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ILLUSTRATIONS —°

ZOOLOGY OF SOUTH AFRICA;

CONSISTING CHIEFLY OF

FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE OBJECTS OF NATURAL HISTORY

; , i : . * COLLECTED DURING .

aa sz as AN EXPEDITION INTO THE INTERIOR OF SOUTH AFRIG@A,

Pree Ar ; Mi :

f 4 « be IN THE YEARS 1834, 1835, AND 1836;

FITTED OUT BY

“THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE ASSOCLATION FOR EXPLORING CENTRAL AFRICA :”

he ad

t TOGETHER WITH *

eee aa A SUMMARY OF-AFRICAN ZOOLOGY,

“ AND AN INQUIRY INTO THE GEOGRAPHICAL RANGES OF SPECIES

IN THAT QUARTER QF THE GLOBE.

BY ANDREW SMITH, M.D., Shai

e SURGEON TO THE FORCES, AND DIRECTOR OF THE EXPEDITION, } .

Publisher under the Authority of the Lords Commissioners of Wer HMajesty’s Treasury.

sf pee LONDON: : ci

= SMITH, ELDER AND CO. CORNHILL.

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BERINACE

Plate 3.)

(Mammalia

ERINACEUS FRONTALIS.—Smiru.

Mammaia.—Ptate III. (Femate.)

E. ovatus; spinis varié intertextis ad basin et versus apicem albis, in medio purpurascentibus, apicibus

quibusdam brunneis reliquis albidis ; pilis rigidis subnigris aut griseis ; fascia frontali alba; auriculis

oblongis pilis brevibus obtectis.

Loneirupo 73 unc.

Erraceus FRoNnTALIS, Smith, South African Quarterly Journal, No. 5. Oct. 1831.

Eriacevus FRonTALIs, Bennet, Proceedings Zoological Society, Dec. 1832.

Cotour, &c.—The head and the sides of the neck and of the body blackish

brown, slightly variegated by an intermixture of greyish white hairs; the

forehead and the sides of the neck, immediately under the ears, pure white ;

the quills of the back white, each annulated towards the middle with purple,

the points of many of them light brown. The under surface of the neck, the

middle of the breast and belly, and the lower half of the limbs dusky white ;

tail black ; eyes very deep brown ; claws horn-coloured.

Form, &c.—Body oval, broadest behind and wider in proportion to its

length than in the common Hedge-hog. Muzzle slightly elongated ; incisors

of upper jaw much separated, those of lower jaw nearly contiguous ; ears

moderately long, and both surfaces thinly covered with short hair, the tips

somewhat rounded. The back and the upper part of the sides densely

covered with spines from an inch to an inch and a half in length, the rest of

the body, the legs and the head thinly coated with bristly hair; tail slender;

limbs very long; toes short; claws blunt and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

“Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the nose to the Distance between the tip of the nose

basevof the tail’: c...ereas++- i © and the eye! ......... a 383

Of, the ital sss ee nedseeseeters sas ss: OG the eye andtheear... 0 9

Height at the middle of the back...... ® &

The male, as regards the colours, is like the female.

ERINACEUS FRONTALIS.

This little hedge-hog was first obtained in the districts around Old Latakoo, and on leaving

that place, no additional specimens were acquired. Even where it was best known only a very

few individuals were procured, and according to the natives it was every where rare. It has all

the habits of the common hedge-hog, (Erinaceus Europeus, Lin.) and like it, when surprised,

rolls itself up into a globular mass, in which state it will often remain for hours together while

the object creating its fears continues near it. Some individuals however, are less timid, and

soon attempt to escape.

(yp Peg — MITeUaLe WL)

2 “SOidvad Sauls dasa

HERPESTES BADIUS.—Smiru.

Mammatia.—P uate IV. (Femace.)

H. badius, subtus pallidior, ad fulvum transiens, dorsi, caudxque pilis sordide flavo et nigro-annulatis ;

caude apice nigro ; oculis rubris.

Lonarrupo corporis cum capite 12 unc., caudw 12 une. 4 lin.

Icuneumon Ratiamucut, App. to Rep. of Exped. page 42, June 1836.

Cotovur.—Above bright bay, beneath lighter, inclined to fulvous ; extremity

of the tail shining black. On the head, upper part of the neck, and limbs and

tail, the colour is darkest; on the back and upper part of the sides it is

slightly variegated by a fine pencilling of dull yellow and black; each, or at

least most of the hairs being annulated with these two colours in addition to

the bay which is the prevailing tint. Towards the root of the tail the hairs

are marked after the same fashion, only the quantity of brown is greater ;

whiskers black. Ears coloured like the body; eyes red; nails a dark

horn colour.

Form, &c.—Figure very slender; head short, broad between the ears and

slender towards the muzzle ; ears very short; legs of moderate length; nails

nearly straight. The hair isslightly rigid; on the head it is short, on the

body considerably longer, and on the posterior portion of the back, outer

surface of the thighs and the tail it is longest, on some places measuring fully

three inches. On the tail it is laid close, so that though long, this part of the

animal is nevertheless moderately slender. On the ears the hair is very short,

and on their posterior surfaces is almost wanting.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the nose to the Distance between the point of the nose

root of the tail ............... 1257 50 PIANO. aoonnovantbonnticine 0 10

Ofsubestalliseneessnaser sees ocsss 12 4 between the eye and the upper

Height at the shoulder .................. A 2 extremity of the ear......... 0 10

HERPESTES BADIUS.

The adults of both sexes are nearly alike in regard to colour and size. In

the young animal there is a distinct reddish cast over the whole body, but it is

much broken by the yellowish and brownish rings which occur on each hair

and which appear in this age upon the head and thighs as well as the back.

At one time I was disposed to regard our animal as identical with Herpestes ruber, Desm.,*

but upon comparing it with the description of the latter as furnished by the author just quoted,

I found it to differ in many points. In our species, the body, as will be seen by a reference to

the measurements, is shorter than the tail; in that of Desmarest, the tail is four inches shorter

than the body; in ours, the tip of the tail is deep black; in his, that part is not described

as being of a different colour to the rest of the animal.

The first specimen of this species we obtained was killed near Old Latakoo, and several others

were seen between that and Kurichane, which lies about 120 miles more to the eastward. The

animal appeared restricted to dry sandy districts abounding in brushwood, and in these, was

occasionally seen running from one copse to another. It is extremely shy, and flies on the

approach of man to its hiding places with great rapidity; hence only a very few specimens were

obtained. Nothing except the remains of insects were found in the stomachs of those we

procured ; but if the natives are to be believed, it feeds with avidity also upon lizards, snakes,

mice, &c.

