PROCELLARIA GLACIALOIDES.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate LI. (MALE.)

P. supra cineracea, subtus alba; capite cerviceque albis, flavo-cinereo-tinctis ; remigium primarium

tectricibus, remigibus primariis secondariisque externé brunneo-rubris, interne ultimis duabus albis :

cauda pallidé cinerescente ; corporis lateribus antic? et posticé griseo-ceruleo-tinctis. Rostro supra

purpureo-ceruleo, infra subcarneo; mandibularum apicibus livido-nigris. Pedibus livido-griseis.

Oculis rubro-brunneis.

Lonaitupo a rostri apice ad basin caudew 13 une. 6 lin.; caude 5 unc. 3 lin.

Co.our, &c.— The head and the back and sides of the neck white, with a dis-

tinct tinge of yellowish grey, very faint towards the base of the bill; the inter-

scapulars, rump, upper tail coverts, lesser wing coverts, secondary quill

coverts, and scapulars, ash-grey, tinged with yellowish grey : under parts pure

white; the flanks anteriorly and posteriorly clouded with pearl-grey. The

outer vanes of the primary quill coverts and quill feathers, together with the

inner vanes of the latter near their tips, brownish red ; the outer vanes of the

secondary quill feathers white towards the base, brownish red towards the

point, the inner vanes of these and of the primary quill feathers, except the

portion already particularized, pure white; the inner vanes of the primary

quill coverts pearl-grey. Tail feathers pale ash-grey, changing into white on

the inner vanes. All the feathers exhibit a faint satin-lustre. Upper mandible

from base to hook dull lavender-purple, slightly tinged with lake red, base

of hook greenish white, tips of both mandibles livid black, the remainder of

the lower mandible a pale flesh colour. Legs and toes livid grey; webs

lighter, with a flesh coloured tint. Eyes deep reddish brown.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust, and more rounded than that of the

smaller species of the genus. Head considerably elevated above the bill,

and superiorly rounded; bill strong, somewhat subcylindrical towards the

base, compressed near and at the point. The nasal tube depressed, and the

septum, which divides it interiorly into two canals, does not quite reach to its

anterior extremity, hence the actual opening is entire ; the hook of the man-

PROCELLARIA GLACIALOIDES.

dible is strongly arched and pointed, and its superior edge near its commence-

ment projects slightly above the culmen; the latter is flat and separated

from the lateral portion of the mandible on each side by a distinct

longitudinal groove; the cutting edge of the lower mandible arched at the

point, but the point itself is not prolonged downwards below the lower

edge of the bill, in which respect it differs from several of the smaller

species, though not materially from some of them. Tarsi robust, and coated

with small flat scales, which are partly angular and partly rounded; the

latter are the smallest, and chiefly disposed posteriorly. Anterior toes

strong, each terminated by a long, slender, and slightly curved claw; a

short, strong, and somewhat cylindrical claw in the place of the hinder toe;

the anterior margin of web between outer and middle toe nearly truncate,

between the middle and inner oblique. Wing long, and when folded extends

about half an inch beyond the point of the tail; the outer wing feather the

longest, and exceeds in length the second by nearly half an inch. Tail

rounded, the outermost feather of each side fully an inch shorter than the

middle ones.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to Length of the tarsus ............... aie

the point of the tail......... 18 9 Of theouter t0e:-.-<:s-s-ee e-em

of the bill from the gape...... 2 0 of the middle toe ............... 1) ali

of the wings when folded...... 12 4 Of Lhevnner toesetsece ested eee 1 74

Olsthextail\ ene rceseeeracs ceases op} of the hinder toe ............... 0 1

The colours of the plumage in the femule are similar to those of the male.

In many respects this species has a strong resemblance to Procellaria glacialis of authors,

but the greater length of its bill supplies an efficient diagnostic character by which it is to be

distinguished. Had the bill merely been longer, I should have hesitated before I considered it

distinct, as the degree of development of an organ is not to be made available as a specific

character. The length of the bill, however, is not only greater, but the thickness is also

different, being inferior to that of P. glacialis, and neither are ever otherwise in any individual

of the Cape species.

While the smaller Petrils almost constantly resort to the open sea, this species often hunts

for its food in the neighbourhood of the South African coasts, and even frequently enters the

bays, apparently for the same purpose. It flies higher above the surface of the water than the

smaller species, rests more frequently, and seems well disposed to feed upon dead animal matter

when such can be obtained,

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PROCELLARIA MACROPTERA.—Smiru.

Aves.—P uate LII.

P. obscure rubro-brunnea ; rostro nigro ; pedibus brunneis.

Loneirupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 11 une. 6 lin.; cauda 6 unc.

Cotour.—The whole plumage intermediate between brownish red and

liver-brown ; several of the scapulars and interscapulars narrowly tipped with

yellowish brown. The feathers of the head, neck, and body silvery white

towards their base, with a satin lustre. Bill rich black. Tarsi, toes, and

interdigital membranes liver-brown, the two first tinted with lake-red.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately stout, and not quite so rounded as that of

the last species. Head of moderate size, and slightly tapering towards the

vertex ; bill robust, and strongly compressed, particularly towards the point,

the sides of the upper mandible slightly convex, and distinctly separated on

each side from the culmen, by a deep longitudinal groove, which commences

at the anterior extremity of the nasal tube, and terminates at the commissure

about opposite to the point where the edge of the lower mandible begins to curve

downwards. The hook of the upper mandible forms fully half the length of

the bill, its base being within a small distance of the termination of the nasal

tube; it is much curved, and its point descends considerably below the lower

mandible ; posteriorly its upper edge projects above the level of the nasal

tube; the latter is rounded superiorly, or somewhat bluntly carinated, and

anteriorly presents only a single opening. The lower mandible is marked on

each side with a distinct longitudinal groove, which commences at its base,

and terminates where the cutting edge begins to curve downwards; the

point of the mandible is acute, and slightly prolonged. Tarsi moderately

robust, and covered with small, flat, irregular shaped scales ; toes rather slen-

der; interdigitalmembraneslarge, and their anterior edges superiorly delicately

plaited. Claws slightly curved and pointed ; a slender somewhat cylindrical

claw in the place of the hinder toe. Wings long, and exceed by an inch and

PROCELLARIA MACROPTERA.

a half the length of the tail; the first quill feathers the longest. Tail rounded,

the two centre feathers about an inch longer than the outermost one of

each side.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus...................+. 6

the tip of the tail............ ule aX) ofthe outertacl eeesceeree cosa i iil

of the bill from the gape ...... 1 39 ‘ofithemmiddle toc aerate nee aman amma i

of the wings when folded...... 13}. 8) of the inner toe.................. Le

Ofgthe ghallsasceaseciestecetesoesiss 6 0 of the hinder toe ............... 0 3

Nothing is known of the colours of the other sex.

This is a rare bird on the Cape Seas ; therefore it is probable the favourite habitat of the

species is farther to the southward. While on the wing it keeps near to the surface of the water

like Procellaria Turtur, &e.

When I first examined the specimen which has afforded the foregoing description, f was

disposed to regard it as an example of Procellaria grisea, Gmel., but on further examin-

ation, such doubts arose as led me to resolve on considering it distinct. The published

descriptions of most of the species of the group are so vague and deficient in diagnostic charac-

ters, that it will be found necessary, for the good of science, that almost all of them be uncere-

moniously rejected, unless the originals which supplied the descriptions should be re-described.

Colours are not calculated to furnish good diagnostic characters in this group; these must be

drawn from the form of the bill, &c., and from the measurements of the different parts of the

bird. The following appear to be well authenticated species, and the published descriptions

are sufficiently precise to enable the naturalist to refer any bird which he possesses belonging

to them to its proper species.

Procellaria gigantea, Lin. Cape, and Southern Seas.

e@quinoctialis, Lin. Do.

Capensis, Lin. Do.

puffinus et cinerea, Lin. Do.

glacialis, Lin. Northern Seas.

glacialoides, Smith Cape, and Southern Seas.

macroptera, Smith Do.

Anglorum, Temm. British Seas.

Turtur, Forst. Cape, and Southern Seas.

Forsteri, Smith Do.

obscura, Gmel. Northern Seas.

hasitata, Temm. PI. col. 416. Indian Seas.

Bulweri, Jardine and Selby Indian Seas.

Wee cua oa

PROCGE LIARTAS POs ihe

( Aves- Ilka Le 52)

PROCELLARIA FORSTERI.—Smiru,

Aves.—P.uate LIJI.—Mate.

P. supra cinerea flavo-griseo-tincta; capite superné, nucha, alarum tectricibus minoribus, remigium

tectricibus primariis sordidé subbrunneis; remigibus quatuor externis externé brunneis interne

albis ; fronte, capitis lateribus, superciliis partibusque inferioribus albis, tribus prioribus plus minusve

brunneo punctatis ; torque dimidiata ante alas cinerescente ; remigium scapis brunneo-rubris. Cauda

cinerescente, pluma externa singulorum subalba, reliquis albo-terminatis. Rostro brunneo, versus

apicem fusco, mandibula inferiore flayo-brunnea-notata; pedibus flavo-brunneis. Oculis nigro-

brunneis.

Lonairupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 6 unc. 7 lin.; caude 3 unc. 10 lin.

Cotour, &c.—The upper part of the head, and the nape of the neck inter-

mediate between broccoli-brown and pearl-grey, the remainder of the neck

superiorly, the interscapulars, the back, the rump, the upper tail coverts, a

half collar on the breast in front of the wings, and the secondary quill coverts

pearl-grey, slightly tinted with yellowish grey; the rump and upper tail

coverts lightest. The lesser wing coverts, the outer vanes of the primary wing

coverts, and of the four or five first quill feathers, the same colour as the

head, only distinctly tinged with grey ; the inner vanes of the latter towards

the shafts the same colour, only lighter,—the colour quickly fades into pure

white ; the other quill feathers yellow ashy grey, fading towards the edges of

the inner vanes and tips into white; the shafts brownish red. Scapulars

grey, darkened by a distinct tint of broccoli-brown, several of them finely

tipped with white. Tail pearl-grey, with a faint shade of yellowish-grey, the

tips of all the feathers, as well as their inner edges, white; and immediately

behind the white tips there is a distinct tint of broccoli-brown ; in some, per-

haps in most, individuals, the lateral feather of each side is dull white, with

a freckling of grey towards its shaft. Forehead, space in front of eyes,

eyebrows, sides of head, and under parts white ; the three first named more

or less speckled with broccoli-brown. The upper mandible towards the base

deep reddish brown, the nasal tube and the rest of the mandible liver-brown ;

the tip of the lower mandible liver-brown, its sides towards the commissure

reddish brown, inferiorly yellowish brown. Legs and toes yellowish brown,

the scales reddish brown; webs light wood-brown, with a lilac tint. Eyes

blackish brown.

Form, &c.—Figure full ; head elevated and of moderate size ; neck thick ;

bill rather slender, with the sides nearly vertical, the division between the latter

PROCELLARIA FORSTERI.

and the culmen distinct, and formed on each side by a longitudinal groove.

The culmen flattened and below the level of both the hook of the man-

dible and the nasal tube, the hook strongly curved and sharp pointed ;

the nasal tube contracted posteriorly, bulged anteriorly, and terminated

by two nostrils which are separated from each other by a distinct sep-

tum ; the lower mandible acute at the point, and strongly curved down-

wards. Tarsi moderately strong, and covered with small, flat, irregular

shaped scales; anterior toes slender, webs large, claws delicate and slightly

curved ; a short obtuse claw in the place of the hinder toe. Wings long, and

when folded extend fully an inch beyond the tip of the tail; the first and

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

and sixth successively shorter. Tail slightly rounded, the two centre feathers

about half an inch longer than the outermost one of each side.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. : Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to the Length of the tarsus ..................... 1 3

tiprotsthe:tailee sce ceases ee 10. «5 of the outer t0e) soe-.2 ae e-ce-eee- 3

of the bill from the gape ...... 1 3 of themiddle toe" <5....ee..ecee- 1 33

of the wings when folded ...... 8 6 | of the.innert0e) ca..cus-2-.e 1

OfethentallBanmeeescnccneese ea eee no aL) | Of theshindentoe:2...-:22..08 eee 010 1

The colours of the female are similar to those of the male.

As far as I have been able to discover, there is nothing in the habits of this bird by which

it is to be recognized from various other small species which occur in common with it upon the

Cape seas. It is to be seen more or less remote from both the southern and western coasts of

South Africa, and it even visits occasionally some of its bays, but never continues in the latter

beyond a very limited time. The open sea seems its favourite resort, and there it is to be seen

skimming along close to the surface of the water, as well in the storm as in the serenest

weather, and picking up its food apparently with as much ease and in as great abundance

during the raging of the gale as in the stillness of the calm. It often keeps company with

ships for a great distance, and though it never approaches them so closely as the stormy petrels

(Thalassidroma), yet the course it takes and the changes it makes according to the direction

the ship pursues, show that its object is to keep company with the latter, though it cannot,

from the shyness of its nature, benefit in any way by the presence of its fellow-traveller, more

especially as it generally keeps either slightly in advance of the vessel, or off one of her sides.

When it discovers an object suited for its food, of a size such as is to be seized and swallowed

while on the wing, it is seen merely to plunge into the water, and then proceed; but when

the size renders that inconvenient, it rests and floats for the necessary time, and then by the

rapidity of its flight makes up the lost ground, and takes up one of the positions above men-

tioned. Hours and hours it passes after this manner, and appears as free from exhaustion

when it parts company, as when it joins a vessel.

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PIVOI ERA TAS Wea Uke

(Aves Plate 54)

PROCELLARIA TURTUR.—Forst.

Aves.—Ptuatre LIV.—FemMAL.e.

P. cinereo-ceerulescens, subtus alba; regione ante oculos, superciliis, palpebrisque inferioribus albis ;

alarum tectricibus minoribus, scapularium apicibus, remigium tectricibus primariis, remigium

quatuor pogoniis externis, caudeeque apice sordido-brunneo-rubris ; cauda versus basin cinerea. Rostro

nigro-viride, mandibula superiore ad apicem flavo-brunned, inferiore livido-alba. Pedibus brunneo-

rubris. Oculis nigro-brunneis.

Lonerrupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 6 unc. 9 lin,; caude 4 unc.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head dull pearl-grey, the feathers to-

wards their points tinged with light brownish red, which is also the colour of

their shafts. The back and sides of neck, the interscapulars, back, rump,

upper tail coverts, scapulars, and the half collar on breast in front of wings

between clear blueish and pearl-grey. Spaces in front of eyes, eyebrows,

a stripe behind each eye, and the under parts of the neck and body clear

white; the flanks and under tail-coverts pale lilac-purple. The lesser wing

coverts, the scapulars towards their points, the primary quill feathers, the

outer vanes of the four external quill feather, with their tips, and about the

last third of the eight middle feathers brownish red, deadened with grey;

the colour of the lesser wing coverts and scapulars of the two sides forms a dark

bar somewhat in the shape of the letter V upon the back when the wings are

folded. The secondary quill coverts, the primary quill feathers, save those

already described, the whole of the outermost feather on each side of the tail,

nearly all the second, and the first two-thirds of the rest dark ash-grey; the

inner vanes of the four external quill feathers dull pearl grey, fading toward

the inner edges into white, which is also the colour of the edges of the inner

vanes of the other quill feathers. Behind each eye a narrow longitudinal

stripe of lilac-purple, and the feathers immediately under the lower eyelid,

which is white, and those in front of the eye are of the same colour, only a

shade lighter. The upper mandible towards the base livid blackish green,

the hooked portion, and the edge of the mandible dull yellowish brown ; the

tip of the lower mandible dull livid white, elsewhere coloured as the upper

PROCELLARIA TURTUR.

towards its base. Legs and toes, in preserved specimens, light brownish

red, the webs between the toes a pale flesh-colour, with small brownish red

variegations towards the toes ; claws dark brownish red, each marked superiorly

towards its base with a narrow longitudinal yellowish brown stripe. Eyes

blackish brown.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust, head and neck rather small; bill

stout, particularly towards the base, the hook of the upper mandible rather

robust and moderately arched, the curvature less than in P. Forsteri; the

cutting edge of the under mandible slightly arched towards the tip, and the

latter, which is acute, is slightly inclined downwards ; nasal tube short,

depressed and terminated by two nostrils, separated by a visible septum.

Tarsi rather slender, and clothed with small, flat, irregularly shaped scales ;

anterior toes moderate, and the place of the hinder one occupied by a short

pointed claw. Webs broad, the anterior margin of that between the outer and

middle toe slightly oblique; in the one between the middle and inner toes,

the obliquity is greater; claws short, slender, slightly curved and pointed.

The wings when folded reach to the tip of the tail, the first and second quill

feathers nearly of equal length and longest. Tail much rounded, the two

middle feathers being about an inch longer than the outer one of each side.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus...................+. 1 ee

pointof the tail-...-..2. 10) 9 Ofthevouter toe: ssre- seme ne rere 1 4

of the bill from the gape ...... 1 2 of the middle toe ............... I 4

of the wings when folded...... to ofthe inner toe 2-2... se er waaes J 1

Olithextail aces se ee ote eee A 0 | of the hinder toe ............... 0 1

The colours of the male are the same, only rather brighter.

This species is less bulky than P. Forstert, and is readily distinguished from it, not

only by marked differences of the bill, but also by its tail being more rounded, and very

differently marked at the point. The bill of P. Forstert is longer and narrower than that of

the species just described, and the hook of its upper mandible is much more compressed and

more curved: the relative length of the wings is also different in the two species in question, in

P. Forsteri, when folded, they exceed the point of the tail by at least an inch; in P. Turtur,

again, they only reach the extremity of the centre tail feather.

The observations we have made in regard to P. Forster will equally apply to this species,

which is an inhabitant of the same seas, where it observes the same practices, and apparently

feeds upon the same kind of food.

PACHYPTILA BANKSII.

{Aves Plate od)

PACHYPTILA BANKSI.—Smiru.

Aves.—Piate LV, (FEMALE.)

P. supra grisea ; capite superné, cervice, interscapularibusque brunneo-tinctis ; alarum tectricibus minori-

bus apicibusque scapularium brunneo-rubris ; cauda grisea, flavo-griseo-tincta, plumarum apicibus

sordidé brunneis. Fascia purpurea brunneo-rubro-tincta trans oculum, pectorisque lateribus nitide

griseis ; infra alba. Oculis brumneis. Rostro lividé brunneo, versus apicem superné viride-albo-

nebulato. Pedibus brunneo-rubris.

Lonaitupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 6 unc. 3 lin. ; caude 3 une. 9 lin.

CoLour.—The upper surface of the head and the back of the neck dark

pearl-grey obscured with brown, the latter darkest on the head; the sides of

the neck, behind the ears, and a half collar on the breast, in front of the

wings, intermediate between blueish and pearl-grey. Eyebrows, and the

space between the eyes, and the base of the bill white, the latter sparingly

mottled with dusky points ; the sides of the head, before and below the eyes,

together with a band, in continuation of the latter, which extends to nearly

half an inch beyond the ear coverts, dark lavender-purple, tinged with

brownish red. The interscapulars, scapulars, and back, dirty pearl-grey, the

first distinctly tinted with brown, the last strongly glossed with lavender-

purple. The lesser wing coverts, and the tips of the scapulars dull brownish

red, mellowed with grey, and each feather distinctly margined with the same

colour. The primary quill coverts light brownish red; the outer vanes of

the secondaries, and their inner vanes at the tips, pearl-grey, tinted with

brown, the remainder of the inner vanes grey-white, with a satin gloss. The

outer vanes and points of the first four primary quill feathers dull chocolate -

brown, margined with pearl-grey, the inner vanes close to the shafts, a pale

tint of the same colour, more internally yellowish white, the rest of the quill

feathers dull pearl-grey, each internally margined with white, the outer vanes

and more especially the points of the feathers tinted with brown. Tail

feathers pearl-grey, more or less tinged with yellowish grey, the edges of the

inner vanes lightest ; the points of the feathers chocolate-brown, which colour

is only appreciable, or at least distinct, on the two external ones of each side

immediately after the bird has moulted. Chin, sides of neck inferiorly, throat,

breast, belly, vent, and under tail coverts clear white. Bill livid brown,

towards tip clouded with dirty greenish white. Legs and toes light brownish

red ; webs yellowish brown. Eyes deep brown.

Form, &c.—Figure rather full, head of moderate size. Bill broad at the

base, narrow and slender near and at the point; the upper mandible is

strongly hooked, the margin of the lower anteriorly, distinctly arched, and

the point of the mandible, which is acute, is curved downwards. Nasal tube

depressed and anteriorly terminated by two nostrils; culmen obtuse and

depressed below the level both of the nasal tube and the base of the hook

PACHYPTILA BANKSI.

which terminates the mandible ; the lateral portions of the bill are separated

from the culmen by a deep longitudinal grove on each side, expand con-

siderably, particularly towards the angles of the mouth, and internally the

cutting edge of each is armed with a row of very fine, closely set membranous

lamine, disposed in a transverse direction. Tarsi rather slender, and

coated with irregular flat scales ; feet rather large, the anterior margin of the

web belonging to the outer and middle toes semicircular, that of the middle

and inner ones very oblique, a form necessary on account of the inferior length of

the latter toe ; anterior claws slender and moderately curved, the posterior one

straight, short, and pointed, and supplies the place of the hinder toe. Wings

long, and when folded reach nearly to the apex of the tail; the first quill feather

longest, the second slightly shorter, several of the others diminish in length

successively, but in a greater ratio. Tail rounded, the two centre feathers

being nearly an inch longer than the outermost one of each side.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Tength:of the tarsus... <.-2.-0...-.1t--0= 1 43

the tip of the tail............ HOW RO of thelonter oes. ..ca- sce 1 8

of the bill from the angle of | of the middle toe ............... 1a

thesmouthmeasteseesetssce: 1 4d | of the nner|toes..-acnsesses sees 14. Fel

of the wings when folded ...... 7 9 | of the hinder toe ............... oO 1%

Olsthentaile mecscaecdesseetin ss 3.69 |

Judging from an imperfect specimen of a male bird of this species, which

I once saw I am inclined to believe the colours are the same in both

sexes.

This species is easily to be distinguished from Pachyptila vittata Iliger, Procellaria vittata

and cerulea, Forst., P. Forsteri, Lath., by a variety of characters, but most readily by its bill :

the latter in our species is much narrower, and the sides less oblique; the width at the base

is only seven lines, the width of P. Forsteri nine and a half; the sides of the bill in the latter

proceed more horizontally, and the bill itself is altogether much larger, and differently shaped ;

the circumstance of many of the scapulars of P. vittata being broadly tipped with white, also

furnishes a good diagnostic character.

This bird appears to prefer the open sea to the vicinity of coasts, and though it occasionally

appears in the bays of the Cape peninsula during very stormy weather, yet it rarely continues in or

near them after the tempest which may have induced it to seek for the time a comparatively

placid retreat has subsided. It is constantly to be seen from vessels sailing along

the eastern coast, particularly during the winter season; and it has often been a source

of amusement to me to watch how long and how perseveringly an individual of this species

would accompany a ship, even during blowing weather, without the appearance of having any

object in view, or of suffering any fatigue or inconvenience. It is rarely observed to settle on

the water, and if it does, it rarely continues passive longer than appears to be necessary to

enable it to seize and devour what may have induced it to rest.

The peculiar arrangement of the dull brownish-red colour, mentioned in the description of

the colours of the bird, gives to it when flying an appearance of having the wings and body

crossed by a dark coloured band.

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2, ane sail Airy y. ne as | faatoedly ak vibe ‘et eine wd ue a

a Salt amma haw diver ; ats val tguin wut wd, ndantrong <eleaabibe s "4 i ~-

re’, Sena rot payin! | gal esre Weyer ne y teary # ibs cy ugh aaigpn hg a

bth glands esd sew; een i maser «Bath ee

> aly Yo: migrant ey eat0n wa. sept voew od sek gerne yale a beta er Ten ,

ea cry mir to taaly seen ne lb bbe i oe wot ody. on yuneicaly sie ae

ginal wo SALE I: bt ive We Que in evi ancy spit 108 Bama eset i ‘ ities ‘

“teat ToFkaT hey | wlf rien ye oer hack hun , wabastle é ponds anivet hoya at ae < , .

¥ - av, le vata ps io analy ald « 5 ndiegen b sn: be tiny tomas Joe Seyi, as va

veda Hhbig panels okt iti | db & pi wilt hod \ ghinae a sn Whi ak eo 5 dle ea, °

dived sai saber» edie. oh We lanoeps. swarsoyls hale Dineen Oh eomm@k :

a doce on wet, A) pesca wt pl a. aleing 6 at ie (a lawn : >= |

ae, i : pte tags Mo pn ‘apnaryeey. nad wa ibe 4 hea wend t a

—_n » m1 sean Sue Peden

ae ny : ne [ o aris enc sl, > a a : wy ‘

, he oe wee i, “aroha, yf. ml. lon . : i ols seh og wi ag i oat : f re

7 ; ; . :

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a ho rity Paphertl we : a Lares ee Yer’ A vad ah A ae 7 7 7 ;

7 cdl depute Fy airy Af tet ats Pi if a4 a rs - pe i er A ol: aa . = ¢

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a = phaser ni carestod rar <fbvoasi lng ante i wis nT _ " -

_ C wy af .: ee oP Nai ru Vi é yo ily ta hae : 7 . ¥ -

" f ess éo- Wages sa lash nl il oye as Ce . ——-

‘ae nemaiele pier oe, dant ciiawih tially ahiee: Nie f a

pomp eh. aie wold ina gated shown ah ero Aire aon

Pah iva sot Na Sa arial i honine ia Me, dba ad | dalely ane tn

haa ore eu dyes vwiiregatta mv ieee, ta td Joo eilledgectead opp Tae

lasted ner oom ’ “ poe ast ne, ving be a mh Ja yon a te oats sug

ven sail - aif. atl : seine tie

sl teat Ss hii sit 8 aad = one iceg A egy Keel aT

' ricer sees amped vat Wo foal ait atecarge

eit reas Exo een tam saat aad th

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4 de te ‘“ feacatapee jr geval ghalvatssan eine

prey tert dat at Hg, sini onl dotnet pe Ob

: ~ alg cave hme uesorald yp moh nee de arcane 0d a

7) pre ct iernns teen AD. esablsergaiy ek geiis Wa nats phan :

2 ts (2 peptic’ ep vey bina woatabanes font WP rhs heal :

ee re a _ ‘Pade ‘tik reed pexterrerrT i fi on ;

wd wi aminbrsin stebsv hte ot ils al ha wt seh

L hccateehanenecaeiana grin Wt ry |

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ela a ee ct we

PUFFINUS CINEREUS.—Lin.

Aves.—Puate LVI.

P, supra fusca, flavo-brunneo-tincta, infra cinereo-brunnea ; remigibus, rectricibus caudzeque tectricibus

inferioribus brunneis. Rostro livido-brunneo, ad apicem flavo brunneo, Tarsis antice flavo-brunneis

postice externeque brunneo-rubris: oculis brunneis.

Lonairupo a rostri apice ad basin caudex 13 unc. 2 lin. ; caude 3 une. 10 lin.

PROCELLARIA PUFFINUS ET CINEREA, Lin.

Cotour.—Above dull amber-brown, faintly tinged with yellowish brown,

the scapular and interscapular feathers narrowly tipped with dull wood-

brown ; the tail and quill feathers deep umber brown; chin and throat dull

rusty grey, tinged with lilac-purple; breast, belly, and vent broccoli-brown,

tinted with wood-brown, and the breast has besides a lilac-purple gloss ;

flanks posteriorly strongly shaded with brown; under tail coverts dull umber-

brown. Bill at the tip yellowish brown, elsewhere liver-brown. Eyes dark

brown. The posterior and outer sides of the tarsi, in the preserved specimen,

dark brownish red, the anterior edges yellow, the inner sides yellowish brown;

the outer toe brownish red, the middle and inner yellowish brown ;_ the inter-

digital membranes ochre-yellow, slightly deadened with brownish red; claws

yellowish brown, except the tips, which are liver-brown.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust; body rounded. Head slightly

compressed, and superiorly arched. Bill slender and subcylindrical, the

sides slightly flattened; nasal tube raised above the level of the culmen, broad,

depressed, and terminated anteriorly by two nostrils, which are separated by

a broad septum, with a slope towards the culmen, the corneous part of the

common tube superiorly not united ; cudmen broad, slightly round and sepa-

rated on each side from the lateral parts of the bill by a longitudinal furrow,

which terminates at the commissure nearly opposite where the cutting edges

of the lower mandible begin to curve downwards ; the hook of upper mandible

compressed and moderately arched from the base, its apical portion perpen-

dicular and accuminated. The lower mandible curved downwards at the

PUFFINUS CINEREUS.

point so as to correspond with the upper, its apex slender and acute, no

prominent angle behind apex inferiorly. _Tarsi somewhat compressed, and

coated with moderately large polygonal scales. Toes, superiorly, covered

partly with irregular shaped scales, and partly with transverse scute: the

interdigital membranes near the toes coated with irregular sized scales, those

along the inside of outer toe largest; claws pointed and slightly curved, the

hinder one somewhat triangular, and placed upon the tarsus. Wings long, and

when folded extend nearly an inch and a half beyond the tail, first quill

feather longest. Tail rounded, the two middle feathers nearly three quarters

of an inch longer than the external one of each side.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus..................... Py il

the tip of the tail............ ae O of the outer toe ............... 2 04

of the bill from the angle of of the middle toe ............... 1 113

Fe MOUL eateries 2 0 OfathesnnenriLOescneeseeeeneereee 1 ih

of the wings when folded...... ihe) of the hinder claw ............ 0 2

OLithertalleenccaseseeceee ce ecase 3 10

The colours of the other sex are not known.

I hesitated long before I came to the determination to regard this bird as the young of Pro-

cellaria puffinus, especially as Temminck, whose knowledge must be held in great respect by

every naturalist, makes the young “ peut-étre d’un an” as very differently coloured from what it

must be considered, if our conclusion be correct. His bird of the first year will, if we are not

in error, be one of the second year, and Plate 962 of the “ Planches enluminées”’ will be the repre-

sentation of a specimen which has attained its second plumage. Specimens in the garb we have

described are common on the Cape seas, and generally seen in company with others, which are

doubtless genuine examples of P. cinerea ; and one of the latter which we possess has tended

more than any thing else to satisfy me that the bird just described is the young of the species,

as in it the middle of the belly and flanks retain the immature plumage, though elsewhere the

feathers have acquired the colours of the adult bird. There are persons who consider it super-

fluous to represent the young of a species when the adult has been figured, but we disclaim

such a belief ; we consider information concerning the aspects under which a species appears to

be as essential for the naturalist as the knowledge of new species: indeed, until more attention

be paid to that, we shall have among the species introduced from day to day many which

will be found to be only specimens of known species in particular stages.

CINNYRIS VERROXI.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate LVII.—Mate anp FEMALE.

C. supra griseo-brunneus capitis ; cervicis, dorsi summi, humerorumque plumis ad apicem, viridibus.

Lonarrupo, 5 une. 11 lin.

Crynyris Verroxt, Smith, South African Quarterly Journal, No. 5, page 13, 1831.

Cotour.— Male.—Above intermediate between clove and brocoli-brown, the

feathers of the head, upper and lateral parts of the neck, interscapulars and

shoulders at the tips, dark bluish-green, with a strong metallic lustre. Quill

feathers and tail purplish-brown, the tail darkest, the outer vanes of the quill

feathers lightest. Under parts yellowish-grey, the yellow clearest upon the

belly ; axillary tufts pale brilliant scarlet, with a silky gloss. Bill, legs, and

claws liver-brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill moderately arched. Wings when folded reach

beyond the first half of the tail; third, fourth, and fifth feathers equal and

longest, second and sixth rather shorter, first rudimentary. Tail slightly

rounded at the point. Tarsi moderately robust, anteriorly scutellated, pos-

teriorly entire; toes slender, the hinder one thickest; claws much curved,

those of the hinder toes strongest.

DIMENSIONS.

In. Lines. In. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ..... ....--.ss++ 0 83

the tip of the tail.............. & 11 of the middle toe .............++ 0 5

of the bill from the gape ...... 1 32 of the inner t0€ .......0...0+.6+- ORS =:

of the wings when folded ....... 2 6 of the! outer: toe! sees. secre eneneee 0 33

Of thei taillcoseeerassaasiseernesoasose 2 3 of the hinder toe..............0+++ 0 3

Female.—Above brocoli-brown, the back tinged with green ; under surface

of neck and breast brownish-grey, faintly tinged with green ; belly, vent, and

CINNYRIS VERROXI.

under tail coverts yellowish-grey, tinged with green, particularly the flanks ;

no axillary tufts: the colours of the other parts similar to those of the male.

Only a very few specimens of this bird have yet been found in South Africa, and none, as

far as I know, within the limits of the Cape Colony. Kafirland, and the country eastward

of it, towards Port Natal, furnished the specimens we possess. Like the other species of the

group, it feeds upon small insects, and these it collects partly from the branches and leaves of

brushwood and dwarf trees, and partly from flowers.

The birds of the genus Cinnyris have generally been regarded as feeding upon the saccharine

juices which exist in flowers, but as far as my experience goes, I should be inclined to consider

them as giving a preference to insects. In those I examined, I found the bulk of the contents of

the stomach to be insects, though at the same time each contained more or less of a saccharine

juice. The acquisition of a certain portion of the latter is not easily to be avoided, con-

sidering the manner in which they insert their bills into flowers, but the consumption of insects

of a size such as I have found in their stomachs, might easily be obviated, provided these were

not agreeable to their palates, and not actually a description of food which they by choice

selected.

In the same country in which we found this bird we discovered another species of the genus,

Cinnyris, which appears to us yet undescribed, and which we shall hereafter figure under the

name of Cinnyris olivaceus. The colour of this species, above, is intermediate between grass

and olive-green, the head being strongly tinged with blue; below, it is light yellowish-green,

with an orange tint on the throat, and on each avila there is a small tuft of brilliant yellow

feathers. Length, from the base of the bill to the point of the tail, five inches; length of the

bill, one inch, three lines.

CIRCUS MAURUS.—Temm.

Aves.—Puate LVIII.—Youne Femate.

C. supra brunneo-ruber, plumarum plurimis subrufo-marginatis, infra rufo-albus brunneo-strigatus, nucha

albo brunneoque variegata; remigibus externé griseis, interne versus basin albis brunneo-maculatis,

versus apicem brunneo-rubris ; cauda nigro-brunnea, fasciis quatuor subgriseis notata, plumarum

apicibus rufo-albis. Oculis flavis. Rostro nigro-brunneo ;_ pedibus flavis.

Circus Laranp1, Smith.—South African Quarterly Journal, vol. i. page 383. 1830.

