this subject, and have accordingly used for this Kingfisher the specific name which he has adopted. — Ed.] 72. Alcedo semitorquata, Swains. Half-collared Kingfisher. Akrdo semitorquata, Layard's Cat. No. 105. „ „ Shai-pe's Alcedinidae, pi. 7. „ „ Sliarpe's Cat. No. 48. [This Kingfisher is not mentioned in Mr. Andersson's MS. notes, neither did I meet with any specimen of it in those of his collections which I had the opportunity of examining ; but Mr. II. B. Sharpe possesses a pair obtained on the Orange River, which probably entitles this species to be included among the birds of Namaqua Land. — Ed.] ALCEDINID^. 59 73. Ceryle maxima, Pall. Great African Kingfisher. Cerijle maxima, Gurney, in Ibis, 1859, p. 243. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 109. Alcedo gigantea, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 409. Ceryle maxima, Sharpe's Alcedinidse, pi. 20. „ „ Shai-pe's Cat. No. 47. The Great Kingfisher is occasionally found on the Teoughe River and also on the Okavango, but is every- where very shy. 74. Ceryle mdis (Linn.). Black-and- White Kingfisher. Ceryle ruclis, Layard's Cat. No. 110. Ceryle bicincta, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr,, App. p. 409. Ceryle rudis, Sharpe's Alcedinidje, pi. 19. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 46. I do not remember to have seen this bird in Damara Land proper, but have occasionally met with it along the periodical watercourses and temporary rain-pools of Great Namaqua Land ; and I have reason to think that it may be found permanently on the banks of the Great Fish River, where large pools of water, containing fish exist at all times of the year. It frequents both salt and fresh water, and feeds on fish, shrimps, small crabs, &c., for which it watches from some dry branch of a tree immediately overhanging the water. It breeds in the sandy and clayey banks of rivers, and is comparatively tame. The iris is dark brown. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. FemaU. in. lin. in. lin. tire length . . . . . 10 G . . . . . . 10 0 igth of folded wing . 5 7... ... 5 6 „ tarsus . . . .05... ... 0 5 „ middle toe . . .00... ... 0 6 tail ... . .30... ... 2 11 „ bill . . . . . 2 10 . . . ... 2 7 60 BIBDS OF DAMABA LAND. 75. Corythornis cyanostigma (RUpp.). African Malachite- crested Kingfisher. Alccdo crisfafa, Layard's Cat. No. 106. Alcedo cijanostujma, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 409. Corythornis cristata, Sharpe's Alcediuidas, pi. 11, Corythornis cyanostiyma, ibid. (Introduction), p. 6. „ „ Shai-pe's Cat. No. 51. Probably from ^yant of permanently running rivers, this exquisite little species is not found in Damara or Great Namaqua Land ; but it is common on all the waters north of those countries ; it invariably perches on some low twig or bough almost on a level with the water. MEROPID^. 76. Merops apiaster, Linn. European Bee-eater. Merops apiaster, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 59. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 111. Sharpe's Cat. No. 18. This species is very common in Ondonga during the rainy season, when it is also not uncommon in Damara Land proper ; but I do not think that it is abundant in Great Namaqua Land. These Bee-eaters are observed during their annual migrations in small flocks ; but having arrived at their temporary destination they scatter somewhat over the country, though several may still be seen in close proximity. They seem to live chiefly on a species of red wasp, and sometimes seize their food on the wing like Swallows, though they more frequently watch for it from some elevated perch, whence they suddenly pounce MEROPID^. 61 upon any prey which may chance to come within their ken, returning invariably to the same spot whether suc- cessful or not. When their capture proves a bee or other stinging insect, it is always seized across the body, when the bird, after giving it a sharp squeeze or two between the mandibles of the bill, quickly swallows it. I have seen lizards pursue exactly the same plan when catching hymenopterous insects. When on the wing, this Bee-eater utters a pleasant but rather subdued warbling chirp. The iris in this species is red, the legs and toes reddish brown, and the bill almost black. The female bird is not quite so large, nor so brightly coloured, as the male. 77. Merops SUpercilioSUS, Linn. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. Merops Savigni, Swainsou's Birds of W. Afiica, vol. ii. pi. 7. „ „ Laj'ard's Cat. No. 112. Merops cpgyptius, ibid. No. 113. Me)-ops superciliosus, Finsch & Hartlaub'sVogel Ost-Afrika's, No. 70. „ „ Sharpe, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1870, p. 145. „ „ J. H. Gurney, Jim., Orn. of Algeria, Ibis, 1871, p. 75. Merops (egyptius, Sbai-pe's Cat. 20. I have only once observed this species, which I then met with near the river Okavango. The iris is reddish brown, the legs and toes brown, and the bill black. [Mr. Andersson's last collection contained several specimens of this Bee-eater obtained in Ondonga in November 1866^ no doubt subsequently to the date of the note above recorded. —Ed.] 62 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 78. Merops nubicoides, Des Murs. Carmiue-throated Bee-eater. Merops tmhicoides, Des Murs, Icon. Om. pi. 35. Merops natalemis, Schlegel's Mus. des Pays-Bas, 3Ieroj)S, p. 7. I have only once observed this species, when a specimen occurred a few days' journey south of the river Okavango ; its appearance on the wing was beau- tiful. I understand from the hunters that at certain seasons this Bee-eater is common on the Okavango, and breeds in the banks of that river. [I have not seen the specimen mentioned in the above note by Mr. Andersson; but another memorandum left by him de- scribes its plumage in detail, and leaves no doubt of its having been an example of Merops nubicoides, though supposed by Mr. Anderssou to be a specimen of the more northern M. nubicus, from which M. nubicoides is chiefly distinguishable by the carmine colouring of the throat, that part being green in M. nubicus. — Ed.] 79. MelittophagUS pusillus, :Mu11. Rufous-wiuged Bee-eater. Le Guepier h collier bleu, Levaillant's Hist. Nat. des Promerops et des Gu^piers, pi. 7. Le Guepier mimille, ibid. pi. 1 7. Merops erythropterus, Layard's Cat. No. 115. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 409. Melittophayus pusillus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 1222. This exquisite and diminutive species is common on the banks of the rivers Okavango, Teoughe, and Botletle, as well as on the Lake-watersheds in general, and also about Lake Ngami itself; but I have never observed it so far south as Damara Land proper. It seems to be partial to the immediate neighbourhood of the reedy banks of rivers and of swamps and morasses ; and I have never found it at any distance from water. MEROPIDAi:. 63 80. DicrocerCUS hirundinaceus (Vieill.). Swallow-tailed Bee- eater. 3Iefops hirundinaceus, Swainson's Birds of W. Africa, vol. ii. pi. 10. Melittophagus hirundhieus, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar.,Contr. Om. 1852, p. 154. Merops hirundinaceus, Layard's Cat. No. 117. „ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 409. Dicrocercus hirundinaceus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 1221. Merops hirundineus, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 193. 3feraps hirundinaceus, Sharpe's Cat. No. 28. This is the commonest species of Bee-eater in Damara Land, and it is also found in Great Namaqua Land and in the Lake-country: it chiefly visits Damara Land during the wet season ; but a few may be found through- out the year. I took a nest of this Bee-eater on the Omaruru Eiver on 31st October. It was situated in a soft sandy bank, some three feet deep horizontally : the entrance was not above two fingers wide ; but the hole was slightly en- larged where the nest was found. The nest, which had no lining, contained three beautifully white eggs. The iris in this species is carmine-red, the bill black, the tarsi and toes brownish. Measurements of a male and a female : — ■ Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. tire length . . . . 8 10 . . . ... 8 5 igth of folded wing .39... ... 3 9 „ tarsus . . .05... ... 0 4 „ middle toe . .05... ... 0 5 „ tail . . . .42... ... 4 1 „ bill . . . .16... ... 1 3 64 BIBDS OF DAMARA LAND. TENUIROSTRES. UPUPID^. 81. Upupa minor, Shaw. Soiith-African Hoopoe. Upvpa cristatclla, Vieillot's Gal. des Oi3. pi. 184. Upupa minor, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Oru. 18o2, p. 155. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 118. Upupa africana, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vcigel Ost-Afrika's, p. 200. Upupa minor, Sharpe's Cat. No. 80. This species is very abundant in Damara Land during the wet season, but gradually disappears with the return of the hot weather, though a few individuals remain throughout the year ; it is also common at Lake Ngami. When it first arrives in Damara Land it is seen in straggling flocks, which soon, more or less, disperse ; yet a number of individuals are often found in close prox- imity, leading a person unacquainted with the habits of the bird to believe that it is really gregarious; it is, however, most frequently found singly. This species, to some extent, seeks its food (which consists of insects) upon the ground ; but, like the Bee-eater, it will also watch for and pounce upon its prey from some com- manding position. Besides frequenting the ground in search of food, it also loves to dust itself in the sand. When in a state of rest the crest of this bird is generally recumbent ; but on the least excitement it is alternately elevated and depressed, not rapidly, but in a graceful manner, with deliberation and ease. In Damara Land the Hoopoe is not very difficult to approach within range ; yet there is some difficulty in UPUPIDjE. 65 obtaining specimens, as the bird, the moment it finds itself observed, flits about incessantly amongst the foliage, or is lost to view by gliding rapidly to the opposite side of a tree. Its flight is short, rising and dipping alternately. The irides in this species are intensely dark brown, almost black, the legs and toes bluish brown. Average dimensions of four males : — in. lin. Entire length 9 8 Length of folded wing 5 4 „ tarsus 0 10 „ middle toe 0 8 „ tail 3 8| „ bill 2 1 82. Irrisor erythrorhynchos (Lath.). Red-billed Irrisor. Le Promerops moqueur, Levaillant's Hist. Nat. des Promerops et Guepiers, pis. 1, 2, .3. Irrisor erythrorhyncus, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Orn. 1852, p. 154. Irrisor senegalensis, Giirney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. Irrisor erythrorynchos, Layard's Cat. No. 119. Irrisor erythrorhynchus, Chapman's Travels in S. Afi-., App. pp. 255 and 406. „ „ Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's p. 202. ,, „ Finsch, in Trans, of Zool. Soc. vol. vii. p. 226. „ „ Sharpe's Oat. No. 81. This species is not uncommon in Damara Land and the parts adjacent to the north and east, extending to Lake Ngami. It lives in small flocks, probably consisting of entire families — which frequent trees, chiefly of the larger kinds, and examine them most assiduously in search of insects and their larvee, which they extract from crevices in the wood