In addition to this and another new species which we shall hereafter figure, five others

inhabit the South of Africa, namely, Herpestes Pharaonis, Desm., H. griseus, Desm.,

H. urinator, Smith, H. tenianotus, Smith, and H. albicaudis, Smith.+ Before long, however,

there is every reason to expect additional species will be added to the preceding, as the

Bechuanast described to us several little quadrupeds clearly differing from any of the fore-

going, yet doubtless belonging either to this genus or to Cynictis of Ogilby.

* Encyclopedie Methodique, (Mammalogie, fol. 213.)

+ South African Quarterly Journal, New Series, No. 2, part 1, March 1834.

+ The native tribes (not including the Hottentots) immediately north of the colony. Bechuana is the term

which has been invented by themselves to indicate all the clans in that direction who resemble each other

in external appearance, and speak the same language. The import of the word proves the propriety of

its application, bechuana being the plural of chwana, signifying alike or similar.

2AM EaTeaiaan . 23 ;

x a Ca ten tedhn ah hina? et 6aile-gheson ow aoxew tod To sides ae ete:

pie tod ,ghed alaibw om) 1970 teen siethhay fouisvib e ei anor Inatian ck eas

eee ABS nosueDo, dobdy ae tit deigwond bas bsinolley dt vd neon dim 9% —) %;

sats wlond oils ae How ep Qu bad bead off dogiv ine allt di wet lois’ Brix : Fs ane '

' esa tie GA Gite lactionhiee (enon p10 Mee: ol beogib we Teh as

> begte-tng Senn, wee ails sf fedaicral? a wtiel wit Fo weitgisee halt dow 1 ogee

kroodiigc 4 yf mera od lhe te Yliad G81 seit ico af inion : u) elitth az beget

paruiiie pada Wot ad Tried lt Aare th Fo died) oi ; fies silt © ro ss eiusatgebogpets

Firpi eds ‘Poet ah fomy dah pid “at aan a: Ridade to oft add ocow abet ybod gel tues

Nemias afte fer, >: ar » tetnish 2a gictbe ads

cevitin inate pre smdatat BIO ment Gallid ea trartielk lye ecco. cr 5 reriujede tel APE

it dren 2) oF etoarealicn ORE darth ad Aaldee Sveestabse koe 2M perttnd node Shae

aor, bende bang. Ainendiderd oF yrileen ts eer yeas ph os b omen: heveppe Eiatoeh

i brash ro uh Irpysize eo eettioni:. i gi. ed paloinn nese -yiigooge

ere & hao Daal Vithion Teste Hie piel poli alr ot ain lo dove

ome ety ‘ts enynincte hl gi taia eee elo jee 4G: titkowerr: 413 iqnass ioitio’, trator.

ee rasta ere Glin Gulia al preiat od 92 wen erdBint ald 1 ed 5 berpaoig

ae 4 ? ok hare

Sg tod laaaid Mes? ssolw oteee Ran wre fee gt ee podbbs ol

pie ka omE cielo all, ee colette sheet, Maa. gets aly, silos

haba Pata adocwute SN has es povtesin) Mihi _solorge A

or ee ct: laity 44 ie ie TON cilia ae Ob Beans: gai an’ Sues

Wii sah NM ects weary mao hirereile ae Belhoest ft eatcdibae

ae SF Wea to: eine ee whats Grtignitiaablidlad Wry gens

| CATR UA ceed trntei) wf Hg Ait bviqurel «

mie \enct Peg 2 Re Sherine VALE cose Vihar a A

Stille! bepress on ter: dectepball pl pater Loot iewtney Seta Ss.

WD Ge wager hy of mpeg CM hesan at ates ae ity

ot oe ae

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IDM edaMeaLS

(Maromalia 2 Plate 5)

SCIURUS

Tat.

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ey Oder, Hii) Weaye w Ihe ¢ Gwe Vi ae ee

et, Cries ng bt = ya” ae é hu j 235 Ga, Bes

7 ee or as (re oe d ‘aah, as) eee:

> ai Th eee a 41a Ue @i¢g vil he a) pat

Pee ie eld A Ad ei dele ai Se ‘co Mw tel ieee

. aa ewe oriees gee We Pa ee vl (Sal

7 Sits of Ge) 44> vo _ 2 ae thes, 2 pie he

ih ae OS ery. Oret fee. Depart -"Se2%q We), ee

7 a

iD is en ous’ 4 By fave) Le of — 5 iy wink, a

A er i’ es ONto-u"..ey Saree

Te beeen Se ery A: a ae iv tit a

Taal by Ga ime! ed > e. vow fee eae

: me ewyA © 4% w- Sars myis, oie eee pee

— Or ans SPrwrwi ow i efi fv Vo woe Gee

a se .er wi, @ Piety “f Pts ots a aaa

7h ie Pe.) oe) Ge Se

SCIURUS CEPAPI.—Smrirtu.

Mammatia.—Piate V. (MAtEz.)

S. supra ochreus, brunneo-nigro leviter marmoratus ; corporis lateribus pedibusque ochreis; labio

superiore, stria superciliari, corporisque partibus inferioribus albis, ventre flavo-tincto; cauda dis-

ticha, ochred brunneo-nigro yariegata ; auriculis brevibus, apicibus obtusis, margine externo versus

apicem emarginato ; oculis brunneis.

Loneirupo corporis cum capite 72 unc., caude 7 une.

Scrurus Crparr, App. to Rep. of Exp. page 43, June, 1836.