Cotour.—The upper surface of head blackish brown, the feathers of vertex

broadly margined with rufous ; nuchal feathers white, variegated with brown,

the latter colour in oval blotches, one reaching the tip of each feather; the

rest of the upper parts reddish brown with most of the feathers broadly tipped

with a colour intermediate between sienna and cream-yellow ; upper tail

coverts white. The sides of head white, tinged with sienna yellow, and deli-

cately streaked longitudinally with brown; chin white, the shaft of each

feather brown. The rest of the under parts between ochre and sienna-yellow,

the breast and anterior part of belly nearly white ; the throat, anterior part

of breast, flanks and outer surface of legs blotched with brownish red. The

cervical collar behind the ear coverts deep brownish red, elsewhere of the

same colour as the throat. Tail feathers white at their base, then brownish

red, the latter colour being crossed by three transverse light coloured bars,

which on the middle feathers are smoke-grey with a satin-lustre, on the late-

ral feathers white with a sienna yellow tint, the tips of all the feathers of the

latter colour; the outer vanes of quill feathers hoary grey, the inner vanes

towards base white, imperfectly barred with brown, towards points liver-

brown. Bill blackish brown, the base of lower mandible yellowish. Legs

and toes yellow; claws the same colour as bill. Eyes yellow.*

* Apuitt.—Upper tail coverts white; the outer vanes of the primary and secondary quill coverts as

also of the quill feathers rusty lavender-purple, the inner vanes towards quills white, towards tips blackish

brown, Tail blackish brown, with four rusty smoke-grey bands, the tip of each feather the same colour ;

the whole of the remaining plumage a uniform blackish brown.

CIRCUS MAURUS.

Form.—Typical. Cervical collar moderately prominent. Bill much hooked ;

nostrils rounded and coated with rigid bristles. Wings long, and when folded

reach to the last third of the tail, the third and fourth quill feathers equal

and longest, the second and fifth equal and about three-fourths of an inch

shorter than the fifth, the first about two inches and a half shorter than the

second. ‘Tarsi long and strong, anteriorly scutellated, on the sides covered

with small polygonal scales, and behind by two rows of irregular plates.

The outer toe connected to the middle one at the base by a distinct semicircular

web. Claws much curved and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

In. Lines, In. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ..... ..........60 2 9

the tip of the tail.............. 23 «0 Of thesouten toewssss-nocacoestee Oo 112

of the bill from the angle of the Ofsthe middle toey.ce.-.scssersce- 1 4

MOUtieewece cicero ae 1 4 | oli the inner tO ssersssss esata. 0 9

of the wings when folded ....... 14 6} of the hinder toe................0. 0 7

olsthestalleeesr serene ecco 2s 40

The male of like age is marked with similar colours.

The bird, of which the foregoing is a description, was killed in the month of January, the

last of the summer months in South Africa. The species occurs along both coasts of the

colony, and the greatest number of specimens are observed in the vicinity of marshes or inland

lakes. When they are seen they are generally flying languidly along near the surface of the

ground or over the bush by which the country may be coated, and from time to time suddenly

descending to the earth as if to capture some prey. When they are successful in accomplish-

ing this, they either immediately rise with it in their talons, be it a mouse, frog, lizard,

or bird; or else, which is their more common practice, rest on the spot where the seizure is

effected, until they have consumed whatever may be the article of food; on that being com-

pleted, they take again to the wing, and continue their circuit after the manner already

described. This species generally constructs its nest in marshy situations, and places it either

on the ground or low among the reeds which generally occur in such localities. It lays three

or four eggs.

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than wn Yo adicl<rrli hela baw feapo MAD bno bawoee wit eergont bos 7

adie ‘ patie Ud @ bai, ‘alia 6 on rete, wa adh | Ab alt road) } veraoaa

~ Wene909 seabia aut «iy sbmalionree ruts qa gina. he gaol ina biiows :

a witaly welugeni | wm a) arg dyad toa -” low tesary yoy “ivan hw | ‘

a - acer ibn ‘w weal | mals 15 200 Whhia « ot : of Kot Hi or wer ae 7 > :

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Ny ieee. (inet » ® pang a=: eis » abit , :

“Seus wi mp os abd, 2602.0 iaeiq wee. aa mi >. Ld oh

inne wh a ee 9 ys toed ig eliiifene gareetegs a

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TRICOPHORUS FLAVIVENTRIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puare LIX.

T. supra subolivaceus, subtus flavescens ; abdomine flavo.

LonGituDINE ab apice rostri ad basin caude 4 une. 10 lin. ; caude 4 unc. 2 lin.

TRICOPHORUS FLAVIVENTRIS, Smith.—South African Quarterly Journal, New

Series, vol. i. page 143; 1834.

Cotour.—The top and the sides of the head, the back and the sides of the

neck, the interscapulars, the back, the shoulder coverts, the outer vanes of

the quill feathers, and the tail feathers brownish green or rather a colour

intermediate between oil-green and yellowish brown, darkest on the head,

the yellowish brown is most conspicuous on the tail; the inner vanes of the

quill feathers chocolate-red, each edged towards its base with straw-yellow.

The chino and throat sulphur yellow; breast a muddy wine-yellow ; belly,

vent, and under tail coverts between lemon and king’s-yellow. Bill at base

livid brownish red; towards tip pale brocoli-brown. Eyes dark brown.

Legs and toes brownish red.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately slender. Bill rather short and strongly

compressed in front of the nostrils, the edges of both mandibles slightly bent

inwards, the tip of the upper mandible faintly hooked, and behind the hook

a slight notch. Nostrils subovate, situated close to the base of the mandible,

and margined superiorly with a delicate membranous expansion, a few long

and strong bristles near the angles of the mouth; nape with a few setaceous

bristles, which are prolonged considerably beyond the feathers. Wings short

and rounded, the primaries but little longer than the secondaries ; the fourth,

fifth and sixth quill feathers equal and longest, the third and seventh rather

shorter, the second and eighth a little shorter and about the length of the

secondaries, the first about half the length of the second. Tail long and

slightly rounded. Legs rather short and slender ; tarsi anteriorly scutellated,

posteriorly entire. Toes slender, the hinder toe the strongest; claws short,

slender, pointed, and strongly curved.

TRICOPHORUS FLAVIVENTRIS.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches, Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | Length of the tarsus..................665 0 104

the tip of the tail............ 9 0 | Olithe‘outer toe” Aaneccsssenoses 0 42

of the bill from the angle of the of the middle toe ..... ......... 0 7

MOUtH shad cee eee (Ove dak of the inner toe.................. 0 42

of the wings when folded...... 4 0 of the hinder toe ............... 0 5

Ofathestalleaseeeeesincesceaceses 4 2

This bird is entirely confined to thickets, and I have never observed it leave them, nor

even resort to the ground they covered in quest of food. It moves with activity among the

branches of the brushwood or trees in which it resides, and while so occupied, appears to

be in search of insects. It is extremely shy, and if discovered in situations where the foliage

is scanty, it immediately retreats towards some spot with a denser covering; in that it re-

mains perfectly inactive until the object which excited its fears retires from its neighbourhood.

Specimens are readily to be obtained in the vicinity of Port Natal, and in the districts to the

East of it; but I never myself saw any to the Westward of that place, nor have I ever heard

of any having been found there by others. It is the only species which has yet been dis-

covered in Southern Africa.

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COSSYPHA NATALENSIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate LX.—MAte.

C, capite, cerviceque aurantio-brunneis, aurantio-tinctis ; dorsi summo, humerisque purpureo-cceruleis ;

dorsi imo, rectricibus duabus intermediis, dimidioque rectricis externee exceptis, partibusque inferiori-

bus rubro-aurantiis ; rectricibus intermediis, dimidio rectricis externee, remigibusque brunneis, his

externé cceruleo-griseo-marginatis ; oculis brunneis.

Lonaitupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 4 une. 3 lin. ; caude 3 une. 3 lin.

Cotour.—The upper parts of the head and neck orange-coloured brown

tinted with gall-stone-yellow, the latter clearest upon the neck; the inter-

scapulars, scapulars, back and lesser wing coverts bright lavender-purple

variegated with gall-stone-yellow, many of the feathers, particularly the inter-

scapular ones, being of that colour towards the base of their inner vanes.

The posterior part of the back, the rump, the upper tail coverts, the inner

vane of the outermost tail feather of each side, and the four next to it inter-

mediate between gall-stone-yellow and deep reddish orange. The front,

eyebrows, space before eyes, sides of head and all the under parts bright

gall-stone-yellow, the belly and vent lightest. The primary and secondary

quill coverts, the primary and secondary quill feathers, the outer vane of the

outermost tail feather of each side and the two middle ones light chocolate-

red; the primary quill coverts and quill feathers, with the exception of the

two outermost and three innermost of the latter, distinctly margined exter-

nally with lavender-purple, the last mentioned three and a few of the secon-

dary quill coverts are edged and tipt with light gall-stone-yellow, and each

of the latter has a spot of the same colour but of a brighter hue at its point.*

Bill brownish red, darkest at the base. Legs and toes a flesh-colour tinged

with brown. Eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender. Bill nearly straight, the upper man-

* Owing to this circumstance we are disposed to regard this as an immature bird, and as the feathers

of the head and neck are at their base of the same colour as the interscapular feathers, we are inclined to

believe that the head, neck, and back will be found to be of one uniform tint, when the bird shall be

obtained with tle adult plumage.

COSSYPHA NATALENSIS.

dible slightly notched near the tip, its sides convex, the culmen obtuse but

distinct ; the apex of lower mandible recurved within the sides of the upper

one. Wings short and rounded, the fourth quill feathers the longest, the

third and fifth equal and slightly shorter, the second and seventh equal and

half an inch shorter, the first about half the length of the fifth. Tail slightly

rounded. Tarsi long and moderately strong, distinctly scutellated anteriorly

towards the toes; the outer, inner and hinder toes nearly of equal length,

the latter thickest. Claws long, slender, pointed, and moderately curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsi ...........2..- 00-0 1 23

the tip of the tail ............ 7 6 of the:outer toe..........-.0.052 0 43

of the bill from the angle of the ofthe middletoei...cccess 1-8 Ona

MOUth s.cceeese crstersmoees nis 0 8&3 of the innerit0e:---.c-cesee eee 0 43

of the wings when folded...... 38 6 ofthe hinder:toe ees-eseeceee eee 0 4

Ofsthontalliveseesectece doncehetees 3. 3

The colours of the female not known.

The specimen, which has furnished us with the characters of this species, was procured in the

neighbourhood of Port Natal, and as only it was obtained, though the woods were well hunted

by my party, I am disposed to consider the species as rare even in that district. It was shot

close to the edge of an extensive forest, and the natives, who saw it after it was killed, gave us

to understand it was a shy bird, and that though it often sought its food upon the ground, it

was more generally observed upon trees. Its food consists of insects, and, from our infor-

mants, we learned it to have many of the habits of Cossipha vocifera, a bird not uncommon

within the limits of the Cape Colony. Like the latter it frequently descends to the ground

under or about its retreat, and there feeds with activity until disturbed, when it instantly be-

takes itself to some tree, upon which it remains at rest until the object which causes the alarm

shall have passed away.

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PYRENESTES FRONTALIS.—Swarnson.

Aves.—Puates LXIJ. anp LXII.

Avis adulta.—P. fronte alba ; capite, cervice pectoreque antice aurantio-brunneis ; dorso, alis, caudique

nigro-brunneis ; rectricibus ad basin albis, speculum album formantibus ; pectore postice abdomineque

brunneo-griseis ; rostro ad basin nigro-brunneo, antice flayo-griseo, subochreo-umbrato ; oculis

brunneis ;_ pedibus brunneo-rubris.

Lonairupo ab apice rostri ad basin caudee 4 unc. 4 lin. ; caudee 8 unc.

Avis jun.—Supra obscure aurantio-brunneus, plumis flavo-brunneis marginatis ; subtus albus, brunneo-

strigatus ; rectricibus concoloribus ; rostro aurantio ad basin et apicem nigro-brunneo-maculato.

PyRRHULA ALBIFRONS, Vigors.—Proceedings of the Zool. Soc. of London for 1830, p: 92.

PyRENESTES FRONTALIS, Steains.—Lardner’s Cyclopedia, Birds, vol. ii. page 277.

Aputt.—Puate LXI.

Cotour.—The feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible white ;

the rest of the head, the neck, the interscapulars and the anterior portion of

the breast rusty orange-coloured brown, the interscapulars tinged and fading

behind into black brown, which is the colour of the back and upper tail

coverts. The lesser wing-coverts, the quill-coverts, the quill-feathers, and the

tail blackish or umber-brown ; the wings with a white speculwm formed by all

the quill-feathers being white at their base. The posterior portion of the breast,

the belly, and the under tail coverts dark brownish grey, obscurely tinted with

orange-coloured brown. The base of the upper mandible and the under sur-

face of the lower one livid blackish brown, the other portions dull yellowish

grey, clouded with cream-yellow. Legs and toes brownish red. Eyes dark

brown.

Form, &c.—Bill large, powerful, and conical, the culmen entering deeply

between the feathers of the forehead, broad and flattened superiorly, and

gradually curved to the point ; the sides of the bill are compressed, its apex

pointed, and the cutting margins of both mandibles slightly sinuated ; the

lower mandible with a rounded angle close to the angle of the mouth. Wings

rounded, and when folded they reach nearly to the commencement of the

second half of the tail; the fourth and fifth quill-feathers equal and longest,

the third and sixth scarcely shorter, the second and sixth rather shorter, and

the first about one-third of the length of the fifth, and narrow. Tail slightly

rounded. Legs and toes robust, the tarsi distinctly scutellated in front ;

claws strong and much curved and pointed.

PYRENESTES FRONTALIS.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .............4. 1 13

the tip of the tail............ i A of the outer toe ............ 0

of the bill from the angle of of the middle toe............ 0 9

the mouth mereiecce-rcce aes 0 9 of the inner toe ............ ORG

of the wings when folded...... By of the hinder toe............ 0” 5

Ofithe tail see. ssces cteisa ssinctstetste 8 0

The colours of the other sex not known.

(Bird of the Second year, Plate LXILa.)

Cotour.—The front, the head, and the neck dull orange-coloured brown,

the feathers margined with yellowish brown; the interscapulars, back, and

rump umber-brown, the feathers tipped with yellowish brown. The lesser

wing coverts, the quill coverts, and the quill and tail feathers dark liver-

brown, with light sienna-coloured tips, the base of wing feathers white. The

breast, belly, vent, and under tail coverts dirty chocolate-red, the feathers

edged and tipped with pale cream-yellow. Bili at base and tip liver-brown,

elsewhere pale orange-yellow. Legs and toes liver-brown.

(Young bird. Plate LXITIb.)

' Above dusky orange-coloured brown, the feathers narrowly margined with

pale yellowish brown; below white, freely blotched with chocolate-red, the

blotches in the form of longitudinal stripes, one along the middle of each fea-

ther. Quill and tail feathers dirty brownish-red, the outer vanes faintly

edged with yellowish brown; no white at the base of the quill feathers,

hence the white speculum, found in the adult, is absent. The tip of the

upper and the base of both mandibles livid liver-brown, elsewhere the bill is

nearly of a Dutch-orange colour.

This is the only species of the groupe which has yet been found in South Africa. Its bill is

very powerful, and is, with regard to size and strength, unapproached by any of the other

Fringillide of that country. Owing to the sides bemg moderately compressed, or at all

events, not so convex as in the larger-billed species of the tribe, it exhibits a peculiar descrip-

tion of culmen, being especially towards its base broad and perfectly flat; this appearance it

presents for more than half its length, and anteriorly, is separated on each side from the lateral

parts of the bill by a well defined longitudinal groove, which originates on the inner side of the

anterior extremity of the nostrils.

Most of the Fringillide of South Africa resort to localities which abound in brushwood or

dwarf trees. Pyrenestes frontalis, on the other hand, inhabits exclusively the forests, and

never condescends to visit but the largest trees, hence it is only very partially scattered over

the country. The only specimens which have been obtained within the limits of the Cape

Colony were discovered in the forests upon the eastern frontier. About Port Natal, however,

the bird is not so rare, and specimens are readily to be obtained there at all seasons of the year.

It feeds principally upon berries and small fruits.

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HALCYON SENEGALOIDES.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate LXIITI.—Matez.

H. capite fusco-griseo ; corpore supra ceeruleo-beryllino, subtus albido ; remigibus tricoloratis,—cceruleo-

beryllino, alboque brunneo ; cauda dorsoque concoloribus ; rostro rubro ; pedibus purpureo-rubris.

Lonairupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 6 unc. G lin. ; caude 2 une. 10 lin.

Hatcyon Spenecarorpes, Smith.—South African Quarterly Journal, second

series, vol.i. p. 143; 1834.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head and the back of the neck dusky

smoke-grey, tinted with dull verdigris-green ; the feathers of the top of the

head variegated with narrow, light, reddish brown bars. The interscapulars

verdigris-green, the colour changing in certain lights to light azure-blue ; the

back and a few of the feathers at the tips of the shoulders bright cobalt-blue.

The shoulders, lesser wing-coverts, and secondary quill-coverts velvet-black ;

the primary quill coverts greenish blue tipt with brownish red, the shafts and

a portion of each inner vane towards the quill the latter colour. The basal

half of the outer vane of each primary quill feather intermediate between ver-

digris-green and ultra-marine blue, the corresponding portions of inner vanes

white with a satin lustre, the last half of each feather deep liver-brown ; the

secondary and tertiary quill feathers exhibit the same colours, only the blue

occupies most if not all of the outer vanes, while the white exists only towards

the base of each inner vane, and the liver-brown towards the point. Tail

feathers greenish blue like the outer vanes of wing feathers, the shafts

brownish red. The chin, the throat, the belly, the vent, and the under tail

coverts reddish white, the breast and flanks greenish white finely freckled

with dusky-brown. The feathers between the eyes and the base of the bill

as well as the lower eyelids black, and between the nostril and the eye there

is a narrow whitish stripe, from the feathers in that situation being white to-

wards their base. Bill scarlet-red. Eyesdark brown. Legs, toes and claws

dull purplish red.

Form, &c.—Figure robust. Head large ; bill strong and quadrangular, the

upper mandible considerably longer than the lower, pointed at the tip, and

channelled internally. Nostrils small, suboval, and extending parallel to the

feathers at the base of the bill and nearly in contact with them. The feathers

in front of eyes scanty, short, and wiry. Wings short and rounded, the

HALCYON SENEGALOIDES.

third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers longest, and nearly of the same length,

the second and sixth slightly shorter, the first about half an inch shorter than

the longest. Tail square or in the slightest degree rounded. Legs and toes

slender, the inner and hinder toes about half as long as the middle toe, the

latter rather longer than the outer toe, to which it is closely united as far as the

second joint.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus................06+ 0 7

the tip of the tail.......... 9 4 Of thesoutertoCsemssctcasenietelee Ores

of the bill from the angle of of the middle toe ............... 0 9

GhesMOuL Deer ssmeeen eters yh sa} ofthe innerit0e2ecn seecieesees ee - 0 5

of the wings when folded...... As of the hinder toe .............4. O 43

Of the tailisss.pe sede toawaskaccsrine 2571.0

If ever it shall be satisfactorily established that locality is capable of modifying the colours or

size of animal beings, and of perpetuating those in all the individuals of the species within

a certain limit, then we shall find no difficulty in incorporating Halcycon Senegalensis (Alcedo

Senegalensis,—Lin.) with the bird here described. Until it be shown, however, that climate has

that power, and until we are made acquainted with the groupes over which it possesses the in-

fluence, we are not disposed to admit the propriety of classing together any two beings which

are, as far as general appearances are concerned, very similar, yet which are constantly and

palpably different, in regard to certain points. We have, for instance, in Southern Africa, many

birds which are identically the same with others found in Sierra Leone, but in these we perceive

no marked differences, either in their colouring or proportions, that is, none greater than are found

to exist among the individuals of either locality viewed by themselves. In other cases, again, we

have birds in South Africa bearing a strong general resemblance to species which are inhabitants

of Western Africa, yet, at the same time presenting certain permanent peculiarities not essential

apparently either to the interests or well-being of the birds, and though trifling, they are never-

theless so manifest as to permit of their being made available characters for distinguishing the

birds of the one locality from those of the other.

The general resemblance between our bird and H. Senegalensis is striking; the bill, how-

ever, of the former, is entirely red; while, on the other hand, the lower mandible of the latter

is always black or brownish red; the general colours of our bird are also much brighter ; the

size of the South African bird is greater, that of the bill much greater.

Like the other known species of the groupe, HW. Senegaloides, resorts to thickets, and feeds

upon insects, especially crustacea and grylle.

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TEXTOR ERYTHRORHYNCHUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Piate LXIV. (MAte.)

T. brunneo-niger ; pectoris lateribus plus minusve albo variatis; remigibus primariis versus basin albis ;

rostro flayo-rubro ; oculis rubro-aurantiis.

Lonairupo corporis cum capite 5 unc. 4 lin. ; caude 4 une.

Busatornis Nicer, Smith, Rep. of Exped. App. page 52, 1836.

Cotour.—The head, the upper and under parts of the body, the last half of

each primary quill feather, all the secondary quill feathers and the tail,

blackish-brown ; the first half of each primary quill feather white, and the

outer vanes of a few of those nearest to the secondaries margined with the

same colour almost to their points. Bill light yellowish-red, clouded with

shades of purple-red. Legs and toes yellowish brown, the former tinted with

yellowish red ; claws livid umber-brown. Eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Head rather small. Body robust. Bill strong, conical, and

pointed, very like that of a typical Ploceus ; the culmen slightly arched, and

entering between the feathers of forehead, flattened at base, anterior to

nostrils rounded ; nostrils nearly circular, and without membranous edging ;

the commissure of bill slightly waved. A few short rigid bristles at the angles

of the mouth. Wings rather short and rounded, when folded they reach to

nearly the commencement of the second-third of the tail, the first quill

feather is narrow, and about an inch and a half in length, the third, fourth,

and fifth are longest and nearly equal, the second and sixth equal and

slightly shorter than the fifth ; the secondary quill feathers about half an inch

shorter than the longest primaries. Tail rather long, and slightly rounded at

the point. Tarsi robust, distinctly scutellated anteriorly, entire behind ; toes

strong and rather short, the outer and inner ones nearly of equal length, and

a little shorter than the middle one, hinder toe stronger than the fore ones ;

claws strong, short, slightly curved, and blunt at the points.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches, Lines, Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ............... 1 23

the base of the tail............ 5 4 of the middle toe............ (ah)

of the bill to the gape...... 0 113 of the outer toe ............ 0 6

of the wings when folded...... 4 63 of the inner toe ............ 0 53

OL the tall Sesnancicusenndevbeteess 4 0 of the hinder toe............ 0 5

TEXTOR ERYTHRORHYNCHUS.

In the female the drown tint is more distinct than in the male; in other

respect their colours are very similar. In young birds the general colour is a

dusky liver-brown, and the feathers of the breast and belly are in them

broadly margined with white. In adult specimens slight indications of such

white margins are often to be observed upon the feathers of the sides of the

breast and body.

It was not till after we had passed to the northward of the 25th degree of south latitude that

we discovered this bird; and if we are to believe the natives, it rarely extends its flight farther

to the southward, which they attribute to the scarcity of Buffaloes south of that parallel.

Wherever it was discovered it was always in attendance upon herds of the animals just

mentioned, and either flying over the members of which the group was composed, or else

perched upon the back of some individual animal. While perched, it appeared, generally, to

be employed in collecting articles of food from the hide; and while so occupied it passed

quickly from one part of the Buffaloe to another, without the latter appearing to bestow the

slightest attention upon its movements. On opening the stomachs of the specimens we

procured we found, what we had been led to expect, namely, that its food consisted in part at

least of parasitical insects; and that to obtain them it selected the company in which, as has

already been remarked, we always found it. According to the evidence of the natives, it also

frequently alights upon the ground, examines the excrement of the Buffaloe, and from it

collects certain articles of food. Sometimes a number of individuals were observed associated

with a herd of the quadrupeds in question, frequently only one or two, and on many occasions

we encountered troops of Buffaloes without even one in attendance. This bird, besides

being of service to its huge associates, by ridding them of many of the insects with which their

skins are infested, also performs for them another valuable service. On observing any unusual

appearance in the neighbourhood, its attention is immediately directed to it; and if alarm is

eventually excited the bird flies up, upon which all the buffaloes instantly raise their heads,

and endeavour to discover the cause which had led to the sudden departure of the sentinel.

If they are successful in the attempt, and see reason to fear for their own safety, they

take to flight in a body, and are accompanied by the birds who forewarned them of their

danger. On the herd again halting to feed, the birds return to their avocation, and pursue a

course similar to that we have just described, provided the like circumstances recur.

We never found this bird attaching itself to any quadruped but the Buffaloe, nor did we ever

find the latter with any other attendants, though we found in the country in which both

exist, two other birds in the habit of feeding upon parasitical animals, namely Buphaga

Africana and Erythrorhyncha. These restricted their visits exclusively to the Rhinoceros.

PLOCEPASSER MAHALI.—Smiru.*

Aves.—PuaTeE LXV.—MALe.

P. fronte, capite supra, nuchd, tanioldque ab angulo oris ad cervicem nigro-brunneis ; cervice supra,

dorsoque pallidé flavo-brunneis ; alis faciis duabus transversis flavo-albis notatis ; subtus albus,

pectore ventreque rufo-flavo-tinctis. Rostro pedibusque flavo-brunneis, brunneo-rubro umbratis.

Oculis profundeé rubro-aurantiis.

Lonaitupo corporis cum capite, 4 unc. 2 lin. ; caude 2 unc. 64 lin.

Cotour.—The forehead, the top of the head, the nape, the lores, anda stripe

from the angles of the mouth to the top of the neck, liver-brown; thesides of the

head and ear-coverts broccoli-brown, tinged with yellowish brown ; eyebrows

broad, and of a dusky white colour. The upper and lateral parts of the neck,

the interscapulars, the back, and the lesser wing-coverts intermediate between

broccoli and wood-brown ; the last row of the lesser wing-coverts are broadly

tipped with cream-yellow, and thus an oblique band of that tint is formed in

front of the quill coverts ; the primary and secondary quill-coverts are livid

umber-brown, and the latter is broadly tipped with pale cream-yellow,

forming a second oblique bar parallel with the one just described. The

primary and secondary quill-coverts are light liver-brown, the former nar-

rowly the latter broadly margined with rusty white; the rump and upper

tail coverts yellowish white ; the tail-feathers liver-brown tipped and narrowly

edged externally with rusty white. The chin, the throat, the vent, the under

tail-coverts and the thighs dusky white; the breast, the belly, and the flanks

dirty cream-yellow, inclining to pale wood-brown. Bill dull yellowish brown,

shaded with brownish red; legs, toes, and claws the same colour. Eyes

deep brownish orange.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust, and when the bird is perched, or moving

on the ground, it has much of the appearance of a Ploceus. Head rather

large ; bill conical, pointed, and slightly compressed at the sides ; the lower

mandible received between the cutting edges of the upper; the culmen

slightly arched, and entering between the feathers of the forehead. Wings

moderately long, and rather rounded, the longest primaries about three-

quarters of an inch longer than the secondaries ; when closed they reach

rather beyond the first half of the tail; the first quill feather rudimentary,

the second and third equal and longest, the fourth slightly shorter ; tail square

at the point, or very slightly forked. Tarsi and toes robust, the former with

* Plocepasser, Smith, June, 1836. <Agrophilus, Swainson, 1837

PLOCEPASSER MAHALI.

distinct scuta in front, entire bebind; the outer and inner toes of equal

length, the hinder one slightly shorter, but stronger, the middle one much the

longest. Claws of the front toes slightly curved and pointed ; those of the

hind ones with a greater curvature, and considerably stouter.

DIMENSIONS.

Inch. Lines. Inch. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to the Length of the tarsus ........ssser sees 0 103

tip rol they ballet ssleeaireaecesss oh LES of theimiddle Goes ccmeserweree= Oma

of the bill from the gape ...... 0 83 of the outer toe ..............000 Oo 44

of the wings when folded ...... 4 13 OL thoaMNUersbOOeer ss esinvectencecs Oo 44

Of theMtaly cn. ssennccoesecueesnee 2 63 of the hinder toe.............0+00 Ope ws

The Female in respect of colours is very similar to the male.

On our first seeing this bird upon a tree on one of the tributary streams of the great

northern branch of the Orange River, we found it a matter of difficulty even to surmise what

would be its position in our systems of ornithology. Its figure, viewed either when it was perched

on the tree, or resting upon the ground, had much resemblance to that of a Ploceus ; while its

colour, habits, &e., bespoke its close alliance to the Sparrows; and the discovery of a tree,

studded with their nests, tended to support the idea of such a double relationship, The nests, as

far as figure and texture were concerned, had many of the characters of those of Ploceus ; while

from the manner in which they were armed they resembled those of some of the Pyrgita of

Southern Africa. The entire of the walls of each nest was composed of stalks of grass, the

thickest extremities of which were so placed as to protrude externally for several inches

beyond the more compact structure destined to contain the eggs. By this management each

nest appeared armed with numerous projecting spines, and bore considerable resemblance to

the body of a Porcupine, when its spines are partially erected. Several of the Pyrgita arm

their nests after the same fashion, only they select for the purpose the delicate twigs of shrubs

or brushwood, instead of stalks of grass: the object of both being the same, to offer an obstacle

to the advance of snakes towards the reservoir of their eggs and young ones. A solitary

specimen of Plocepasser is seldom seen; it is a bird disposed to congregate, and we met with

small, and even occasionally with large flocks, as far north as the Tropic of Capricorn. The

disposition for society is also evinced during the breeding season, when oftentimes twenty or

thirty nests are to be seen upon one tree, and disposed as represented in the back ground of

the plate. It feeds upon seeds and small insects, and in search of these it passes much of its

time upon the ground. When disturbed while so employed, the whole of the individuals of

the flock move away in a body, and resort to some tree in the neighbourhood, upon which they

remain until they are satisfied that they may with safety return to their labours. This and

Ploceus superciliosus of Ruppell are the only species of the groupe yet known, and as Plocep-

asser was employed by me to designate the groupe more than twelve months before the term

Agrophilus was proposed by Swainson, the species must stand as

Plocepasser Mahali, Smith.

Plocepasser Superciliosus—Agrophilus superciliosus, Swainson.

PLOCEUS SPILONOTUS.—Vicors.

Aves.—Puiate LX VI.—Fig. 1.—Mate.

P. capite supra, cervicis lateribus anticé, corporeque subtus aurantio-flavis ; gula, jugulo, dorsoque

summo nigris, hoe flayo-maculato ; remigibus fuscis externé flayo-marginatis; rectricibus olivaceis,

flavo-marginatis ; rostro nigro, brunneo-nebulato ; oculis rubris ; pedibus carneis, brunneo-tinctis.

Lonairupo corporis cum capite 4 unc. 5 lin. ; caudee 2 unc. 7 lin.

PLocevs sprLonotus.— Vigors, Proceedings of Zoological Society, p. 92, June, 1831.

Procgvs stictonotus.—Smith, South African Quarterly Journal, No. 5, p. 11, Oct. 1831.

PLoceus FLAVIcEPs.—Scainson, Birds of Western Africa, vol. viii. of Naturalist’s Library, by Sir

William Jardine, p. 259. 1837.

Co.our.—The upper parts of the head gamboge-yellow slightly glossed

with honey-yellow ; the sides of the head, the chin, and a narrow line

stretching from the latter to the breast, dark liver brown verging on black ;

the sides of the neck immediately behind the ear coverts, the breast, the

belly, the vent, and the under tail coverts light gamboge-yellow, the lateral

parts of the breast tinted with saffron-yellow. The lower part of the back

and sides of neck, the interscapulars, and the back, liver-brown, each

feather broadly tipt with lemon-yellow ; rump yellow, blotched with liver-

brown. Lesser wing coverts, primary and secondary quill coverts and quill

feathers light chocolate-brown, the primaries and their coverts edged

externally with king’s-yellow, the others tipt and edged on both vanes with

the same colour. Tail light greenish brown, the feathers faintly margined

externally with king’s-yellow, and internally with primrose-yellow. Bill

brownish black. Eyes deep vermilion-red. Feet flesh-coloured, tinted with

brown ; claws a pale horn-colour.

Form, &c.—Typical. Figure rather robust. Head narrow; bill long,

pointed, moderately thick, and nearly straight. Wings rounded, and when

folded reach to the commencement of the second third of the tail; the first

PLOCEUS SPILONOTUS.

quill feather rudimentary, the third, fourth and fifth, longest and equal, the

second rather shorter than the third. Tail slightly rounded at the point.

Tarsi robust, in front scutellated, behind entire, the divisions between the

scuta strongly marked; toes, particularly the hinder ones, large ; claws

strong, and much curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inch, Lin. Inch. Lin.

Length from the point of the bill to the Length of the tarsus.......:...5.0.0.. 0.000. 1 1

tipson thestall essences 0 of, the outer toe escs..secece sete 0 6

of the bill from the gape......... 0 I1 of the:middle toes... -cs-esneees 0 8

Ofsthe; tail’ seecmecteaeclstinemeesee le: 7A Hi Olt LeR NEN bOG mae eeneneee cree 0 6

Ofsthekwingsiecccsreeerssccecvestes 8 66 Ofithebinderstoel-eseeacesce meee 0 5

Nothing is known of the female.

This species inhabits the districts bordering upon the south-east coast; but I have not seen

nor heard of its having been found to the westward of Kafirland. Specimens are but rarely

discovered, and these are generally found upon the margins of rivers. From the trees

which overhang the waters they suspend their nests, which are of a somewhat kidney

form, and composed of blades of grass so closely interwoven, that they form a complete protec-

tion against the weather. The female lays three or four eggs, which are of a delicate greenish

blue colour, and about the size of those of the common sparrow—Pyrgita domestica.

It was not till after this bird had been figured in company with Ploceus Capensis, that we

recollected it had been represented by Swainson (Birds of Western Africa) under the name of

Ploceus flaviceps, and in such a manner as to render any second figure quite superfluous.

PLOCEUS CAPENSIS.—Snmiru.*

Aves.—Puate LX VI.—Fic. 2.—MAte.

P. fronte, gutture, pectoreque aurantiis; vertice, abdomineque flavis; nucha, dorso, caudzeque tectri-

cibus superioribus subsulphureis; cervice, regione interscapulari, humerisque viridi-flavis, brunneo-

umbratis ; alarum tectricibus remigibusque purpureo-brunneis, externe flavo-marginatis ; cauda

olivaceo-brunnea, plumis externé flayo-marginatis ; rostro livido-brunneo ; oculis pallidé rubris; pedi-

bus carneis.

Loneirubo corporis cum capite 43 unc. ; caude 2) unc.

Procevus apysstnicus.—Cuv. Lesson, Traité d’Omithologie, tom. i, p. 434, 1850.

PLocevs CAPENSIS.—Simith, Proceedings of South African Institution, 1832.

Cotour.—Front, chin, throat, and breast saffron-yellow ; top of head, sides

of neck, belly and under tail coverts gamboge-yellow ; nape, back, and upper

tail coverts intermediate between lemon and honey-yellow; back of neck,

interscapulars, and shoulders greenish yellow, faintly clouded with pale olive

brown—the middle of each feather being of the latter colour. Lesser wing

coverts, primary and secondary quill coverts, and the quill feathers dark

purplish brown, the outer vanes edged with sulphur-yellow, and the tips of

all, except the quill feathers, of the same colour. Tail above olive brown

tinted with yellow, beneath pale sulphur-yellow, the outer vanes of all the

feathers distinctly edged with greenish yellow. Bill livid brown. Eyes light

red. Feet and claws flesh-coloured.

Form.—Typical. Bill long, straight, conical, and pointed ; wings when

folded reach to the commencement of the last half of the tail, the first quill-

feather rudimentary, the second, third, and fourth equal and longest, the fifth

* This species stands labelled in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes as Ploceus Abyssinicus, Cuv. ;

and by the same name it has also been indicated by Lesson. Under that name we also should have pub-

lished it, had not Lowia Abyssinica been referred to Ploceus, when the groupe was first established, and

consequently from that moment constituted, according to custom, the proper Ploceus abyssinicus. The

circumstance also of the species not being found in Abyssinia, likewise renders the name objectionable.