and from beneath the bark. These birds 6G BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. climb like Woodpeckers ; and their long tails come into constant contact with the rough surface of the trees, by which the tail-feathers are much injured. When they have finished their examination of one tree they move to the next convenient one, but not altogether, as a short interval generally elapses after the depar- ture of each individual. The moment flight is decided on, they utter harsh discordant cries or chatterings, which are continued until • they are all safely lodged in their new quarters. These harsh notes are also heard when they conceive themselves in danger from either man, beast, or bird ; and they thus often betray their presence. The bodies of these birds emit a peculiarly powerful and disagreeable odour. The bill in this species is sometimes of a black or of a semidark colour instead of red ; the size and curve of the bill also vary somewhat in difierent individuals ; and the white spots on the wings are more developed in some than in others. The following note was jotted down by me respecting four individuals which were killed out of a flock of five, and which formed a most in- teresting series. One of the four had the bill almost black; two had it half black and half red; and the fourth, which I believe to be an adult, had the bill quite red : all had the legs and toes and insides of both mandibles red. In two the oval white spots which often exist on the first three secondaries were present ; in the others (including the red-billed specimen) only one such spot was discernible ; and among the four were distinctly ex- hibited the two kinds of curve shown in the outlines of UPUPID.E. the bill, as depicted in ' The Naturalist's Library,' vol. xii. p. 119. The irides in this species are a deep dark brown. Average dimensions of seven males and five females : — Males. Femalea in. lin. in. lin Entire leni?tli .... . 16 11 . . . . . . 15 0 Length of folded wing . .60... ... 5 7, „ tarsus . . . . 0 11 . . . ... 0 11 „ middle toe . . . 0 11 . . . ... 0 10 „ tail . . . . .97... ...81 „ bill . . . . .23... ... 1 11 83. Irrisor cyanomelas (Vieill.). Namaqua Irrisor. Rhinopomastiis Smithii, Jardine, in Zool. Journ. vol. iv. pi. 1 . Rhinopomastus ei/anomel.api, Tristram, in Ibis, 1869, p. 207. DrymoEcaJlavicans, Shai-pe's Cat. No. 275. 1 have obtained specimens of Drymoica pectoralis both in Damara Land and in the neighbourhood of the Okavango. I am sadly puzzled about specimens of 1). flavicans (as well as about some others) called D. pectoralis ; and sometimes I fancy they are all identical, the difference being merely in age, sex, and colour. The male is evidently both larger and more robust than the female, and the latter has the black on the breast less well defined than the male. I have found the nests of these birds (usually containing three, but sometimes four, eggs) at various dates, extending from December 20th to April 1st. The nest is very light and graceful, composed of fine grass both exteraally and internally, and built on a low bush a few feet above the ground. The iris is brownish yellow, the bill jet-black, the legs and toes flesh-colour. Measurements of a female : — in. lin. Entire length 6 0 Lengrth of folded wing 2 1 „ tarsus 0 9 „ middle toe 0 4 tail 3 0 „ bill 0 Oi LTJSGINIDM. 85 [The female specimen whose measurements are given above by Mr. Andersson is now in the collection of Mr. R. B. Sharpe, who has a fine series of specimens of this Drymoica and who is of opinion that Mr. Andersson was correct in his views respect- ing this species, and that Drymoica flavicans, pallida, pectoralis, and Ortleppi must be regarded as identical; this opinion is shared by j\Ir, Jules P. Verreaux, who has recently examined Mr. Sharpens collection; and a similar examination has led me to concur in the same view. Some specimens show no trace of a black gorget, as in Levaillant's plate of Le Citrin, fig. 2 ; others show it partially, as in fig. 1 of the same plate ; and others, again, fully, as portrayed in Sir A. Smith's plate of D. pectoralis above referred to. The absence or presence of the black gorget is proved by Mr, Sharpens specimens not to be a sexual difierence ; but the gorget may not improbably be a nuptial dress assumed by both sexes : Sir A. Smith, however, gives it as his opinion that the absence of the gorget is a mark of immaturity, which may perhaps be the correct explanation. — Ed.] 105. Drymoica OCUlariuS, Smith. Rufous-cheeked Drymoica. Drymoica oculurim, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 75. fig. 1. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 150. Drymosca ocidarius, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 898. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 278. This species is very sparingly found in Damara Land, but is more common in some parts of Great Namaqua Land. It is generally met with singly or in pau'S ; and it is usual to find it amongst the most arid scenes, hop- ping slowly about amongst the branches of low bushes in search of insects. The iris is ochry brown, the bill bluish black, the legs and toes flesh-coloured. BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. Measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire leugtli 5 G Length of folded wing 1 10 ,, tarsus 0 9 „ middle toe 0 6 tail 2 8 bill 0 7 106. Drymoica Smithii, Bon. Smith's Diymoica. Drymoica riiJicapiUa, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 73. fig. 1. Drymoica Smithii, Bonaparte's Conspectus, vol. i. p. 283. Drymoica ruficapilla, Guniey, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1804, p. 2. „ ,, Layard's