Cotour.—Face ochry yellow, pencilled with black ; the upper part of the

head and neck, the back and the flanks grizzled light ochre-yellow and

brownish black, each hair being brownish black at the base, then ochry

yellow, then brownish black, and finally ochre-yellow; some have their

extreme points blackish brown; the upper surface of the tail is also grizzled

in the same manner as the back, only the proportion of the brownish black

colour is greater, and hence the dark colour is there more conspicuous, and gives

rise in some specimens to the appearance of a number of irregular dark bars ;

the upper lip, a short stripe over each eye, the chin, the throat, the breast,

the belly, and the inner sides of the legs white, sometimes faintly tinged with

yellow ; the sides of the head, neck and body, and the outer and hinder sides

of the legs ochre-yellow; the hair of the hinder legs deep black at its base ;

anterior surface of ears pale yellowish white; posterior surface dull white ;

incisor teeth reddish orange; eyes dark brown; whiskers black; nails deep

brown.*

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender; head small; the anterior molar of

the upper jaw very small, subcylindrical with the crown entire ; the remaining

four concave, the crowns towards the outer sides divided each into two por-

tions by a fine transverse groove; the anterior molar of the lower jaw semi-

cylindrical, the crown divided into three tubercles; the other three molars

on each side nearly similar to those of the upper jaw; ears short, with a

slight emargination in the outer edge a little below their points; the latter

* The tints vary a little in different specimens.

SCIURUS CEPAPI.

obtuse; legs long; tail depressed, narrow, slightly distichous and pointed at

its extremity; two centre toes of equal length, those of the hinder feet but

little longer than the toe on each side of them; the difference is greater on

the fore feet; nails strong and much curved. The hair is slightly rigid,

and shortest on the head and feet ; on the back and under parts it is rather

longer, while on the outer sides of the hinder legs, particularly towards the

base of the tail and on the tail itself, it is much longer still.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. ‘ Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the nose to the Length of the fore legs to the tip of

pase ofsthey tall 27. ecnerocsies mn the toessccae chs. eames eee QRS

Ofithextale acct etoeaecucesers io) the hinder legs to ditto...... 3 {t)

Of phescranvame-ceee tees seene 15-. 19 the tarsus of fore foot ...... Q -@

Breadth between the hinder extremities the hinder foot ..............- 0 10

of the zygomatic arches... 0 11

The female, as regards colour and size, resembles the male, and like the

latter is liable to some variation in respect to tints.

The first specimens of this squirrel were observed upon the immediate banks of the Lim-

popo river, in about 24° 20’ south latitude. The species was occasionally discovered upon the

ground, but more frequently upon trees ; and when it happened to be surprised in the former

situation, it invariably endeavoured to reach the latter, and if successful, either attempted

to conceal itself in the forks of the branches, or in holes, if any existed, in the trunks, or other

parts. Its flight, when on the ground, was effected with amazing rapidity, and the perpen-

dicular ascent of the tree was accomplished with equal facility. It feeds by day, and,

according to the natives, also by night, and in all the specimens we obtained, the stomachs

were fully distended with berries, &c.

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PRIONOPS TALACOMA.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate V. (MAte.)

P. capite supra pallidé fusco-griseo, argenteo-griseo umbrato ; genis albis posticé fascia semilunari nigra

marginatis ; dorso humerisque nigro-viridi-nitescentibus ; alis striga longitudinali alba notatis ;

remigibus primariis brunneis, primo excepto, pogoniis internis fascia alba variegatis, rectricibus

duabus intermediis viridi-nigris; lateralibus versus apicem plus minusye albis; rostro nigro; oculis

brunneis ;_ pedibus flavis.

Loneirupo, 8 unc.

Prrionors Tanacoma, Rep. of Exp., page 45, June, 1836.

Cotour.—The upper part of the head light pearl-grey with a dusky shade;

the cheeks white, margined behind by a black crescent; the neck and the

under parts pure white; the back and the wings a glossy greenish black ;

several of the shoulder feathers and secondary quill coverts nearly white, and

with the broad white edgings which occur upon the outer vanes of two or three

of the innermost secondary quill feathers, they form a continuous white stripe

along the wing. All the primary quill feathers, with the exception of the

first, have their inner vanes crossed by a broad white bar, that of the inner-

most being much nearer to the extremity of the feather than the outer-

most; the secondary quill feathers all broadly tipt with white. The two

middle tail feathers greenish black ; the two outermost of each side pure

white, or with only a slight greenish black spot at their bases. The inter-

mediate feathers greenish black towards quills, white towards tips. Bill

black ; feet pale yellow; claws livid brown. Eyes dark brown, and sur-

rounded by a narrow membranous ring of a bright yellow colour.

Form, &c.—Typical. The feathers of the forehead very rigid and wiry,

some erect, others directed forwards so as to conceal the nostrils ; emargina-

tion of bill very slight: wings when folded reach over nearly the first half of

the tail; the fourth quill feather the longest, the third and fifth of equal

length, and a little shorter than the fourth; the second and eighth nearly

equal, and considerably shorter than the third; the first not half the

length of the fourth. Tail even or very slightly rounded. Tarsi rather

long, covered in front by transverse plates, and behind by a continuous

PRIONOPS TALACOMA.

horny shell; the middle toe rather longer than the outermost, the innermost

slightly shorter than the latter, and of the same length as the hindermost ;

claws pointed and considerably curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines, Inches, Lines.

Length from the bill to the top of the Meng th ofitarsus..-rs-pacereees semen: if a

GAIL iedeaemeee scareemsectensiees 8 0 of the middle toe ............... OIG

Ofithe ‘tail ce. st vvsvceeh osaseswaes: of) ofthe annerstoes scree ree 0 43

of the wings when folded...... 4 4

The female, as regards the colour of the plumage and the size, differs little

if at all from the male.

The first individuals of this species we obtained were killed in about 25° south latitude, and

from that parallel specimens continued to occur as far as we advanced to the northward. They

were generally observed among low bushes, in flocks of six or eight imdividuals, and either

actively engaged in traversing those bushes, or in exploring the grounds around them in search

of insects. The termites appeared to form their favorite food; and rarely was a specimen

obtained whose stomach did not contain them in abundance. It is a shy bird, and rather

noisy. In flying, sometimes all the individuals of the little flock utter their cries simultaneously,

and the same practice they frequently observe while searching for food on the ground, or upon

bushes. When the mere inclination of one of the flock induces it to fly, all the rest follow

the example, and together, wing their way to another locality. The present, the third

species yet discovered of the genus, is readily to be distinguished from the other two,

(Prionops Geoffroyi, Vieillot ; and Prionops cristatus, Ruppell), by its having no crest.

el ta 7

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(Aves Plate G.)

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CRATEROPUS JARDINII.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate VI. (MAtez.)

C. olivaceo-brunneus guttis subalbidis parce notatus; gutture, pectore, abdomineque summo cinereo-

brunneis, albo-maculatis; abdomine infimo, caudeeque tectricibus inferioribus flavo-cineraceis; rostro

nigro-fusco ; oculis, tarsisque brunneis.