PLOCEUS CAPENSIS.

rather shorter. Tail slightly rounded at the point. Tarsi and toes very

strong; the former scutellated in front and entire behind. Claws, particularly

those of the middle and hinder toes, strong and much curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length Olptle atarsiis year eeeeeee ce sere il 2

the tipiot tlie tail w2rs.c.c. «oreo. ¢ of. the outer toes. .sc4-eess ence 0 63

Length of the bill from the gape ...... 0 of ithe middle) toe! ...............: 099 9

of the wings when folded...... SG Of themnnerstOC:v.scenssesesecases OjeeG:

Ofatheutailenceccner ace stene. te 2G of the hinder. t0€..........c.ss+s. 0 53

The colours of the female are less brilliant, the front, top of the head,

and all the under parts being nearly of the same hue. In birds of the first

year the upper parts are intermediate between yellowish and greenish grey ;

the under parts inclined to primrose-yellow ; the bill is dull yellowish brown

and the feet and claws are of the same colour only brighter.

This species is generally diffused over the more southerly districts of South Africa, and

flocks of from ten to forty individuals are often to be seen on or near the edges of marshes

and rivers. From the trees or shrubs which fringe these, they suspend their nests, five or six

of which are sometimes attached to a single branch. They are formed of coarse grass, and

so substantially constructed that each requires some weeks for its completion. They are some-

what kindney-shaped, with the entrance towards the upper end, and directed downwards.

Trees which overhang pools of water are invariably preferred, and the twigs which approach

nearest to the water are commonly best supplied with nests. There can be no doubt, parental

affection dictates the choice. All the birds of South Africa are lable to have their nests

robbed by small quadrupeds and snakes, and as no position is so likely to secure them against

such misfortunes as those we have mentioned, they are, doubtless, selected under that con-

viction. During the breeding season, and for some months after the young are fully fledged,

each flock continues firmly attached to some chosen locality, and whenever its members are

driven from their feeding grounds, they invariably repair to the trees upon which the nests

are situated. During the remaining portion of the year they are less stationary, and though

they rarely remove from a district where they may have reared young, yet they extend over

it, without evincing a marked partiality for any individual spot.

OTUS CAPENSIS.—Smiru.

5s = 7 NT a

Aves.—Piate LX VII.— Mate.

O. supra pallide rubro-brunneus, subochreo parce vermiculatus et notatus ; pectore guttureque rubro-

brunneis; ventre flavo-albo; lateribus plumisque femoris subfasciatis; facie subflava brunneo-

variata ; fascia cervicale rubro-brunnea ad guttur ochreo-maculata ; oculis brunneo-nigris ;_rostris,

pedibus, unguibusque livido-nigris.

Loneitvubo a rostri apice ad basin caudee 8 unc. 8} lin; caude 6 unc. 32 lin.

Orvus Capensis, Smith.—South African Quarterly Journal, 2nd series, p. 306. 1835.

Cortour.—The upper and lateral parts of the head, the upper, lateral and

under parts of the neck, the interscapulars, the back, rump, and upper tail

coverts, the scapular feathers, the lesser wing coverts, and the breast, light

reddish brown (snuff-coloured brown), with sienna-yellow variegations. The

latter are either scanty or wanting upon the back and anterior part of the

breast, but tolerably abundant on the other parts mentioned, and occur in

the form of small oblong spots, zigzag, oblique or transverse lines, and

irregularly shaped blotches ;— the latter are few in number, and restricted to

the small wing-coverts. Belly and legs pale ochrey yellow, the flanks and

the feathers on the outer and anterior aspects of the thighs barred with arrow-

shaped bands of a light brownish yellow colour. False wing-feathers brown,

imperfectly barred with sienna-yellow, and most of them margined externally

with yellowish white. Primary wing coverts brown, secondary coverts brown,

vermiculated and spotted with sienna-yellow. The primary and secondary

quill-feathers brown, with three or four broad irregular bars of a colour

intermediate between buff-orange and gall-stone-yellow, the last bar at

a considerable distance from the points of the feathers, which are obscure

white; tertiary quill-feathers brown, the inner vanes barred with yellowish

white, the tips dull white. Tail barred, brown and buff-orange, or yellowish

white ; the light-coloured bars of the inner vanes are generally buff-orange,

those of the outer vanes yellowish white. The two middle tail-feathers

brown, with two rudimentary or indistinct sienna-yellow bars; their tips are

also of the latter colour. The other tail-feathers are yellowish white for some

distance from the points. Facial disc pale cream-yellow, powdered or

freckled with brown; the bases of the feathers encircling the eyes deep

OTUS CAPENSIS.

blackish brown. Chin white; cervical collar dark brown, variegated where

it crosses the throat with small sienna-yellow spots. Egrets reddish brown,

vermiculated with sienna-yellow. Eyes blackish brown. Bill, toes, and

claws livid brownish black, or a deep horn-colour.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately slender. Head small and rounded ; facial

disc small, convex, and ill-defined ; the feathers of the disc rigid, wiry, and

decomposed, those at and below the inner canthus of the eye directed inwards

and forwards, so as to conceal the base of the bill; egrets short and delicate,

recumbent, except when the bird is excited. Bill arched from the base,

compressed, and the mandible slender towards the point, the hook of the

upper one long and slender; nostrils small and rounded; cervical collar

rigid, broad at the throat and narrow at its extremities, which are situated

some way behind and rather above the level of the eyes. Wings long, and

when folded reach to nearly the tip of the tail, the second and third quill-

feathers equal and longest, the fourth rather shorter, the first and fifth equal,

and about an inch and a quarter shorter than the second ;—all the feathers

are very broad. Tail rather short and slightly rounded. ‘farsi long, and

densely covered with short silky feathers. Toes short, moderately strong,

and coated with small somewhat circular scales and scattered bristles.

Claws long, slender, and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Tengthtot the tarsus s--csncsscsescniosecss 2 14

the tip of the tail............ 15) 70, of theouter toe... cccssiace o> (a

of the bill from the gape ...... 1 13 of the middle toe ............... Ome?

of the wings when folded ...... il 0 of the anner toes. accsereesoceoee 0 92

Ofithe tail (ie.ccse.cesces conse 6 33 of the hinder toe ............... 0 54

The female is rather larger than the male: the colours are the same in both

sexes.

This is rather a rare bird in South Africa, and as far as I know, has never been found but in

marshy situations. It passes the day among the rushes, reeds, or long grass, and five or six

individuals are sometimes found congregated together. When disturbed, they fly only a short

distance before they attempt to conceal themselves again, and it is not before they have been

several times flushed in succession that they seek safety in a prolonged flight. They feed

upon mice, lizards, and water insects.

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LANIUS SUBCORONATUS.-—Snmirn.

Aves.—Puate LXVIII.

L. supra nigro-brunneus, griseo-tinctus, infra albus, pectore abdomineque roseo-tinctis ; plumis scapulatis

albis, fasciam obliquam albam formantibus ; crisso caudeeque tectricibus superioribus cinereis ; fronte

superciliisque flavo-albis.

Lonaitupo a rostri apice ad basin caudee 4 unc; caudex 43 unc.

Cotour.—The top of the head, the upper and lateral parts of the neck, the

interscapular feathers, and the back, dark umber-brown, with a strong grey

gloss; the rump and upper tail coverts dark ash-grey. Wings dark umber-

brown, the primary quill feathers and several of the secondaries white near

their base, and always some of them narrowly tipped with white. The

scapular feathers are pure white, and form a broad oblique band of that

colour on each side of the back at the base of the wing. The four middle

tail-feathers are liver-brown, the two next on each side liver-brown towards

the base, white towards the points, the remaining two of each side white

with liver-brown shafts. Throat white, breast and belly dusky white

with a rosy tint. The side of the head behind the eye is crossed with

a broad brownish black band which passes to the side of the neck; the front

and eyebrows are yellowish white. Eyes dark brown. Bill livid brown, and

semi-diaphanous. Legs and toes blackish brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill robust, and rather short, culmen towards frontal

feathers rather sharp, hook at apex of upper mandible moderately developed,

tooth small and acute. The wings rather long, and when folded reach over

the first fourth of the tail; the fourth quill feather rather longest, the third and

fifth equal and slightly shorter, the second and sixth equal, and about half an

inch shorter than the fifth, the first about half the length of the second. Tail

long, narrow and much graduated, the two centre feathers rather the longest,

the next on each side rather shorter, the other four successively shorter, the

outermost about two inches shorter than the two middle ones. ‘Tarsi and toes

moderately robust, the former distinctly scutellated in front, entire behind.

The outer and inner toes of equal length, and rather shorter and less robust

LANIUS SUBCORONATUS.

than the hinder toe. Claws of anterior toes long, slender, and slightly

curved; the claw of hinder toe strong, and much curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inch, Lines. Inch. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus...............00000.

point of the tail ............ 8 6 Of the/outer toe’ canes. se-cse ee

of the bill from the gape...... of the middle toe...............

of the wings when folded ... Of the innertoc) .:..ss.scereers

Of theltall Ms aicecsecisunses-eceee 4 6 of theshindertoe%.:-..se.eseess

The grey tint is stronger in the female than in the male, and the white is

less clear, being generally tinged with yellow.

The first specimen we obtained was killed near Latakoo, and many others were added to our

collection as we proceeded to the northward, although we never found the species common in

any of the districts we visited. When Lanius subcoronatus appeared, Lanius Collaris ceased

to be found, and we had every reason to believe that the former held, to the northward of

Latakoo, that place which the latter holds to the southward. We were familiar with Z.

subcoronatus in its native haunts long before we were aware that it was an undescribed species.

We had always conceived it to be identical with Lanius Collaris, and it was not till one of our

hunters killed a specimen by accident that we were convinced of the contrary. When flying, as

well as when perched, the similarity of the two species is striking, and their manners and habits

are identically the same. Both pounce upon their prey with the same hawk-like spirit, and move

through the air with equal velocity ; both perch upon the summit of trees or shrubs, and there

watch their prey or their enemies, and both impale what objects they capture, and are not able

at the moment to consume, upon the long and powerful thorns of some favourite acacia tree.

L. subcoronatus differs from LZ. Collaris, first, in having a smaller bill, the culmen of which is

sharp, especially towards the frontal feathers ; secondly, in having the frontal feathers and eye-

brows white instead of black, as is the case in Z. Codlaris ; itis also rather a smaller bird.

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AMADINA ERYTHROCEPHALA A Male _B Fefnale

\ Ave Plate 69 )

AMADINA ERYTHROCEPHALA.—Snmirtu.

Aves.—Puate LXIX,

A. supra fusco-cinerea, infra flayo-grisea rubro-tincta, et hic plumis ad apices fasciolis nigro-brunneis

et fasciis albis variegatis ; abdomine subalbido rufo-tincto; capite gulaque in mare purpureo-coccineis ;

rectricibus, duabus mediis exceptis, ad apices albis.

Loneitupo 5 une. 6 lin.

Loxta Macvtosa, Burchell.—Travels in South Africa, vol. ii. p. 269.

Cotour.—Male.—The upper and lateral parts of the head, the nape and

the chin vermilion-red,—the front, sides of the head, and chin, strongly

tinted with arterial blood-red ; the upper and lateral parts of the neck, the

interscapulars, back, rump, and tail coverts brocoli-brown,—the two last-

named lightest, tipped with dirty white, and more or less regularly barred

with narrow lines of brownish-red. The throat and breast yellowish-grey,

brightened with a slight admixture of hyacinth-red, and barred with deep

liver-brown; the bars are narrow, those on the throat very faint and

indistinct, those on the breast strongly marked and arched, the convexity being

backwards. On the breast the space between the last two brown bars of

each feather, one of which forins its tip, is orange-coloured white; the belly

and flanks are dull hyacinth-red, barred and spotted with white like the

breast ; vent cream-yellow; the under tail coverts brocoli-brown, broadly

tipped with cream-yellow, the colours separated by a narrow brown crescent.

The lesser wing coverts and the primary and secondary quill coverts inter-

mediate between brocoli-brown and yellowish-brown, several of the former, and

all the latter broadly tipped with cream-yellow and narrowly barred, in front of

the latter colour, with brown. The quill feathers are light brownish-red,

tipped and margined, externally, with light wood-brown ; the tail feathers the

same colour, and, except the two middle ones, each has a large white blotch

at the tip of its inner vane; the outer vane of the outermost tail feathers of

each side is also white. Bill, dull yellowish-brown, the under mandible

lightest and of a pink hue. Eyes, deep reddish brown. Legs, a light

flesh colour.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust; head large, bill strong, short, and

pointed; the commissure of the upper mandible is waved, and towards the

AMADINA ERYTHROCEPHALA.

base of the bill angular, that of the lower is inverted ; space between eye and

angle of mouth nearly bare. Wings rounded and when folded cover the

first half of the tail; the first quill feather is rudimentary, the third is the

longest, the second and fourth are equal and rather shorter than the third,

the fifth, sixth, and seventh, are successively shorter,—the difference between

each, as well as between the fifth and fourth, about a line anda half. Tail

graduated, the two centre feathers considerably the longest, and also the

most pointed. Legs short and moderately robust, anteriorly scutellated,

posteriorly entire ; toes strong, the middle one much the longest, the external

and internal ones nearly of equal length, the hinder toe short and powerful ;

the claws short and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines,

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .............. 0 7

the tip of the tail............ 5 66 of the outer toe ............ OMuesc

uengthiof the bill ea... vesec sere ese ss 0 5 OL theinnerstoew ssc ss) 10 uno

of the wings when folded ... 2 id of the middle toe............ 0 53

Of the tall cnienupererwetease ves: 2 8 of the hinder toe............ 0 23

Female.—With the exception of the head, the colours are like those of the

male, only lighter, and not so vivid ; the head in the female is of the same

colour as the back.

Young.—Colours similar to those of the female.

All the examples that we saw of this species occurred in the neighbourhood of Latakoo, and in

the situations in which we discovered them we invariably found numbers congregated together.

The individuals which composed the flocks were generally seen feeding upon the ground near

to the gardens of the natives, and when they were disturbed, they, according to circumstances,

either repaired to the hedges or shrubs in the immediate neighbourhood, or to some more distant

locality. While feeding or flying, they uttered harsh chirping sounds, and on no occasion any

thing like a musical note,

BUBO CAPENSIS.—Snmiru.

Aves.—Puate LXX. (Youne.)

B. supra brunnea maculis fasciisque subfulvis variegata ; infra brunnea fasciis subfulvis variegata ;

remigibus, tectricibusque remigium brunneis pallide fulvo-variegatis ; remigibus secondariis externe,

tectricibusque annulis subfulvis notatis ; cauda brunnea pallide aurantio-fasciata ; macula cervicali

alba ; oculis aurantiis.

Lonarruno ab rostri apice ad caudee extremitatem 22 unc. 8 lin.

Co.tour.—The upper parts umber-brown, variegated with spots and trans-

verse bars of a dark buff orange tint ;—the variegations are in the form

of irregular spots upon the feathers of the head and shoulders, and of

spots and bars upon the other feathers ; the bars are situated towards the

base of the feathers, the spots towards the point, one generally on each vane,

and these separated from each other by the intervention of a brown stripe

which extends longitudinally between them; many of the feathers are also

tipped with yellowish white, or have an imperfect spot of that colour upon

each vane close to the apex. The variegations on the head and shoulders

are smaller and less profuse than on the other parts, and the ground colour

is rather darker. The quill coverts and quill feathers are umber-brown, the

outer vanes of the primary quill feathers varied with narrow, pale, buff bars,

which are freckled with brown, the inner vanes with broad bars of the same

colour, only of a darker and brighter tint, the bars of the vanes not directly

opposed to each other. The outer vanes of the secondary quill feathers, both

vanes of the tertiaries and the outer vanes of the larger, and both vanes of

the lesser quill coverts, marked with somewhat circular buff rings, inclosing a

spot of umber-brown ; the inner vanes of the secondary quill feathers and

of the primary quill coverts barred with yellowish white or pale bufl-orange.

Tail feathers umber-brown barred with buff-orange, the bars of all the fea-

thers, excepting those of the outermost one of each side, mottled with brown;

the bars excepted nearly pure white tinted with buff-orange near the shaft;

all the tail feathers tipped with pale buff orange. Under parts umber-brown

variegated with bars and large subcircular spots varying in colour between

white and buff orange, the last form of variegations is produced by the

umber-brown extending along the course of the shafts, and connecting the

dark bars situated towards the tips of the feathers. Under tail-coverts yel-

lowish white with narrow brown bars, each with a point in the course of the

shaft extending towards the tip of the feather. The feathers of the legs and

toes ochrey yellow, those of the former freely variegated with small, arrow-

shaped, umber-brown spots. Guttural spot white; cervical collar umber-

brown variegated with white spots; facial disc yellowish brown pencilled

with umber-brown ; the wiry feathers coating the bill white at the base,

BUBO CAPENSIS.

umber-brown at the points. Bill dark livid brown; claws a horn colour,

lightest towards base. Eyes bright orange yellow.

Form, &c.— Head moderately large; facial disc complete, cervical collar

distinctly defined. Egrets nearly over and about an inch from the outer

corners of the eyes, the feathers composing them narrow and pointed. Body

bulky and densely covered with feathers and down. The wings, when

folded, reach to within an inch and a half of the tip of the tail, the third quill

feather in specimen the longest, the second and fourth equal and slightly

shorter, the first about an inch shorter than the second. The secondaries

about two-and-a-half inches shorter than the third primary quill feather.

Tail slightly rounded. Claws long, strong, arched, and pointed. Bill com-

pressed, curved from the base, and the upper mandible strongly hooked and

pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

In. Lin. In. Lin.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus: ~......2.25-p-<----:- 3.3

the/tip ofsthevtail! | a5 cis. caseoseennee 22 8 Outer LOC: accujeecs. ve Se enhis!

Wenoth of the tail! j. caress. se-ceee-careie- 9 0 middle; toe! seseasss seen. 1 10

bill to the angle of the ANNELbOCucrescaes) saceaes 5

MOUthe sacassncensecince oss Sawees coe Oclewves Thy XB hind ertoel beressatenecaae: 0 10

wings when folded ...... 15:0

Colouring, &c. of the other sex not known.

Levaillant asserts that Strix Bubo is a native of Southern Africa,* and I was disposed, when

1 first obtained the owl just described, to regard it as a young individual of that species. On

being informed, however, by an able zoologist, who had seen an adult specimen, that it differed

materially as regarded its marking from the European bird, I came to the resolution of viewing

it as distinct, and concluded that Levaillant must, once at least, have fallen into an error.

Since my return to England, I have endeavoured, but without success, to obtain for com-

parison a specimen of Strix Bubo of the same age as the bird here described. I shall there-

fore give the characters of one as drawn by Linneus, and leave it to the reader to decide

whether the differences between it and the Cape bird are not greater than are commonly found

to exist between two individuals of one species whose ages are to be inferred as nearly the

same. He says, “the wings were dark, with reddish-brown spots; feathers of the breast

brick-red, with a dark indented longitudinal stripe ; tail feathers still short, dark with roundish

red spots; feet reddish brown,”t

Few specimens of this species have yet been procured, and none, as far as I know, at any great

distance from Cape Town. According to the statements of the Dutch settlers and the Hotten-

tots, single specimens are occasionally seen perched upon the tops of trees both about day-light

and dusk; but from their being so vigilant and wary, they can rarely be approached so closely

as to be shot. They are said to feed upon moles, rats, mice, and small birds.

* Oisseaux d'Afrique, tom. i. page 160. pl. 40. + Yarrell’s British Birds, vol. i. p. 110.

oa oC)

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thet ae vai she aratyct renal adie wine onal ia fom air a <n “v0

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ties Wid. ho atin eany je of oii a6 ry , syieeanfl “ein igi} } hs vats hee ag

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alban teal ‘iirey bids quant anes el : wpe rede Wine fs

: on + Paeng ye ow) woud) 4 i a thw bu Cae Hida e4 het ni) os aus 7 " een ne oa 1 .

‘hiuinioalT. weld iy ri. aut oa ®) }o<« im tt “ be chugs A ws maf} ‘ana dae a cept a

4 a. erin RAD Ms xy w a fv ib Sunil: at ii sian monaeae eae i acy ome

alr ; Ms: ? wr nee. wie ew WW bet subti e? < a a ayy agen wo" hab ke

~ * i“ + ate aor 2 as Rs sabi “oy ive a id ‘ tf fa mn ney

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ATHENE WOODFORDI.—Smitu.

Aves.—Puate LXXI.

A. supra rubro-brunnens, maculis fasciisque albis notatus, infra pallide rubro-brunneus fasciis albis varie~

gatus; cauda rubro-brunnea septem octove fasciis pallide tlavo-brunneis ; rostro pedibusque flavis ;

oculis aurantiis ; unguibus livido-brunneis,

Lonaitupo ab apice rostri ad caude extremitatem 13 unc. 6 lin.

Noctua Wooprorpt, Smith, South African Quarterly Journal.

Cotour.-—The top of the head, the upper and lateral parts of the neck and

the tail intermediate between umber and reddish brown; the body above rich

reddish brown: the feathers of the head, neck, back, and tail coverts

variegated with white spots and with white and sienna-coloured bars; gene-

rally only one white spot exists on each feather, which is situated towards the

apex, is of an irregular arrow-shape, and varies in size upon the different

parts of the body, being generally largest on the interscapulars and tail

coverts. The white or sienna-yellow bars are situated nearer to the quills

than the white spots, and are generally margined with brown of a deeper

shade than the ground colour; these dark margins are less distinct upon the

feathers of the head and neck than upon those of the back, &c. On the head

and neck there is, in general, only one bar to each feather, while on the

feathers of the other parts there are commonly two or three. Lesser quill

coverts of a colour intermediate between those of the head and back, and they

are variegated with a few white short lines or ochrey coloured spots. Primary

quill coverts yellowish brown, lightest towards the tips, which are faintly

barred with brown of a darker tint. Secondary quill coverts yellowish brown,

variegated with narrow, irregular, dark brown bars, and large white or yel-

lowish white blotches; the tips of all white. Quill feathers barred brown

and yellowish brown, the brown bars of the outer vanes not directly opposite

those of the inner vanes; some of the inner tertiaries yellowish brown barred

with brown. The feathers on the outer side of the eye dark reddish brown,

those coating the sides of the bill white at the base, umber-brown at the

points. Cervical collar white, the feathers crossed with several narrow

brown bars. The colour of the breast and belly, as the feathers lie smooth

upon the bird, appears to be pale reddish brown and white in alternate bars,

ATHENE WOODFORDI.

but when a single feather is examined, white is found to be the predominant

colour, while the pale reddish exists only as a broad bar at the tip of each

feather: behind the tips the feathers are crossed by several narrow umber-

brown lines; sides of abdomen and vent partly white and partly pale

buff-orange, the feathers being crossed by several narrow umber-brown

bars. Legs and tarsi sienna-yellow, variegated with short umber-brown

bars. Tail dull reddish brown, with seven or eight pale yellowish

brown bars, the last bar forming the tip of each feather. Bill deep straw-

yellow, greenish at the point. Eyes a deep and bright yellow. Toes dull

yellow; claws wood-brown at base, elsewhere livid umber-brown.

Form, &c.—Head rather small; facial disc distinct ; cervical collar mode-

rately developed and continuous, its feathers decomposed; the feathers coating

the sides of the bill long and wiry. The wings, when folded, reach some dis-

tance beyond the commencement of the last third of the tail; the fourth quill-

feather the longest, the third slightly shorter, the second and fifth equal and

shorter than the third, the first rather shorter than the second. The tip of

the tail slightly rounded. Bill compressed towards tip and strongly hooked ;

nostrils large, open, and nearly circular. Tarsi covered with soft downy

feathers ; toes coated with small, somewhat granular scales; claws slender,

moderately long, much arched. and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

In. Lin. In. Lin.

Length from the point of the bill to the Length of: the tarsit ‘ss j.asassecsoasseamnee 1, )

Giprofithie! tail (e205 2s2.ca85. Ac ceectaes 13 6 OuUberstOe Vas. ota caves 0 7

Length of the bill to the angle of the Middle}tOe! sci, seacieeeteoces 0 103

MOWiN paseo ate iners ~ J 13 INNEL) FOG sf. cteioer lating sotsetone 0 93

wings when folded...... 9 0 hinder toe sesiweserorues one 0 3

CA Tee eaeeeaacawsanaaeecs 6 0

The markings of the male are neariy the same in form as those of the

female, but the colours are rather brighter.

This owl occurs in various parts of the colony, and is generally discovered about the outskirts

of forests. It is by no means a common bird in South Africa, and specimens of it are but rarely

procured. It feeds upon small quadrupeds, birds, large insects, Ke.

DRYMOICA

LASS ibrar alem

Daktaye Ms Olle sans Ail elses

( Aves.__Plate72)

DRYMOICA SUBSTRIATA.—Smiru.*

Aves.—Prate LXXII.—Fic. 1. (FEMALEe.)

D. supra flavo-brunnea colore rubiginosa tincta; infra ochraceo-alba; pectore striis brunneis variegato ;

remigibus brunneo-rubris pallide griseo-brunneo-marginatis ; rectricibus griseo-brunneis colore rubi-

ginosa lavatis ; rostro colore corneo ; tarsis, pedibus, unguibusque rubri-flavis.

Lonairvpo e rostri apice ad basin caude 2 une. 8 lin. ; caude 3 une.

Cotour.—The top of the head, the sides of the neck and the shoulders light

broccoli-brown ; the back of the head, the upper parts of the neck, the

interscapulars, back, and tail coverts a uniform rusty yellowish brown.

Sides of head and ear-coverts pale wood-brown, the latter faintly streaked

with dull umber-brown ; eyebrows white, prolonged behind the eyes. Chin,

throat, centre of breast, and belly, ochrey white, the breast variegated with

several narrow, longitudinal, umber-brown stripes, one along the centre of

each feather ; flanks and vent light yellowish brown. Primary and secondary

quill coverts, and the quill feathers, pale brownish red, faintly margined with

wood-brown; some of the inner secondaries and the tertiaries broadly

margined with yellowish brown. Tail a rusty broccoli-brown, the middle

feathers darkest. Bill a dark horn-colour; legs, toes, and claws pale buff-

orange, the latter brown at the points.

Form, &c.—Figure slender and lengthened. Bill slender and nearly

straight, the culmen slightly arched, particularly towards the point; it is

triangular at the base, and compressed towards the tip: nostrils small,

* Having carefully compared all the species of this genus which I possess, with the species described

and represented by Levaillant, (Oiseaux d’Afrique,) I am not able to satisfy myself of the identity of

more than one of mine, the ‘* Pine Pine,” plate 131 ; hence I have preferred figuring all the species which

I possess, rather than incur the risk of including two species under one name. The species I have figured

as Drymoica rujicapilla is, 1 suspect, identical with Le Rousse Tete, Levaillant, plate 124, but the

rest I am disposed to regard as specifically different from any described by him. I am sometimes disposed

to believe that the renowned traveller, whom no one can respect and honour more than I do, has

occasionally, from accident, probably through an intermixture of specimens, considered birds as natives of

South Africa which belong to other countries ; and it is only by presuming such to have happened, that I

can account for my never having been able to procure or hear of various species which Levaillant affirms

are found in it.

DRYMOICA SUBSTRIATA.

situated in a concavity near the base of the upper mandible, and above mem-

branous. Wings rounded, and when folded reach beyond the first third of the

tail; the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, quill feathers nearly equal

and longest, the third rather shorter, the second considerably shorter than the

third, and the first rather more than half the length of the second; the

secondary and tertiary quill feathers nearly as long as the primaries, Tail

long and much graduated, the feathers slightly decomposed, the two middle

ones longest. Tarsi robust, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire; toes

long and slender, the outer and middle ones united near the base, the hinder

toe longest ; claws rather short, slender, and slightly curved, the claw of the

hinder toe longest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ..... ............ 0 103

the tip of the tail ......... 5 8 otithe outer toe necessescesone 10 33

of the bill to the angle of the | of the middle toe ............ 0

MOULIN es pocse ted ace eats 0 7 of the inner toe ............ .. 0 32

of the wings when folded... 2 13 | of the hinder toe ........ 0

Obsthertarlit ever ceccng ate 0

Mate.—The male is not known to me.

So far as my experience goes this is a rare bird in Southern Africa, and the only individuals

which I have met were on the banks of the Oliphant’s River, about one hundred miles to the

north of Cape Town. It is generally found in thickets composed of high brushwood or dwarf

trees, in which it is seen flitting rapidly from branch to branch, apparently in quest of insects,

which constitute its food. When so employed it carries its tail rather above the line of the

back, and when it fancies it is perceived it generally remains tranquil for a time; but as soon

as all danger is supposed to be past, from no act of aggression being committed by the

individual who intrudes upon its retreat, it again betakes itself to search for food, and so

continues till it disappears in some distant part of the thicket.

DRYMOICA PALLIDA.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate LXXII. Fic. 2.

D. supra pallide griseo-brunnea, flavo-brunneo lavata; gula, gutture, pectoreque sordide albis; abdomine

subflavo ; remigibus sordide griseo-brunneis, externe flayo-brunneo marginatis ; rostro colore corneo ;

pedibus flavis ; oculis

Lonairupo e rostri apiee ad basin caudee 2 une. 7 lin. ; caude 3 une. 4 lin,

CoLtour.—Upper parts pale broccoli-brown, lightly washed with yellowish

brown, the head and upper parts of the neck lightest, the tail darkest; ear coverts

rusty white; chin, throat, and breast white, faintly tinged with wood-brown ;

belly and vent pale sienna-yellow. Bill a dark horn colour. Legs and toes

a clear buff-orange.

Form, &c.—Figure slender ; the tail long and much graduated. Bill

moderately strong, nearly straight, and compressed towards the point ; culmen

near the tip considerably arched. Wings rounded, and when folded reach

about an inch beyond the base of the tail; the third, fourth, fifth, and

sixth quill feathers nearly equal and longest; the seventh rather shorter; the

second and eighth nearly of equal length and rather shorter than the seventh;

the first about half the length of the longest quill feather ;—all the feathers

silky and slightly decomposed. 'Tarsi moderately strong, anteriorly scutel-

lated, posteriorly entire ; toes rather short and strong, the outer one united to

the middle one near the base; claws slender, curved, and pointed, the one

arming the hinder toe longest and most curved.

DRYMOICA PALLIDA.

Inches.

Length from the point of the bill to

the tip of the tail...... 5

of the bill to the angle of the

MOUth ert mele ceneacna etcmee 0

of the wings when folded .. 2

Otbhe stalls swe test ees ietoneks 3

Femate.—Unknown.

DIMENSIONS.

Lines. Tuches.

Renpthtofithe tarsusiges.stse crete: 1

11 | of the outer toe seu. ae re sis 0

of the middle toe........ 0

7 of the inner toe......... 0

13 of the hinder toe ........ 0

Lines.

This species is but rarely obtained, and the only specimens I possess were procured about

three hundred miles to the north of Cape Town, in the Namaqua country.

It occasionally

occurs in thickets, but more generally upon dwarf trees, in the vicinity of streams, and through

these it passes rapidly from branch to branch in pursuit of insects, which form its chief food.

VAILLAN Tif

W Ah

Lit,

DRYMOICA RUFICAPILLA.

Aves.—Piate LXXIII. Fie. 1. (Mate.)

D. capite cerviceque superne pallide castaneis; interscapuliis, dorso, caudaque brunneis flavo-brunneo

lavatis; remigibus pallide brunneo-rubris pallide flavo-brunneo-marginatis; guli, gutture, pectoris

ventrisque medio pallide stramineis; capitis, cervicis, pectoris ventrisque lateribus pallide griseo-

brunneis ; rostro flavo-brunneo ; pedibus rubri-flavis; oculis rubri-aurantiis.

Loneitupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 2 unc. 6 lin.; caudee 1 une. 11 lin.

Le Rousse Tete, Levaill. Ois. d Afrique, pl. 124. ?

CoLour.—Top of the head and upper parts of the neck pale chesnut-

brown, the latter lightest; interscapulars, back, and tail coverts pale broc-

coli-brown washed with yellowish brown ; tail the same colour, but brighter

and the feathers margined with light yellowish brown of a dull hue. Lesser

quill coverts light brownish red, broadly margined and tipped with pale

broccoli-brown. Primary and secondary quill coverts, and primary and

secondary quill feathers pale brownish red, margined more or less broadly

with pale yellowish brown, a few of the secondaries and the tertiary feathers

edged with pale chesnut-brown. Chin, throat, centre of breast and belly,

pale straw-yellow ; sides of head, neck, breast, belly, and vent, pale greyish

brown. Bill yellowish brown, the upper mandible shaded with umber-

brown; legs and toes pale buff-orange; claws a pale horn colour. Eyes

bright reddish orange.

Form, &c.—Figure slender, tail rather short and slightly graduated. Bill

nearly straight, and rather slender, towards point compressed, towards base

triangular; wings rounded, and when folded reach over the first fourth

of the tail; the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh quill feathers nearly

equal and longest; the second considerably shorter, and the first narrow and

about half the length of the second; the tertiaries as long as the primary

quill feathers. farsi rather strong, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire ;

DRYMOICA RUFICAPILLA.

toes short and strong; claws slender, curved, and pointed, the claw of the

hinder toe longest and strongest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .......... 0 104

the tip of the tail ...... + 5 of the inner toe ........ 0 3

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ....... 0 4}

MOU Meee eerie eee tas 0 61} of the outer toe ........ 0 3

of the wings when folded... 2 13 of the hinder toe........ 0 23

OLtheytall/epmescuenetots cogenese te 1 1]

Femate.—Head the same colour as the back ; in other respects the colours

of the two sexes are the same.

This bird occurs in various situations in the interior of the Cape Colony, and is usually

found among brushwood or upon dwarf trees. It feeds upon small insects, and in quest of

those it is to be seen flitting from branch to branch with great rapidity. As compared with

many of the other species, it may be considered as rather a rare bird, and it rarely happens

that more than one or two specimens are procured in any given locality which it is known to

inhabit,

DRYMOICA LEVAILLANTII.—Smiru.

Avec.—Puate LXXIII.—Fic. 2. (Mate.)

D. capite cerviceque superne pallide castaneis, brunneo-strigatis ; interscapuliis dorsoque profunde

brunneis, pinnis flayo-brunneo marginatis ; rectricibus brunneo-rubris pallide castaneo-marginatis ;

partibus inferioribus pallide flavo-brunneis ;~ rectricibus brunneis externe castaneo-marginatis,

plumarum apicibus pallide flavo-brunneis; rostro livido-brunneo; pedibus rubri-flavis; oculis

castaneis.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caudee 2 unc. 5 lin. ; caude 2 une. 8 lin.