Cat. No. 156. Drymocca Smithii, Sharpe's Cat. No. 294. I am not aware that this compact little bird is an inhabitant of either Great Namaqua or Damara Land. I first became acquainted with it on penetrating to the Okavango, but even there I do not remember to have seen much of it. [A specimen collected by Mr. Andersson, and now in the possession of the Rev. H. B. Tristram, is ticketed "Elephant Vley, October 12th, 1859;'' two others in the collection of Mr. Sharpe are from the same locality. — Ed.] 107. Drymoica chiniana, Smith. Kurichane Drymoica, Drymoica chiniana, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 79. Drymoica subriijicapilla, Guniev, Birds Damar., in I'roc. Zool. Soc. 1804, p. 2. Drymoica chiniana, Layard's Cat. No. 158. Drymceca chiniana, Shai-pe's Cat. No. 281. [Mr. Andcrsson's collections contained examples of this species oljtaiucd at Objimbiuque, and also two obtained in Ondonga; hut the latter were both of them somewhat smaller than the LUSCINIDJE. 87 usual dimensions of this species_, of which they are considered to be ^' a small variety^' by the Rev. H. B. Tristram, who pos- sesses one of these specimens, the other being in the collection of Mr. R. B. Sharpe.— Ed.] 108. Drymoica Submficapilla, Smith. Tawny.headed Drjmoica. Drytnoica subriificapilla, Smith's Zool. of S. Afiica, pi. 76. fig. 2. „ ,, Layard's Cat. No. 160. Dnjmaca siihniJicapiUa, Sliarpe's Cat. No. 280. [Mr. R. B. Sharpe possesses a specimen of this bird obtained by Mr. Andersson in Little Namaqua Land. — Ed.] 109. Drymoica rufilata, Hartl. Andersson's Drymoica. Bri/moica chiniuna, Gurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. Drymoica rujilata, Fiusch & Ilartlaub, Vogel Ost.-Afrika's, p. 238. I have a couple of specimens somewhat resembling the figure of Drymoica chiniana as given by Smith (111. of Zool. of S. Afr. Aves, pi. 79) ; they were obtained in the neighbourhood of the Okavango. [These remarks of Mr. Andersson's were probably intended to apply to the present species, which is nearly allied to D. chiniana, Smith, but has been recently described as distinct by Drs. Finscli and Hartlaub {loc. cit.) from a pair which were sent to me by Mr. Andersson in 1859, and which are now preserved in the Bremen Museum. This species has not been figui'ed. — Ed.] 110. Drymoica Levaillantii, Smith. Levaillant's Drymoica. Drymoica Levaillantii, Smith's Zool. of S. Afi-ica, pi. 73. fig. 2. Drymceca Levaillantii, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. 6m. 1852, p. 147. Drymoica Levaillantii, Layard's Cat. No. 157. Drymocca Levaillantii, Shai^jie's Cat. No. 279. 88 BllWS OF DAM Alt A LAND. I found this bird by no means uncommon in the neigh- bourhood of the Okavango ; its favourite haunts seem to be along the sedgy streams and amongst the rank vegeta- tion of marshy localities. It flits quickly from reed to reed in quest of insects, and is a comparatively tame species. The iris is brown ; the upper mandible black ; the lower reddish, but black at the extremity ; the legs are a pale flesh-colour. 111. Cisticola terrestris (Smith). Ground-Cisticole. Drymoica terrestris, Smith's Zool. of S. ilfrica, pi. 74. tig. '2. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 159. Cisticola terrestris, Sharpe's Cat. No. 273, „ „ Gurney, in Ibis, 1871, p. 151. This species came under my notice in Great Namaqua Land in about 24° or 25° S. lat. ; I have also met with it abundantly in southern Damara Land, and have obtained it in Ondonga. Specimens from Damara Land are of a lighter tint than those from Ondonga, but I have no doubt they are identical. It is common at some large waters on the Omaruru Hiver, but is most difficult to shoot ; it can generally only be shot on the wing as it rises ; and when shot it invariably falls in the reeds, where its diminutive size easily eludes the eye. It is, however, found in many other situations besides reedy localities, but chiefly amongst tall, coarse grasses growing about small periodical watercourses. When disturbed, it rises almost perpendicularly, descending nearly as abruptly, and either burying itself at once in the rank vegetation or first perching on a grass-stalk and gradually LU^CINIByE. 89 creeping out of view, and also out of reach ; for it is difficult to flush it again. The food of this little bird consists of small insects. Its eggs, which are four or, rarely, five in number, are sometimes white, or more frequently white freely sprinkled with minute brown spots; but occasionally they are tinged with green, whilst others are of a reddish colour. The nests also vary in form, material, and con- struction ; some are airy and fragile, like the home of a spider, whilst others are pretty compact and more or less pasted on the outside with decomposed grasses ; and it is a remarkable fact that the eggs in the spider-like nests are always whitish, spotted with brown, whilst those in the more complete nests are of a greenish tint but with the same spotting. The nests, which are sometimes globular, are suspended to the stalks of long grasses about a foot above the ground. I have found them with eggs from the 18th of February to the 31st of March. The irides in this species are brownish yellow ; the upper mandible is light brown, except the edges, which, with the lower mandible, are of a light flesh-colour, as are also the legs and toes. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. Un. in. lin. Entire length .... ..43.. ...42 Length of folded wing . ..20.. . . . 1 10 „ tarsus . . . ..09.. ...09 „ middle toe . . ..05.. ...05 „ tail ... ..17.. . . . 