Loneairupo, 10 une.

Crateropus Jarpinit, Rep. of Exped. page 45, June 1836.

Co.tour.—Above, olive brown; the central portions of the feathers of the

upper surface of the head, blackish brown; the points of these feathers, as well

as the points of those of the neck and anterior part of the back, marked each

with a dull rusty or greyish white spot. The chin, the throat, the breast, and

the anterior portion of the belly, ashy brown, each feather with an oblong or

spear-shaped pure white spot at its point; the posterior portion of the belly,

the vent and the under tail-coverts yellowish grey; the shaft of each of the

feathers towards the point, dull white. Shoulders and quill-feathers, dull

brown, the outer vanes of the latter slightly margined with a faint rusty

white colour; the inner surface of the shoulders, and the inner margins

of the wing feathers, pale fulvous, which colour also prevails upon the sides

of the breast covered by the bases of the wings. Tail, dark brown; the two

middle feathers towards quills strongly tinged with grey, and as well as the

lateral ones are crossed by numerous narrow dark bars, which are only

distinctly observed in certain lights.* Bill blackish brown; eyes, legs, and

toes, dark brown ; claws, light brown.

Form, &c.—Bill nearly as long as the head, moderately strong, the upper

mandible distinctly emarginate near the point ; culmen moderately curved and

slightly obtuse; nasal fossa oval, the nostrils opening towards its inferior and

anterior margin ; the upper portion of the fossa is closed by a delicate horny

membrane ; a few strong black bristles near the angles of the mouth. Tarsi

strong, in front coated by broad transverse plates, behind and on the sides by a

continuous horny shell; hinder toe the strongest and with the largest claw.

Wings short, rounded, and when closed cover the first third of the tail; the

* This character occurs in many other species of the genus,

CRATEROPUS JARDINII.

innermost secondaries but very little shorter than the primaries. The 4th

primary quill feather longest, and scarcely exceeding the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th,

the 3rd shorter than the 8th, and not quite so long as the shortest of the se-

condaries ; the 1st about half the length of the 4th. Tail broad and rounded

at the extremity. The feathers of the head, neck, throat, and breast, rigid :

those immediately in front of the eyes wiry and decomposed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the engthiot thestarsus oseess.acersseee eee eG)

extremity of the tail......... 10 +O of the hinder toe ............... 5

Obibhe ttatleadaeseaetcos iceman oe 5) of the middle toe ............... 0 83

of the wings when folded...... 4° 6

of the bill from the angle of

ithewmoutheccosneestclentecaece 1 1

In the female the general colours are less bright, and the white spots are

not so pure, particularly those on the throat and breast.

The first specimens of this bird were obtained in latitude 25° 24’ S., and, as we have reason

to believe, upon the extreme limit of its southern range. Where the species was first disco-

vered, only a very few specimens were observed ; but, by the time we had reached a degree

more to the northward, they occurred in great abundance. Spots covered with reeds, such as

are seen along the margins of many of the rivers of the country they inhabit, appeared to form

their favorite feeding places; and though, when disturbed, they would leave those for a time,

and take up their abode among the brush-wood with which the banks of the streams were

more or less covered, they invariably returned to the haunts they had left when the cause

which led them to remove had ceased to exist. While lodged among the reeds they were

almost incessantly in motion ; and, from their being generally associated in great numbers, the

noise occasioned, partly by their flitting from one stem to another or climbing, and partly by

the harsh cries they uttered, more especially on the appearance of danger, rendered even a tem-

porary residence in the vicinity of their haunts quite disagreeable. Though they evidently pre-

ferred, as resorts, the situations described, yet, where reeds did not occur, they were occa-

sionally found among the brushwood remote from rivers; and in these positions they also

displayed an extremely restless disposition ; scarcely were they observed to enter a bush or

thicket before they were seen leaving it from the opposite side, for an adjacent one. Though

such was their common practice, there were times when they appeared less disposed to hasty

changes, and when they were to be noticed, not simply following a tortuous course, but even

ascending and descending among the branches; nay, even visiting the ground below and

around the bushes. As far as we had opportunities of judging, they feed exclusively upon in-

sects ; and those which were killed when among the reeds, seemed to have committed great

havoc upon the larve of Giryllide, &c. while those obtained among the brushwood appeared

principally to have fed upon coleopterous insects.

ae ae aN AAee oT wal .

ae We ftiows u at ; a ; diy ‘ ms

wi an sino - ‘ Mie g “a q i

ob 3 eh | war ig vy, | a

A a . a ane “ vires

wei ov

mane ere

on Avi

me 4} h me

4 ini nie 7 be i 7

: e fied i

=? IS A

Wetiepe ae

Ea) Eee Gas) ANS Ne se ee SACs NVailte: B Female

Anre's.— late 7,)

EUPLECTES TAHA.—Smirtu.*

Aves.—Ptare VII.—(Ma tt.)

Mas in wst. E. niger; capite superné, dorso, caudex tectricibus superioribus et inferioribus, fasciaque

ante humeros flavis ; humeris, remigibus, rectricibusque cinereo-brunneis ; oculis brunneis; pedibus

flayo-brunneis.

Lonairupo, 4 une. 9 lin.

Mas in hyem., et Fem. BE. supra pallidé flavo-brunneus, nigro-striatus; subtus cinereo-albus lineis

brunneis variegatus ; gutture pectoreque ochreo tinctis ; striga superciliari flavescenti-alba.

Cotour.—( Male, summer plumage.) The crown of the head, the back, the

upper and under tail-coverts, the vent, and a narrow oblique stripe on each

side of the breast immediately in front of the shoulders, bright yellow ;

shoulders, quill feathers, and tail, grey-brown ; the shoulder feathers, and the

outer vanes of the quill feathers, faintly edged with dirty white ; insides of

shoulders pale cream-yellow verging on white; thighs pale yellow, freckled

with brown. The space in front of the eyes, the sides of the head, a stripe

on each side of back adjoining the bases of the wings and all the under parts

of the body as far as the vent, deep brownish black. Bill light umber-brown,

the lower mandible lightest. Feet and claws yellowish brown ; eyes brown.