Cotour.—The upper parts of the head, and the upper and lateral parts of

the neck, bright chesnut-brown, the two first variegated with umber-brown

stripes, one along the centre of each feather; interscapulars, back, and tail

coverts liver-brown, each feather edged on both sides with pale wood-brown ;

lesser wing coverts umber-brown, broadly edged and tipped with pale

broccoli-brown. Primary and secondary quill coverts, and the tertiary quill

feathers, liver-brown, and distinctly edged externally with pale wood-brown ;

primary and secondary quill feathers light brownish red, edged with chesnut-

brown. Under parts pale wood-brown, the throat lightest, and inclined to

white. Tail feathers light umber-brown, margined externally with pale

chesnut-brown, and broadly tipped with dull wood-brown; behind the light

points each feather is marked with a circumscribed liver-brown blotch, which

is much darker than the general colour of the feather, and is most readily

seen on the under surface of the tail. Eyebrows and sides of the head wood-

brown. Bill horn-coloured, the lower mandible lightest ; legs and toes pale

buff-orange ; claws horn-coloured. Eyes deep chesnut-brown.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust; tail moderately long and graduated ;

bill slightly curved, triangular at the base, compressed towards the point,

culmen considerably arched, wings rounded, and when folded reach over the

first third of the tail; the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth nearly equal and

longest, the second rather shorter, and nearly equal in length to the

secondary quill feathers ; the first about half the length of the third, and very

narrow. ‘Tarsi robust, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire; toes rather

DRYMOICA LEVAILLANTII.

long, and moderately strong ; claws slender, and slightly curved, the claw of

the hinder toe strong, long, and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ............... .. 0 9

the tip of the tail ......... 5 1 of the outer toe ..............- 0 34

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ............ 0 53

MOUth’! Srcessescseaetcoe sss 0 (Or of the inner toe ............... 0 41

of the wings when folded ... 2 3 of the hinder toe.......... .... 0 3h

Ofstheitall Weeeensebe chore cere ane, 8

Femate.—The colours the same as those of the male, only not so deep.

This species is rather widely distributed over South Africa. In the vicinity of Cape Town it

is not an uncommon bird, nor is it rare for at least some distance to the north of the Orange

River. It resorts both to underwood and long grass, especially in situations where the latter is

closely set and strong; and it is found perhaps more frequently than any where else among

rushes or slender reeds in the neighbourhood of marshes, or upon the edges of streams. Its

food consists of insects, and in quest of these jt flits quickly from spot to spot. Of the species

of this genus it is one of the least wild, and specimens are easily obtained when its resorts are

once discovered. Any unusual noise or appearance readily engages its attention, and leads it

to ascend to the top or outside of the material upon which it may happen to be perched, in

which position it is readily shot. It exhibits a slight peculiarity in respect of the length of the

toes: in most of the species of Drymoica the outer and inner toes are nearly of equal length ;

in this one, however, the inner toe is nearly as long as the middle toe, and palpably longer than

the outer one.

DRYMOICA TEXTRIX.

Aves.—Piate LXXIV. Fic. 1.-——(MAte.)

D. supra sordide brunnea, plumis albo aut flavo-brunneo marginatis ; infra sordide alba, pectore ventreque

striis brunneis variegatis ; cauda brunnea, rectricibus tribus externis lateris utriusque albo-terminatis ;

rostro pedibusque rubri-flavis.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 2 unc. 11 lin.; caude 1 une. 1 lin.

Le Princ Pine, Levaill. Ois. d’ Afrique, pl. 131.

CoLour.—The upper parts of the head and neck, together with the inter-

scapulars, back and shoulders, umber-brown, variegated with white and clear

yellowish brown ; the colours constituting the variegations occur at the edges

and tips of the feathers, which are either of the one or other of the light tints;

in the feathers of the back they are mostly yellowish brown. The sides of

the head and neck dirty yellowish brown, mottled with small umber-brown

blotches. The primary and secondary quill-coverts umber-brown edged and

tipped with pale wood-brown ; primary and secondary quill-feathers brownish

red, the former edged, faintly, with pale wood-brown, the latter rather broadly

with dirty greyish white. Chin and throat dirty greyish white, indistinctly

mottled with light umber-brown ; breast and anterior portion of belly pale

sienna-yellow distinctly mottled with oblong umber-brown spots nearly dis-

posed in rows, middle and hinder portions of belly blueish white ; flanks and

vent pale yellowish brown, the former variegated with longitudinal umber-brown

stripes. The two centre tail feathers brownish red, the rest umber-brown,

the whole edged with wood-brown, and the three outermost ones of each side

broadly tipped with white. Bill, legs, and toes pale buff-orange, the upper

mandible deepened from a shade of brown; claws the same colour, rather

brownish at the tips. Eyes reddish brown.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust. Bill short, rather robust towards base,

slender and compressed towards point ; it is slightly curved, and the arch of

the culmen anteriorly is considerable. Wings rounded, and when folded

cover nearly the first half of the tail; the third, fourth, fifth and sixth quill

feathers nearly equal and longest, the second and seventh rather shorter, the

first rudimentary and narrow ; the two innermost secondaries, and some of

the tertiaries nearly equal in length to the primary quill feathers. Tail very

DRYMOICA TEXTRIX.

short and slightly graduated. 'Tarsi robust, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly

entire ; toes slender and rather long, the outer and middle ones united to-

wards base ; claws long, slender, and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .................. 0 114

the tip of the tail ............ 4 0 ANNET LOC wasseae concer 0 83

of the bill to the angle of the middle toe ............ O 6

MOWED eve hactelicisecetcavecesieee 0 6 outer toe .. ..:.ce2.- =. 0 31

of the wings when folded ...... 1 103 hinder toes..-er-ecsec = Otead

of thoytail Vero ssnees aces ee cee cee: 1 1

Female.—Colours and proportions nearly the same as those of the made.

Although this bird, the “ Pine Pinc” of Levaillant,* is well represented in the splendid

work of that traveller, yet I have thought it desirable to reproduce it here, to enable persons

not possessed of the work referred to, and which is not generally available to naturalists in

ingland, to compare it with the other South African species. It has been made the type of a

form by Mr. Swainson ;+ but as I cannot regard it otherwise than as a Drymoica, with modi-

fications, suiting it for seeking its food upon the ground, I have not entitled it Hemiptery..

The Pine Pine occurs in various situations in the Cape Colony, but is never found, as far as

I know, to the north of the Orange River. It occurs in districts abounding with long grass,

and seeks its food, which consists of insects, upon the ground in places so circumstanced. It

rarely perches, and when it does, it is in localities where small shrubs exist. Where neither

shrubs nor grass sufficiently strong to support it exist, it is only to be shot while on the

wing ; and when it has been once or twice put to flight, it afterwards conceals itself, and cannot

again be flushed even by the greatest exertion.

* Oiseaux d'Afrique, plate 131.

+ Lardner’s Cyclopedia. (Natural History. Birds, vol. ii. page 242.)

DRYMOICA TERRESTRIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate LXXIV. Fic. 2. (Mate.)

D. capite supra interscapuliisque sordide brunneis, flavo-brunneo marginatis; cervice superne dorsoque

pallide flavo-brunneis parce sordide brunneo-maculatis ; remigibus griseo-brunncis, marginibus palli-

dioribus; gula guttureque flayo-albis; pectore ventreque subflavis; rectricibus albo-terminatis ;

rostro pedibusque pallide rubri-flavis.

Lonaitubo e rostri apice ad basin caudee 2 unc. 73 lin. caude 1 une. 9 lin.

Cotour.—Top of the head and interscapulars umber-brown, variegated

with yellowish brown, from all the feathers being edged and tipped with the

latter colour; the back of the neck, the back and the shoulders clear

yellowish brown dashed with longitudinal umber-brown streaks, one streak

along the middle of each feather—the variegations few and indistinct on the

back. Tail coverts umber-brown, margined and tipped with yellowish brown.

The sides of the head and neck pale yellowish brown, the latter behind

fading into white. Primary and secondary quill coverts umber-brown along

their centre, wood-brown at edges and tips. Primary and secondary quill

feathers broccoli-brown, narrowly margined externally with dull wood-brown ;

tertiary quill feathers umber-brown, broadly margined and tipped with

yellowish brown. Chin and throat yellowish white ; breast, belly, vent, and

feathers of legs sienna-yellow, the tint of the flanks darkest. The two middle

tail feathers broccoli-brown, broadly margined and tipped with wood-brown,

the rest of the feathers brownish red, faintly edged externally with wood-

brown and broadly tipped with white; immediately behind the white tip

there is a large blotch of umber-brown seen most distinctly on viewing the

under surface of the feathers. Bill, legs, and toes pale buff-orange, the

upper mandible deepened from a shade of brown; claws yellowish brown,

darkest at the points. Eyes reddish brown.

Form, &c.—Figure slender, bill moderately strong, triangular at base,

compressed towards point, slightly curved, the curvature of the culmen

considerable towards the point of the bill; nostrils small, situated in a

depression towards base, and edged above with membrane. Wings rounded,

and when folded reach a little beyond the base of the tail; the third, fourth,

DRYMOICA TERRESTRIS.

fifth, and sixth quill feathers nearly equal and longest, the second and

seventh rather shorter, the first about half as long as the second, and narrow ;

the tertiary nearly as long as the primary quill-feathers. Tail moderately

long, and slightly graduated, the two middle feathers rather the longest.

Tarsi moderately strong, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire; toes long

and moderately strong, the outer and middle ones united near their base ;

claws slightly curved, the claw of the hinder toe longest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .......... 0 10

the tip of the tail ...... 4 43 of the outer toe!......... 0 3

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe........ 1) 44

THOUGH sec beiral crete adeno ace 0 6 of the:innerjtoe..05..... 7 80. 3

of the wings when folded .. 2 1 of the hinder toe ........ 0 3

OLabOstarll teense sto torches eaere 1 9

Femate.—The colours are rather brighter and the proportion of umber-

brown on the back is rather less than in the male. The bill is more delicate

and shorter.

This bird was first discovered upon the grassy plains lying between Latakoo and Kurrichane,

and was found, though sparingly, to the northward of the latter. It feeds on the ground,

always in situations fully supplied with long grass, and seems to hold an analogous place in

the districts it inhabits to that which Drymoica textrix holds in the more southern latitudes.

From its generally occurring in situations where few if any shrubs exist, it is not very easy to

procure specimens, as nothing occurs for the bird to perch upon; hence the only chance of

killing it is by firing at it while on the wing. When an individual is discovered, it may be

flushed a second, and perhaps a third time, but after that any further attempts to disturb it

prove fruitless. It feeds upon minute insects.

i, Dake Velie @nliG ASO GUS yA ues Uh or

CD) IEE NOW TO) ICI MPG AIO) Jae Nb, A 4S

(Aves = Electie 75.)

DRYMOICA OCULARIUS.—Smirn.

Aves.—Puiate LXXYV. Fic. 1. (Mate.)

D. superne brunnea, flavo-brunneo-variegatas; capitis lateribus badiis; partibus inferioribus albis

5) 5 ? >

pectore fascid angusta nigro-brunned notato; rostro castaneo, brunneo-umbrato; oculis rubro-

aurantiis ; pedibus rubro-flavis.

Loneirupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 2 une. 5 lin, ; caude 2 unc. 10 lin.

Cotour.—The top of the head, the back and sides of the neck, the inter-

scapulars, back, and lesser wing-coverts umber-brown striped with yellowish

brown, the latter being the colour of the edges and tip of each feather. Tail

feathers, excepting the two middle ones, umber-brown, the outer vane of the

two outermost of each side and the margin of the outer vane of the third

yellowish brown; the two middle feathers broccoli-brown, tinted with

yellowish brown. The sides of the head and ear-coverts intermediate be-

tween reddish orange and hyacinth-red; the chin and throat white; breast,

anteriorly, crossed by a narrow liver-brown bar, posteriorly dirty white tinted

with broccoli-brown, which is also the colour of the belly, thighs, and vent,

the tinting colour most distinct on the sides of the breast, flanks, and thighs.

Primary and secondary quill feathers light brownish red and margined,

externally, toward quills with wood-brown ; tertiary quill feathers umber-

brown, edged and tipped with wood-brown. Bill deep chesnut-brown,

shaded with umber-brown. Eyes pale reddish orange. Feet pale reddish

yellow ; claws a light horn-colour.

Form, &c.—Figure slender; tail long and much graduated. Bill slender,

pointed, slightly curved, and rather broad at its base; wings rounded

and when folded reach as far as the commencement of the second fourth of

the tail, the third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers equal and longest, the sixth

and seventh slightly shorter, the second and eighth nearly equal, and a little

shorter than the seventh, the first rather more than half the length of the third.

Tarsi rather robust, scutellated anteriorly, entire posteriorly ; toes slender;

DRYMOICA OCULARIUS.

claws delicate, pointed, and considerably curved, the claw of hinder toe

strongest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .......... 1 0

the tip of the tail...... 5 3 of the outer toe......... 0 3

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe........ 0 51

MOUGe MeN Penedstsncecncuciene 0 64 of the inner toe......... 0 3

of the wings when folded .. 2 0 of the hinder toe ........ 0 23

Of thestarl! Meroe cnsricveitensns 2 10

Femate.—The colours generally not so deep as those of the male, and the

white of the breast and belly is more pure; in other respects the sexes

are like in general appearance.

This bird has rather an extensive range in South Africa, being found, though sparingly,

among brushwood in the northern districts of the Cape Colony, and between those districts

and the tropic of Capricorn, It feeds upon insects, and, in quest of them, it is to be seen

flitting from branch to branch in the most arid and barren situations.

DRYMOICA PECTORALIS.—Snmiru.

Aves. — Pirate LXXYV. Fic. 2. (MALE.)

D. superne pallidé cinereo-brunnea; gula guttureque albis; pectore ventreque pallido-flavis, pectore

fascia profunde brunnea notato ; rectricibus versus apicem fascia brunned maculatis ; rostro purpureo-

brunneo ; pedibus flavo-aurantiis.

Lonaitupo e rostri apiee ad basin caude 2 unc. 5 lin.; caude 2 une. 7 lin.

Cotour.—Top of the head, ear-coverts, back of the neck, interscapular

feathers, and back a colour intermediate between broccoli and wood-brown.

The lesser wing-coverts, and the primary and secondary quill-coverts red-

dish brown faintly edged with wood-brown; quill feathers light brownish

red, the outer vanes narrowly edged with wood-brown. Tail feathers wood-

brown, the tips lightest, and immediately behind the light shade a faint

dark line, as if each was crossed by a narrow dusky bar, the two middle

feathers without either the dark bars or the light tips. Chin, upper portion of

throat, and sides of neck dirty white; lower portion of throat and sides o

‘neck umber-brown, in the form of a broad transverse band. Eyebrows

slightly white. The sides of the breast light umber-brown, the flanks a light

and dusky hair-brown; middle of breast, belly, vent, thighs, and under tail-

coverts straw-yellow. Bill liver-brown; tarsi and toes pale buff-orange; claws

horn-coloured. Eyes ochrey yellow.

Form, &c.—Figure slender; tail long and much graduated. Bill slender-

pointed and slightly curved, rather broad at base, and the culmen prominent

between the nasal fosse. Wings rounded, and when folded, reach rather be-

yond the first third of the tail, the fourth, fifth, and sixth quill feathers equal

and longest, the third and seventh rather shorter, the second, eighth, and

ninth equal and rather shorter than the third, the first considerably shorter

than the second. 'Tarsi and toes moderately robust, the former scutellated

DRYMOICA PECTORALIS.

anteriorly, entire posteriorly ; claws moderately strong, compressed, curved,

and pointed, the claw of hinder toe longest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ............... 5. 0 113

the tip of the tail ......... 5 0 of'theloutertoe)s c..5.66.- a0: 0 3

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ............ 0 4.

MOUtHE eercseeeeeaecteenes 0 6 of the‘inner toe teres eee eres 0 3

of the wings when folded ... 2 1 of the hinder toe.............. 0 21

ofsthettallle sss .coseoe nse 2 7

FemaLe.—The colours generally the same as those of the male, only duller.

The young bird is without the pectoral bar.

Inhabits dry situations abounding in brushwood, and was found principally at and around

Latakoo. It feeds upon insects, which it procures upon the shrubs and dwarf trees which it

frequents.

Siar As

Spee, eegyre: guuiee (he r~ ee ee ee

| ams euliced ts @Hle =. =

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L oeng ts

DRYMOICA CAPENSIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate LXXVI.—Fice. 1. (MALE.)

D. supra cinereo-viridi-flava, infra alba flavo-tincta ; gutture, pectoreque maculis brunneis subovatis

variegatis ; remigibus brunneis externe cinereo-flavo-marginatis ; rectricibus, duabus mediis exceptis,

albo-terminatis et post maculas albas fascié nigro-brunnea notatis ; superciliis subalbis ; rostro rubro-

brunneo ; pedibus rubro-flavis.

Lonairupo ab apice rostri ad caude basin 2 unc. 5 lin. ; caude 2 une. 6 lin.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head, the back and side of the neck,

the interscapulars, the back, the tail coverts, and the tail feathers inter-

mediate, between broccoli and yellowish brown; the points of all the tail

feathers excepting those of the two middle ones narrowly margined with

wood-brown. The primary and secondary quill coverts, and the primary and

secondary quill feathers, dull umber-brown ; the secondary quill coverts and

all the quill feathers narrowly edged, externally, with deep wood-brown, the

edges of wings, anteriorly, white. The chin, throat, and under parts of

body white, with a yellowish tinge, amounting at the centre of the belly

almost to a straw-yellow and all the under parts, excepting the middle of the

belly and the flanks, are variegated with short, subovate, umber-brown stripes,

disposed nearly in longitudinal rows; the flanks are a uniform dull hair-

brown. Eyebrows slightly white. Bill rich chesnut-brown, shaded with dull

liver-brown ; feet pale reddish yellow.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust. Bill slender, slightly curved and

pointed, rather broad at the base. Tail rather lengthened and rounded or

slightly graduated. Wings rounded, and when folded reach to the second

fourth of the tail, the fourth and fifth quill feathers rather the longest,

the third and sixth slightly shorter, the second considerably shorter than the

third, and the first rather more than half the length of the fourth; the

secondary and tertiary quill feathers considerably shorter than the primary

DRYMOICA CAPENSIS.

quill feathers. Tarsi robust, scutellated anteriorly, entire behind: toes long

and moderately strong ; claws slender, pointed and much curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines

Length from the point of the bill to | Length of the tarsus .......... 1 0

the tip of the tail...... 4 1] | of the outer toe .,...... 0 33

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe........ 0 44

ANG WU etesioastetetoiiocque we tone 0 64 of the inner toe......... 0 31

of the wings when folded. . 2 1 of the hinder toe........ 0 3

ofsthestail Tue a eo ce) eneteee 2 6

Fremavte.—Not known.

Inhabits various districts in the western division of the Cape Colony, and is found in situa-

tions which abound with shrubs. It feeds upon insects, and searches for those both upon

underwood and on the ground, generally, however, on the former. It is also occasionally

observed among coarse grass or reeds, busily engaged climbing or flitting about in quest of

food.

DRYMOICA SUBRUFICAPILLA.—Smirn.

Aves.—Priate LXXVI. Fic. 2. (Femate.)

D. capite cerviceque supra castaneis brunneo-striatis; dorso pallide brunneo, subcinereo-variegato ;

partibus inferioribus flavo-cinereis, pectore leviter brunneo-notato; rectricibus versus apicem

brunneo-fasciatis ; rostro castaneo profunde brunneo-umbrato ; tarsis rubro-brunneis ; pedibus flavo-

brunneis,

Lonaitupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 3 une. 1 lin; caude 2 une. 3 lin.

Co.tour.—The upper parts of the head and the back, and the sides of the

neck near to the head, light chesnut-brown, striped with umber-brown along

the centre of each feather; the lower parts of the back and the sides of the

neck, the interscapulars, the lesser wing-coverts, and the back umber-brown,

variegated with a colour intermediate between ash-grey and broccoli-brown,

each feather being so broadly edged and tipped with the latter as even to

constitute it the predominant colour. Tail dull reddish brown, all the

feathers tipped with wood-brown, the two centre ones very faintly, and all

the others have, each, a broad transverse umber-brown bar immediately be-

hind the light tip. The primary and secondary wing-coverts umber-brown,

margined externally, and tipped with pale wood-brown ; the primary, se-

condary, and tertiary quill feathers intermediate, between brownish red and

umber-brown, the tertiaries darkest,—the primary and secondary feathers

towards the quills narrowly margined with light chesnut-brown; the

tertiaries are edged and tipped with wood-brown. Chin, throat, middle of

breast and belly pale yellowish grey, passing in some places into white, the

breast faintly freckled with pale brown; sides of breast, flanks, vent, and

under tail-coverts pale hair-brown. Bill chesnut-brown, shaded with umber-

brown, the lower mandible, towards its base, yellowish brown. ‘'Tarsi pale

reddish brown, passing towards toes into yellowish brown; claws yellowish

brown, tinted with light reddish brown.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust. Bill slender, slightly arched and pointed ;

tail graduated, and in some specimens is much longer than in the one

DRYMOICA SUBRUFICAPILLA.

figured. Wings rounded, and when folded reach nearly to the commence-

ment of the second third of the tail, the third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers

equal and longest, the second and sixth a little shorter, the first about half

the length of the longest. Tarsi rather robust, scutellated anteriorly, entire

posteriorly ; toes rather long and slender; claws rather delicate, slightly

curved and pointed, the claw of hinder toe the strongest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .......... 0 9

the tip of the tail ..... 5 4 of the outer toe ....-... 0 3t

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ....... 0 43

MO OUG ay one counts tesloitemeler le 0 63 (OL therinneritOG%s. ache ev eters: 0 3

of the wings when folded .. 2 0 of the hinder toe........ 0 3

lonithentarlu sa cuererasc cutee tert 2 3

Mave.—Not known.

This bird occurs in various districts of the Cape Colony, and is either found upon brushwood

or among rushes or reeds. It feeds upon insects, and, like others of the genus, flits generally

from branch to branch or from reed to reed in quest of its food.

a is + ) T

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DRYMOICA AFFINIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Piate LXXVII. Fic. 1. (FEMALE.)

D. capite cerviceque superne griseo-brunneis ; interscapuliis dorsoque griseo-brunneis, flavo brunneo-tinctis ;

partibus inferioribus flavo-albis ; abdominis lateribus tectricibusque caude inferioribus ochraceis ;

remigibus rubro-brunneis externe flavo brunneo-marginatis ;_ rectricibus pallide rubro-brunneis albo-

terminatis et versus apicem nigro-brunneo-fasciatis ; rostro brunneo versus basin mandibule flavo-

brunneo ; pedibus rubro-flavis.

Lonartupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 4 unc. 7} lin; caude 2 unc. 6 lin.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head and the back and sides of the

neck broccoli-brown, faintly tinged with yellowish brown, and some of

the feathers of the former indistinctly streaked with pale umber-brown ; in-

terscapulars and back intermediate between broccoli and yellowish brown, and

slightly glossed with oil-green: rump and upper tail coverts pale yellowish

brown. Chin, throat, centre of breast and belly yellowish white ; the sides

of the breast the same colour as the head ; the flanks, vent, under tail coverts

and thighs rusty sienna-yellow. Lesser wing-coverts, primary and secondary

quill-coverts, and the primary, secondary and tertiary quill-feathers brownish

red, the lesser wing-coverts and quill-coverts edged and tipped with pale

yellowish brown, and the quill-feathers margined externally with light yellow-

ish brown. Tail feathers a light dull reddish brown, edged with yellowish

brown, and tipped with white, each feather behind the light tip with a broad

transverse brownish-red bar. Bill umber-brown, the base of lower mandible

wood-brown. Tarsi and toes reddish-yellow; claws the same colour, tinted

towards the points with brown.

Form, &c.—Figure slender, tail elongated and much graduated. Bill

rather weak, short, nearly straight and pointed, the culmen towards apex of

mandible slightly arched. Wings rounded, and when folded reach to the

commencement of the second-third of the tail, fourth, fifth, and sixth quill-

feathers equal and longest, third and seventh slightly shorter, second and

ninth equal and considerably shorter than third, first rather more than half

the length of the second; secondary and tertiary quill-feathers considerably

shorter than the longest primaries. Tarsi and toes rather slender, the tarsi

anteriorly faintly scutellated, posteriorly entire; claws weak, short, mode-

rately curved, and pointed.

DRYMOICA AFFINIS.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ......... 0 9

the tip of the tail. ..... 4 7 of the outer toe ....... 0 3

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ...... O 44

TOUCH enege tre caenegey slic Keil: 0 64 of the inner toe ....... 0 38

of the wings when folded ... 2 0 of the hinder toe ...... 0 3}

HeuNnen) omega gaeusoon wae Ay

Maxe.—Not known.

Inhabits dry flats in the interior of South Africa, and flits to and fro in search of insects

amongst the shrubs with which they are more or less coated. It isa rare bird in the parts of

the country which have been yet explored ; hence, I infer, that the head-quarters of the species

will be found beyond the districts which have been traversed. This species exhibits a con-

siderable resemblance to Drymoica pallida, but when the two are compared together, very

palpable differences are to be discovered. In the present species the tail-feathers are tipped

with white, and each has behind the white tip a dark umber-brown bar ; in D. pallida the

feathers are uniformly of one colour. The bill of D. affinis is longer and stronger than that of

D. pallida, though the bird itself is smaller, and the tarsi cf the latter are longer and stronger

than those of the former.

DRYMOICA CHERINA.—Smirtu.

Aves.—Puiate LXXVII. Fic. 2. (FEMALE.)

D. capite cerviceque profundé rubro-brunneis ; interscapuliis, alarum tectricibus minoribus, remigium

rectriciumque tectricibus brunneis, flayo brunneo-marginatis ; rectricibus profunde brunneis albo-

terminatis et apicibus albis postice fascia lata nigro-brunnea marginatis ; partibus inferioribus flavo-

albis ; rostro superne aurantio-brunnco ; inferne subflavo ; pedibus rubro-flavis.

Loneirvpo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 3 unc. 11 lin. ; caudee 1 unc. 73 lin.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head and the back and the sides of the

neck deep reddish brown, the last named parts lightest; the interscapulars,

the upper tail-coverts, the lesser wing-coverts, quill-coverts, and the tertiary

quill-feathers, umber-brown, the feathers edged and tipped with yellowish

brown. Back yellowish brown, each feather towards quill dull lavender-

purple. The primary and secondary quill-feathers light brownish red, lightest

at the points, the primaries, towards quills, and the secondaries throughout

narrowly margined externally with yellowish grey. Tail-feathers umber-

brown, the two centre feathers tipped narrowly, the others broadly, with white ;

and each, with the exception of the two centre ones, crossed by an umber-

brown bar immediately behind the white tip. The chin, throat, centre of

breast, and belly yellowish white; sides of breast and flanks tinted with

broccoli-brown. Bill,—the upper mandible orange-coloured brown, the lower

mandible light sienna-yellow. Tarsi, toes and claws light reddish yellow.

Form, &c.—Figure slender ; tail very short and rounded ; bill long, nearly

straight, compressed anteriorly, and pointed at the tip, towards the base

triangular. Wings rounded and, when folded, reach over the first half of the

tail, the third, fourth, and fifth quill-feathers equal and longest, the sixth

slightly shorter, the second a little shorter than the sixth, and the first not

quite half the length of the second. Tarsi short, moderately strong, dis-

tinctly scutellated anteriorly, entire posteriorly; toes long and _ slender ;

claws delicate, considerably curved, and pointed.

DRYMOICA CHERINA.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Line

Length from the point of the bill Length of the tarsus ......... 0 94

to the tip of the tail.... 3 1a of the outer toe ........ 0 4.

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ....... 0 53

MOUth reyes sweMeucrene hence 0 73 ofthe inneritee sc, ..01. 0a. 0 34

of the wings when folded .. 1 11 of the hinder toe........ 0 34

ofthe tale. ccerasne cxeustoeys 1 73

Mave.—Not known.

This species occurs within the limits of the Cape Colony; but is a rare bird as compared

with D. textriz. Like the latter, it inhabits situations covered with strong grass, and seeks its

food, which consists of small insects, either on the ground or upon the grass itself, along the

stalks of which it runs with great facility. It also perches upon small shrubs. The absence

of anything like brown spots on the breast forms at once a character by which it is distin-

guishable from D. textrizx, and the colour of the upper parts, added to the greater size of the

bill and feet, constitute diagnostic characters by which it is to be recognized from D. terrestris.

—.

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DRYMOICA ABERRANS.

(Aves_ Plate 78)

DRYMOICA ABERRANS.—Snmiru.

Aves.—Piate LXXVIII. (Femate.)

D. capite cerviceque superne pallide castaneis; dorso griseo-brunneo, flavo-brunneo tincto, et obscure

brunneo strigata; partibus inferioribus pallide viridi-flavis; rectricibus ad apicem pallidis et fasciis

brunneis obscure notatis ; superciliis pallide flavis ; rostro superne aurantio-brunneo, inferne pallide

flavo; pedibus pallide rubro-flavis.

Lonaitupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 2 unc. 83 lin; caudex 8 unc. 2 lin.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head and the back of the neck pale

chesnut-brown, deepened with hyacinth-red ; the interscapulars and feathers

of back intermediate between yellowish and broccoli-brown, each with an

indistinct umber-brown shade in the course of the shaft; the under parts a

pale rusty olive-yellow, the throat and chin lightest; the sides of breast and

the flanks tinged with hair-brown. Lesser wing-coverts dull umber-brown,

edged with dull yellowish brown, The primary, secondary, and tertiary quill

feathers light brownish red; the primaries and secondaries edged towards

quills with pale chesnut-brown ; the tertiaries edged and tipped with dull

yellowish brown. Tail feathers coloured like the back, lightest at the points,

and behind the light points a faint indication on each of a dark spot or bar;

the two middle ones edged externally and internally, the rest only externally

with yellowish brown. Eyebrows pale sienna-yellow, not distinctly in-

dicated. Bill;—upper mandible light orange-coloured brown, shaded with

deep reddish brown, lower mandible straw-yellow. Legs and toes pale red-

dish yellow.

Form.—Figure rather robust; tail lengthened and graduated. Bill rather

strong and moderately acute, the upper mandible considerably curved to-

wards the point; the sides towards base expanded, towards point perpendi-

cular. Wings rounded, and when folded reach rather beyond the first third

of the tail; the fourth and fifth feathers equal and longest, the third and sixth

a little shorter, the second about half an inch shorter than the fourth, and the

first as much shorter than the second; the secondary and tertiary quill feathers

a little shorter than the primaries. Tarsi strong, scutellated anteriorly, entire

DRYMOICA ABERRANS.

posteriorly ; toes moderately long and rather strong; claws short, consider-

ably curved and pointed ; the claw of the hinder toe the strongest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .......... 1 03

the tip of the tail ...... 5 103 of the inner toe ........ 0 3

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ....... 0 51

MOU yanohe ty uel raverels ous 0 8 of the outer toe .. 2.2... 0 3?

of the wings when folded... 2 4 of the hinder toe........ 0 23

Of the tail yee. oieo)o0s) srover ay 3 2

Mave.—Colour of upper surface of head brighter, and the dusky umber-

brown stripes or shades on the back more defined and clearer; in other re-

spects the colours are like those of the female.

The only specimens of this species which I have seen, were shot near Port Natal, while

perched upon some brushwood which skirted a tract of marshy ground. Before they resorted

to the brushwood, they were observed flitting to and fro among strong rushes, as if in quest of

their food, which was found to have consisted of insects.

Although this bird does not exhibit what may be considered all the typical characters of

Drymoica, it must, in my opinion, nevertheless be regarded as appertaining to that genus, and as

being a species which must be ranked as one of the first in the division which includes the

aberrant forms. The species represented in Plates 79 and 80 present characters still more

remote from those of the true Drymoica, yet I cannot bring myself to separate them under

another designation, inasmuch as I cannot discover any characters possessed by them which

render them more distinct from the less perfect forms in the division comprising the typical

species of the genus, than I can perceive between the latter and the more highly typical species.

When the species figured in this number and the preceding are viewed in succession, and when

each species is compared with the one which appears naturally to stand next to it, no such

modifications of structure can be discovered as to justify any one of them being regarded as

appertaining to a form different from the rest.

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erin} bp ai V Ps iiwte| Gapaal i a) “ig aA) aw j ; - , mat 7 =

ite Pros ek jaf Nivwab? wed eyiyhw " ww) thw «& Fuaiaid aad sé, Youral -

fur @@ lm Mul We gadis no ‘ro Bie ‘ saat his

'Wiiep ays “ul! yh # i favmaid ) jp aay’ imal papas anhyd al

t tH 4 ‘tad i rape 4

DRYMOICA CHINIANA.—Smirxu.

Aves.—Puate LXXIX. (Matez.)

D. capite cerviceque superné cinnamomeis, plumis flavo-brunneo-marginatis ; dorso brunneo-rubri, plumis

pallide griseo-brunneo-marginatis ; rectricibus, brunneo-rubris apicibus griseo brunneis et pone fusco-

fasciatis; gula et ventre albis; pectoris ventrisque lateribus griseo-bruneo flavo-tinctis; gutture

pectoreque ochraceo-albis ; rostro superne flavo-brunneo infra subflavo ; pedibus rubro-flavis.

Loneirupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 2 unc. 103 lin; caudex 2 une. 103 lin.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head, and the back and upper parts of

the sides of neck, intermediate between yellowish brown and hyacinth-red

(a bright cinnamon-brown), the feathers narrowly edged and tipped with light

yellowish brown. The interscapulars, the lesser wing coverts, and the

feathers of the back brownish red, each edged and tipped with wood-brown.

Rump and upper tail coverts pale broccoli-brown, the feathers narrowly

edged and tipped with light wood-brown. The primary and secondary quill

coverts umber-brown, the former narrowly edged, externally, and the latter

broadly edged and tipped with wood-brown. The primary and secondary

quill feathers brownish red, the outer vanes of the primaries, towards quills,

broadly edged with yellowish brown, towards the tips narrowly with wood-

brown, the tips the same colour; secondary quill feathers edged externally

with a brighter tint of yellowish brown, and towards and at tips wood-brown ;

the tertiary quill feathers umber-brown, edged and tipped with yellowish

brown, passing, close to margins, into wood-brown; the inner vanes of all

the quill feathers towards base sienna-yellow. Tail,—the two middle

feathers yellowish brown, lightest at the edges, the other feathers light

brownish red, brightened towards edges with yellowish brown, the tips dull

wood-brown, and behind them a broad bar of umber-brown. Chin and

centre of belly white; throat and centre of breast pale ochrey-white; the

side of the neck and breast, the flanks, and the under tail-coverts pale hair-

brown tinged with sienna-yellow. Bill,—upper mandible yellowish brown,

shaded at base and near the tip with dull chesnut-brown; lower mandible

DRYMOICA CHINIANA.

sienna-yellow, shaded near the point with dull chesnut-brown. Tarsi, toes,

and claws reddish yellow, the latter lightest.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust; bill considerably arched, especially

towards the tip, which is pointed; cutting edge of upper mandible entire;

lower mandible slightly curved downwards. Tail rather long and moderately

graduated. Wings rounded, and when folded, reach as far as the com-

mencement of the second fourth of the tail, the fourth quill feather rather

the longest, the third and fifth equal and slightly shorter, the second con-

siderably shorter than the third, and the first about half the length of the

second ; the tertiary quill feathers nearly as long as the primaries. Tarsi

and toes strong and rather short, the former scutellated anteriorly, entire

posteriorly, the hinder toe the most powerful: claws rather short, strong,

much curved and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .......... 0 93

the tip of,tail ..5..... 5 9 of the outer tue......... 0 4

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe........ 0 6

NOMI Nas o3.6.cr0. oo carat 0 73 of the inner toe......... 0 d

of wings when folded..... 2 9 of the hinder toe........ 0 33

Ofstailie wats sete ronedaricesiMonans 2 103

Femarte.—Not known.

Only one specimen of this species was obtained, and that was killed while perched upon

some brushwood growing near the edge of a small stream to the northward of Kurrichane. In

its habits it resembled the species already described, and, at the time it was shot, it was moving

quickly about among the branches apparently in quest of its food, which was found to consist

of insects.