1 G bill .... ..08.. ...07 [This species is a true Cisticola, and possesses twehe rcctrices, being the number characteristic of that genus. — Ed.] 90 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 112. Aedon SUbcinnamomea (Smith). Kamiesberg Aedon. Drymoica suhcinnumo7nea, Smith's Zool. of S. Afiica, pi. 111. fig. 1. ,, „ Layard's Cat. No. 151. DrymcEca suhcinnamomea, Sharpe's Cat. No. 295. [Sir A. Smith, in his ' Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa ' {loc. cit.), figures a single individual of this species, which he obtained " on the top of one of the mountains of the Ka- miesberg in Little Namaqua Land/-* a locality which brings the species within the geographical range of the present volume. I believe that this specimen is the same that is preserved in the British Museum ; and I only knoAV one other example of this species, which was obtained at Colesburg, and is now in the collection of Mr. R. B. Sharpe, to whom it was sent by Mr. Layard. Sir A. Smith has placed this species and the succeeding one, which is very closely allied to it, in the genus Drymoica, but with the following remark in his article on the present species : — " In its general aspect this bu'd has much of what characterizes birds of the group Drymoica ; but when its indi- vidual characters are closely surveyed it is found to want that which would entitle it to be classed among typical species ; or, in other words, it exhibits what requires it to be viewed as an aberrant form." Both this and the succeeding species appear to me to be more nearly allied to the genus Aedon than to Drymoica ; and I have therefore so arranged them, though not without some doubt as to whether they ought not rather to be placed by themselves in a separate and distinct genus. — Ed.] 113. Aedon fasciolata (Smith). Fasciolated Aedon. Drymoica fasciuluta, Smith's Zooh of S. Afiica, pi. 111. fig. 2. „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 148. Drymaca fasciolata, Chapman's Travels in S. Ali'., App. p. 308. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 290. Aedon fasciolata, Guruey, in Ibis, 1871, p. 152. LUSCINIBM. 91 This species is common in the neighbourhood of Ob- jimbinque ; and I have found a few individuals between that place and Rehoboth ; it greatly reminds me of our Swedish Gardsmygg (the common Wren of England) in its habits, which are somewhat secluded. It frequents dense bush and occasionally trees, searching diligently amongst the branches for insects ; it carries its tail erect when moving about. When disturbed it flies but a short distance at a time, and is easily distinguished by the bright brown on the rump. The iris is yellowish brown ; legs pale flesh-colour ; toes the same, but a trifle darker ; upper mandible dark liver-brown, the lower edge and the under mandible dark bluish or purple. Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length .... ..53.., ...50 Length of folded wiog . ..24.. ...22 „ tarsus . . . . . 0 11 . . . . . 0 10 „ middle toe . . ..05.. ...05 tail .... . . 2 .3 . . ...20 biU . . . . ..08.. ...08 [Under the head of A'edon subcinnamomea I have explained my reason for assigning that species and the present to the genus A'edon ; and I may remark that the typical species of that genus, the North- African A'edon galactodes (Temm.), has the same habit of carrying its tail raised which Mr. Andersson noticed in A'edon fasciolata [vide J. H. Gurney, Jun., '' On the Ornithology of Algeria/' in ' The Ibis ' for 1871, p. 83) .—Ed.] 92 BIBDS OF DAMARA LAND. 114. Aedon leucophrys (Yieill.). White-browed Aedon. Erythroprjgia pectoralis, Smith's Zooh of S. Africa, pi. 49. Aedon leucophrys.^ Gumey, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. AicloH leucophrys, Layard's Cat. No. 182. Erythropyyin pcctoralis, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr,, App. p. 398. Aedon leucophrys, Sharpe's Cat. No. 269. This is a pretty common species in the middle and northern parts of Daraara Land, and also further to the northward, being very common near Ombongo. During the pairing- and breeding-season it occasionally sings most exquisitely ; and it, moreover, has the power of imitating almost every other bird to be found in its vicinity. It forms its nest, in November and December, on the lower branches of small bushes, rarely more than one or two feet from the ground ; the nest is composed of rough grasses, and is lined with material of the same kind, but of a softer texture. The eggs are two in number. 115. Aedon paena (Smith). Smith's Aedon. Erythropyyia paena, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, ph 50. ^Edo/i pcena, Layard's Cat. No. 181. Aedon paena, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 2982. Erythropyyia pirena. Chapman's Travels in S. Afr-., App. p. 398. Ai'don pana, Sharpe's Cat. No. 270. This bird is pretty generally distributed over Damara and Great Namaqua Land and the parts adjacent. Its habits are exactly like those of the preceding species ; and I know no birds which they both resemble so greatly in manner, habits, food, &c. as those of the genus Saxi- cola. The present species spends much of its time on the ground and amongst the roots of bushes ; it runs LUSCINID^^. 93 with great swiftness, and raises and droops its tail in quick succession, but does not expand it ; at times it stands quite vertically, with its whole body vibrating with excitement, whilst it rapidly utters a succession of harsh, jarring chirps. Two nests of this species, taken on the 5th and 6th of January, contained two eggs each : the nests were com- posed of grass, and lined with fine, soft tendrils ; they were built in thorn-bushes, and placed from twelve to eighteen inches above the ground. Measurements of a male : — • in. lin. Entire length 6 3 Length of folded wing . . ^ . . 