(Male, winter plumage.) Above, pale yellowish brown ; the head, neck, and

interscapulars, freely dashed with longitudinal brownish black stripes or

blotches, and the back and upper tail coverts with faint narrow stripes of the

same colour; shoulder feathers blackish brown edged with rusty white;

quills and tail grey-brown, the former margined externally with rusty white,

the latter margined on both vanes and tipt with the same colour. Eyebrows

yellowish white ; ear coverts pale rusty brown; under parts of body greyish

white, the throat and breast tinged with sienna yellow, and these as well as

the flanks are variegated by longitudinal brown streaks. Bill, particularly

the lower mandible, lighter than in the summer season.

* In bringing this bird under the notice of our readers, I have not adopted the generic term (Oryx)

introduced by Lesson, (Traité d’Omithologie, tom. i. fol. 437. Paris 1831.) who first established the

genus to which it belongs, merely because the same term had previously been selected by Col. H. Smith,

(The Animal Kingdom, translated by E. Griffith, vol. 5.) to designate one of the forms of the

Antelopide.

EUPLECTES TAHA.

Form, &c.—Typical. Wings, when folded, reach over the first half of the

tail; the first, or spurious quill feather, very small, the second but very little

shorter than the third, which is the longest; tail even. Tarsi rather slender;

outer and inner toes of equal length, and rather longer than the hinder one,

the middle toe considerably longest; claws long, slender, and but slightly

curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines,

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus ...................+. Ong

point of the tail............... 4 9 the middle toe ............... 0. %

ofatheutalleeeasenereesieeertce sees 1 5 the outer toe..............-..- O 43

of the wings when closed...... 20 7, the hinder toe ............... 0 4

The adult female, during the summer and winter exhibits nearly the same

coloured plumage as the male in winter.

The present species is more nearly allied to Euplectes melanogaster, (Loxia melanogaster,

Lath.) than to any other species of the genus yet described ; it is, however, readily to be

distinguished from it, by the under part of the body being black, while in L. melanogaster, the

middle of the breast and belly only are black, the sides being yellow.

Immediately preceding the breeding season, the birds of this species begin to moult, at

which time the new feathers of the males appear with the colours described, and these

colours they retain until the approach of autumn, when they gradually lose them, and assume

the tints of the females. The species does not appear to extend south of 26°, at least we dis-

covered no individuals prior to reaching that latitude ; and the natives more to the southward,

appeared unacquainted with the bird. In the districts to the north of 26°, however, it was

common, and large flocks were often observed among the trees near to the banks of

rivers. Though they were generally among trees at the time we passed through the country»

we were informed they leave them on the commencement of the breeding season, for the reeds

which here and there skirt the rivers, and from those they suspend their nests. Like Euplectes

oryx, they prove very destructive to gardens during the summer season, and it requires some

of the natives to be constantly on watch to save their crops from being entirely devoured by

the one or other of these species.

It may not be out of place to mention that the species of this genus inhabiting Southern

Africa are

Euplectes oryx, (Loxia oryx, Lin.)

Euplectes Capensis, (Loxia Capensis, Lin.)

Euplectes Taha, Smith.

AMAT QTORITIA —

Ee By M8 Yo Vai duit oy, 1910 donot ,bsblo} cat ami | Naoto os

ers

~ BINT Yrov tod booose oi! jligme qr »wiliast Liop wotuiqe fo Jenit oil? ; fiat

f pel Aa til iesT nave lint ;desyeol od? zi doidw brictt odt pepe

‘tobnid odd madd s9g0ol toilje: bis .dtonsl

elite tud Sg reahoole onol ewals ; te,

ae lo 260? 19anl baa wot

ihienas sal olbbias oti

ALOT

emt

vee QOt8) of» a

out Bbbien wld A

As ae 00 origi “4 4

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p S45 ‘ ‘ : vats) ale ato it? a gamut t phy Bi tolaa

_ eeyne She Wend} hale Si adams cyte a

=! te iltban tepeye A a Hi tives

8 wie wulbor: x a otal nit HF evn

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ip a “ioe ‘hones Ay bo pepo piame SE trees f eis’ cat Pite-cee

i i ine rt cg a8 tan oulté sliew ia a is 7° me

"7 mai vag

ft deol <lanbesy yl praslw, cette ceorp ip salt Lihdly i

or 7 SDS lo aie hemes. ot ans 20° bie) = plenty > a alelt edt

ai chon ware Na hae pebolated ici) peeioan 0) inf: Aantyrig ae lempres

ae pac Wi Atop ad ot alr ra. wie nd tread di sre date lta 99 ut ag n¢

v™

Ronda)

pen Py net a ‘od fidaag trate wale, Sifts + r ; i %

rei Sepp ow ah a tie rid toroid Wha?

pana lt hi bes pana ye Hitehs> 4 Ae ber atta wet 3

mei sida Bs angi wu Spenels gae Bnei “a i ety fists ert A

pistons PH inva see a pee atte, ants pened ‘da biipal avira Ga cies

d ioe pommlaiann 3 mad ote a z pea “iw Pp wt we rt, ‘sicbeneias r wi phieen 9

ats a

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tt. j oT ek <a saadhibe 4 00? Wide

es ae er

By tidt Wy ee ieee a belt satu gi saith (79 aus

r ig Pi

Te Lr, ete nike AY et

ae yal Wanita! > pone Ry iste Se

at went

vo: aime? |

PHILETZHRUS LEPIDUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Ptate VIII. (Matz.)

P. capite dorsoque pallidé flavo-brunneis ; collo superné, interscapularibusque nigro-brunneis ; plumis

albo-marginatis ; remigibus rectricibusque brunneis, harum apicibus isabellinis, gula strigique ad

basin rostri nigris ; genis, collo subtus, pectore ventreque pallidé isabellinis, vitta longitudinali ante

femora nigra, plumis albo-marginatis ; oculis brunneis; rostro pedibusque pallidis.

Lonerrupo, 43 une.

Lox1a socra, Latham, Pater’s Voy. Pl. 19.

Procevs socius, Cuv. Reg. Animal. tom. i. p. 384. 1817.

Purierarvs teprpus, Smith, Mag. of Nat. History, new series, vol. i. p. 536.

Evprecres terius, Swainson, Lard. Cab. Cyclopedia, vol. Menageries, page 309.