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lesion: Jets (ifort ‘Wit j tiation vend ang “ aged

: “ ¢ alae oleae ae. “Ogtiae ‘Senin tenaiog' hy ie igh wt al yas i ‘bu

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aang il a on 4) be ihaneys at obit nipiky W hop Joho eqs _ aster pts ie ae Sl

— option sata Hi An ve ‘ott Ain’ alt Yo Hiner indie ) Wi hoa eae” PS ;

+ 1%, bam, nie dud ainlach hive Lawyer Ad fora bvlity « U 2a7y pn : > oO

BAN WE Al subs Mok ode AR nt hae chest ott samt viele ghhorhbi gd GPT

test eoiinuriag wily, ea. rip on. qin at wandte “at Mla. evaipeat attr (Autoren an

ow ron Gonilistune ssaned nlt nits vailtoy Him gewrre =m ‘flies

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of a’ Ne nat a lary wl) co 4 ; ; aby ogi’ “tg 7 eh a -

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7 : La: = a a oe a 7 7 —_

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>? 7 : ;

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ia sigh x rdiryoat th Arch nats Baie 2o ty atghe « live ow wiles ws orde ; a -

grate one wells ot i em wilt re foes, ob basal eae gir nit Lape ub fo tela _ bv Op ammeter nail : :

aise sé. nails an, an hep na te oom 4 Tr hice oe all eg) iieoly ve _ uP

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DRYMOICA NATALENSIS.—Snmiru.

Aves.—Priate LXXX. (MAte.)

D. superne flavo-rufus valide brunneo-strigatus ; gula guttureque albis; pectore ventreque subflavis ;

rectricibus rubro-brunneis rubro-aurantio-marginatis et flavo-albo-terminatis, plumis versus apicem

profunde brunneo-fasciatis ; rostro subflavo superne rubro-brunneo-umbrato ; pedibus rubro-aurantiis.

Lonairvpo e rostri apice ad basin caude 3 unc. 11 lin; caude 3 unc. 4 lin.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head, the back and sides of neck, the

interscapulars, the back, the upper.tail-coverts, the lesser wing-coverts, and

the rump intermediate between reddish and buff orange, and each of the

feathers, excepting those of the rump, marked in the course of the shaft with

a broad longitudinal dark umber-brown stripe. Tail feathers reddish brown,

edged with reddish orange, and tipped with pale buff orange; behind each

light tip a broad transverse bar of deep umber-brown, the bars indistinct on

the two centre feathers ; the tips of several of the lateral feathers nearly pure

white. Primary and secondary quill-coverts umber-brown margined and

tipped with pale buff orange. Primary and secondary quill feathers brownish

red, margined, externally, towards quills, with dull reddish orange; tertiary

quill feathers deep umber-brown, margined and tipped with reddish orange.

Chin and throat white; breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts sienna-

yellow, the flanks darkest. Bill pale sienna-yellow, the upper mandible

towards culmen deep reddish brown; legs, toes, and claws pale reddish

orange. ,

Form, &c.—Figure robust and rather squat; tail graduated. Bill strong

and pointed, compressed anteriorly, triangular posteriorly, depth much greater

than breadth; culmen arched from front strongly towards the point; lower

mandible inferiorly, nearly straight, the cutting edge of upper mandible

entire; nostrils narrow, longitudinal, each in a somewhat triangular hollow,

close to base of bill, and superiorly edged with a horny membrane ; some

strong bristles at angles of mouth. Wings rounded, and when folded reach

a little beyond the base of the tail; the fourth, fifth, and sixth quill feathers

DRYMOICA NATALENSIS.

equal and longest; the third and seventh equal and a little shorter; the

second about half an inch shorter than the longest; and the first about half

the length of the second; the tertiary quill feathers nearly as long as the

primaries. Tarsi robust, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire; toes long

and rather strong, particularly the posterior one; claws long, much curved

and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .......... 1 13

the tip of the tail. ..... 7 3 of the outer toe ......... 0 52

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe........ 0 8

TOLLED, sis sesie leuel'tusl «1 orate 0 8} of thesmner toe). <j)2 <'s iene 0 5

of the wings when folded .. 3 04 | of the hinder toe ........ 0 5

(Ofjtheytailuocterenstepetecareiclen: 3 +

Femarte.—Not known.

Inhabits the neighbourhood of Port Natal, and the specimen described was shot upon reeds,

among which it was flitting to and fro in search of insects, which, from the ingesta found in its

stomach, appeared to have been its sole food.

POLY BRB OROIDE,S WYElew.

(Ave late Sl)

POLYBOROIDES TYPICUS.—Smirn.

Aves.—Puates LXXXI. (Aputt FEMALE.)

P. capite, cervice, pectore interscapuliisque cinercis, ferrugineo-tinctis, his lineis rubro-brunneis yer-

miculatis ; dorso ventreque fasciolis albis nigro-brunneisque’ fasciatis ; plumis scapularibus maculis

virido-nigris notatis ; caudd nigro-brunnea purpureo-tincta, versus apicem fascia alba transversa,

versus basin fasciolis duabus aut tribus irregularibus ejusdem coloris ; tarsis compressis reticulatis ;

capitis lateribus nudis ; oculis flavis.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caudee 14 unc. ; caudex 16 une.

Fatco Gymnogrenys, Temm.—PI. col. 307.

PotyBorores Typicus, Smith. —South African Quarterly Journal, March, 1830.

Gymnocenys Mapacascarrensis, Less.—Traité d’Ornith. Paris, Nov. 1850.

Cotour.—The head, neck, breast, interscapulars, scapulars and lesser wing-

coverts, rusty pearl grey, the three last vermiculated transversely with deli-

cate reddish brown lines and several of the scapulars variegated beside near

their tip with a large greenish black blotch. The back, upper tail coverts,

belly, vent, under tail coverts and thighs alternately barred white and liver-

brown, the bars transverse and narrow, and each of the white ones has a fine

prolongation, following in the course of the shaft, directed towards the point of

the feathers. The primary and secondary quill coverts rusty pearl-grey each

with an irregular greenish black blotch towards the point most distinct on the

outer vane, their tips white. The primary quill feathers deep liver-brown

with either a purple or greenish gloss according to the light in which they

are observed, and the tips of all or only part of them white ; the secondaries

towards quills pearl-grey with the inner vanes vermiculated with brownish

red, towards the tips they are greenish black, and the tips themselves are

white margined faintly with yellowish brown. Tail feathers the same colour

as the primary quill feathers, and each is crossed towards the tip with a

broad white bar, and towards the base with two or three narrow irregular ones,

the inner vanes besides are variegated with oblique irregular white lines ; the

broad white bar towards the tip is freely variegated with numerous liver-brown

POLYBOROIDES TYPICUS.

or brownish red lines. Legs and toes light ochre-yellow; claws liver-brown

with a tinge of reddish brown towards the base. Bill liver-brown ; cere, base

of lower mandible, naked space on sides of head, and the eyes yellow.

(Young.) Puare LXXXII.

Front yellowish white sparingly streaked with umber-brown ; the upper

surface of the head and the nape light umber-brown, the feathers of former

broadly, those of latter narrowly edged and tipped with yellowish brown ; the

back and sides of the neck, the interscapulars, the back, the lesser wing coverts

and the secondary quill coverts intermediate between umber and yellowish

brown and faintly glossed with purplish red,—all the feathers narrowly edged

and tipped with yellowish brown. Primary quill coverts liver-brown with a

purplish gloss, and tipped narrowly with yellowish brown ; tertiary quill

feathers dull yellowish brown indistinctly barred with umber-brown. Tail

the same colour as the primary quill feathers and crossed with four dull

yellowish brown bars, each of which is edged anteriorly and posteriorly with

a lighter tint,—the tips of all the feathers yellowish-brown. Chin and throat

yellowish white variegated with longitudinal umber-brown streaks; breast

and belly yellowish brown deadened with umber-brown ; thighs, vent and

under tail coverts pale yellowish brown barred with a colour intermediate be-

tween umber and yellowish brown. ‘Tarsi yellowish white; toes a livid

ochrey white. Cere, base of lower and edges of upper mandible towards base

yellow, the bill elsewhere liver-brown. Eyes yellow.

Form, &c.—Figure slender; head rather small, and its sides before and

behind the eye denuded of feathers ; the feathers of nape and of the back and

sides of the neck rather elongated. Wings long, pointed, and when folded

reach to within two inches of the tip of the tail, the fourth and fifth feathers

the longest, the third and sixth equal and rather shorter, the second about an

inch and a half shorter than the third, and the first about three inches shorter

than the second. Tail large and rounded, or fan-shaped. 'Tarsi and toes ex-

cept the last joint reticulated, the scales of the former rather large, of the latter

small, the last joint of each toe superiorly covered with three or four short

prominent transverse plates ; tarsi compressed; under-surface of toes finely

granular; claws long, pointed, much curved, compressed and moderately

strong. Bill considerably hooked at the point; nostrils situated in the cere

in the form of a longitudinal fissure about half-way between the culmen and

cutting edge of the upper mandible.

POLYBOROIDES

YPLCUS

Pl rte 52

(Youne

, . gate:

a : 7

. | .

: “a

POLYBOROIDES TYPICUS.

DIMENSIONS OF FEMALE.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines

Length from the point of the bill to | Length of the tarsus .......... 4 3

the tip of the tail ...... 30 0 | of the outer toe ........ 1 2

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ....... 1 10

TOOUbH geerei ee cress aise 1 10 of the inner toe 2.2... 1 2

of the wings when folded. .. 16 0 of the hinder toe .... .. 0 11

Ob Ghestallic nates sie eves) -he 16 0

Male.—The exact colours are not known.

This species has a wide range, being found in Madagascar, and throughout the whole of

Africa ; at least I infer the latter from having myself found it in most parts of Southern Africa,

and from having seen good drawings of both the adult and young, which were killed on the

Gold Coast.

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Bei jTge ABs IG polis fro vate Bann. oe tit = CUE id Pa i tne

7 : =e thi Mh eral

—

FRANCOLINUS GARIEPENSIS.

Aves.—Puate LXXXITI.—Mate.

F. fronte, capite, cerviceque superne rubro-brunneis, plumis rubro-aurantio-marginatis ; cervice fasciis

duabus nigro-brunneis albo-maculatis notata, fascia superiore ad basin cervicis desinente ; dorso

aurantio-brunneo, nigro-brunneo, aurantio, et griseo variegato ; gula guttureque superne albis 3 pec-

tore rubro-aurantio, subflavo, et griseo variegato, plumis fasciolis nigro-brunneis notatis ; ventre,

flavo-aurantio, aurantio-rubroque strigato; tarsis pedibusque flavo-aurantiis; rostro brunneo-rubro

versus basin flavo ; oculis brunneo-rubris.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 14 unc. ; caude 3 unc. 9 lin.

Cotour.—The forehead, the upper surface of the head, and the back of

the neck dull reddish brown, all the feathers edged with pale rusty orange,

and some of them towards the back marked in the course of the shaft with

a stripe of a like colour, the proportion of the light tint greatest towards the

interscapulars. The sides of the neck are variegated with two arched liver-

brown bars mottled with white, the upper one originating at the outer

canthus of the eye, the other at the base of the lower jaw; and they are

separated from each other by a rusty orange stripe sparingly mottled with

umber-brown. ‘The superior of these arches terminates towards the base of

the neck, the other joins its fellow of the opposite side, and forms a dark

semicircle in front of the neck, the convexity of which is backwards; the upper-

most arch is separated from the parts of the hind head and neck already

described by a rusty orange band sparingly dotted with brown. The chin

and part of the throat anterior to the dark semicircle white, and the front and

sides of the neck below it, as also the breast a colour intermediate between

orpiment and reddish orange, variegated with longitudinal bars of light cream-

yellow, one on each feather, some of them occupying nearly the entire of the

outer vane, and broken by narrow transverse liver-brown bars ; the tips dull

pearl-grey. Belly mottled with irregular blotches of bright buff-orange, and

a colour intermediate between orpiment and reddish orange; thighs and

FRANCOLINUS GARIEPENSIS.

under tail coverts light buff-orange faintly barred with umber-brown. Intersca-

pular and back variegated with bright orange-brown, liver-brown, light buff-

orange, and dull pearl-grey,—the buff-orange in narrow stripes, one along the

centre of each feather, the liver-brown in transverse bars, which are both be-

fore and behind edged with reddish orange ; the pearl-grey towards and at the

tips of the feathers in many specimens fades into white. The lesser wing

coverts are barred both longitudinally and transversely with buff-orange, and

each bar is edged with liver-brown,—on these feathers the pearl-grey is more

distinct than on those of the back. Primary and secondary quill feathers

dull umber-brown, the former finely freckled with small buff-orange spots,

the latter with pale reddish orange bars which change into white towards the

edges of the outer vanes, the inner vanes towards quills light orange-red ;

the tertiaries and scapulars with a reddish orange line in the course of their

shaft, and barred transversely with the same colour, each bar being edged

before and behind with liver-brown, and between the edgings the colour is

a light pearly grey, finely mottled with umber-brown. Tail umber-brown,

with waved, transverse, reddish orange bars, the feathers, particularly at the

tips, tinted with pearl-grey. The edge of the upper mandible towards its

base, and the base of the lower one reddish yellow, elsewhere brownish

red. Legs and toes a rusty buff-orange; claws brownish-red ; the base of

the spur reddish yellow, the remainder brownish red. Eyes deep

brownish red.

Form, &c.— Figure moderately robust; head rather small; bill much

arched towards the point, the upper mandible considerably longer than

the lower, and obtuse at the point. Wings rounded, and when folded reach

a little beyond the base of the tail; the third quill feather the longest, the

second and fourth a little shorter, the first about an inch shorter than the

second ; tertiaries and scapulars nearly as long as the primaries. Tail rather

long and rounded at the tip. Tarsi compressed, anteriorly coated with large

scales, laterally with small scales, and behind with scales of an intermediate

size. Toes slender, with rudimentary webs ; claws slightly curved, rather

slender, and blunt at the point ; spur originating on the inner and posterior

aspect of the tarsus is short, curved, and towards the point turned obliquely

upwards.

FRANC OLINUS

( Arxrpe

GARIEPENSIS. (Female)

Plate 84

FRANCOLINUS GARIEPENSIS.

Female.—The colours and the manner in which they are distributed are

nearly the same as in the Male; the tints however are less bright, and the

depth of the colours are not so great ; the tarsus is without a spur.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ......... «I 10

the tip of tail ........ 14 0 of the outer toe... ... neeree) 7%

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe........ 0 10

TOW: spi) state heusl cste.ce 6 1 4 of the inner toe......... 0 63

of the wings when folded .. 6 9 of the hinder toe........ 0 3

Of the: tall i o.c,sec-ens 8 9 of the spur ........ - 0 4

This species bears a strong similarity to F'rancolinus Levaillantii, but the points in which it

differs are readily discovered when specimens of both are viewed together, or when representations

of each are placed in contrast. The difficulty of discriminating between these so nearly allied

species without the aid of illustrations, has induced me to re-figure #’, Levaillantii, and the

leading differences will be found particularized in the observations following the description

of that species. The F'. Gariepensis occurs towards the sources of the Caledon and Vaal

Rivers, and is generally if not always found upon open grassy slopes, in which situations its

call, especially in the mornings and evenings, is very frequently heard, and it seems to be

uttered as it rapidly pursues its course among the grass which generally abounds where

it resorts.

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apnstlh ers wit ahi atta) Ghelie® ope FU a i maya try Hip 0 Gb hie, ee ; ina, py

ll “ hone pete Wiilig hie’ 4) Mie ‘We aii whl Byinory fay ry Fray roy rin "

7 hi peiibeail): me iQue a SHAG Hain ty ihe Caja Maeileal wife my line 1F olna a, thy ser aly, apooittl

. #2 a ee AT iat bs ibrinn| ea ¥ Ors ‘eituse# Baas fin a eis ae 1 aad i oe li t

eel ei, cong o Negi (ii 7 i ah a) aa 10he~ 7 ab Zz it - ney hy ALT ae und

PRN GOIN oe TEVA Tie Aen sina)

Aves__Plate. 85

FRANCOLINUS LEVAILLANTII.

Aves.—Piate LXXXV. (Femate.)

F. capite superne brunneo-rubro, plumis brunneo-flavo marginatis ; cervice pallide cinnamomed fasciis

nigro-brunneis albo maculatis tribus longitudinalibus variegata, quarum una inter nucham et intersca-

pulium ; dorso nigro brunneo, griseo, flavo-auranteo, et rubro-aurantio variegato ; pectore ventreque pal-

lide rubro-aurantiis, subflavo strigato, plumis versus apicem nigro-brunneo-fasciolatis ; tarsis pedibusque

ochreis ; rostro rubro-brunneo versus basin flavo ; oculis vivide rubro-aurantiis.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caudie 14 unc. 6 lin. ; caude 2 une. 6 lin.

Perpix Levariiantul, Temm. PI. color. pl. 477.

Cotour.—The front and upper parts of the head brownish red, the feathers

edged and tipped with brownish yellow. The neck light reddish orange,

rather bright, and variegated by three moderately broad liver-brown bands,

spotted with white; one from the nape to the interscapular and widening as

it approaches the latter, the other two, one on each side, arise immediately

behind the base of the upper mandible, pass under the eyes, then take a

semicircular course and terminate in an expanded blotch, which is coloured

and variegated like themselves, and situated immediately in front of the breast.

Interscapulars and back varied liver-brown, dull pearl-grey, buff-orange,

and reddish orange ; the buff-orange is in the form of longitudinal stripes,

the reddish orange in narrow transverse lines, and the grey is chiefly disposed

towards the tips of the feathers. Breast and belly light reddish orange,

each feather with a longitudinal clear senna-yellow stripe, and semi-trans-

verse or oblique liver-brown bars near the tip, the latter is faintly tinted

with pearl-grey. The outer vanes of the primary and secondary quill

feathers, and a portion of their inner vanes towards the tips are deep reddish

orange, elsewhere dull brown, speckled with light reddish orange. Tail umber-

brown, and crossed with narrow lines of clear buff-orange, each line edged

before and behind with liver-brown. Thighs pale brownish yellow, barred

with reddish brown. Legs and toes ochre-yellow. Claws brownish yellow,

shaded with reddish brown. Bill reddish brown, with the base of the lower

and the margin of the upper mandible near its cutting edge yellow. Eyes

bright reddish orange.

FRANCOLINUS LEVAILLANTII.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust. Head small. Bill long and

slightly arched, the upper mandible much longer than the lower, flattened

and spatulate towards the point, the latter obtuse and semicircular. Wings

rounded, and when folded reach a little beyond the base of the tail; the

fourth, fifth, and sixth quill feathers longest, the second and third rather

shorter, and the first a little shorter than the second. Tail rather short and

rounded at the point. Tarsi compressed and reticulated, the scales in front

large, those behind rather smaller, and what cover the sides the smallest.

Toes moderately strong, with distinct rudimentary webs, the web between

the outer and middle toes well developed. Claws considerably curved, rather

strong and blunt at the points.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .......... 2 0

the tip of the tail ..... 14 6 of the outer toe ....+... 0 11

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ....... 1 2

MOUtDMe ceed emenchetetelel © 1 8 of the inner toe...... Soe) 84

of the wings when folded .. 6 6 of the hinder toe... . . bey. Wt) 34

Ofthexcallmeweraedctens sfadene’s 2 6

Male.—Colours nearly the same as those of the female. In some speci-

mens each sex has the tarsi armed with a spur, in others that appendage is not

found in either.

Specimens of this Francolin are found in many districts of the Cape Colony; but the num-

bers are greatest towards the sea-coasts, and in the eastern parts of the settlement. They

occur chiefly in open grassy plains; and they seek their food, which consists in a great mea-

sure of small bulbous roots, among the herbage. When they are disturbed in their favourite

localities, they generally seek concealment in whatever brushwood may exist in the neighbour-

hood ; and when once they reach the cover it is no easy matter to get them again on the wing.

They continue motionless even though the copse be beaten by dogs; and as they perch on

such occasions, they are rarely discovered but by the hunters, who look for them among the

branches.

This species manifests a considerable resemblance to F’rancolinus Gariepensis ; but when

the two are contrasted many marked differences are palpable. The arrangement and tints of

the colours, if no better character existed, would even evince that they are not identical ;

but there are more palpable and ready diagnostics by which each is to be recognised. The

bill of #. Levaillantii is much longer and stronger than that of F. Gariepensis ; the number

and distribution of bands on the neck are different, the tarsi are considerably longer, the feet

larger, and the tail is shorter.

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ARDEA ATRICOLLIS. A Adult .B.Young

(Aves —_ Plate 36)

ARDEA ATRICOLLIS.—Femate.

Aves.—Puiate LXXXVI.

Capite, crista, cerviceque superne Viridi-nigris ; gula guttureque summo albis; gutture infimo albo nigro-

striato ; interscapuliis nigro-purpureis viride nitentibus; pectore ventreque flavo-cinereis ; tarsis

pedibusque viridi-nigris; mandibuld superiore antice purpureo brunnea ; spatio nudo circa oculos

flavo ; mandibula inferiore antice brunnea, postice flava.

Lonaitupo e rostri apice ad basin caulee 35 unc.; caude 7 une.

Arpra Arricottis, Wagler, Syst. Avium, pars prima.

Cotour.—The upper and lateral parts of the head, the nape, the crest

feathers, and the sides and back of the neck deep black glossed with green,

the latter, particularly towards the interscapulars, lightest and faintly tinted

with grey. Interscapulars deep blackish purple, with a greenish gloss ; the

back rusty pearl-grey. Tail blackish purple, glossed with green. The lesser

wing coverts dark pearl-grey, tinged more or less with a rusty yellowish

brown ; the outer vanes of the primary and secondary quill coverts pearl-

grey, the inner vanes dark lavender-purple, fading towards the quills into

white. The outer vanes of the primary quill feathers a deep lavender-purple,

the inner vanes blackish purple tinted with brown, which towards the points

fades into lavender-purple ; the secondary quill feathers blackish purple

glossed with green; the tertiaries deep lavender-purple; the scapular

feathers deep lavender-purple, glossed with green. The chin, the upper parts

of the throat, and the sides of the neck pure white ; the middle of the throat

white, longitudinally streaked with black glossed with green ; lower parts of

the throat white, sparingly streaked with faint blackish lines ; the long feathers

pendent from the front and sides of the neck near to the breast pearl-grey, varie-

gated with yellowish grey, and some of them streaked with white. The breast,

belly, vent, and under tail coverts intermediate between pearl and yellowish

grey, the under tail coverts darkest. Thighs yellowish grey. The naked

ARDEA ATRICOLLIS.

portion of the tibia, the tarsi, toes, and claws, greenish black. The base of the

upper mandible, and the bare space before and behind each eye, gamboge-

yellow, the remainder of the mandible liver-brown ; the lower mandible towards

the tip reddish-brown, elsewhere light-yellow. Eyes gamboge-yellow.

Young.

The upper surface of the head and the back, and the sides of the neck,

pearl-grey, with more or less of a rusty tint ; the sides of the head pearl-grey,

tinted with greyish black ; interscapulars pearl-grey, strongly tinted with

clove-brown, and glossed with green. The scapulars and lesser wing coverts

rusty pearl-grey ; the primary quill feathers coloured as in the adult, only the

tint not so vivid; the outer vanes of all the secondaries edged with pearl-grey ;

edges of the shoulder and axilla white; the outer vanes of the false wing

feathers greenish black, the inner ones pearl-grey. Chin, sides of neck

anteriorly, and throat rusty-white, the latter marked with a distinct longi-

tudinal stripe of light yellowish brown; lower part of throat and_ breast

pale pearl-grey with a rusty tinge; belly and vent yellowish white; outer

sides of thighs pearl-grey tinted with yellowish grey. Bill and legs coloured

like those of the adult, only the reddish-brown tint is more distinct.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust, resembling that of the common heron

(Ardea major) ; head bushy and with two or three feathers, each about six

inches in length, hanging from the nape. Bill rather short, very strong,

and pointed, the lower mandible rather longer than the upper. Wings

rounded, and when folded, reach nearly to the tip of the tail, the second

quill feather rather the longest, the first, third, and fourth rather shorter

and equal, the remainder rather shorter, and not quite so long as the

secondaries; the tertiary quill-feathers about an inch and a half shorter

than the primaries. The scapulars nearest to the centre of the back

elongated, many of them extending considerably beyond the base of the

tail, and are narrow, pointed, and somewhat decomposed. The feathers of

the sides of the neck in front of the wings are long, pointed, and pendent

in front of the breast. Tail short and nearly equal, or only slightly rounded.

Tarsi and toes robust, the former reticulated with large scales, the latter

coated with transverse plates ; about an inch and a half of the lower part of

tibia bare and covered with small scales. Claws strong, slightly curved, and

pointed ; the outer and middle ones connected at the base by a distinct

rudimentary web ; the hinder claw the longest, strongest, and most curved,

ARDEA ATRICOLLIS,

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ...............++. 53710

the tip of the tail ............ 85 0 OULED LOC) caneseniesiesaiare 2 4

of the bill to the angle of the middle toe ............ 2 10

MOUNT sox seats deseo ne cwstacce 5. Gi INMCT COC ac cs satessaesiees 2 0

of the wings when folded ...... 16 =O hindertoes iecensanses'es 1 3

Ol the tall vtsssssaosse sean 7 O

Mare.—The exact colours not known.

This bird is seldom seen in South Africa, and all the specimens which came under my

observation were procured on the western coast of the Colony, towards the mouth of the

Orange River. It builds its nest upon trees, and the only adult specimen I myself obtained

was shot on leaving its nest, which was situated on the top of a tree immediately above one

of a bird of prey. The nest contained two young ones, and an addled egg; the latter was

of a greenish white colour.

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Ze CORSE AND ASA Gik dae

(Aves___ Plate 5 7.)

ALAUDA CODEA.—Snmirtu.

Aves.—Piate LXXXVII. Fic. 1. (FEMALE.)

A. supra flayo-grisea brunneo-strigata ; gula guttureque albis ; pectore albo, brunneo-rubro-strigata ;

yentre rufo-albo; superciliis albis ; rostro pedibusque aurantio-brunneis, brunneo-rubro-umbratis.

Lonarrupo é rostri apice ad basin caude 3 unc. 9 lin.; caude 2 une. 9 lin.

Corour.—The upper surface of the head, neck, and body rusty yellowish

grey, the head, neck, and interscapulars variegated with longitudinal

streaks of brownish red, washed or tinted with yellowish grey. Chin and

throat pure white; breast white, mottled with spots or stripes of brownish

red; belly rusty white, the flank tinted with pale brown; thighs wood-brown.

Lesser wing coverts and primary and secondary quill coverts brownish red,

edged and tipped with white ; primary and secondary quill feathers the same

colour, the outer vanes of the primaries towards their base narrowly edged with

white, the secondaries edged externally and tipped with white ; tertiary quill

feathers umber-brown, edged and tipped with white. The two middle tail

feathers reddish brown, glossed with grey, the rest umber-brown, and all, but

particularly the external one of each side, edged and tipped with rusty white.

Under tail coverts white, streaked with brownish red. Eyebrows white ;

ear coverts intermediate between broccoli and light orange-coloured brown.

Bill, legs, toes, and claws deep orange-coloured brown, shaded with brownish

red, the lower mandible towards the base sienna-yellow.

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender: head rather small and towards nape

full of feathers. Bill moderately long, subconical, and nearly straight ; the

culmen towards the tip much arched, lower mandible towards the point slightly

curved. Wing rounded, and when folded reaches a little beyond the first

half of the tail 5 the tertiary quill feathers rather longer than the secondaries,

and slightly shorter than the primaries, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth

primary quill feathers equal and longest, the second a little shorter, and the

ALAUDA CODEA.

first not quite half the length of the second. Tail even, or very slightly

rounded. “arsi moderately strong, and anteriorly and posteriorly scutellated ;

toes rather short and slender; the claws of front toes short, slightly curved,

and slender, the claw of hinder toe long, slender, and a little curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus........... 1 0

MNO ogddcaced 6 6 of the outer toe......... 0 4

mde iL Sas aa dega Ah c 0 9 of the middle toe........ 0 53

of the wings when folded .. 3 6 of the inner toe......... 0 4

Olathe stalliewen. clcac Met ecetenedete 2 9 of the hinder toe ........ 0

Male.—The only male specimen of this species which I obtained in South

Africa had not attained to the adult plumage ; the grey of the upper parts was

strongly tinged with rufous, and the rump and upper tail coverts were almost

entirely of that tint ; the lower part of the throat was, like the breast, streaked

with brownish red, and the bill was considerably shorter than in adult females,

more conical, and the culmen towards the point less curved.

This species is sparingly scattered over the Western districts of the Cape Colony, and is

generally found upon the Karroo plains between the Oliphant and Orange Rivers. The specimens

I observed were in localities thinly furnished with low brushwood, and they rarely failed, when

they were disturbed in these situations, to fly to a distance, and then perch upon the summit

of some dwarf shrub, from whence they might ensure a view of any person who might follow

them.

The bill in adult specimens of this species has considerable similarity to that of the Certhi-

laude ; and were the nostrils not covered with recumbent wiry bristles, it would be difficult

to point out any very palpable character by which it could be distinguished from the bill of

a species of that subdivision.

ALAUDA LAGEPA,.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puiate LXXXVII. Fic. 2. (MAte.)

A. supra ferruginea, fusco-virgata ; infra alba, pectore fusco-strigato ; remigibus rectricibusque brunneis

rufo-marginatis ; superciliis albis ; rostro rubro-brunneo ; oculis brunneis ; pedibus flavo-brunneis

carneo-tinctis.

Lonairupo é rostri apice ad basin caudee 3 une. 4 lin.; caude 3 unc.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head, neck, and back, intermediate

between brownish and reddish orange, and variegated with short streaks of

umber-brown, each feather having a stripe of that colour in the course of

the shaft,—the stripes of the head and interscapulars darkest and best

marked. The under parts white, streaked on the throat, breast, and flanks

with umber-brown,—the streaks largest and most numerous on the breast.

The lesser wing coverts anteriorly marked like the feathers of the back, the

hinder ones, together with the primary and secondary quill coverts, and the

tertiary quill feathers umber-brown edged, and tipped with sienna-yellow.

The primary and secondary quill feathers intermediate between broccoli and

umber-brown, the former towards the base and the latter throughout the whole

length of outer veins edged with reddish orange, towards the margin fading

into sienna-yellow. Tail feathers the same colour as the primary quill

feathers, the two outermost of each side darkest, almost umber-brown, the

two middle feathers have each vane edged with light reddish orange, the

remainder have only the outer vein narrowly edged with that colour. Under

tail coverts white, each with a clear reddish orange stripe in the course of the

shaft. Bill light reddish brown, the lower mandible towards base pale buff

orange. Eyes bright brown ; eyebrows rusty white. Legs and toes interme-

diate between broccoli and yellowish brown, and tinted with flesh-red ; claws

light reddish brown.

ALAUDA LAGEPA.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust. Head rather large ; bill elongated,

subconical, rather slender and pointed, the culmen slightly arched from the

base ; wings rounded, and when folded, reach to the commencement of the

second third of the tail, the fourth and fifth quill feathers equal and longest,

the third rather shorter than the fourth, the second shorter in a like propor-

tion to the third, the first about an inch in length; the tertiary quill feathers

rather shorter than the primary ones, and slightly longer than the secondary

quill feathers. Tail even, or very slightly rounded. ars and toes short, and

moderately strong, the former anteriorly and posteriorly scutellated ; claws of

front toes short, and slightly curved, claw of hinder toe elongated, slender,

and slightly arched.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ........... 0 104

the tip of the tail ...... 6 6 of the outer toe! ..c.clweie see 0 3

Ofsthesbille even tye Benciele ue 0 9 of the middle toe........ 0 5

of the wings when folded... 3 1 OLthesinnerstOchisteucske ds ene 0 3

ofithestailisye wines eke eeuet ones 2 103 of the hinder toe. ....... 0 3

of the claw of hinder toe... 0 Ad

The colours of the female the same as those of the male only not so bright.

This species is thinly distributed between the Berg and Orange Rivers, close to the western

coast, and specimens are usually found on sandy or Karroo plains, which are sparingly covered

with brushwood. It whistles occasionally in the mornings, soars like true larks, and on

descending from its aérial flights, commonly perches on the shrub nearest to the point where it

descends. It consumes as food seeds and small insects.

1. MIRAFRA AFRICANA

2 MIRAFRA APICANOIDES

(Aves Plate 85.)

MIRAFRA AFRICANA.—Snmirta.

Aves.—Puate LXXXVIII. Fic. 1.

M. supra fusca; capitis cervicisque plumis rubro-aurantio, dorsi plumis sordide albo griseove mar-

ginatis: gula guttureque albis; pectore pallide rubro-aurantio, maculis fuscis variegato; ventre

subflavo rubro-aurantio-tincto ; remigibus primariis secondariisque versus basin rubro-aurantio-

marginatis ; rostro flavo-brunneo, castaneo-umbrato ; pedibus subflavis, carneo-tinctis.

Lonaitupo é rostri apice ad basin caude 5 une. 2 lin.; caude 2 une. 4 lin.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head streaked liver-brown and clear

reddish orange, the edges of the feathers, particularly of those towards the

nape, being of the latter colour; back and sides of neck umber-brown, with

the edges of each feather either reddish orange or sienna-yellow. Back

liver-brown, the feathers edged broadly and tipped narrowly either with rusty

white or rusty grey,—the latter most abundant and distinct on the rump and

upper-tail coverts. Chin and commencement of throat white; middle of

throat and sides of neck immediately behind ear-coverts white, mottled with

small, triangular, umber-brown spots. Breast anteriorly sienna-yellow, pos-

teriorly light reddish orange, and each feather is marked, in the course of

the shaft, with a narrow liver-brown stripe which expands towards the point

of the feather into an angular spot. Belly sienna-yellow, tinted with reddish

orange; the under tail coverts cream-yellow. The lesser wing coverts are

reddish orange towards the edges, greyish brown along the shaft; the

primary quill coverts intermediate between orpiment and reddish orange, and

each is marked with a liver-brown line following the course of the shaft;

the outer vanes of the secondary quill feathers are brownish grey edged with

rusty white, the inner vanes towards the shaft liver-brown, elsewhere colored

like the primary quill coverts. Primary quill feathers towards base reddish

orange, shaded with deep reddish orange, towards points intermediate

between broccoli and umber-brown ; secondaries coloured like the primaries,

and towards and at the tip edged with rusty white ; tertiary quill feathers

MIRAFRA AFRICANA.

pale orange-coloured brown, more or less shaded with dark liver-brown, and

each distinctly edged with white, the inner margin of which is bounded by

a dark liver-brown line. Tail intermediate between umber and _ broccoli-

brown, the outer vanes of the two lateral feathers of each side cream-yellow.

Eyebrows sienna-yellow ; eyes clear brown. Bill clear yellowish brown,

shaded with chesnut-brown. Legs, toes, and claws intermediate between

buff orange and flesh-red.