2 10 „ tarsus 10 „ middle toe 0 7 tail 2 8 biU 0 10 116. Thamnobia coryphaeus (Vieill.). Coriphee Bush- creeper. Le Coriphee, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 120. Brachypterus coriphceus, Layard's Cat. No. 183. Thamnobia corrfphceus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 2990. I do not remember to have seen this species in Damara Land ; but I first observed it in the central part of Great Namaqua Land, and from thence southward it became more abundant. It seems partial to low bushes, and may be seen running along the ground from one bush to another with wonderful rapidity ; it also usually adopts this mode of endeavouring to make its escape when pursued. The male has a very agreeable song during the 94 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. breeding-season ; it is very brusque in its movements, and frequently utters a chirping noi3e, at the same time elevating and spreading its tail Peacock-fashion over its back. The food of this species consists of insects and berries. The irides are brown, the bill, legs, and toes blackish. My specimens are not so dark, especially in the upper parts, as those from the Cape Colony. [This species was not contained in ]\Ir. Andersson's last collection ; but it was identified in a collection sent by him to England some years previously, as I learn from a memorandum left amongst his papers. — Ed.] 117. Camaroptera Olivacea, Sund. Olivaceous Camaroptcra. Camaroptera olivacea, Sundevall, Ofvers. 1850, p 103, „ ,, Gui-ney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1804, p. 2. Calamochjta olivacea, Layard's Cat. No. 180. Camaroptera olivacea, Von Ileuglin, in Ibis, 1869, p. 140. Camaroptera hrevicatidata, Sharpe's Cat. No. 309. This species is pretty common in the neighbourhood of the Okavango River, and is also not uncommon in Damara Land proper ; but I did not meet with it in Great Namaqna Land. It is a very tame bird, and hunts slowly and with great care, examining alike, in quest of insects, both thickets and the largest trees ; it generally carries its mngs slightly drooping when thus engaged, and its tail raised at an angle of 45°. The iris is light brown, the eyelids flesh-coloured, the bill livid horn-colour, and the legs and toes brownish licsh-colour. LUSCINID.E. 95 Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female, in. lin. in. lin. Entire lencrtli 49 4G Length of folded wing ... 2 3 21 „ tarsus 0 11 0 10 „ middle toe .... 0 6 06 „ tail 1 10 19 „ bill 0 9 0 7^ [Mr. Or. R. Gray in his ' Hand-list of Birds/ No. 2864, and Drs. Finscli and Hartlaiib in their work on the * Birds of East Africa/ p. 241, unite this species with its more northern con- gener C. brevicaudata (Riipp.). Notwithstanding the view taken by these high authorities, I am disposed to follow Von Heuglin {loc. cit.) and Blanford {' Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia/ p. 377) in regarding these two nearly allied races as perceptibly and specifically distinct. I am not aware that the southern race has been figured. — Ed.] 118. Dryodromas damarensis (Wahl.). Damara Dryodrome. Eremomela damarensis, Wahlberg, Ofvers. 1855, p. 213. „ „ Wahlberg, in Journal fiii- Orn. 1857, p. 2. Dryodromas damarensis, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 2861. „ ,, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-AMka's, p. 240. „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 318. I only observed this diminutive species in one locality, a place called Oosoop, on the lower course of the Swakop River ; and even there it was very scarce, so that, though very tame, I have hunted for it whole days unsuccessfully. It is found in small families of from two to six indi- viduals amongst the widely scattered dwarf vegetation ; it hops slowly and systematically amongst the branches, searching diligently for small insects, which constitute its sole food, and uttering all the while a low but distinct chir]). 96 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. The iris is bright yellow ; legs liver-brown ; upper mandible and tip of lower bluish black, remainder of lower mandible bluish brown. Measurements of a male and a female : — Mai.-. FemaU'. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length .... ..42.. ...40 Lenu:tli of folded wing . . . 1 10 . . . . . 1 10 „ tarsus . . . ..08.. ...08 „ middle toe . . ..05.. ...05 tail .... . . 1 11 . . ...10 bill .... . . 0 G . . . . . 0 ha;nicunis, Layard's Cat. No. 248. Bessomrnis caffra, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 3868. This species is sparingly met with on the borders of the Orange River, whence it extends southwards to the Cape, where it is very numerous. It is of a most in- quisitive nature, and seems to court the neighbourhood of man. It is very lively in its movements, either TURBID M. 119 hopping and gliding amongst bushes and plants, or running along the ground with astonishing swiftness, generally accompanying all such movements by rapid expansions and depressions of its tail and wings. The male sings very pleasantly ; and his notes have been likened to the following differently intoned syallables, jan-fredric-dric-dric fredric, whence its colonial name of Jan fredric. The irides in this species are dark brown, the bill black, the legs and feet livid brown. 150. Cossypha bicolor (Sparr.). Vociferous Chat-Thrusli. Le licclaniein-, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 104. Bessonornis vociferans, Layard's Cat. No. 24o. Cusf^ijpha bicolor, Shai-pe's Cat. No. 23G. [Mr. R. B. Sharpe possesses a bird of this species, which was obtained by Mr. Andersson at Objimbiuque. — Ed.] PYCNONOTID^. 