Cotour.—The top of the head, the nape and the back drab brown; the

back and sides of neck, and the interscapulars umber-brown ; each feather

margined with pale isabella colour; chin, and a stripe at the base of the

pill which terminates on a line with the eye, black. The wings and tail

light umber-brown; the tertiary quill feathers broadly edged and tipt with

isabella colour; the tail feathers also that colour at their extremities. The

sides of the head, the under part of the neck, the breast and belly, a pale

isabella colour; the flanks pale rusty brown; in front of each thigh a deep

black stripe; the feathers margined with yellowish white. Bill and legs a

pale horn-colour, the former slightly clouded with brown. Eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender ; bill more compressed than in Euplectes ;

culmen slightly arched from the base ; commissure sinuated; legs and toes

strong ; tarsi in front covered by transverse plates, the margins of which are

distinctly defined; outer and inner toes nearly of equal length ; claws pointed

and much curved, the hinder one not so long in proportion as in the typical

species of Euplectes ; wings, when folded, reach to about the middle of the

tail. The first or spurious quill feather very short, often scarcely discernible ;

the second, third, and fourth nearly of equal length, and the longest; the

extremity of the tail slightly rounded.

PHILETERUS LEPIDUS.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the bill to the point of Length of the tarsi..............-..0s000 Ones

thevtailiae ccspatarccerie esc 4 9 theouteribOereeerse eer errs 0 34

ofthe sbailenee-teeeetieeeereeears 2, 0 the middle toe ............... 0 54

of the wings when folded...... 2 10 the hinder toe <......:....... 0 383

of the bill from the gape...... Oi

The female differs from the male in having the feathers of the back and

sides of neck and the interscapulars light brown in place of umber-brown.* In

young specimens the head is streaked with brown, the patch in front of the

thighs consists of perfectly distinct black blotches, and no appearance of

black exists either on the chin or at the base of the bill.

The banks of the Orange river appear to constitute the southern limit of this bird’s range ;

but specimens were only obtained in great abundance in the districts around Latakoo, far from

water. The most striking peculiarity observed in the species, is the extraordinary manner in

which a number of individuals associate, and build their nests under a common roof. When

a nestling place has been selected, and the operation of building the nests is to be com-

menced ab initio, the community immediately proceed conjointly to construct the general

covering which interests them all; that being accomplished, each pair begins to form their own

nest, which, like the roof, they construct of coarse grass: these are placed side by side against

the under surface of the general covering, and by the time they are all completed, the lower

surface of the mass exhibits an appearance of an even horizontal surface, freely perforated

by small circular openings.

They never use the same nests a second time, though they continue for many years attached

to the same roof. With the return of the breeding season, fresh nests are formed upon the

lower surface of those of the previous year, which then form an addition to the general cover-

ing. In this manner they proceed, year after year adding to the mass, till at last the weight

often becomes such as to cause the destruction of its support, upon which a new building-

place is selected. They appear to prefer constructing these nests upon large and lofty trees,

but where such do not occur, they will even condescend to form them upon the leaves of the

arborescent aloe (Aloe arborescens), as occasionally happens towards the Orange river. The

commencement of the roof is firmly interwoven with the branches of the trees to which it is

intended to be suspended ; and often a great part of a principal branch is actually included

within its substance. Each female lays from three to four eggs, which are of a bluish-white

colour, and freely mottled towards the large end with small brown dots. When once this

species has attained maturity, it never afterwards exhibits any change in respect to colours.

The male has no summer tints which he throws aside in winter, as is the case in Euplectes.

Seeds, and occasionally small insects, constitute the food.

* By a mistake, it was stated in the description of this bird, when it was proposed as a type of a

sub-genus, that the female was without the black chin,

—— —

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MEROPS BULLOCKOIDES.*—Smiru.

Aves.—PuatEe IX. (MALE.)

M. fronte subalbida; vertice pallidé cxruleo-viridi; cervice, pectore, abdomineque summo pallidé cinna-

momeis; dorso, humeris, caudaque viridibus; caude tectricibus superioribus inferioribusque cyaneis ;

tenia per oculos nigra subtus albo-marginata ; gula alba; gutture coccineo ; rectricium secundariarum

apicibus nigris.

Lonerrupo, 73 unc.

Merors Burxtocxorpes. South African Quarterly Journal, 1834.

Cotour.—Front whitish ; top of the head pale bluish green; the back and

sides of the neck, the breast, and the belly, pale cinnamon brown ; vent dirty

ereen ; back, wings and tail light grass-green; the upper and under tail

coverts, and a spot on each side at the base of the thigh ultra-marine blue. The

side of the head crossed by a deep black band, edged below with white, which

colour also prevails on the chin; throat scarlet ; the inner surface of the

shoulder, and the edges of the inner vanes of quill feathers fulvous, the -

secondaries broadly tipt with black ; the inner vanes of the tail feathers, with

the exception of the two centre ones, margined with dull brown. Bill and

claws black ; legs and toes greenish black. Eyes crimson.

Form, &c.—Bill broad at the base, slightly curved, the culmen carinated

and moderately arched; nostrils oval and partially covered by recumbent

wiry feathers or short black bristles. Wings, when closed, reach to about the

commencement of the last third of the tail; the third and fourth quill feathers

the longest, the second and fifth nearly equal, the first about half the length

of the third. One or two of the tertiary wing feathers nearly as long as the

primaries. The extremity of the tail square or very slightly rounded.

* So named from its general resemblance to Merops Bullockii.

MEROPS BULLOCKOIDES.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the wings when closed... .. 4 6

point of the tail............... i 3 Ofithe tarsus )-eeeeee eeheeseeee es 0 33

Olgthe stat) a seeracccseses cece 4 0 of the middle toe ............... Ole

of the bill from the angle of of theshmndentoewesscneeteeres Cz

GheMOUtN ee eee sec essacore 1 ie

The female resembles the male, with the exception that the colours are not

quite so bright.

Between this species and Merops Bullockii many discrepancies might be

instanced, but the diagnostic character, which will prove the most readily

available, is the colour of the upper tail coverts. In the present species, this

colour is invariably similar to that of the lower ones, whereas in Merops

Bullockii it is very different.