Form, &c.—Figure rather full. Head small; bill lengthened, subconical,

moderately strong, and the culmen towards tip slightly curved; nostrils

uncovered. Wings rounded, and when folded, reach nearly to the middle

of the tail, the fifth quill feather rather the longest, the third and fourth

equal and scarcely shorter than the fifth, the second about three lines shorter

than the third, and the first not exceeding an inch in length; the tertiary

and secondary quill feathers nearly of equal length, and about half an inch

shorter than the primaries. Tail slightly rounded. Legs and toes stout, the

former anteriorly and posteriorly scutellated ; claws of anterior toes, short,

rather strong, and slightly curved, claw of hinder toe long, slender, pointed,

and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsi ............ 1 3

the tip of the tail ...... 7 6 of the outer toe........- 0 33

Oljthebillerewceee- te eee atone 0 10 of the middle toe ........ 0 6

of the wings when folded... 3 9 of thesnner toe) =. 6 casi © one 0 33

GeMois cosecodovoms 2 4 of the hinder toe ........ 0 33

of the claw of hinder toe... 0 6

The colours in both sexes are the same,—only those of the male are

brightest.

This bird, as far as my experience goes, is principally confined to the Eastern districts of the

Cape Colony, and specimens are most readily procured upon the grassy plains which exist near

Algoa Bay, or between it and Graham’s Town. Over these flats it is thinly distributed, and

rarely are more than two individuals found together. It feeds upon seeds and small insects.

MIRAFRA AFRICANOIDES.—Smriru.

Aves.—Puate LXXXVIII. Fic. 2.

A. supra fusca, plumis rufo-marginatis, subtus rufo-alba, pectore parcé fusco maculato ; remigibus griseo-

fuscis versus basin ferrugineis ; cauda fusca, rectrice utriusque lateris exterd albo-marginata ; rostro

flavo-brunneo, brunneo-tincto ; pedibus unguibusque pallide rubro-flavis.

Loneitupo é rostri apicé ad basin caudee 3 unc, 6 lin. ; caud 2 une. 6 lin.

CoLour.—Head superiorly umber-brown, all the feathers edged and nar-

rowly tipped with a tint intermediate between reddish and orpiment-orange ;

back and sides of neck dirty pale umber-brown, each feather edged and tipped

with wood-brown ; the interscapulars and back dull umber-brown, the feathers

edged with light reddish orange ; rump and upper tail coverts greyish brown,

all the feathers narrowly edged with rusty white. The chin, throat, breast,

and belly rusty white, the sides of the breast and flanks tinted with reddish

orange, and the middle of the breast sparingly mottled with sub-triangular,

pale, umber-brown spots ; under tail coverts pure white. The lesser wing

coverts dull umber-brown, edged with reddish orange; the primary and

secondary quill coverts coloured the same, and towards the tips are edged with

sienna-yellow ; the primary, secondary, and tertiary quill feathers inter-

mediate between broccoli and umber-brown, excepting the outer vanes of all

but the two outermost towards their base, and the edges of the inner vanes

of all but the first primary quill feather, which are intermediate between

broccoli and orange-red ; the tertiaries edged and tipped with reddish orange,

which at their margin fade into wood-brown. ‘Tail, excepting the two middle

feathers, umber-brown edged with wood-brown, most distinct on the outer

vane of the outermost feather of each side, the two middle feathers inter-

mediate between broccoli and umber-brown. Eyebrows white ; eyes light

chesnut; ear coverts between orpiment and orange-red. Bill yellowish

brown, shaded on the culmen with brownish red. TYarsi and toes sienna-

yeliow, brightened with flesh-red.

MIRAFRA AFRICANOIDES.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately stout. Bill conical, strong, and rather

elongated; the nostrils uncovered. Wings rounded, and when folded, reach

to the last third of the tail, the third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers equal

and longest, the second a little shorter than the third, the first about an

inch and a half shorter than the second. Tail even, or slightly emarginate.

Legs and toes robust; the tarsi anteriorly and posteriorly scutellated ; claws

of anterior toes short, rather strong, and slightly pointed ; the claw of hinder

toe slender, slightly curved, and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsi ........--.-. 1 1

the tip of the tail...... 6 0 Of, thesouber) tOereisy- a -isite alone 0 23

Hei Hill Aion og o pools 6 0 63 of the middle toe......... 0 44

of the wings when folded ... 3 6 Olthelinnertocenwetee tones 0 23

Ofitheitaill saeners- eros ts cetees 2 6 of the hinder toe..... oe 10 2

of the claw of hinder toe.... 0 4

The female is coloured like the male, only the tints are less bright.

Specimens of this bird are occasionally to be procured to the south of the Orange River, but

most readily on the arid open plains which lie between that river and the tropic of Capricorn.

The colours of the primary and secondary quill feathers, and their distribution, are the same

in this and the last described species ;_ but in other respects the differences are palpable. The

present species, besides being considerably smaller than the last described, has longer wings

in proportion to its size, and a shorter, stronger, and more conical bill. The colours of the

under parts, as well as of the tertiary quill feathers and the outer vane of the outermost

feather of each side of the tail, are very different.

MIRAFRA SABOTA.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate LXXXIX, Fic. 1. (FEMALE.)

M. supra fusea, plumis ferrugineo-marginatis; infra rubro-alba, pectore lateribusque rubro-aurantio-

tinctis; gutturis imo pectoreque fusco-conspersis ; ulis fuscis, pennis rufo-marginatis ; rectricibus,

duabus mediis exceptis, profunde fuscis rufo-albo-marginatis, duabus mediis rubro-brunneis rubro-

aurantio-marginatis ; mandibuld superiore apiceque inferioris rubro-brunneis, hac versus basin

subflava ; pedibus subflavis carneo-tinctis.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 3 unc. 10 lin. ; caude 2 une. 3 lin.

Cotour.—The feathers of the upper surface of the head, of the back

and sides of the neck towards the body, of the interscapular region, and of

the back and rump umber-brown, broadly edged and tipped with clear

reddish orange, fading at their margins into rusty white or pale wood-brown ;

the feathers of the back and sides of the neck, towards the nape, umber-

brown, narrowly edged and tipped with rusty white or cream yellow. The

chin, throat, breast and belly rusty white, the former and the flanks

tinted more or less strongly with reddish orange, and the breast, and

the lower part of the throat, mottled with umber-brown stripes ; thighs pale

reddish orange. The lesser wing coverts, the primary and secondary quill

coverts, and the tertiary quill feathers, umber-brown, broadly edged and

tipped with a colour intermediate between orpiment and reddish orange,

which tint, in many of the feathers, fades at the very edges into sienna-yellow

or rusty wood-brown ; the primary and secondary quill feathers intermediate

between broccoli and reddish brown, the primaries, towards the base and at the

point, narrowly edged externally with wood-brown, the secondaries edged

externally throughout and tipped with sienna-yellow or rusty white, the

inner vanes of both, towards the quills, pale pearl-grey. The two middle

tail feathers reddish brown, edged and tipped with rusty reddish orange, the

rest of the tail feathers umber-brown, narrowly edged and tipped with wood-

MIRAFRA SABOTA.

brown, the edging of the outermost feathering of each side broadest, and of

a rusty tint. Eyebrows and under eyelids pale cream-yellow ; ear coverts

dull reddish orange, tinged with reddish brown. Bill, upper mandible and

tip of lower, light reddish brown, rest of lower sienna-yellow. Legs, toes,

and claws sienna-yellow, tinted with flesh-red; claws faintly shaded with

light reddish brown.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust. Head small ; bill moderately long

and subconical, the culmen considerably curved towards the tip. Wings

rounded, and when folded reach to the commencement of the second half of

the tail, third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers nearly equal and longest, second

alittle shorter than the third, the first rudimentary ; the tertiary quill feathers

nearly as long as the primaries, and longer than the secondaries. Tail even,

or in the slightest degree rounded. 7V'ars¢ and toes robust, the latter anteriorly

and posteriorly scutellated ; claws of the front toes short, strong, and slightly

curved ; claw of the hinder toe long, rather slender, and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ........... 1 0

the tip of the tail....... 6 1 Of thevoutertoe aie e.c le ele) elles e 0 3}

rime! sooogesonuecc 0 73 of the middle toe......... 0 53

of the wings when folded ... 38 3 Of: theninner/GOe er. 1s cclsiiels sic 0 3y

Ofsthevtatleenessieieiclehehelcnenel = 2 3 of the hinder toe......... 0 3

of the hinder claw ........ 0 3

The male is coloured like the female, only the tints are clearer.

This lark was procured on the arid Karroo plains north of Latakoo, and was found in

tolerable abundance towards the tropic of Capricorn. It was generally observed in localities

abounding with small shrubs, on which it was frequently observed to perch, particularly in

the early part of the morning, when it was in the habit of practising, like its congeners, vertical

flights into the air. It whistles occasionally, especially when perched upon the underwood ;

but there is nothing in its note to attract attention.

This species, in point of size, resembles Mirafra Africanoides, but is readily distinguished

from it by its not having the quill feathers broadly edged with reddish orange.

MIRAFRA CHENIANA.—(Ma te.)

Aves. Pruatre LXXXIX. Fie. 2.

M. supra fusca, plumis rufo-albo-marginatis ; infra rufo-alba, gutturis imo pectoreque fusco notatis ;

remigibus rubro-aurantio-marginatis; rectricibus duabus externis rufo-albis, fusco-variegatis; rostro

supra brunneo-rubro, subtus subflavo; pedibus subflavis carneo-tinctis.

Lonaitupo e rostri apice ad basin caudee 3 unc. 44 lin. ; caude 1 unc. 11+ lin.

Cotour.—Ma.e.—The upper surface of the head intermediate between

liver and umber-brown, all the feathers edged with rufous white; back and

sides of neck dull umber-brown, each feather edged either with rusty white

or wood-brown ; interscapulars, back, and rump umber-brown, the feathers

edged and tipped with greyish white, tinted with pale reddish orange. Chin

and throat white, speckled with umber-brown ; breast and flanks pale reddish

orange, the former variegated with short umber-brown stripes ; middle of belly

and vent cream-yellow ; under tail coverts white. The lesser wing coverts,

the primary and secondary quill coverts, and the tertiary quill feathers

umber-brown, edged and tipped with a colour intermediate between orpiment

and reddish orange, the very tips of the feathers nearly pure white; primary

and secondary quill feathers intermediate between reddish and_broccoli-

brown,—the outer vanes of the primaries towards the base and the whole

length of the secondary edged like the quill coverts, and all more or less

completely tipped with white ; the inner edges of inner vanes towards base

light cream-yellow. The two middle tail feathers the colour of the primary

quill feathers, narrowly edged with rusty white, the three next on each side

umber-brown, the outermost one distinctly edged with white ; the two outer-

most of each side white, with more or less of the inner edges of inner vanes

umber-brown. Eyebrows sienna-yellow ; ear coverts pale reddish orange,

tinted with umber-brown. The upper mandible deep brownish red, lower

mandible sienna-yellow. Legs, toes, and claws pale buff orange, tinged with

flesh-red.

MIRAFRA CHENIANA.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust. Head small; bill short, stout, conical,

and pointed, the culmen arched from the base. Wings rounded, and when

folded reach beyond the commencement of the second third of the tail, the

third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers equal and longest, the second slightly

shorter, and the first rudimentary ; the tertiary quill feathers nearly as long

as the primaries, and rather longer than the secondaries. Tail even, or very

slightly rounded. arst short and rather strong, anteriorly and posteriorly

scutellated ; toes moderately long and rather slender; the claws of the fore

toes short, slender, and slightly curved, the claw of the hinder toe rather

long, strong, and nearly straight.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus..:....-..-. 0 9

the tip of the tail....... 5 4 of the outer toe ...-..... 0 34

GLU wWss Gogeoasocud 0 > of the middle toe ........ 0 5

of the wings when folded... 2 1 of the inner toe ........- 0 33

Olethentailltwarstep tate ts tote ote 1 111 of the hinder toe ........ 0 3

of the claw of hinder toe ... 0 4

A second adult specimen of this species was obtained, but its sex was not

recorded. In size it was rather superior to the male specimen just described,

and the feathers of the upper parts are broadly edged with a colour

intermediate between orpiment and reddish orange ; the latter colour on the

breast is also much darker ; in other respects the two are similar.

Only a few individuals of this species were seen, and those upon the extensive grassy plains

to the northward and eastward of Latakoo. It is a species which seems to prefer situations

which abound in long and rank grass, among which it runs like the quail, and flies like it

when disturbed to a short distance, and then suddenly descends, after which it cannot again be

got to take wing unless by the aid of dogs. It feeds upon seeds and small insects.

] GE REM EAU rAS (NP iRanGiknN

(oq AGE SCAN RIM LY NIU DIN SBMS LENO MR (OLINP INE IN

(Aves Plate 90)

CERTHILAUDA AFRICANA.

Aves.—Puiate XC. Fic. 1. (MAte.)

C. supra griseo-brunnea, pennis griseo-albo aut rufo-albo-marginatis; subtus alba, gutture imo pec-

toreque brunneo-conspersis ; remigibus flavo-brunneis, externe flavo-marginatis ; rectricibus griseo-

brunneis externe rufo-albo-marginatis ; rostro flavo-brunneo, brunneo-umbrato ; pedibus subflavis

carneo-tinctis ; unguibus flavo-brunneis, brunneo-tinctis.

Loneitupo é rostri apicé ad basin caudee 5 unc. ; caude 3 unc. 3 lin.

Ataupa Arricana, Vieill. Encyclop. Method.

L’Avovtere Serut, Le Vaillant Ois. d’Afriq., pl. 192.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head between umber and liver-brown,

the feathers all edged and tipped with pale wood-brown. The back and sides

of neck dirty pale umber-brown, the feathers edged and tipped with wood-

brown. The interscapulars, back, rump, and upper tail coverts liver-brown,

the feathers edged with pale reddish orange, and tipped with white. The

under parts pure white, with the lower portion of the throat, the flanks and

the breast variegated with short, broad umber-brown streaks, and the belly,

and under tail coverts, with lengthened narrow umber-brown lines ; thighs

rusty white. The lesser wing coverts and the primary and secondary quill

coverts umber-brown, edged and tipped with white ; primary and secondary

quill feathers shining yellowish brown, the outer vanes particularly towards

the quills very narrowly edged with white; tertiary quill feathers a greyish

liver- brown, edged and tipped with wood-brown. Tail umber-brown, glossed

with grey, and the outer vanes, particularly of the two external feathers of

each side, edged and tipped with white, the grey strongest on the two middle

feathers. Eyebrows white; eyes dark brown; bill yellowish brown, shaded

with umber-brown; legs and toes clear buff-orange, tinted with flesh-red ;

claws yellowish brown, shaded with umber-brown.

Form, &c.—Figure rather robust. Head small; bill long and slightly

arched,—the arch greatest towards the point; wings rounded, and when

folded, reach to the commencement of the second half of the tail, the third

CERTHILAUDA AFRICANA.

quill feathers the longest, the fourth slightly shorter than the third, the

fifth rather shorter than the fourth, the second considerably shorter than the

fifth, and the first not half the length of the second. Tail even, or very

slightly emarginate. Tarsi and toes robust, the former anteriorly and pos-

teriorly scutellated ; claws of fore toes rather slender, short, and curved, the

claw of hinder toe very long, strong, and nearly straight,

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ..........- 1 3

the tip of the tail....... 8 3 of the outer toe......... 0 4

Hun will soosiaaugoand 1 3 of the middle toe........ 0 tf

of the wings when folded... 4 3 of the inner toe......... 0 43

otathestailwersuetenetenehelerenene 3 3 of the hinder toe ........ 0 4

of the claw of hinder toe... 0 6

The female is coloured like the male.

Specimens of this species abound in the immediate vicinity of Cape Town, and are partial to

localities whose soil is loose and sandy. They seek their food among the brushwood with which

the parts they inhabit are generally more or less covered ; and when not so occupied, are fond

of resting upon small hillocks, or even upon the tops of shrubs. According to Le Vaillant,

this bird lays from three to five eggs, of a dirty grey colour, dotted with fulvous, and makes

its nest on the ground at the base of a bush, constructing it of dry herbs, and lining it with

feathers,

CERTHILAUDA SUBCORONATA.—Snmirn.

Aves.—Priate XC.—Fie. 2.

C, supra rufa, brunneo-strigata ; infra rufo-alba; guld, gutture, pectore, ventre antice lateribusque fusco-

virgatis ; remigibus rectricibusque griseo-brunneis, flavo-brunneo-marginatis ; palpebris rufo-albis,

elongatis usque ad nucham; pedibus rubro-flavis, carneo-tinctis; rostro brunneo, rubro-fusco

umbrato.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 5 unc. 4 lin.; caude 8 une. 2 lin.

CoLour.—The upper surface of the head, the interscapulars, and the back

intermediate between orpiment and reddish orange, and profusely mottled or

streaked with liver-brown, the central portion of each feather being of the

latter colour ; the back and sides of the neck dull wood-brown, variegated with

umber-brown spots. The lesser wing coverts pale orange-coloured brown,

with a liver-brown line in the course of the shaft, and tipped with white.

The primary and secondary quill coverts, and the primary, secondary, and

tertiary quill feathers greyish brown, the quill coverts narrowly edged with

pale yellowish brown, and tipped with white; the primary quill feathers

narrowly edged and tipped with hight yellowish brown, the secondaries

edged with rusty white and tipped with pure white, and the tertiaries edged

and tipped with wood-brown. Chin and throat white, finely mottled with

short, dull, umber-brown streaks; breast, anterior part of belly and flanks

dull sienna-yellow, variegated with narrow umber-brown streaks arranged in

irregular rows; hinder portion of belly, vent and under-tail coverts rusty

white, the latter each with a yellowish brown streak in the course of the

shaft. ail feathers greyish brown edged and rather broadly tipped with

sienna-yellow, in some places tinted with Dutch-orange. Eyebrows rusty

white, and prolonged so as nearly to meet on the nape. Legs and toes pale

buff-orange with a flesh tint. Bill light brownish red, shaded with umber-

brown, Eyes chesnut-brown.

CERTHILAUDA SUBCORONATA.

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender. Head small, and above very flat. Bill

subtriangular towards the base, and slightly convex on the sides towards the

point; the culmen is slightly curved from the base to the point, and the

lower mandible is also arched in the same proportion ; point of bill rather

flat and subacute. Wings rounded, and when folded reach beyond the com-

mencement of the second third of the tail, the third quill feather the longest,

the second, fourth and fifth equal, and rather shorter, the first about half the

length of the second. Tail square or very slightly rounded. ars robust,

and anteriorly and posteriorly scutellated : toes strong, moderately long, the

hinder one shortest. Claws of the toes directed forwards, slender, pointed

and slightly arched, the claw of the hinder toe long, strong, straight and

pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Traches Malines: Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus........... 1 4

the tip of the tail ...... 8 6 of the outer toe .......-. 0 43

of the bill See eee pa a 1 4, of the middle TOG ta clelete tele 0 64

of the wings when folded... 4 6 of the inner toe.....-... 0 5

aia <5 <li ae B ae 3 2 of the hinder toe........ 0 3

of the claw of hinder toe... 0 72

The differences of colour in the sexes (if any exist) are not known to me.

The few specimens of this species which have come under my observation, were procured

from the arid Karroo plains of the middle and eastern districts of the Cape Colony. On

examining them I was at first disposed to regard them as a variety of Certhilauda Africana ;

but on perceiving the extension of the eyebrows, the greater length of the bill, and its more

falciform shape, I began to suspect them to belong to a distinct species; and when all the

differences between them and the common species were noted and considered, I came to the

conclusion to view them as being specifically different.

ARDEA (ARDEOLA) GUTTURALIS.—Snmirtu.

Aves.—PLATE XCI. (Matz.)

A. supra nigro-purpurea viride-levigata ; gula guttureque rufo-albis laté nigro-brunneo-lineatis ; pectore

regioneque ante alas subochreis, ‘nigro-brunneo-virgatis; ventre brunneo-flavo, nigro-brunneo-

virgato; rostro subviride-fusco umbrato; tarsis antice flavo-virescentibus, posticé ochreis ; oculis

brunneo-aurantiis.

Cancropuacus qutturaLis, Smith, Rep. of Exped. App. page 57.

Cotour.—The upper and lateral parts of the head, neck, and body, also

the wings and tail pale blackish purple, and all, except the quill feathers,

distinctly glossed with green; the primary and secondary quill coverts narrowly

tipped with white. Chin and throat dirty white, and variegated with large

blackish-brown stripes so arranged as to form three more or less distinct

longitudinal lines; the breast and sides of neck immediately in front of

shoulders sienna-yellow, blotched with brownish black stripes; belly yellowish

brown, variegated with lengthened longitudinal blackish brown stripes ;

flanks the same colour as the back. Eyes brownish orange. Base of upper

mandible and most of lower mandible oil-green ; the remaining parts dull

umber-brown. Varst anteriorly oil-green, posteriorly ochre-yellow ; toes

ochre-yellow, tinged with oil-green.

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender. Feathers of neck rather long, wiry,

and decomposed; sides of head in front of eyes bare; bill rather compressed,

conical, and pointed. Wings inclined to pointed, and when folded reach

nearly to the tip of the tail; the tertiary quill feathers nearly as long as the

primaries, the first and second primary quill feathers equal and longest, the

third rather shorter. Tail short, and slightly rounded. Varst rather short,

anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly coated with several series of small scales ;

toes long, and moderately strong ; claws rather strong, slightly curved, and

pointed.

ARDEA (ARDEOLA) GUTTURALIS.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the'tarsus. 3... . =...

the tip of the tail ...... of thevouter toe .........

OF UNS We 5440665000 O84 of the middle toe ......-.

of the wings when folded. . . ofthennneritoe jer-nel aire clare

ofithe tail li vedo sreorsn ets of the hinder toe ........

The colours of the female not known.

This little Heron is seldom procured, and I doubt if more than two specimens have yet fallen

into the hands of the Naturalist. One of the two was shot near to Cape Town, and the other

was procured during the movements of the Expedition party between the principal branches of

the Orange River. Both were discovered near marshy grounds, and the one which was

procured in the locality last stated was shot while perched upon the top of a dwarf tree. The

remains of crustacee were found in its stomach.

HAG GO) Ri Pe © Lb Opp iENs

(Aves. Plate 92.)

FALCO RUPICOLOIDES.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XCII. (Femate.)

F. subrufus, lineis fasciisque brunneis variegatus, fasciis postice acuminatis; gula guttereque rufo-albis ;

cauda alterne albo brunneoque fasciata; oculis brunneis; pedibus viridi-flavis ; unguibus corneis ;

maxilla livido-viride ; mandibula versus basin flava.

Lonaitubo é rostri apicé ad basin caudee 10 unc. ; caude 7 une.

Fauco Ruricotoies, Smith, South African Quarterly Journal, vol. i. p. 238, 1830.

Cotour.—The upper parts of the head and neck, the interscapulars,

the back, the breast, and the belly, have a ground tint intermediate be-

tween light-tile red and buff-orange, the shade deepest on the upper

parts of the head, the back and sides of the neck, the back and the

belly. In these several regions, however, the ground colour is broken

by umber-brown variegations, in the form of narrow longitudinal stripes

on the head, the back and sides of the neck, the breast, and the flanks ;

and of transverse bars on the back, the belly, the shoulders, the scapulars,

and the quill coverts. On the back, shoulders, and belly, the bars amount

to two or three on each feather, and many of them posteriorly exhibit a

single fine prolongation following the course of the vane. The longitudinal

stripes, where they occur, are one along the middle of each feather. The

primary and secondary quill feathers are deep umber-brown, the inner vanes

barred with reddish orange, which fade into white towards their inner

edge. Upper tail coverts umber-brown, barred with white; under tail-

coverts nearly white. Tail barred, alternately rusty white and umber-brown,

with a greyish gloss, the dark bars widest, the light-coloured bars of the

two centre feathers are strongly tinted with rufous; the tips of all the tail

feathers are white. The sides of the head behind the eyes, the chin, the

FALCO RUPICOLOIDES.

throat, and the thighs pale buff orange, and almost destitute of variegations.

Legs and toes yellow with a faint greenish tint. Upper mandible livid

green towards base, towards tip umber-brown ; lower mandible yellow,

towards base, livid-green towards tip, cere-yellow. Eyes brown. Claws a

dark horn colour.

Form, &c.—Figure robust; head rather small, culmen arched from the

base ; the point of the upper mandible acute; tooth triangular, and well

developed; the cutting edge of upper mandible posterior to tooth slightly

waved ; cere small; nostrils circular and open. Wings long, pointed, and

when folded reach very nearly to the tip of the tail; the second quill feather

the longest, the third rather shorter, the first and fourth equal and about an

inch shorter than the second. ‘Tertiary and secondary quill-feathers nearly

of equal length, and much shorter than the primaries. Tail slightly rounded.

Tarsi and toes moderately strong, the former coated anteriorly with rather

large umbricate scales, posteriorly with small ones; the middle toe consi-

derably longer than the lateral toes ; claws long, slender, much curved, and

pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the | Length of the tarsus..................... 1 10

base of the tail ............ 10 oO | of the outer toe.........4..+.--.. 0 94

Ofsthertaily-sessccmestestecte sae 7 0 of the middle toe ............... i 2

of the bill to the angle of the | OL theslnnerstoesadcesssneeaeenees 0 10

TiNVeL LA Wipeepencasnea: Honaeasabes 0 11 of the hinder toe ............... 0 63

of the wings when folded ...... 11 6

Male.—The colours the same as those of the female, only clearer and

deeper.

Specimens of this bird have occasionally been procured in the neighbourhood of Cape Town,

but they are only to be obtained in abundance on the west coast of the Colony, towards the

mouth of the Orange River, and in the interior of the country to the northward of that stream.

In the districts in which it is common it seems to take the place of Falco Rupicolus, so common

in the Colony, at least according to my observations; the last named is rarely observed

where Falco Rupicoloides is common. Both species are in the habit of resting upon trees, but

there is a marked difference in the practice of the two; Falco Rupicolus seems to prefer rocks

to trees as a resting-place, while Falco Rupicoloides never perches on rocks. Both species

build their nest on trees, and both subsist on the same kind of food.

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ACCIPITER RUFIVENTRIS.Q@A&B Males C Female)

(Aves_— Plate. 95 }

ACCIPITER RUFILVENTRIS.—Smirn.

Aves.—Puate XCIII.—(Mate ano FEMate.)

Mas.—A. superné brunneus griseo-tinctus; infra rufo alboque nebulatus ; plumis scapularibus albo-

maculatis ; rectricibus interne versus basin albo, brunneoque variatis ; cauda, alterné pallide rufo

brunneoque fasciata ; pedibus viridi-flavis ; oculis flavis.

Lonerrupo 13 une. 2 lin.

Fem.—A. superné brunneus, griseo-tinctus ; infra albus strigis longitudinalibus, fasciolisque transversis

variegatis.

Lonairupo 17 une. 2 lin.

Accip1teR Roriventris, Smith, South African Quart. Journal, Vol. i. p. 231, 1830.

Fatco Exits, Temm. Planch color, 496.

Cotour.—Male.—The upper parts of the head and neck, the intersca-

pulars, the back, the upper tail coverts, and lesser wing coverts of a tint

intermediate between brocoli-brown and brownish red, all faintly glossed

with lavender purple, the gloss most distinct on the head, neck, and intersca-

pulars ; the lesser wing coverts are narrowly edged with pale reddish orange.

Ear coverts, lower portion of throat, breast, belly, vent, and thighs, mottled

rusty reddish orange and white, and each of the breast feathers has a narrow

brown line in the course of the shaft, and indistinct narrow brown bars on

the vanes ; upper portion of throat and sides of neck behind and below ear

coverts white. Primary and secondary quill feathers brownish red, the

inner vanes towards quills barred-white and liver-brown, towards tips with

liver-brown only; the scapulars and tertiary quill feathers marked with

incomplete white bars in the form of broad irregular blotches, portions of

which become visible when the feathers are deranged. Tail above barred,

alternately rusty brocoli-brown and liver-brown, the bars of the latter colour

six in number; the tips of all the feathers rusty white ; under tail coverts

white. Tarsi and toes greenish yellow ; claws brownish red. Baill,—upper

ACCIPITER RUFIVENTRIS.

mandible towards base a light horn colour, towards and at tip liver-brown,

its edge below and in front of nostrils greenish yellow ; lower mandible

below and at base greenish yellow,—elsewhere liver-brown. Cere greenish

yellow. Eyes bright yellow.

Female.—Upper parts, wings, under tail coverts, and tail, coloured as in

the male. Sides of neck, lower portion of throat, breast, belly, vent, and

thighs white; each of the feathers of the sides of the neck marked with

a narrow longitudinal brown line, those of the breast, belly, vent, and

thighs with a similar line, and besides with several narrow waved yellowish

brown bars, irregularly edged with brownish red. The colours of the tarsi,

toes, claws, bill, cere, and eyes, as in the male.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately slender and like that of the Sparrow Hawk

(Accipiter Nisus) of Europe. Upper mandible strongly hooked, nostrils oblong

and suboval, bristles at angles of mouth many and rigid. Wings when folded

reach nearly to the middle of the tail, the fourth quill feathers the longest,

the fifth nearly of equal length, the third slightly shorter and rather longer

than the sixth, the second and seventh nearly equal, and about an inch

shorter than the third, the first about half the length of the fourth. Tail

nearly even, or only very slightly rounded. Tarsi long and slender, anteriorly

scutellated, posteriorly reticulated. Toes long and rather slender, the inner

one much the shortest, the outer and middle ones connected at base by a well

developed membranous web. Claws long, slender, considerably curved, and

sharp pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

MALE. FEMALE. MALE. FEMALE.

In. Is. In. Ls. In. Ls. In. Ls.

Length from the point of the Length of the tarsus........ I ME 0)

bill to the base of the Of thesoutertOGsie.cecfe) [LON LO) ee Orla

Cailigieesiciavarsreieteisieisieis eal fae 10 tee Clam of the middle toe .... 1 4 1 43

of the bill to the angle of of the inner toe...... 0 7 O 73%

theimouthsscicjecseiec) (0) 6 08 10 of the hinder toe .... 0 6 0 64

of the wings when folded 8 0 8 8

Of tall Mew seleatecesin ON o! AT

The individual represented in the plate and lettered C, is of the same

species but of a different age from the other two. The character of its

colouring would indicate it as the adult bird, and if such be the case, the

others must be regarded as not exhibiting the mature plumage. It is of the

ACCIPITER RUFIVENTRIS.

same size and figure as the male, lettered A, and already described ; the

colours are as follow :—

The upper parts, comprising the head, neck, interscapular, back, upper

tail coverts, and lesser wing coverts, intermediate between brownish red and

lavender-purple, to which is superadded a distinct gloss of the latter; the

shoulder feathers are faintly edged with pearl-grey. The quill and scapular

feathers coloured as in the specimens already described. The bars of the

tail, so far as the numbers are concerned, are also similar, but the light

coloured ones have superiorly a greyer tint, and the portion of shaft between

them is of a clearer white. The ear coverts, sides of the neck, lower part of

the throat, breast, belly, and thighs, clear reddish orange, without variega-

tions; upper parts of throat yellowish white ; under tail coverts pure white.

Colour of legs, toes, claws, bill, and eyes, as in the specimens described.

This species occurs, though sparingly, in all parts of the Colony, and specimens are

not uncommon near to Cape Town and towards the sources of the Great Fish river. It

resembles in its habits the common Sparrow Hawk, and its chief food consists of small

quadrupeds and birds. The majority of the specimens which I have had the opportunity of

examining, exhibited the colours of the specimen lettered C.

TELOPHONUS TRIVIRGATUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XCIV. (FEMALE.)

T. superne olivaceus flavo-brunneo tinctus, inferne subochreus griseo tinctus ; superciliis flavo-albis, striga

nigrd superne inferneque marginatis ; humeris, remigibus primariis, secundariisque externe cinnam-

omeis; cauda graduata, rectricibus nigris albo-terminatis.

Lonaitupo é rostri apicé ad basin caude 3 unc., 6 lin. ; caude 4 unc.

Cotour.—Above light hair-brown tinged with yellowish brown, the colour

darkest on the top of the head and upper parts of the neck; sides of head

below eyes yellowish grey dulled with brown; eyebrows cream-yellow

margined superiorly and inferiorly with deep shining black. Under parts

wood-brown, darkest towards the tail, the upper parts of the throat nearly

white; shoulders, quill coverts, and outer vanes of primary and secondary

quill feathers, reddish orange dulled with brown; tertiary quill feathers and

inner vanes of primaries and secondaries brownish red; the tertiaries nar-

rowly edged with pale reddish orange. Tail feathers black, broadly tipped

with white* ; upper tail coverts light sienna-yellow. Bill,—upper mandi-

ble pale orange coloured brown shaded with brownish red ; lower mandible

wine-yellow with a flesh coloured tint. Tarsi and toes pale brownish red,

and each of their scuta margined inferiorly with livid wine-yellow. Claws,

wood-brown, shaded with brownish red. Eyes deep reddish brown.

Form, &c.— Figure rather slender; feathers generally soft and silky.

Bill short, strongly compressed, and the upper mandible moderately hooked

at the point ; the tooth slightly developed ; culmen rather rounded and arched

from the base which enters deeply between the feathers of forehead. Lower

* The two middle tail feathers in the specimen described are wanting, hence their colour cannot be

particularized.

TELOPHONUS TRIVIRGATUS.

mandible pointed and towards the tip inclined obliquely upwards, its lower

edged slightly arched ; a few strong rigid bristles at the angle of the mouth.

Wings roundish, very short, and when folded reach but a very short way

beyond the base of the tail, the fourth, fifth, and sixth quill feathers longest

and nearly equal, the third and seventh equal and slightly shorter, the second

considerably shorter, and about the length of the secondaries, the first much

shorter than the second. ‘Tail long and graduated, and the feathers some-

what pointed. Tarsi short and moderately strong, anteriorly scutellated,

posteriorly entire. Toes rather slender and free, the outer slightly longer

than the inner one, and both considerably shorter than the middle one;

hinder toe short and strong. Claws of anterior toes rather slender, pointed,

and slightly curved ; claw of hinder toe long, strong and much curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ..........- 1 0

the base of the tail ..... 3 6 of the outer toe... 3... 0 5

Ofathentarltperere ty <ucucitouey see 4 0 of the middletoe........ 0 63

of the bill to the angle of the of the inner toe......... 0 43

mn Guithiieas ey. veel rees Wie) > te 0 O35 | of the hinder toe ........ 0 33

of the wings when folded... 3 0

Male.—Colours not known.

The only specimen of this species which I have seen was shot to the northward and east-

ward of Kurrichane between 24° and 25° south latitude. During the time which elapsed from

its being observed till it was killed, it flitted about with great celerity from twig to twig, and

from bush to bush, but manifested no inclination or intention of leaving the dense thicket in

which it was discovered. Its food was found to have consisted of insects, and in that respect

as well as in its manners generally, it had a marked resemblance to JZ. erythropterus and

longirostris, the two species of the genus which are not uncommon in certain districts of the

Cape colony.

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AMADINA SQUAMIFRONS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XCV. (FEMALE.)

A. capite antice, tectricibus primariis et secundariis, remigibus, rectricibusque nigris albo-marginatis ;

loris, gula lineisque duabus & mandibule base nigris; collo superne dorsoque pallide griseo-

brunneis ;_ partibus inferioribus albis.

Lonaitupo ab apicé rostri ad basin caude 2 unc. 6 lin. ; caude 1 une. 9 lin.

Cotour.—The feathers of the forehead and top of the head, the quill

coverts, the tertiary quill feathers, and the tail feathers, liver-brown, margined

with clear white; the sides of the head behind the eyes, the back and sides

of the neck, the back and the upper tail coverts, intermediate between

broccoli and wood-brown ; lores, space between rami of lower mandible, and

a stripe on each side of throat from base of bill liver-brown, the latter

separated from the light colour of the side of head by a clear white

stripe; throat, and under parts, dusky white. Legs and toes light yellowish

brown. Bill, light greenish yellow. Eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender. Head small; bill conical and pointed,

the upper mandible entering deeply between the feathers of the forehead.