151. Pycnonotus nigricans (VieiU.). Bnmoir Bulbul. Le Unowir, Levaillaut's Ois. d'Afr. pi. lOG. fig. 1. Pycnonotus niffricans, Layard's Cat. No. 2(31. „ „ Finsch & Ilartlaub's Vcigel Ost-Afrika's, p. 297. „ „ Sliarpe's Cat. No. 204. This bird is found abundantly as far north as the Okavango River, as also in the Lake-regions. It is gre- garious in its habits, often congregating in considerable numbers, and is never found for away from water ; it is active, lively, and noisy, but chatters rather than sings ; its food consists of berries, insects, »&c. A nest taken in 120 BIRDS OF DAMABA LAND. Damara Land on the 11th of October contamed two eggs rather hard sat on ; the nest was situated in a dabbe bush, and was composed of twigs and grass exter- nally, lined internally with finer grass. The iris in this species is a rather pale yellowish red, and the skin round the eye bright orange ; the bill black, the legs and toes dark shiny brown. [INIr. 11. B. Sharpe possesses three specimens of this Bulbul, obtained by Mr. Anderssou at Objimbinque, in Damara Land^ in the months of June, July, and September. — Ed.] 152. PycnonotuS tricolor, Hartl. Angola Biilbul. Pycnunotus capensis, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Daiiiar., Contr. Orn. 1852, p. 145. Ixos tricolor, Hartlaub, in Ibis, 18G2, p. 341. Pycnoitotus tricolor, Sliarpe's Cat. No. 211. „ „ Sharpe, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1871, p. 130, pi. 7. fig. 2. [Mr. R. B. Sharpe possesses two specimens of this species obtained by Mr. Andersson in January 1867, one at Ova- quenyama, the other in Ondonga. A previous specimen trans- mitted by Mr. Andersson to this country is now in the late J\Ir. Strickland's collection at Cambridge, and appears to have been the bird included in Messrs. Strickland and Sclater's Damara list, under the name of Pycnonotus capensis. — Ed,] 153. Phyllastrephus capensis, Swaius. Cape Jaboteur. Le Jahotvur, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 112. fig, 1, Phyllastrc2)hus capensis, Lavard's Cat. No. 266. „ „ Sliarpe's Cat. No. 207. This species feeds on seeds. The iris is yellow ; the upper mandible horn-colour, tlie lower bluish ; tarsus bluish. PYCNONOTIDJE. 121 Measurements of a male and a female : — Male. Female. in. lin. in. lin. tire length .... ..82.. ..82 igth of folded wing , ..36.. ..35 „ tarsus . . , . . 0 11 . . . . 0 11 „ middle toe . . ..08.. ..06 tail .... ..38.. ..37 „ bill .... ..10.. . . 0 10 [Mr. Andersson gives the above particulars from specimens obtained at the Knysna ; but as his last collection contained one example from Lake Ngami, I, on that account, include the species in the present volume. — Ed.] 154. Criniger flaviventris (Smith). Yellow-bellied Criniger. Trkliopliorusjlaviventris, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi, 59. Crini .... 2|f Tarsus -[| . . . . J| . . . . \} Tail 2 A .... 1}| .... lit Two others of Mr. Andersson's skins of this species, which are also now in Mr. Sharpens collection, are evidently changing from a plumage resembling that of the female bird into the male breeding-dress. From these specimens it seems probable that the males of H. velatus, when not in breeding-dress, resemble the females; but, unfortunately, neither the sex of these two specimens is recorded nor the dates at which they were obtained ; one of them, however, is marked as having been procured in Damara Land. — Ed.] 204. Euplectes capensis (Linn.). YeUow-Fink Bi.shop bird. Le Groshi'c du Coromundel, Bufibn's PI. Enl. vol. iv. p. 1('>5, pi. 101. fig. 1 (male in Lreeding-dress). Le Groshec tachctc du Cap, Bufibn's PI. Enl. vol. iv. p. 17!), pi. 059. fig. 1 (male not in breeding-dress). Euplectes capensis, Swainson's Birds of West Afr-. vol. i. p. 180. Pluceus capensis, Layai'd's Cat. No. 'UxS. This is a comparatively scarce bird in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, but is very abundant at Lake Ngami; it sometimes occurs in large flocks in the open country, and is also found in small communities FllINGILLID.'E. 171 in the neighbourhood of water and in humid situations, where it breeds, constructing its nest of strong grasses and suspending it between the stalks of two or three reeds. The iris in this species is dark brown ; the legs and toes straw-brown ; the upper mandible of the bill dark horn-colour, the lower in some specimens of the same colour as the upper, in others of a yellowish-white horn- colour. Measurements of a male and a female : — Female, in. liu. .... 5 9 .... .3 0 .... 0 10 .... 0 9 .... 2 0 .... 0 8 Male. in. lin. Entire length .... . (j 7 Length of folded wing . . 3 7 „ tarsus . . . . 0 lU „ middle toe . . . 0 11 „ tail . . . . . 2 8 bill . . . . . 0 9 [I have not seen a Damara example of this species ; bnt, from the measurements above cited and a description contained in Mr. Andersson's MS., I liave no doubt his identification of it is correct. With reference to the variation of the colouring of the under mandible in this species remarked by Mr, Andersson, it Avould appear, from the account given by Mr. Layard {loc. cit.), that it is black during the breeding-season, and horn-coloured at other times. — Ed.] 205. Euplectes taha, Smith. Taha Bishop bird. Et(plectes taha, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 7. Ploceus abyssmicus, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Orii. 1852, p. 150. Ploceus taha, Layard's Cat. No. .367. Euplectes taha, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 401. „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 592. 