It was not until the expedition attained the 25° of south latitude that this bird was disco-

vered, though north of that it appeared not uncommon. When observed, it was generally

either perched upon the tops of trees, along the immediate banks of rivers, or in the act of

making short circuits through the air, apparently in chase of flying insects. As may be infer-

red from the structure of its wings, it is not a bird which flies for any great length of time

without resting ; it seeks its food during frequent low and short flights, and after each of these,

often returns to the perch from whence it proceeded. In respect of its habits, as well as its

wings, it closely resembles Merops Erythropterus, Lin. ; but, in regard to both these characters,

it differs from the other species of the genus yet observed in South Africa. Upon the modified

structure of the wings in this species and MW. Erythropterus may depend the circumstance of their

being permanent inhabitants of the districts where they are found, and where they encounter

a cold during the winter much more severe than ever occurs farther to the southward, and from

which the Merops Apiaster, Lin. M. Savignii, Levaill. and MW. chrysolaimus, Jard., fly towards

the end of summer. From observations I have had occasion to make, I think it probable that

the migrations, both of birds and quadrupeds, will be found often to depend more upon causes

which have hitherto been comparatively overlooked, than upon any absolute deficiency of food

in the countries from whence they retire. Connected with this opinion, I may instance the cir-

cumstance of a species of swallow, which inhabits the mountains of the Cape Colony during

the summer months, repairing in the winter to the vicinity of houses left, by another species,

on the approach of the cold season. It there finds food sufficient for its support, till the other

species, gifted with more vigorous powers of flight, and a superior courage, returns and drives

it back again to situations which it had for a time abandoned.

+ eswols evils apiiir otk) dyed

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Phy act Olean es by

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Avoid

Fort tip einolos wily halt noltqoore oui Ailw olin oft eoldursdes sleet alt

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Oo) - : -

PTEROCLES VARIEGATUS.

Aves.—Puiate X. (Mave.)—BurcuHe.u.*

Mas. P. fronte nigra; capite supra ochreo, nigro brunneoque variegato; mento, capitis lateribus stria-

que superciliari argenteo-griseis ; collo supra, dorso, humerisque olivaceo-brunneis guttis albis sparsis ;

humerorum plumis quibusdam subrufis ; corpore subtus rufo-brunneo abdomine pallidiori; gutture

pectoreque guttis albis variegatis; tectricibus primariis remigibusque brunneis, horum interioribus

albo-terminatis ; rachidibus ad apicem brunneis, versus basin albis; rectricibus duabus intermediis

olivaceo-brunneis, pogoniis externis rufo-albo-subfasciatis, reliquis brunneo-nigris; pogoniis externis

rufo-albo-subfasciatis ; apicibus omnibus pallidé ochreis ; rostro unguibusque nigro-brunneis ; oculis

brunneis ; pedibus livido-brunneis.

Fem. Mento, capitis lateribus stridque superciliari pallide ochreis; abdomine pallidé rufo-brunneo, albo

fasciato ; rectricibus nigro-brunneis sordidé albo-subfasciatis : coloribus reliquis fere ut in mari.

CoLour.—Feathers immediately behind nostrils black ; + upper surface of

head mottled with longitudinal stripes of ochry-yellow and dark umber-

brown; chin, sides of head, and a stripe over each eye, silvery-grey ; bare

space round eye light yellow. The upper surface of the neck, the back, the

upper tail coverts, and the shoulders, light olive-brown, with a strong shade

of yellow, and freely sprinkled with small round white spots,—one spot on the

margin of each web; some of the shoulder feathers, particularly towards the

wing coverts, intermediate between gall-stone yellow and reddish orange.

The feathers of several of the parts enumerated are towards their bases either

a light brown or an umber-brown, more or less glossed with grey, and it is

only towards their tips that they exhibit the olive-brown tint. Primary wing

coverts, and the primary and secondary quill feathers light umber-brown; all

the primaries excepting the two or three outermost, tipt with white ; some of

the innermost tertiaries and the scapulars brown, glossed with grey, and tipt

with greenish yellow, each vane marked with a round white spot; the shafts of

both primaries and secondaries pure white, except towards their points, where

they are of the same colour as the webs of the feathers. Secondary quill co-

verts wood-brown, glossed with grey, and tipt, and partially edged with white.

Under-surface of the neck and the breast rufous brown, sparingly spotted

with white ; belly and inner surface of shoulders, and a stripe behind each eye,

the same colour as the breast, only much paler; legs and under tail-coverts

pale ochre-yellow. The two centre feathers of the tail olive-brown, partially

barred with tawny white, the remaining feathers brownish black, with one or

* Travels in South Africa, vol. ii. p. 345.

+ In some individuals the black is less intense, but in all the adult specimens of the species I have

seen, it has always been very distinct.

PTEROCLES VARIEGATUS.

two partial tawny bars upon their inner vanes; the tips of all pale ochre-

yellow. Baill and claws umber-brown ; eyes dark brown ; toes livid brown.*

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill short and slender; wings when folded, reach to

within about half an inch of the point of the tail; first quill feather longest,

and slightly exceeding the second; the remainder successively decrease in

length; the longest of the tertiaries rather exceeding the length of the

seventh primary quill feather ; tail cuneated, the two centre feathers slightly

prolonged beyond those on each side of them and accuminated ; lateral toes

equal,

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the base of the bill to the Length of the tarsus .............2-<-.<.- 1 1

tipi Ofiuheytall-ences ssacae-eer = Q of the middle toe) ...-........... ORS:

Olgthentarlesaxeanss cetacean: 8 3 of the outer toe.................. Ons 6

of the wings when folded...... Gg 6

of bill from the angle of the

MOULDS Panne ceesheesee ene Or 7

In the female, the chin, the sides of the head, and the stripe over the eyes

is ochre-yellow, instead of silvery grey; the belly is pale yellowish brown,

barred with dusky white ; along its centre the first colour is often almost um-

ber-brown ; the feathers of the flanks are light brown tipt with white ; all the

tail feathers blackish brown, partially barred on both vanes with tawny white

and tipt with ochre-yellow ; elsewhere the colour of the plumage is nearly

the same as in the male.

The first specimens of this species which we procured, were obtained at Tsining, about

thirty miles to the westward of Latakoo. The habit of repairing to springs, or other collections

of water, at fixed periods, to drink, is common to it, with the other species of the genus

Pterocles. Early in the morning, between the hours of seven and nine, appeared to be the

time destined for the present species to quench its thirst, and between those hours specimens

were to be obtained in abundance, wherever water was accessible, both to the west and north

of Latakoo. Like Pterocles gutturalis, they feed singly, or in pairs, and like the latter, con-

gregate before they reach their drinking-places, and generally appear in larger flights, owing,

no doubt, to the members of this species being more numerous. In their progress to and from

these places of daily resort, in common with Péerocles tachypetes, Temm., P. bicinctus, Temm.,

P. simplex, Lesson, and P. gutturalis, they fly at a great height, and suddenly descend, when

they approach the water, or their feeding grounds, and even on some occasions, the descent is

not commenced before they are directly over the spot where it is their object to alight. On

such occasions they require to form a semi-circular or circular movement before they can reach

the desired spot. In the stomachs of this species were found seeds, small bulbs, and abund-

ance of fine gravel.