Wings rounded, and when folded reach to the last third of the tail, the

third and fourth quill feathers equal and longest, the second slightly shorter,

the first rudimentary. Tail rather long and slightly rounded. Tarsi short

and rather slender, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire. Claws slender,

considerably curved and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus... ++ +++ ++- 0 64

the base of the tail. ..... 2 6 of the outertoe.....--e-- 0 2s

of the bill from the angle of of the middle toe .......- 0 43

thesmoOnthercitec speetorcie’ e 0 5 Ofithelnner tee oto) elenenedens 0 24

of the wings when folded... 2 5 of the hinder toe........- 0 24

Ofvthestaile-ser.ys: sidchet ens! sae 1 9

AMADNIA SQUAMIFORMIS.

Male.—Colours similar to those of the female, only rather clearer and

brighter.

This bird is frequently found to the northward of Latakoo, but rarely to the southward ;

and the only specimens I have seen from the latter were obtained towards the sources of the Great

Fish River. It is generally observed among brushwood, especially in the vicinity of streams

or cultivated grounds. In a few instances I have observed several individuals associated

together, but more generally only two or three are found in the same locality. It feeds upon

seeds, constructs its nest of grass, and builds it on a small shrub.

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ANAS FLAVIROSTRIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XCVI. (Mate.)

A. superne brunneus, plumis albo-marginatis ; inferne rufo-albus lunulis brunneis variegatus ; alarum

speculo viridi-splendente antice, postice interneque nigro, marginato ; rostro superne flavo, maculo

oblongo nigro-brunneo e fronte usqueé ad apicem ; pedibus rubro-brunneis.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caudz 19 unc. 6 lin. ; caude 4 unc.

ANAS FLAViRosTRIs, Smith, Eyton’s Monograph on the Anatide, p. 141, Lond. 1838.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head and the lores deep umber-brown

freckled with short and fine longitudinal dull white lines arising from each

feather being narrowly edged and tipped with that colour; sides of head and

neck dull broccoli-brown, finely streaked with dirty white; interscapulars,

scapulars, back, and upper tail coverts intermediate between umber-brown

and brownish red, each feather broadly margined with dirty white ; breast,

belly, and under tail coverts mottled brown and dirty white. The brown is

nearly of the same tint as that of the back, and is the predominating colour

of each feather, the white existing only at the edges and in the form of an

angular and incomplete bar about midway between the base and apex of

each. Shoulder feathers and secondary quill coverts greyish brown, a part of

the former narrowly edged with pale broccoli-brown, the other part with dull

white ; the secondary quill coverts are tipped with velvet black, behind which

each has a narrow bar of white. Primary quill coverts reddish brown, faintly

edged exteriorly and tipped with greyish white. Primary quill feathers light

brownish red, tinted with grey, the outer vanes darkest and narrowly edged

with yellowish white ; shafts deep brownish red. Secondary quill feathers

brownish red, broadly tipped with white, and behind the white each has a

broad bar of velvet black, the outer vanes from near the quills to the last men-

tioned bar are a brilliant shining duck green. The innermost of the secondary

and the outermost of the tertiary quill feathers have the outer vanes velvet-

black, so that three sides of the wing-speculum are bounded with that colour ;

the rest of the tertiaries are of the same colour as the back and are narrowly

edged with dirty white. Tail intermediate between umber-brown and brownish

ANAS FLAVIROSTRIS.

red, all the feathers narrowly edged and tipped with dirty white. Bill—upper

mandible and the lower towards tip gamboge-yellow,—the former with an

oblong liver-brown stripe extending from its base to within less than an inch

of its point, in which are situated the nostrils ; the nail and tip of upper man-

dible and a triangular block at the corresponding part of the lower liver-

brown. Legs, toes, and webs brownish red.

Form, &c.—Body moderately robust ; head large and slightly compressed.

Wings pointed, and when folded reach rather beyond the first half of the

tail, the second feather rather the longest, the first and third equal and rather

shorter, the fourth a little shorter than the third and about the same length as

the tertiary quill feathers. Tail rigid and slightly rounded, the feathers

pointed. Bill rather long, narrow, and throughout of the same width. Tarsi

and toes moderately long and rather slender, the former laterally and poste-

riorly covered with small reticulated scales, anteriorly with small transverse

plates; the web between the toes reaches to the base of the claws, and on

each side of the middle toe is covered with a few rows of small scales. Claws

slightly curved and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .................. 1 6

the tip of the tail............ 23 6 ofjtheouter; toe W..cse-eeeee es 1 103

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ............... 1 13

TNOULM 2 siete se ateteresecie cals ise. 2 7h ofthe inner toe ............:.. 1 5

of the wings when folded...... 10 6 of the hinder toe ............... 0 4

ofitheltaile;..<s2-ceedesd--teesis 4 0

Female.—Colours like those of the male, only not quite so dark ; the wing

speculum has less lustre, and her size is inferior.

Of all the South African ducks this is perhaps the most common and widely diffused.

Near Cape Town it occurs in the marshes. on the small lakes, and about the banks of the

various streams. In the interior again, it is generally found on the comparatively stagnant

portions of rivers, probably from the circumstances that the other collections of water in which

it more particularly delights exist only in but a few localities.

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( Aves _~-Plate 97)

ANAS SPARSA.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XCVII. (MAte.)

A, brunneo-rubra, plumis subalbo-marginatis ; pennis scapularibus remigibusque internis albo-maculatis ;

rostro superne czeruleo-criseo, medio versus basin ungueque nigris; pedibus flavis.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caudz, 17 unc. 3 lin. ; cande, 4 unc. 9 lin.

Anas Sparsa, Smith, Eyton’s Monagraph on Anatide, p. 142, Lond. 1838.

Cotour.—Head, neck, breast, belly, and vent dull brownish red, the

feathers of the top of the head, upper part of neck, breast, belly, and vent

narrowly edged with dirty white ; those of the sides of the head and neck,

and of the upper part of the throat, broadly edged with rusty white, and from

the light edges being more exposed to view than the brown, the colour of

these parts is comparatively light. Under tail coverts tipped with rusty

white and broadly barred with pure white ; interscapulars, back, ramp, upper

tail coverts, shoulder coverts, primary and secondary quill coverts, scapulars,

and tertiary quill feathers umber-brown, the two latter tinted with brassy

green. The interscapulars are narrowly margined with rusty white, the

shoulder coverts, obscurely, with grayish white, the upper tail coverts are

sparingly blotched or partially barred with rufous, and the scapulars aud ter-

tiary quill feathers are variegated with a few rufous or pure white bars, and

as portions of these are always exposed to view, there appears on the sides

of the back a sprinkling of irregular white spots. The tips of the secondary

quill coverts are velvet black, and each of these feathers behind the black has

a broad pure white bar. The base of the outer vane of secondary quill

feathers and their inner vanes brown, their tips white, and behind the white

a broad bar of velvet black, the rest of the outer vanes deep shining duck-

green; the outer vane of the outermost tertiary quill feather is also velvet-

black, so that the two extremes and the inner side of the wing-speculum

are bounded by black. Primary quill and tail feather brownish red, the

latter narrowly tipped with sienna-yellow, and their outer vanes partially

barred with pale buff-orange. Bill,—the centre portion of the upper man-

dible from its base to near the nail, the latter, and a spot below each nostril,

black or deep liver-brown, edges of nostrils bluish-white ; the other parts of

the mandible bluish-grey. Legs and toes reddish-yellow, the webs the same,

and each tinted midway between the toes with dirty greyish-black; claws

brownish-red. Eyes dark brown.

ANAS SPARSA.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust ; head compressed and superiorly

rather flat; wings pointed, and when folded reach beyond the first half of the

tail, the second quill feather rather the longest, the first a little shorter, the

third rather shorter than the first, and the fourth about half an inch shorter

than the third ; the tertiary quill feathers nearly as long as the seventh quill

feather,—the scapularies considerably shorter than the tertiaries. Tail rigid

and slightly rounded. Bill short and moderately broad, rather deep at the

base, but much depressed towards the tip. Tarsi and toes moderately long

and rather strong, the former posteriorly and laterally covered with reticulated

scales, anteriorly towards tues with small transverse plates, the web on each

side of middle toe, and on the insides of the outer and inner toes is covered

with several rows of rather large flat scales, and the parts between these

scales are studded with small detached somewhat granular scales. Claws

short, rather strong, slightly curved and obtuse at the point.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Tiength of the tarsi <.....5..0s0s-02+-2s6 I 84

the tip of the tail............ 22 0 of the outertoe\;.......-.-..2-:: 1 113

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe......... ..... 2 04

MNOUGH! oneaeees scceeereroeses 2 3 olethesinneriOereseee cece neste 1 6

of the wings when folded...... 11 6 of the hinder toe ............... 0 6

Olethentailencesccestrenectestsc et 4 9

Femate.—As regards colours, the two sexes are nearly alike. The female

is slightly smaller than the male.

This species occurs throughout the whole of South Africa, but not abundantly in any dis-

trict. It is usually found on the waters of rivers, and most commonly in localities where the

banks are of a vegetable mould or where drift wood, &c., is accumulated in abundance. In

these situations it seeks its food, which consists of small crustacea, &c., which are generally

found abundantly in situations circumstanced as above stated.

In point of figure this differs considerably from the more typical species, its body being more

depressed and broader, its wings proportionally larger, its tail longer, and the web of the hinder

toe more developed. Besides differing in these respects, it also differs in some of its habits ; it

never congregates to form flocks, but is either observed solitary or in company with a second

specimen probably of the opposite sex.

Some time ago I had an opportunity of examining a duck which was said to have been

brought from Abyssinia by Ruppel, and which at the time I was much disposed to regard

as identical with Anas Sparsa. Should such prove to be the case, I am inclined to believe

it has been named and described by that celebrated traveller; hence the name which I have

adopted will require to give place to that which has priority for its claim.

VY INIGRUA Gib Sthoe eCiAuie aia online

ves Plate 98. A Male, B. Female.

RHYNCHASPIS CAPENSIS.—Smirun.

Aves.—Puate XCVIII. (Mave anp Youne.)

R. superne brunneus teniolis rufo-albis variegatis ; humeris pallide ceeruleo-griseis ; tectricibus secon-

dariis partim albis; alarum speculo viridi nitente ; rostro superne profunde rubro-brunneo.

Lonairupo e rosiri apicé ad basin caudee 17 unc. ; caude 4 une.

Ruynenaspis Capensis, Smith, Eyton’s Monograph on Anatide, p. 135, Lond. 1838.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head dull brownish red, finely freckled

or pencilled with rusty white arising from each feather being narrowly edged

with the latter colour ; sides of the head and upper portion of the neck rusty

white, freely sprinkled with short and narrow waved brown lines. Lower

portion of neck posteriorly umber-brown narrowly barred with pale buff-

orange; interscapulars, back, rump, and upper tail coverts umber-brown

glossed with duck-green, all the feathers variegated with one or more narrow

waved bars of pale buff-orange, and also indistinctly tipped with dusky

white ; lower part of throat, breast, belly, and vent mottled reddish brown

and pale buff-orange, the latter colour edges each feather, and also forms a

transverse lunule some way behind the point. On the belly and vent the

light colour, instead of being buff-orange, is often rusty reddish orange.

Shoulder coverts bluish purple with a faint shade of green, and a few of them

towards the point of the shoulder are narrowly barred with white. The

primary and base of secondary quill coverts umber-brown, the remainder of

the latter pure white, and the outer vanes of the former are narrowly edged

with a faded bluish purple. Primary quill feathers and inner vanes of

secondaries brownish red; outer vanes of latter shining duck-green, and

indistinctly edged with bluish purple. Scapulars and outer vanes of tertiary

quill feathers towards base shining blackish green, inner vanes and portion

of outer vanes towards tip tinted with shining blackish green. Insides of

shoulders and axillary feathers pure white. Tail feathers brownish red,

narrowly and faintly edged with pale cream-yellow. Bill deep reddish brown

shaded with umber-brown; nail, at apex of upper mandible, the latter colour.

Legs, toes, and webs connecting toes intermediate between gall-stone and

ochre-yellow ; claws light brownish red.

Form, &c.—Body rather robust; head large, compressed and subcrested ;

wings pointed and when folded reach nearly to the point of the tail, first and

second quill feathers equal and longest, third rather shorter, and the fourth

RHYNCHASPIS CAPENSIS.

not quite so long as the third, the tertiary quill feathers about the same

length as the fifth primary quill feather. Tail rather rigid and slightly

rounded, the feathers generally pointed. Bill rather long, narrow, and at

base of considerable depth, flat anteriorly, and broadest towards tip; nail at

apex of upper mandible well developed; nostrils oval and rather large,

ciliated processes on inner side of edges of upper mandible strongly deve-

loped. Legs and toes short and rather slender ; the tarsz latterly and behind

covered with small reticulated scales, anteriorly towards base of middle toe

with rudimentary plates. Toes covered with oblique transverse plates; the

web reaches to the base of the claws, and on the inner side of the outer and

inner toes, and on each side of the middle toe, is covered with several rows of

small scales; claws short, slightly curved, and rather blunt.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | engthyofitheitarsus:-ccceccssserecesoem nd 6

the tip of the tail ......... 21 0 | of the outer toe ............... 1 74

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe............... 1 8

MOULD Be nemrapeencee eee cate 2 8 | of the inner toe ..............- 1 3

of the wings when folded ... 10 6 | of the hinder toe ............... 0 54

OLebheitalleectteen cect cee reer 4 Oo |

Young.—The light colours of the head, neck and body are more rusty than

those of the adult, and the brown lighter and with less lustre. The shoulder

coverts are pale brownish red glossed with greyish blue, the secondary quill

coverts only narrowly tipped with white ; the outer vanes of the secondary

quill feathers only slightly glossed with shining blackish green, and hence no

distinct wing speculum exists. Base and portion of bill towards apex umber-

brown, centre light reddish brown, sides oil-green, finely powdered with

umber-brown.

This duck occurs abundantly in the marshes and on the small lakes which exist in the Cape

district, but more sparingly in the interior, excepting in the neighbourhood of the towns of

Worcester and Uitenhage.

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Deny ran

CAPRIMULGUS NATALENSIS Male

( Aves agua De) )

CAPRIMULGUS NATALENSIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XCIX. (MALE.)

C. rufo-albo, subflavo, nigro-brunneoque variegatus ; plumis scapularibus maculis oblongis nigro-brunneis

signatis ; gutture antice macula alba subtriangulare instructa ; remigibus quatuor externis brunneo-

rubris, singulo, macula alba instructa ; cauda nigro-brunneo-fasciata.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 4 unc. 9 lin. ; caude 4 une. 6 lin.

Cotour.—The feathers of the upper surface of the head and of the posterior

part of the neck liver-brown, broadly margined and tipped with reddish

orange; eyelids mottled light reddish orange, white, and liver-brown ; the two

first in small blotches, the Jatter in narrow transverse lines. Ear coverts and

feathers immediately posterior to them liver-brown, crossed with some fine

narrow lines of reddish orange; the feathers of the anterior part of the throat

pale reddish orange, narrowly barred transversely with liver-brown ; those at

and behind the angle of the mouth, as also those on the centre of the

throat, white. Between the white marks, and on the throat in front of the

breast, the feathers are liver-brown, barred, and tipped with reddish orange.

Interscapulars umber-brown, finely mottled at their edges with light reddish

orange; back and upper tail coverts umber-brown, barred and tipped with

reddish orange. Scapulars with a number of strongly marked and well-

defined oblong liver-brown spots, each more or less distinctly edged with

white or light buff-orange. These spots are arranged in somewhat longi-

tudinal rows, one about the middle of each feather, and, from their so strongly

contrasting with the other colours, constitute a ready and available character.

The other portions of the scapularies light buff-orange, closely barred trans-

versely with delicate liver-brown lines. Lesser wing coverts umber-brown,

mottled with reddish white spots and reddish orange lines. Quill coverts

umber-brown, incompletely barred with reddish orange. Primary quill

feathers brownish red. The four outermost of each wing with a large white

blotch on the inner vane, about midway between the quill and tip of the

feather; the corresponding parts of the outer vane of the third and fourth

CAPRIMULGUS NATALENSIS.

also white; the rest of the quill feathers barred deep reddish orange and

brownish red. Tail feathers liver-brown, and variegated with a number of

incomplete light bars, formed by a congeries of short waved buff-orange lines

extending along the feathers ; the last half of the two outermost tail feathers,

and the basal portion of the outer vane of the outermost one, white. Breast

dark reddish brown, the feathers towards their points blotched with white or

sienna-yellow. Belly, flanks, and vent buff-orange ; the former barred trans-

versely with brownish red. Legs and toes yellowish brown, with a fleshy tint.

Eyes deep umber-brown.

Form, &c.—Bill, anterior to frontal feathers, triangular, towards the point

narrow, compressed, and much curved, towards the base strongly depressed.

Gape very large, the angle of the mouth below the hinder angle of the eye.

Wings moderately long, slightly rounded, and when folded reach to within

about an inch of the tip of the tail ; the second and third quill feathers equal

and longest, the fourth slightly shorter, and the first a little shorter than the

fourth ; the tertiary quill feathers in length about equal to the sixth primary

quill feather. Tail slightly rounded. Tarsi moderately robust, and anteriorly,

towards upper extremity, covered with feathers; elsewhere scutellated. The

middle toe is considerably longer and stronger than the lateral ones, to each

of which it is connected, as far as the first joint, by a membranous web; claw

long, slightly curved, and strongly pectinated, the other claws short, strongly

curved, and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

ee Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus .................. 0-258

pointiof the'tail 2...2....2.. Sas of theouter G06 <s.10.0-.crele6 0 53

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe............... a)

MOU Gh gee erence hee ee 12 of the inner toe ............. ONES

of the wings when folded ... 6 3 hinder!toe sacs ca-tenere eee - O— 23

Orbe tails pecden cee ecoesa te Ait a6;

Female.—Colours the same as those of the male, only neither so deep nor so

bright.

The two specimens of this species which I possess—all I have yet seen—were killed in the

vicinity of Port Natal, and were, at the time they were shot, actively employed in catching insects

in the dusk of the evening, close to a Kaffer kraal, and in the same locality in which they had

been watched for several evenings before.

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agpistt wine has Rogar at Ae ‘a! ‘ i andiei@i

SAG Hal Won ipenet Ta ful Ga - the,

taewotit KRY 1H wi qT ali iy

i che de Teitstell on — ; ia

anny ie ; avd vert deta evetee Haast "T pies sista ‘

“al quit SU ona iim eel! pul bos ‘ F wi ; an

Aor warned og hha gels Wy

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Saag: fe Vigaiiiie weed bu ,

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‘gel laivy ) fine 1 Ssad: iad jini ’ :

‘Poet oredr May: bo -

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Senile Rize altad diy ue

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CAPRIMULGUS RUFIGENA.—Smitu.

Aves.—Puate C. (MALE.)

C. superne pallide purpureo-griseus, lineis undatis gracilioribus, nigro-brunneis variegatis ; tectricibus

alarum minoribus nigro-brunneis, late rufo-albo-marginatis ; gutture, duobus maculis albis instructo ;

genis et torque cervicale rubro-auranteis, nigro brunneoque-variegatis. Remigibus quatuor externis,

brunneo-rubris, fascia alba transversa instructis; rectricibus duabus intermediis griseis, anguste

nigro-brunneo-fasciatis et inter fascias, lineis nigro brunneis longitudinalibus maculatis.

Loneirupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 4 une. 4 lin; caudee 5 unc.

Coxtour, &c.—The upper surface of the head, the back of the neck, the

interscapulars, the back, the upper tail coverts, and the scapular feathers

pearl-grey, faintly variegated with very slender transverse or oblique lines, and

strongly with broad longitudinal streaks, all of a liver-brown colour. The

streaks are most numerous along the mesial line of the head, on the back of the

neck, and the scapulars, and several of those on the latter are internally mar-

gined with buff-orange, which offers a marked contrast to the elsewhere dark

hue of those feathers. The lesser wing coverts umber-brown, finely freckled

with reddish white, and irregularly but conspicuously tipped with buff-orange.

The four outermost primary quill feathers brownish red ; the first and second,

with a broad white bar across the inner, vane a little nearer to the point than

to the base of the feather, the third and fourth with the same kind of bar

extending across both vanes. The rest of the primaries, the secondaries, and

all the tertiaries, except the three innermost, brownish red, more or less com-

pletely barred with rusty reddish orange; the three tertiaries liver-brown, in the

course of the shafts, and towards the edges pearl-grey, freckled with liver-

prown. Tail feathers, with the exception of the two middle ones, dark

umber-brown, irregularly crossed with more or less complete narrow bars

composed of small reddish white spots, and the two outermost feathers of each

side broadly tipped with white; the two middle tail feathers pearl-grey, with

narrow angular umber-brown bars, and the intervals between them, which

are wide, are variegated with longitudinal or waved, narrow, umber-brown

CAPRIMULGUS RUFIGENA.

lines. The lateral and the posterior parts of the neck, in front of interscapulars

with a rusty buff-orange collar blotched with umber-brown, and on each side

of the throat, immediately below the angle of the mouth, is a large white spot,

the one separated from the other by the intervention of a few feathers spotted

buff and umber-brown. Eyes dark brown. Tarsi and toes intermediate

between buff-orange and yellowish brown ; claws brownish red.

Form, &c.—Bill subtriangular, and the culmen throughout its whole length

distinctly defined, and considerably curved towards the point ; upper mandible,

immediately before frontal feathers, with a thin sprinkling of short rigid

bristles. Wings of moderate length, slightly rounded, and when folded reach

within an inch of the tip of the tail; the second and third quill feathers equal

and longest, the first slightly shorter, and the fourth a little shorter than the

first. Tail slightly rounded. Tarsi and toes rather slender, the upper half

of the former, anteriorly, covered with short feathers, the other parts with

small plates ; claw of middle toe with six, seven, or eight teeth.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ................:. 0 10

the tip of the tail............ Oya Of ther outer toes waren sence 0 3

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe ............... ORs

MM OUCH es eon Ages ste ee ee Pid of theanner' toes 2-2 ..c.0..005- 0 34

of the wings when folded...... 6 62 ofthe hinder!toe <2..escces ens: 0 2

Olthertall sake ase seeneee loess 5 0

Female.—Colours not known.

During my residence in South Africa, I procured six male birds of this species, but not one

female. It is chiefly found in the eastern districts of the colony, and, in common with the other

Cape species, seeks its food generally in the dusk of the evening, and during the early part of

the night. Districts abounding in brushwood seem to constitute the favourite haunts of the

African Goat-suckers ; and where high roads pass through a country so provided, they are most

frequently found on or near them, either skimming along them or across them. During the

day they remain perched on the lower branches of brushwood in retired positions, and if by

accident they be disturbed, they never fly further than the first copse which proves suitable as

a place of concealment.

CAPRIMULGUS LENTIGINOSUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate CI. (FEemaAte.)

C. superne nigro-brunneus, lineis maculisque lactifloribus variegatis ; torque cervicale coloris ejusdem ;

remigibus primariis internis, secondariisque rubro-auranteo-fasciatis; gutture inter mandibule

extremitates posteriores macula alba instructo; pectore fusco, maculis lactifloribus variegato ;

abdomine pallide rubro-auranteo, brunneoque transverse teniolato.

Lonerrupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 5 unc. 2 lin. ; caude 5 une, 4 lin.

Cotour.—The ground colour of the upper parts of the head, neck, and

body liver-brown, freely speckled with small spots, waved lines, and irregular

blotches of pale buff-orange. The latter most numerous on the shoulders and

neck anterior to the interscapulars, where they form a sort of demi-collar ;

the variegations are most profuse on the neck, shoulders, and scapulars. On

the throat, between the hinder extremities of the lower jaw, a large white

blotch ; the other parts of the neck, anteriorly, liver-brown, narrowly barred

with buff-orange. Breast dull liver-brown, freckled, and blotched with buff

orange; belly and vent pale reddish orange, the former scantily banded

transversely with umber-brown. Under tail coverts barred with umber-

brown. Primary and secondary quill feathers brownish red, the four outer-

most of the former with a white spot on inner vane rather nearer to the tip

than quill ; towards the point these quill feathers areirregularly banded or varie-

gated with pale buff-orange lines, and the inner primaries and the secondaries

are on the outer vanes deeply barred with a tint intermediate between tile-

red and buff-orange ; tertiary quill feathers brownish red, profusely variegated

with oblique lines of buff-orange. Tail feathers umber-brown, barred irre-

gularly with pale buff-orange, and the four or six middle feathers be-

tween these bars are profusely variegated with narrow, oblique, pale buff

orange lines. Eyes dark brown. Tarsi and toes light brownish red; claws

reddish brown.

CAPRIMULGUS LENTIGINOSUS.

Form, &c.—Bill triangular, immediately anterior to frontal feathers much

depressed and the upper mandible is rather wider than the lower, and toward s

its point slightly curved. Wings long, slightly rounded, and when folded

reach to within an inch of the tip of the tail, the second and third quill

feathers nearly if not of equal length, and longest, the first about half an inch

shorter, and about equal to the fourth; the secondary and tertiary quill

feathers very short, scarcely reaching to the base of the tail. Tail long and

slightly rounded. Tarsi and toes moderately strong, the former posteriorly

and anteriorly towards toes scutellated, towards hinder extremity feathered.

Claw of middle toe long, slightly curved, and strongly pectinated ; claws of

other toes short, pointed, and strongly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Tuches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsi ........21....:0.+0ss 0 105

the tip of the tail.... ....... 10 «66 | of the outer toe ............... 0 44

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe............... 0 9

MOU pe ee cco te tEcerees 1 4 of, the inner toes... se ece-e ones 0 4

of wings when folded ......... Te6 ofitheshindertoe=. ec. c.s..-.- ) 2

Ontheltaileess-cn cesnecpecnantess 5a ek

Male.—Colours not known.

The two individuals I possess were procured in Great Namaqualand ; the one, when it was

shot, was seated upon a high road, and the other was skimming around a pool of stagnant

water, and occasionally darting from its general course as if to capture insects. Many other

individuals, probably of the same species, were observed in the same country ; but as they all

kept so extremely close to the edge of the brushwood, and never appeared till the dusk was

about giving place to darkness, two specimens only were obtained.

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CAPRIMULGUS EUROPAUS.—Avcr.

Aves.—Ptate CII. (Femate.)

C. pallide griseus, lineis, nigro-brunneis, transversis, longitudinalibusque instructus ; tectricibus alarum

minoribus maculis subalbis notatis lineam obliquam formantibus ; remigibus brunneo-rubris, aurantio-

rubro-fasciatis ; gutture, antice, fascid transversa alba, instructa ; abdomine subrufo lineis brunneis

transversis variegato.

Lonaitupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 5 une. 9 lin. ; caude 5 unc.

Co.our.—The ground colour of the upper surface of the head, the hinder

surface of the neck, the interscapulars, the back, the tail coverts and the sca-

pulary feathers pearl-grey, variegated with longitudinal stripes, and fine,

transverse, waved lines of liver-brown, the stripes along the centre of the

head broadest and almost contiguous. The scapulars adjoining the wings

are marked with several, short, broad, oblique liver-brown bars and narrow

cream-yellow lines, and the inner ones with broad longitudinal liver-brown

stripes. Ear coverts, feathers immediately behind them and those below

the lower eyelid, reddish-orange, freely freckled with liver-brown, and below

the last-mentioned feathers there is a distinct white stripe, which commences

at the angle of the mouth and terminates on the side of the neck; below this

stripe the feathers are rusty-white, closely barred with narrow liver-brown

lines ; throat superiorly crossed by a broad white band, many of the feathers

barred with umber-brown; behind this band the front and sides of the neck

are rusty white, barred with liver-brown; lesser wing coverts umber-brown,

those nearest the bend of the wing finely barred with reddish orange, those

towards the quill feathers variegated with reddish orange and cream-yellow

spots, in addition to the transverse bars. The cream-yellow spots are so

arranged as to form a sort of oblique spotted band across the wing. Primary

and secondary quill coverts umber-brown, narrowly barred and tipped with

cream-yellow ; primary quill feathers brownish red, barred with light reddish

orange, the bars more or less speckled with umber-brown stripes or spots ;

secondary and tertiary quill feathers umber-brown, the outer vanes freely

CAPRIMULGUS EUROPHUS.

variegated with spots or waved lines of a cream-yellow colour, the inner vanes

with moderately regular bars. Tail feathers buff-orange, narrowly barred

with umber-brown, the convexity of the bars towards the base of the tail.

Besides the bars, the light spaces between them are profusely sprinkled with

umber-brown spots and waved lines. Breast finely barred white and liver-

brown. Belly and flanks rusty white, the flanks darkest, and both are marked

with transverse liver-brown bars, not so closely set, however, as those of the

breast ; feathers of tarsi cream-yellow. Eyes dark brown,

Form, &c.—Bill subtriangular, towards frontal feathers depressed, towards

tip compressed, narrow, and slightly curved. Wings long, pointed, and when

folded reach nearly to the tip of the tail; the second quill feather the longest,

the first a little shorter, and the third rather shorter than the first, the fourth

about an inch shorter than the third. Tail even, or very slightly rounded.

Legs short, the upper and anterior portion of tarsus covered with feathers,

elsewhere it is scutellated. The outer and inner toes connected to the

middle one by membrane as far as the first joint; claw of middle toe slightly

curved and strongly pectinated ; the claws of the other toes short, much curved,

and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the henp thy of; thestarsus) tsne-cssnees secre. 0 9

point of the tail ........... 10 9 of the’outer toe s.5...s.sane O04

of the bill to the angle of the | of the middle toe.... .......... 0 73

MLO ereere es cccsese Saeteeeece 1 0 of the anneritoe! . ees: .e eee. (Qi Zi

of the wings when folded ... 7 i JAWAGKTEARTEY Goonponospepassoances 21

Olstheytail esta cece bone Weck by oy XH)

Male.—Colours not known.

All the individuals of this species which I procured in South Africa were females, and most

of them were killed near Cape Town, or in the Cape District. It is certainly of the same

species as the Nightjar which periodically visits Europe. Many of the Cape Colonists main-

tain that the various species of ‘* Naght wil” (night owl), as the birds of this genus are called by

the Dutch, remain the entire year in the colony ; others affirm that they proceed to the northward

on the approach of winter, and do not return till the following summer. With those who

believe they are permanent residents I am disposed to agree, as I have more than once seen

individuals in the middle of the winter. They all appear, each in its favourite locality, about

dusk, and between that time and daylight next morning are generally to be seen actively

engaged in capturing their food.

MAGE TO) We INS) WS

Ayes_— Plate 103.

PMO wills

PLOCEUS MARIQUENSIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puarte CIll.

P. capite, cervice, dorso, pectore, ventre uropygioque flavis; interscapuliis subbrunneis flavo-viridi-mar-

ginatis ; remigibus brunneo-rubris flavo-marginatis ; rostro pedibusque pallide flavo-brunneis carneo-

tinctis.

Loneitupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 3 unc. 7 lin. ; caudee 2 une, 4 lin.

Cotour.—The upper and lateral parts of the head, and the back and sides

of the neck, gamboge-vellow, faintly tinted with green and variegated with

umber-brown streaks—each feather having one of these in the course of

the shaft. Interscapulars umber-brown, broadly edged and tipped with a

yellow of the same character as that of the head. Back, rump, and upper

tail coverts yellow like the head, the latter verging to lemon-yellow. The

lesser wing coverts brownish red, edged with lemon-yellow ; the primary and

secondary quillcoverts, and the primary and secondary quill feathers, brownish

red, the two first edged and tipped with yellowish white, the other two mar-

gined externally with lemon-yellow. Breast, belly, and vent intermediate

between gamboge and lemon-yellow. Tail feathers broccoli-brown, washed

with lemon-yellow, and edged with the latter colour. The upper mandible

intermediate between hyacinth-red and yellowish brown; the lower interme-

diate between wood-brown and flesh-red ; the toes and claws intermediate

between yellowish brown and flesh-red.

In young birds the yellow, where it exists, is less deep, and on them it

appears only very sparingly on the interscapulars and under parts of the

body.

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender. Head small; bill rather strong, parti-

cularly at the base, conical, and pointed, the culmen enters slightly between

the feathers of the forehead; nostrils small, triangular, and placed near to

the base of bill, immediately on the side of culmen. Wings short, rounded,

and when folded reach to about the commencement of the second third of the

PLOCEUS MARIQUENSIS.

tail ; the first quill feather rudimentary, the third, fourth, and fifth equal and

longest, the second and sixth equal and rather shorter. Tail slightly rounded.

Tarsi and toes moderately robust, the former scutellated anteriorly, entire

posteriorly. Claws very much curved and pointed, the hinder toe and claw

strongest.

DIMENSIONS OF MALE.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from point of bill to base of HMengthvontarsusy-rensspeesseerseeercen 0 10

Gall. os ccvssswus eeeavslsiassvee By OULEY LOC Mectnnsseceetaetiess 0 43

of bill to angle of mouth ... 0 74 middleltoe) sens eecswele sects 0 63

of wings when folded......... a al RDN EDALOC ee eeeee ce aeet tee eaeee 0 44

Ofitall Sc sncoreceeceesscen see: 2 4 hinderstoe eee creche eese nO) meee

This species, like most of the others of the group, is gregarious, and inhabits the banks of

rivers to the northward of Kurrichaine, especially those near to the tropic of Capricorn.

ity

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PAECILONITTA ERY THRORHYNCHA

ves Plate 104: (Male)

PACILONITTA ERYTHRORHYNCHA.—EyrTon.

Aves.—Puate CIV. (Mate.)

P. superne brunnea pennarum marginibus subalbidis, subtus rufo-alba lunulis brunneis notatis; genis

juguloque abidis ; remigium secondarium dimidio ultimo, tectricibusque remigium secondarium rufo-

flavis, fascia transversa in medio cenea, nigro-marginata ; rostro auranteo-brunneo coccineo-marginato.

Lonairupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 11 une. 6 lin. ; caudee 3 unc.

ANAS ERYTHRORHYNCHA, Gimel. Syst., i. 517.

PACILONITTA ERYTHRORHYNCHA, Lyton, Monograph on the Anatide, p. 115.

Co.tour.—The top and the sides of the head superiorly umber-brown, all

the feathers faintly edged with wood-brown; nape and back of neck pale

broccoli-brown ; sides of neck and throat light yellowish brown, freckled with

numerous small umber-brown spots, those of the throat the darkest ; the sides

of the head below the eye and the upper portion of the throat yellowish

white. Interscapulars, scapulars, back, rump, and upper tail coverts umber-

brown glossed with green, the feathers edged with white or light reddish

orange. Lesser wing coverts and secondary quill coverts intermediate

between olive- and umber- brown, the latter feathers broadly tipped with a

colour intermediate between aurora-red and buff-orange. The primary quill

coverts, the primary quill feathers, and the base and the principal part of the

inner vane of each secondary quill feather brownish red ; the middle portion

of the outer vane of the secondary quill feather crossed by two narrow dark

bars, the basal one shining duck-green, the other velvet-black ; the apical

half of the outer vane and a little of the inner towards the point of the feather

the same colour as the tips of the secondary wing coverts. Breast and under

parts rusty white, each feather with two or more narrow transverse arched

bars of a brown colour, one of which generally towards the point of each

feather is exposed, so that the parts specified are variegated by a number of

lunate marks. The middle of the bill is orange-coloured brown, the sides and

PAHCILONITTA ERYTHRORHYNCHA.

tip carmine red, the latter tinted with crimson red. Legs, toes, and webs

intermediate between pale blackish purple and brownish red. Eyes deep

chestnut-brown.