1 do not recollect having met with this bird in Great 172 BIRBS OF DAMARA LAND. Namaqua Land or in southern Damara Land ; but it breeds in great abundance in Ondonga, and I have also seen specimens from Lake Ngami. It is found in flocks amongst trees, as well as on the reedy banks of rivers and in marshes, where it suspends its nest amongst the tall stalks of reeds and coarse grasses. The nest is com- posed of fine grass woven somewhat closely together ; the eggs are six or seven in number, wliite, but sprinkled all over with minute brown specks. The iris is brown, and also the bill ; the legs and toes are yellowish brown. Measurements of a male : — in. liii. Entire lengili 4 0 Length of folded -wdug 2 5 yi tarsus 0 8 „ middle toe 0 t> „ taU 10 bill 0 G 206. Pyromelana oryx (Linn.). Red-Fink Bishop bird. LiKiia uric, Shaw'b Nat. Misc. pi. 240 (male iu breeding-dress). Ploceus onjx, Layard's Cat. No. 30!). Pyromelana oryx, Finsch & Ilartlaub's "S'cigel Ost-Afrika's, p. 410. JSupkctes oryx, Sharpe's Cat. No. 590. This very handsome bird is abundant at Lake Ngami and in Ondonga, and though rarer in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, it is found in those countries also, con- gregating in small communities and frequenting moist situations, where it breeds in January and February. In Ondonga its nest may be found in those months in almost every palm bush ; the nest is very pretty, airy, FRINGILLTD.E. 173 and graceful, somewhat oval in form, and composed of threads toni from the edges of the branches of young palms. Some nests are thickly lined, whilst others are quite bare within : in the latter the eggs may be seen from the outside; but notwithstanding the seemmg looseness with which the threads are interwoven, the apparently frail structure is in reality very strong. The eggs are of a bluish colour, and from three to four in number. The iris in this species is dark brown, as also is the bill ; the tarsus is brownish. Measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire length 5 4 Length of folded wing 2 10 „ tarsus 0 10 „ middle toe 0 8 „ tail 1 8 „ bill 0 7 The female is a little smaller. 207. Quelea SanguinirOStris (Linn.). Latham's Finch. Fringilla quelea, Vieillot's Ois. Chant, pis. 22, 23, & 24. Quelea sanguinirostris, Bonaparte's Conspectus, vol. i. p. 445. Ploceus sanguinirostris, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Bamar., Contr. Om. 1852, p. 150. Ploceus Lathamii, Layard's Cat. No. 370 (female). Ploceus sanguinirostris, Finsch & Ilartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 407. Quelea sanguinirostris, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. G618. Ploceus sanguinirostris, Shai'pe's Cat. No. 585. This is a very common species in Damara Land, where it congregates in immense flocks after the breeding- season ; and it is also common in the Lake-regions. 174 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. The iris is brown, the ring round the eyes reddish orange ; the bill scarlet, merging into vermilion at the base and at the corner of the mouth ; the legs and toes are flesh-coloured. Average measurements of four males and two females : — Males. Females. in. lin. in. lin. Entire length .... ..47.. ...47 Lengi th of folded wing . 2 7.. . . . 2 G , tarsus . . . ..08.. ...08 , middle toe . . ..07.. ...07 tail ... . . 1 G . . . . . 1 r, , , bill .... . . 0 G . . . . . 0 (5 208. Amadina erythrocephala (Linn,). Eed-headed Finch, Luxiu cnjtliroccpliala, Sniitli's Zool. of S. Afi'ica, pi. GO. Amadina erythrocephala, Audersson, in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 7. " „ Layard's Cat. No. 397. ,, ,, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 402. This pretty bird occurs in Great Namaqua Land and at Lake Ngami, also in Damara Land, where, how- ever, it is far from common, except in places, being, in fact, quite a local species, I found it congregated in large flocks on the Omaruru River at the end of October ; and it was also pretty numerous at Objimbinque, where it nested under the eaves of my house and in the adjacent trees in company with the South-African Sparrow (Passer arcuatiis\ which it exactly resembles in its manners and habits ; and I have found the nests of these two species on the same tree, and even on the same bough, as well as side by side under my eaves. The present species forms its nest of small sticks, slender roots, &c,, and lines FRINGILLIDyE. 175 it with wool, feathers, or other soft and warm material. The young are fledged in June and July. It seeks its food upon the ground, usually in small flocks, and, when disturbed, takes refuge in the nearest tree or hedge ; it occasionally utters a kind of chirping twitter. The bill is pale yellowish brown, the legs and toes bright straw-yellow. Measurements of a male : — in. lin. Entire length 5 10 Length of folded wing 3 0 „ tarsus 0 8 „ middle toe 0 7 tail 2 0 ,, l)ill 0 7 The female is somewhat smaller. 209. Alario aurantia (Gmel.). Berg Canarie Finch. Le Bouvreuil dti Cap de Bonne Esperance, Buffon's PI. Enl. vol. v. pi. 204 fig. 2 (male). Amadina alario, Layard's Cat. No. 39G, Alario alario, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 7285. I only met with this pretty Finch in Great Namaqua Land, where it occurred in small flocks at the water. 210. Hypochera ultramarina (Gmel.). Ultramarine Finch. Friugilla nitem, Vieillot's Ois. Chant, pi. 21. A^nadina nitens, Layard's Cat. No. 398. Hypochera nitens, Finsch cfc Hartlaub's Vcigel Ost-Afiika's, p. 430. Hypochei'a tiltramai-ina, Sharpe's Cat. No. 603. [This species is not referred to in Mr. Andersson's notes ; but his last collection contained a specimen obtained in Ondonga on January 22nd, 1867.— En.] 170 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 211. Pytelia melba (Linn.). Southern Red-faced Finch. Fri)ujiU