* No two specimens of this species exhibit exactly the same intensity of tints, and often not even what

would be described as the same colour,

; ao a LAY welt ars mer AL mae

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; Peo} ~ tas Selatan’ yp! ape

ot ane seis mote sytie, ; ro! te trois SP rh Se el

me y et yosiss} Migg did +S UT > thal aa tat ely pudgie ; ia

a ee: aenorrit par iiadove: shaken? Of Of osex ‘nae in’ (idee a

xs vane + drink rit pinihges xa rage STE tli..ic showiiol aul). siftaqal

| ae yi t atte Byte eh SHR si ioc: cated Hidp qyeating aan: 3

at he paw Rarrk ert aghats: } On Brit Aipsit A cae io the eel? fargo bar iolauy

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ECHIDNA INORNATA.—Smiru.

Reptitia.—Puate IV.

E. supra flayo-brunnea, subtus brunneo-flava, brunneo marmorata ; cauda supra fusco-variegata ; capite

distincto oblongo cordiformi ; scutis abdominalibus 140; scutis subcaudalibus serie duplici col-

locatis circiter 24.

Lonaitrupo 13} une.

Cotour.—Back and sides dark yellowish brown; belly brownish yellow,

sparingly sprinkled with brownish dots; tail above indistinctly marked with

dull brown spots or bars,

Form, &c.—Head oblong, heart-shaped, and rounded at the nose, above

flat, with a slight hollow between the eyes, depending upon the superciliary

arches being considerably elevated; temples convex and bulging; nostrils

close to the extremity of the head, their openings directed forewards and out-

wards; eyes lateral, and approaching the nostrils ; neck considerably nar-

rower than the hindhead; the body increases in size till within about four

inches of the anus, where its thickness is greatest, from thence it tapers

gradually to the latter. The tail is very short and slender, and terminates in

a fine point, The scales on the nose and sides of the head in front of the eyes

rounded, slightly convex, and smooth ; on the top of the head, and on the space

under the eyes and temples, they are rather oblong and slightly carinated ;

the eyes surrounded by a complete ring of small plane scales. On the neck,

body, and tail, the scales are oval and slightly convex, each with a strong

carina along its centre, and are disposed in oblique rows across the back ; on

the tail and hinder part of the body, the points of the scales reach,

or even overlap the base of those directly behind them, whereby the carinz

are contiguous and form a series of delicate uninterrupted longitudinal ridges.

On the remainder of the body they are more apart, and the continuous ridges

do not exist.

DIMENSIONS. Inches.

Length from the tip of the nose to the extremity of the tail...... 131

Length of the tail ...........eseeceeeeeseeseeceeeeneeeeeeerecseseetenes 1}

Circumference of the thickest part of the body.. .. ...........+++- 23

ECHIDNA INORNATA.

This snake was killed in the Sneeubergen, or Snow-mountains, which are

situated immediately behind the village of Graaff Reynet, and was presented

to the expedition party by J. Lieb, Esq., the government surveyor of the

district. :

Little is known of the habits of this Snake, save that, like the other species of the genus, it

is indolent, and heedless of the approach of man.

In addition to the species here figured, we shall, during the progress of these illustrations,

have occasion to furnish representations of two others—the one Vipera ocellata, Smith,* (not

Latreille), the other yet undescribed. The former has a projecting cylindrical scale, from a line

to a line and a half in length upon each eye-brow, and is readily to be distinguished from

Vipera cornuta, Daud, by having the under surface of the tail, whatever may be the age of the

specimen, covered with scales nearly similar in form to those on the remaining portion, and

faintly carinated. The latter, Vipera atropoides, exhibits a manifest resemblance to Vipera

atropos, Daud, having, like it, two rows of black spots along the middle of the back, and

some irregularly coloured variegations on the sides. It differs, however, in many material

points, more particularly as regards the form and proportions of the head, and the arrangement

of the scales, especially around and near the eyes.

Taking these into consideration, we will in future have to record six species of the genus

Vipera as inhabitants of South Africa, viz., Vipera arietans, Merr.; V. atropos, Latr.;

V. cornuta, Daud; V. inornata, Smith; V. ocellata, Smith; V. atropoides, Smith: or if we

adopt the subdivisions proposed by Merrem and Wagler, which, in the present state of the

science, may probably be employed with advantage, these species will stand :—Echidna

arietans,—E. atropos,—E. inornata,— E. atropoides,—Cerastes cornutus, and C. ocellatus.

The vipers, and one or two species of Elaps, are the only snakes of South Africa which

permit themselves generally to be closely approached without evincing any apparent con-

cern; the others either manifest a disposition to act on the offensive, or to fly; even an

unusual noise, without its cause being visible, is sufficient to ensure the retreat of the innocuous

ones. The different species of Maia and the Elaps lubricus, Merr., but particularly the

former, are always ready for the fight, and when their haunts are invaded, they often advance

upon the intruder with the head and anterior part of the body almost perpendicular, the neck

expanded, and an expression sufficiently indicative of the malignant purpose they have in view.

To witness such a proceeding, once fell to my own lot. Walking in the vicinity of Graham’s

Town, I happened to excite the attention of a Maia Haemachates, which immediately raised its

head, and warned me of my danger by the strength of its expiration; it then commenced an

advance, and had I not retired, [ should, in all probability, have suffered, provided I had not

been fortunate enough to disable it, which possibly would not have happened, consicer-

ing that the species, in commonwith others of the genus, is extremely active. Even though

I retired, I was not satisfied the danger was past, as the flight of this snake’s enemy does

not always put a stop to its advance, when once commenced. An officer of the Cape corps,

upon whose accuracy the most implicit reliance was to be placed, informed me that he once

was chased twice round his waggon by an individual of the same species, and the pursuit might

have been prolonged had not a Hottentot disabled the enraged reptile by a blow from a

long stick.

* Magazine of Natural History, New Series, No. 14, page 92,

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