Form, &c.—Body rather slender. Head large, deep, compressed, and

arched superiorly ; the forehead considerably inclined to the perpendicular ;

the neck long and superiorly very slender. Wings long, pointed, and when

folded reach nearly to the tip of the tail; the second quill feather rather the

longest, the first and third equal and rather shorter, the fourth not quite half

an inch shorter than the third, and the fifth about half an inch shorter than

the fourth ; the longest of the tertiary feathers equal in length to the second

primary quill feather. Tail feathers of equal or nearly equal length, and all

the feathers pointed and slightly rigid. Bill narrow, rather wider towards

the tip than at the base, and considerably depressed, except close to the

forehead, and superiorly slightly convex. Nostrils situated near to the base,

on each side of the narrow bifurcate elevation of the culmen. ‘Tarsi rather

long and moderately strong; anteriorly coated with a vertical row of small

plates, laterally and posteriorly with small and irregular-shaped scales.

Toes moderately long, the webs reaching to the claws; the anterior edge of

the inner one straight and oblique, that of the outer lunate. Claws short,

slender, and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to the Length of the tarsus .................. 1 6

base ‘of theitail’.:5..c:.....0.. 11 6 of the outer t0e) e..ccr-recc ese J 6

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe............... 1 7

MA, Basted dagoddenneEeosenes 2 1 ofthe ammner:toe!/-se-ceecenes 1 2

Ofithestaileeeneseaseeeecenececaces 3 0 of the hinder toe............. 0 43

of the wings when folded ... 8 43

Female.—Colours not known.

Specimens of this duck are occasionally observed in the interior of the Cape Colony, but

owing to their being so very shy and inhabiting districts but little frequented, only few com-

paratively are procured. The slightest noise in the neighbourhood of pools of stagnant water,

to which they generally resort, excites their suspicion, and the instant they have reason to

believe that danger threatens them they leave their feeding place, and seek security in some

retired spot far from the source of their fears.

Save that the wings of this duck are longer in comparison than those of Querquedula, and

that the culmen close to the front is rather differently formed, I see no grounds for considering

it as of a different groupe to the genus just mentioned.

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8) Ginn! as ques tM, PLR. oN BA neues ROD, Masri COR habia

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QUERQUEDULA HOTTENTOTA.—Smiru.

Aves.—PuatTe CV.

Q. brunnea, genis guttereque summo rufo-albis ; alarum speculo eneo postice atro-marginato ; remigibus

secondariis albo-terminatis ; rostro nigro-veride purpureo-marginato.

Lonartupo e rostri apice ad basin caude 10 unc. ; caude 2 unc. 10 lin.

Cotour.—The top and sides of the head superiorly rich umber-brown, the

feathers edged narrowly with yellowish brown; the sides of the head, upper

portion of the throat, and a longitudinal stripe extending from the eye towards

the nape light buff-orange; the back and sides of the neck towards the head

finely mottled greyish white and umber-brown. Lower portion of neck,

breast, and under parts intermediate between tile-red and yellowish brown,

each of the feathers of the neck and breast with one distinct, short, umber-

brown bar or spot near its tip; each of those of the belly with several

narrower and more lengthened bars; flanks without variegations. Inter-

scapulars and scapulars deep umber-brown, the former edged with a colour

like that which prevails on the under parts of the body, the latter with a pale

buff-orange stripe in the course of the shaft. Back liver-brown, the feathers

faintly tipped with white; upper tail coverts pale yellowish brown, crossed

with numerous narrow umber-brown bars; tail feathers dull rusty brown,

edged narrowly with wood-brown. Lesser wing coverts, primary and

secondary quill coverts, and the outer vanes of the primary quill feathers

liver-brown with a green gloss; the inner vanes of the primary and secondary

quill feathers brownish red. The basal two-thirds of the outer vanes of the

secondary quill feathers a shining duck-green, their points white, and the

two colours separated from each other by a transverse bar of velvet black.

The tertiary quill feathers a deep shining blackish green. The upper man-

dible blackish green along the middle, dull plum-purple on the sides and tip.

Legs, toes, and webs livid bluish green; claws a pale horn colour. Eyes

dark brown.

QUERQUEDULA HOTTENTOTA.

Form, &c.—Figure slender. Head moderately large, deep, strongly arched

above, and considerably compressed ; neck rather short and slender. Wings

short, slightly rounded, and when folded reach only to the base of the tail;

the first, second, and third feathers longest and almost equal, the fourth

rather shorter, and the fifth rather shorter than the fourth. Tail rather long,

all the feathers pointed. Tarsi short and laterally compressed ; anteriorly

with a vertical row of small plates, laterally and behind coated with small

irregular-shaped scales. _ Bill narrow and throughout nearly of equal width,

high at base from the projection of the culmen, depressed anteriorly and

slightly convex. Toes rather long and slender, the webs reaching to the

claws ; claws slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to the Length of the tarsus .................. 1 0

ibaseionthe: tall ..-c.--e-. +e. 10 11 Ofuthe outer tocksssaeseeeenseee 1 43

of the bill to the angle of the of the middle toe.... ......... 1 5

EOIN Csgape Gob oo be Gur cpoeeeaes 1 of the inner toe ............... 0 103

Olathe! tatlegrs-ese. varias one os 2 10 of the hinder toe ............... Oo 23

of the wings when folded ... 5 8

Female.—The colours generally are lighter and less clear than those of the

male; the most striking difference, however, is the absence of a defined

brilliant speculum to the wings, the portion of the feathers in the female

being only slightly green.

The only specimens of this species (two in number) which I have seen, were shot on a large

lake about one hundred miles to the north-west of Cape Town. It is a shy bird, and readily

takes to flight ; but it never, so far as I observed, proceeded to any great distance.

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FALCO SEMITORQUATUS

Avis — Plate 1. }

FALCO SEMITORQUATUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate I. (Matt.)

F. parte superiori capitis, dorso, humerisque cineraceis; capitis lateribus, fascia cervicali, tectricibus

superioribus caude, partibusque inferioribus albis ; remigibus rectricibusque brunneo-nigris maculis

albis in seriebus transversis variegatis ; rostro ad basin, cera, pedibusque flavis ; rostri apice, ungui-

busque nigris ; oculis flavis.

Loneitupo 7 une.

Fauco Semrrorquatus, Rep. of Exped. page 44. June 1836.

Cotour.—The upper part of the head, the back, the secondary quill coverts

and a few of the innermost tertiary quill feathers cinereous or ashy blue; the

sides of the head a broad transverse band on the back of the neck, the upper

tail coverts, and all the under parts pure white. Primary quill coverts, quill

feathers and tail dull brown or brownish black, freely variegated with white

spots. On the quill feathers, the spots on the outer vanes consist of some-

what circular or semicircular blotches, on the inner vanes of more or less

lengthened transverse bars, the latter more numerous than the former, which

are generally four on each web, except in the case of the first primary, which

is often spotless. On the tail the forms of the white spots are somewhat

similar to what they are upon the wing feathers, and the number upon

each vane is generally equal, commonly five, so that when the feathers are

spread, it appears crossed by that number of interrupted white bars; both

the quill and tail feathers tipt with white. Cere, basal half of bill, legs and

toes yellow, distal half of bill livid blue, with the extreme tip nearly black ;

claws black ; eyes yellow.

Form, &c.—Bill rather compressed, and the point of the upper mandible

much hooked. Tarsi and toes moderately strong for the size of the bird, the

former covered in front by entire or divided plates, behind and on the sides by

scales. Claws much curved; wings when closed reach nearly over the first two-

FALCO SEMITORQUATUS.

thirds of the tail ; second quill feather longest ; first and third nearly equal,

and rather shorter than the second ; the extremity of the tail slightly rounded.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus...............-0000. a

endeofithetalliscccecesssccesce GW enpthiof middleitoe ssc. scccnreess ee iy

of the bill from the angle of the TGenpthtorshinder, tocresstecceere reacties 0 43

MOUtMetesnccorccccteetous sess 0 9

of the wings when folded ....... 4° §

Olathe mtallnreeeere tcc cs se cect. 8 0

In the female, the scapulars and the back are deep chesnut brown ; in

other respects the colours are similar to those of the male. In point of

size there is a little difference, the female being nearly eight inches and a half

in length.

Only three specimens of this elegant little Falcon were procured by the expedition party, and

those nearly in the same spot, among some large mimosa trees a little to the eastward of Old

Latakoo. None of them were ever observed soaring like other falcons, and the few individuals

that were seen were either perched upon the lowermost branches of the trees, or in the act of

flying from one tree to another. Considering that this bird was never afterwards procured or

even seen more to the eastward, it is probable that the proper habitat of the species will be

found in the opposite direction, which Iam the more inclined to believe, as one of our party

declared he had seen it upon the borders of the Kalahari desert during an excursion we made

to the westward of New Latakoo. In the stomachs of two were found the remains of small

birds, and in the third, portions of a lizard, and different parts of coleopterous insects.

If we are to admit Le Faucon a calotte noir of Levaillant, Ois. d’Afrique, pl. 29, (Falco

tibialis, Daud.) to be a native of South Africa, we have now eight species of true Falcons

inhabiting that part of the globe ; viz.

Falco rupicolus, Daud. Falco tibialis, Daud.

rupicoloides, Smith. Chicquera, Le Valliant.

biarmicus, Temm. Subbuteo, Lin.

peregrinus, Lin. semitorquatus, Smith.

The four species in the first column occur in almost every district of the country which has yet

been explored; the fifth species, if it has a place in South Africa, must be very confined in its range,

as I have never either met it myself, nor seen it in collections made by others. The sixth species

was for the first time discovered during the movements of the expedition between the principal

branches of the Orange river, and it was not until that discovery I could persuade myself

that Levaillant had correctly ranked it as an African bird. The seventh is rarely procured, and

I have never seen specimens at any great distance from Cape Town. The eighth probably

never reaches the latitude of the colony.

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4 ie.

Als

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he koa

LRAIS CONCOLOR

ASRS tn eliccereie)

CHIZHRHIS CONCOLOR.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate II. (MAtez.)

C. cinereo-griseus brunneo-tinctus; humeris scapularibusque eupreo-viridi umbratis ; remigibus viridi-

brunneis ; cauda viridi-grisea ; rostro pedibusque nigris; capite cristato, cristae plumis decompositis e

fronte porrectis.

Loneirupo 20 une.

Cotieuimus Concotor, Rep. of Exped. page 54, June 1836.

Cotour.—Dull ashy, or smoke-grey, tinted with brown ; the scapulars and

shoulders variegated by greenish shades, exhibiting a metallic lustre. Bastard

wings, primary quill coverts, and quill feathers, greenish brown; the green

most distinct upon the inner vanes; the outer vanes of secondary quill

feathers greenish grey, the inner deep green, with a metallic gloss. Tail

above glossy greenish grey, except towards the extremity, where it is deep

greenish brown, beneath greenish brown with a brassy tint. Bill and claws

black ; tarsi and toes livid brown. Eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Bill compressed, higher than broad at the base, and its height

nearly equal to its length; culmen slightly rounded and arched from the

base; the tip of the upper mandible pointed and somewhat hooked, with a

slight emargination immediately behind it; commissure slightly sinuated ;

nostrils small, pierced in the bill, close to the culmen and a little in front of

the feathers of the forehead, with a distinct narrow groove extending from each,

obliquely downwards and forwards towards the commissure. Wings, when

folded, reach over the first third of the tail; fourth and fifth quill feathers

longest, and slightly exceeding the third and sixth; the second considerably

shorter than the third, and the first not half the length of the fourth. Tarsi

and toes moderately robust, the former covered in front by transverse plates,

behind and on the sides by minute granular scales. Claws moderately curved.

Head surmounted by a long crest, which extends obliquely upwards and

CHIZERHIS CONCOLOR.

backwards from the forehead, and is formed of the elongated feathers of that

part with their vanes much decomposed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches, Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus ........:2..2....---- ie

extremity of the tail......... XT 33 of the middle toe ............... 1 3

Ofsthelbr ese erences eee Ona Ofdhewmhindentoes eeeesse cose 5 (0) 34

of the wings when folded...... 8 6

Ofsthoeataillescen emeeee casas 10 O

The female scarcely differs either in colour or size from the male.

It was upon reaching 25° 24’ south latitude, a point where the rivers began to flow to the

eastward, and the country to acquire a partial clothing of dwarf trees aud brushwood, that this

species was first discovered. As soon as it was observed, the Hottentots declared it to be a muis

vogel, or Colius, Lin., and they persisted ever afterwards in regarding it as such, which was not

surprising, since it evinces considerable similarity to birds of that genus, not only in its carriage

when perched, but also in its mode of flight and in various other points which will be noticed

more at length hereafter. Its favourite resort seemed to be the immediate banks of rivers, and

it was seen either perched upon the highest branches of the trees which occurred in these

situations, or flitting to and fro among them in search of the fruits, which constitute its

principal food. It is a bird of short flight, and when disturbed and driven from any particular

haunt, it seldom passes the nearest tree without alighting, unless it may think itself not suffi-

ciently removed from the source of danger. When flying, it sometimes flaps its wings with

considerable quickness and vigour, but more generally it soars along with them completely ex-

tended, and even scarcely moves them until it has actually perched. When at rest, and with-

out any suspicion of danger, it has a clumsy dull appearance, with its head sunk to its

shoulders, and at such times utters occasionally a harsh ery resembling “mea.” When

excited, however, by the appearance of an object of suspicion, or its attention is arrested by

any unusual noise, it exhibits a very opposite and elegant appearance: its crest, which in a

state of rest is generally recumbent, then becomes erected, while its head, if not its whole

body, is moved in various directions, as if endeavouring to discover the cause of its alarm ;

and at such times its cries are harsher and more frequent. The individuals first discovered

were extremely shy and watchful, but as we advanced in the country, where specimens were

more abundant, less caution was observed, and there were days when we might have shot at

least forty or fifty individuals had it been desirable. Besides the remains of fruits, the wings

and other parts of grylli were found in the stomachs of several which were examined.

When first 1 became acquainted with this bird I was inclined to consider it as forming a

type for a new genus, which I proposed to call Coliphimus. Since my return to Europe, how-

ever, I have had opportunities of comparing it with Chizerhis of Wagler, and not having found

sufficient peculiarities to warrant its being regarded apart from that genus, the name by which

it was originally designated is consequently discontinued.

PTEROCLES GUTTURALIS.—Snmiru.

Aves.—Puate III. (Mate.)

Mas. P. capite, collo, pectoreque pallidé sulphureo-viridibus; scapularibus interscapularibusque grisco rubri-

brunneo nigro-brunneoque umbratis ; gula straminea postice fascia brunneo-nigra marginata ; alarum

tectricibus secundariis subrutilis ; abdomine castaneo dio; remigibus fuscis, secundariis versus apicem

albo-marginatis.

Fem. capite, cervice, dorso, humeris pectoreque brunneo-nigris, subochreo variegatis; gula, gutture,

collique lateribus pallidé brunneo-flavis ; abdomine nigro badio-fasciato; caude tectricibus inferi-

oribus badiis, versus basin nigro-fasciatis.

Cotour.——The upper surface of the head dull green, faintly freckled with

black ; the sides of the head and the chin straw yellow; eye-brows yellowish

white; space between eye and bill black; the neck, the breast, and a

portion of each shoulder, intermediate between oil green and sulphur yellow ;

the bases of all the feathers pearl-grey; immediately behind the yellow of

chin, the throat and sides of the neck are crossed by a deep brownish black

crescent. The interscapulars and scapulars clouded with pale reddish brown,

pearl-grey, and bluish black, or brownish black, the latter generally prevailing

towards the quills. Back and upper tail coverts pearly grey, strongly tinged

with brown, and when the feathers are separated, each is found of a yellowish

brown tint at the base, and with a strong satin lustre. The secondary wing

coverts intermediate between Dutch and reddish orange, with the base, and a

considerable portion of the inner vane of each pearly-grey ; primary wing

coverts, and all the quill feathers, umber-brown ; the secondaries narrowly

tipt with rusty white; the tail feathers blackish brown, the outer vanes edged

with pearl-grey, and all, except the two middle ones, broadly tipt with the

same colour as the secondary quill coverts. Belly and under tail coverts, be-

tween chesnut and reddish brown. Bill and claws a dark horn-colour ; eyes

dark brown; toes greenish brown.

Form, &c.—Typical ; wings, when folded, nearly reach the tip of the tail ;

the first quill feather rather longer than the second; the longest of the

tertiaries intermediate between the sixth and seventh quill feathers ; tail,

wedge-shaped, the two middle feathers rather the longest, and acuminated at

their extremities; the outer and inner toes of equal length.

PTEROCLES GUTTURALIS.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches, Lines. Inches, Lines.

Length from the tip of bill to the end Length of the tarsus ............00.0..005 1 1

Ol thestalleeemesescseeeee nse. L255 6 middle toe ............... 1 O

Ol thejtaileercceeeececesese eae 0 10 Outerstocte.cecnceeeeeee 0 9

of the wings when folded...... 8 9 hind erstoe/ es. akeece cena Oo 14

Of tho ttail iesmesceates soscieccerens 4 8

In the female, the top of the head is brownish black, spotted with rusty

white ; back of the neck, dull cream yellow, freely dashed with brown ; the

sides of the neck and the throat pale honey yellow; the back, the shoulders,

and the breast, brownish black, with large cream-coloured spots; belly, deep

black, barred with pale chesnut. Under tail-coverts bright chesnut, towards

their bases barred with black. Tail, blackish brown, with partial bars of

light cream-yellow, and all except the two middle feathers, tipt with pale

reddish orange. Length 11 inches.

This bird was first discovered in latitude 25° 40’, about eighty miles to the eastward of Latakoo,

and it was when we remarked its cry to differ from that uttered by Pterocles Tachyptes,Temm. that

we were led to a suspicion of its being a distinct species. In common with the other South African

species of this genus,it repairs in large flocks at regular and fixed periods, to localities where water

exists, and it is at such times that specimens are most readily to be secured. The sportsman,

however, to be successful, must be quick in his movements, as they scarcely reach the water

before they are again on the wing. Both in approaching to, and receding from such spots,

they utter almost incessantly sharp cries, somewhat resembling twet weet, twet weet. From

observing these birds when in quest of means for quenching their thirst, one would be disposed

to consider them gregarious ; but such notions are soon suspended when their feeding grounds

are discovered. Over the latter they are generally dispersed singly or in pairs, and the occa-

sional congregation only takes place by solitary individuals successively joining others who are

on the way from a greater distance. This species seeks the water about ten in the morning

and three in the afternoon, and in that respect resembles the Pterocles Tachyptes, which

inhabits a different part of the country. The Péerocles Variegatus, which we shall hereafter

figure, prefers to drink during the early part of the morning, and the Pterocles Bicinctus

again, during the dusk of the evening, and the early part of the night. In such an arrange-

ment we must admit design; as, were all of the various species to experience thirst at or about

the same time, both delay and difficulty would be experienced in quenching it, since owing to

the general scarcity of water in the districts they inhabit, even as it is at present, hundreds of

the same species are often to be seen fringing the brink of a pool for hours together, and occa-

sionally disputing for the first sip. Grass-seeds, ants, and abundance of gravel were found in

the stomachs of most of the individuals we secured.

AMINO ae.”

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a parvo abLiw + Aion “ wee anthony « ety diy RAs ——* & aaa 0 cil i"

Yeats mul ino 's i Jaw bt i we hear i wel : she se Pa ane

i caghe: g aacnge i inrnaus al ns nays La ee ee root wilt Sora

1! dees diy ide etly enciew oe rT ve batt cam a nial daa

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= - J ae a

mw at hod bp given? Si ¥, om ah hs oa ee? ec@ ea ae 7 pee :

ay rena _. 7 :

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aie iA Beg oS daw (itd die intel pa Ae

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OTIS RUFICRISTA.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate IV. (Mate.

Mas. O. capite supra czeruleo-griseo ; fascia suborbitali colloque griseis, pallidé brumneo sparsis ; stria

superciliari sordidé alba, nigro variegata usque ad nucham porrecta ; crista castanea ; mento, regione

parotica, maculaque ante alas albis, illo fascia longitudinali nigra; dorso isabellino lineis nigris

undatis, variegatis ; scapularibus, interscapularibus, humerisque preeterea maculis lanceolatis nigris

notatis flavo-albo marginatis; alarum tectricibus secundariis apicibus albis, tectricibus primaribus,

remiigbusque nigro-brunneis, albo maculatis; pectore ventreque nigris; oculis rubro-brunneis ;

pedibus albo-flavis; mandibula superiore unguibusque viridi-nigris, mandibula inferiore ad basin

subflaya ad apicem livida.

Orvis Ruricrista, Rep. of Exped. App. page 56, June 1836.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head intermediate between bluish and

blackish grey ; a stripe below each eye, and the neck pearl-grey, the latter

closely freckled with wood-brown, except at the lower part of the throat, where

the colour is pure pearl-grey, with a lilac blush ; eyebrows rusty white, finely

mottled with black, and continued on each side of the head until they

unite on the nape, immediately over the crest; the latter pale chesnut,

darkest towards the point; ear coverts wood-brown; chin and a blotch on

each side of the breast in front of wings white, the former divided along its

centre by a narrow black stripe broadest behind. Back, shoulders, scapulars,

and tertiary quill feathers, between ochre and cream-yellow ; all the feathers

finely variegated by numerous waved, somewhat transverse black lines, and

all except those of the back marked besides, by lanceolate black stripes

edged and tipt with cream-yellow. The secondary wing coverts black

towards their quills, white towards their tips ; the last colour so disposed as to

form an oblique white band along the wing. Primary quill coverts and quill

feathers, brownish black with transverse white blotches ; tail coverts and tail

feathers, white, closely barred by fine black lines, the lateral feathers broadly

tipt with pure black, the two middle ones crossed near their extremities by a

pure black band, which behind is edged with white, the inner vanes of these

two feathers black at the points, the outer vanes black, with transverse white

lines. The breast, belly and under tail coverts, black. Upper mandible

and claws of a dark horn-colour ; the lower mandible greenish yellow towards

OTIS RUFICRISTA.

the base, dark horn coloured towards the point; legs intermediate between

pale straw and wine-yellow ; eyes reddish brown.

Form.—Neck long; body slender; nuchal crest about two inches long,

depressed and formed of fine silky feathers; wings, when closed, extend

over the first half of the tail; the innermost tertiaries longer than the primary

quill feathers ;—the second, third, and forth primaries nearly of equal length ;

the first rather shorter. The tail rounded at its extremity ; outer and inner

toes nearly of equal length.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to the Length of the tarsus ............-..0000s 39

tapvoiythe tailmeacnmenemcnctste es 22 of the outer toe.................. 0 8

Ofsthortallpee-neseacesaser eens: 54 of the middle toe ............... 0

of the wings when folded ......... 103 of theunner toes.ss-teer see ee eee 0 6

Ofjtheybilllepaecce cre cseatsen sete csr 2

The female differs so much from the male, that we shall give a figure and

description of her in a future number.

This species was first discovered in the vicinity of Latakoo, where it arrested our attention

by the peculiarity of its ery, which was intermediate between the harsh hir kir hac, of the Otis

Afra, Lin. and the croak of the Otis Vigorsi Smith. Besides the difference in the tone of its

ery, it also uttered its calls less frequently than the former, and, as far as we observed, only

while flying ; thus in the first peculiarity approaching the latter mentioned species, and in the

other differing from both. When disturbed, it flies but a short distance before it alights,

and when that has once happened, it is no easy task to start it a second time, owing to its

habit of squatting among the grass, and remaining tranquil even when almost touched by the

feet of the sportsman. It appeared almost exclusively restricted to grassy plains, and rarely

occurred in districts supplied with brushwood, from which circumstance only one or two speci-

mens were observed to the north of 25°. Insects, small lizards, scolopendra, &c, seemed to

constitute its favourite food, and besides the remains of these, abundance of small gravel was

also found in the stomachs of the individuals we procured, which were but few, owing to the

specimens being rare, at least in the directions in which we travelled.

i”

; gue te a ad

re bosntinn ti a dine if ehishze we et . ergy | hat 5 ieee 1 oma 1 7 bit

hy nwt te A aotudd ub Ve sooth ibe an - ir: pi wine ef tn wt Sat

oF : a

= iter ; b campeitet oer ms aad ab th fitee wl ado inet evtutall a -

ety 21), Pe mud alt ~f ror Hi ‘€ wee d a % ‘ta hive a pl weak gad e _ is

yes = ve") ‘ as 7 tee " : _ ear ii be ‘i 7 ale ol omen si “ aa ‘ o

ie, es ne Sagngiaen: i

AE; : vos " J ‘¢ ate Wry - iy ‘iy hemes oe tombe riye ai ine ‘ohabe 4 repute r >

7 ine a hA Ae a j ie a es C. omy (a ig ¢ dios j a. tea! _

iy 7 i if -

2 7 = wa Ss -

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ye * 7 A . Pa ‘ toh wont.

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. a hae “=y (2 1 = ? ite sje a i a =< Yea » he anit 8

i? te = ye A Gece - 7 : ate = ote _ 7 as -¥ A : = “ a ae

PIS Mt wpe | ny ab +9 Aniline — 7) “ih ni > aituee

= ‘s Sagi! & - sie Pa 1) OP ime = ‘ ibs = F 7 am - bal ath - vite

- - _ - ‘

by a it Hi mb Dips a - te fu : : 7 7

a7 an = ; 7 _ a a 7

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7 : +? t ’ jibes

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PRIONOPS TALACOMA.—Smiru.

Aves.—PuiaTre V. (MAte.)

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

marginatis ; dorso humerisque nigro-viridi-nitescentibus ; alis strigi 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,

Lonairupo, 8 une.

Prionops Tatacoma, Rep. of Exp., page 45, June, 1836.

Co.our.—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 Tength of tarsus. sanccesece ns snesase secs 1

halle scieoterte Cereneccscte see 8 0 of the middle toe ............... 0 6

oftthe ital Se 2ecesa se caseceeseet- Po tats) of the inner, t0e.. 2.0.0.0 -e ete 0 43

of the wings when folded...... 4°04

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 individuals, 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.

ian 7 iw)

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a . i

Pevereitino ml ‘wed roa ita on) ol Ms aly ‘Hog

Hhsmrpbant aa 6 daysl a ods wh lnenee ti oult say pra i

_ “6 ithe tee fiestas pro lea haw ale

a - Y oe

; ocd et

sania ‘ip | oS ae a Dials ca p Ay

7 _ ‘ecren e o ee o

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. ww . hy 7 =A ati as

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pend

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f ri - 7

7 - 7 = a : Obey as ‘

a ~ Ca - % ia — a - 7

alall eviltily ser oat be onatntg a B aly vate eh wig vine joel a

7 cam 1 i s “ois ie y il) cavers) Chie tas’ Ve

. ; 7 7s hohe rein 7 ns

ban ‘Marit F ibosise ‘a me i, Ay oF hi: white - si net ibe saith nl ad? ;

ee aN 9 aes tek emp Yotev an

enh hte J foal " Bats Ay ms Bick ¥ i‘. ot tae Th = di vier i" 40h

? os awe i vail a al, bem ; 1 abverex or a ae foul: —_ ‘ me mtu id 1 Tie m" J on

a ware QA a Po re yew Whe ae ae = i any Ape. " wes mo sal bboy nt bee =

ne 7 , mn : o

- inns v hots bu (@ LP a) te fi eee Fl, <_ if ste gusting od cal Beary Ailes

fy - 7

Seg staiitarey a ye ‘yf 7 inet By nh ad om Na a atelier shay a We oetustt ia Si. mate bad - J j

ae Mi » de werent MF by: ‘4 wu a as a “Oe hae

Ne onl ‘va rapt ited tae hd terrende. hin iret wats waite, mst lt

ar fh gs a J ae brin Ai al ody ha we hi Me 4 Dvsith atl or wren i pally ant cotta

ie . adi , am “eo tlésyene “7 yaw shiisl : os mute Payer how ea eatanae. ied 7

yelp

“iit, | esti yt inf ovit sit, feng ¢ ——_“, adh) te ‘Bawriucoal qn v ow eon

ei 4 ail hid wil hoa vitision mpm, abe i poificas'? ten nie miqueniah |

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CRATEROPUS JARDINII.—Snmiru.

Aves.—Puate VI. (MALE.)

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

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

nigro-fusco ; oculis, tarsisque brunneis.

Lonaitupo, 10 unc.

Craterorus Jarpinu, Rep. of Exped. page 45, June 1836.

CoLour.—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 Ist 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 engthrotythewtarsus:scsicerectrerce set: 1G

extremity of the tail......... 10 0 of the hinder toe ............... 0S

Of thestail Aevsese scoseeosesawenses Swe AN) of the middle toe ............... 0 83

of the wings when folded...... 4 6

of the bill from the angle of

The MNOUtM wa cceses sear essere 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

havoe upon the larve of Gryllide, &c. while those obtained among the brushwood appeared

principally to have fed upon coleopterous insects.

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EUPLECTES TAHA.—Smiru.*

Aves.—Puare VII.—(Ma te.)

Mas in wst. E. niger; capite superné, dorso, caude 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. E. supra pallidé flavo-brunneus, nigro-striatus ; subtus cinereo-albus lineis

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

Corour.—( 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 (Ory)

introduced by Lesson, (Traité d’Ornithologie, 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 ..................... Oo 9

point of the tail............... 4° 9 the middle toe ............... One Ti

of\theytail ies cccasesss oacmasstes ibe 8 & thesouter toe cencesescne acces 0 42

of the wings when closed...... PHY He the hinder toe ............... O 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 Huplectes 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 E. 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.

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PHILET#RUS LEPIDUS.—Smirz.

Aves.—Puate VIII. (Mate.)

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

albo-marginatis ; remigibus rectricibusque brunneis, harum apicibus isabellinis, gula strigaque 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.

Loxra socta, Latham, Pater’s Voy. Pl. 19.

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

PurLerervs LepIpus, Smith, Mag. of Nat. History, new series, vol. i. p. 536.

Evp.ecres Leprpus, Sveainson, 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

bill 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. Bull 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 Teng thyofthertarsis. c..scncseese-veneeees 0 8

the stal seoncceeassocessesenta= 4 9 the outer toe......5..-.....6 0 33

ofthe tall eee eaccecccenecteo: 2 0 the middle toe ............... 0 54

of the wings when folded...... 2 10 the hinder toe ............... 0 33

of the bill from the gape...... O° 7

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 Luplectes.

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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Ses. 2 * » «= ‘ A oun Ti us. NF i hee aie eyd : y Naw war "bss Vinten ~<a

: 7 Am oe ae “~ vi “th a muir dy ¥% oO aay. te eat URee ty anal “hs tui f A eel “ fh ical fi

” Ve-@ <i ae sil 4 > + dials a ys vom eral anid sushi wi sabi — es ee Ladle -‘. wth

eA ena sme © a , | al Havant ye bens au “re ius pert dt due 9 etait pee

) oa wid y 7 a

ee 2 fil sintidro shite. wernt HK oil os wets “ull ay it

a stealing A ne "iy ri * « ie sinlte at a wi ponds a tity Nw «i Xl sh naire “ae eo wh

- he ¥ HM ing) Se but ly fits ita ” mal Ni a Aiea i junit)

» hoe — -— o “iin - — = ah.’ 9

‘Ae fi me “ kon Ae a a aube ur a ile by » sayings aa teh sy wr a (iliaie ° a .

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sacs see wit a

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SHaGlIOMOOTING, sdoOuan

MEROPS BULLOCKOIDES.*—Smirn.

Aves.—Puate IX. (MAtE.)

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

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

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

apicibus nigris.

Lonarrupo, 73 unc.

Merors ButuocKxores. 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

green; 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............... he Of the tarsustrcr)-.jce-ssseesce 0 33

Ofguho tall Petre aaseccec ass -nss 4 0 of the middle toe ............... 0 3

of the bill from the angle of of the hinder toe ............... 0) 2

CHE MNO ULM se risiasieier cinetins iene Lf

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. Lrythropterus 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 M. 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-

cunstance 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.

= Die :

7 7 : Sy

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vw. = ~~ ax peateead, alt i yD " - _— T tai td Ws Nealon a - = us lad

eg _ oon vn a it alt te : I. _ lis aie (a. lt

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1 ; Want on olay 7

. cae | talaga yo ie fides 4 ban saioog, ult anew

ag Piher toons add ving | litw it: sik desir sine mgeity onl ¥ wd data

ve ahh ; a f ne

. \aoiange Stoony ott at. Roaianen nt Taq auld Yr rue lo if) i sshd altar

>! yon cio esto 7a wal, oft” 7 To deal ot wilhavle ‘Pidalas rel a. wolon ;

: om o¢ = arene y criey al ob aban lta

Soph aneé brid wil dh ish idea dtwos 48 2 at talthte vom a “a4 owl igen rat aa 4E

a i Ht hneniede wal 1 Seaaietenas Dorrie mye st ve eile weal irre ” ot Dovey

) Leena sown to ssid wn idvononeive uy wee, ae mi “Whe nil ce Oren ont

Skewb ws toneh Velvia getty Nox owls a vlan rein ip hi A inne ail abusers wie al nation a

heey oe ja) wprld Aste bind a9 ni oF Ted a w Way ving wid cy To

“prt i rae wot Sa sith ro thon Wek sane iene ie ‘Nem ekne Je _ rh inet ty

et 5 Meow - dlidad att te, wen poyent al i sees vary & is ups i 2 nantd A vi a a ean rut)

milo? brezyoet pt, title ak ose nae tA sayin, rion imal ine

nae oe ining wat aye ™ 0 det vant! a Lud suey adi Ww ersten wlte pi is went ouialy 6

) De lai se reeled oak ary Yiade oes “"y oe ee -_ oq shai wh fae be ho mas mle

A yt pitty Laaty Prva! ae fuile bs Ain aa, sl ‘i oo we « iat wstalshingy, OE lags a

i Laas bina pee wild it lle au ei Th eee, ween dia 1) eo ad

: mw oy Ee Hiei ol Linen”

tt onyaayas ATR Bap Winged dros + ae ee

Pacha Ait Wallan il wiSicagne tak ne say tually a7! vimiing » fesealle =

So abl Hrrorayah w \ aft Liang nal a 4 savy » Wit jhe ¢% de 4p ee veaann ool

pee Fos eerie heh wolaedn dnp on win. Mell stone wns aman reheat axed stn

y Qivadet OS ate he adage, a eatldal, ville 2 ae oe avin ap a ta seal

aay AD Oita ti td, reli é evi ai? ti, > ar Toe wD qpeaiiry) oy - obey celle = beset adh

U a. na. ar i mai oo saudi f ad ons “| onal 4 aad "lage ual) we way aR

= ee pa i wasn te ants om ruyits a Aion doa ois

er wi aay M ste me 4 ber fi ; Aer vip dbaartin o. ima

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ae : © _ 7 7

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“SN LyS qIVeVvA SaT9.OMaLld

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-brumneo, 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. Bill 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 Teength cof the; tarsusitisis. sec.iceae sass ed 1

tip lof the tail. .c.ncce es cm r-n'- oe, 6 of the middletoe ..............- as)

olithostailercseaeceaect renee tae 38 3 OlitheOutenitOe: soadecseseesbe nce OMn«G

of the wings when folded...... Gee

of bill from the angle of the

MOUWGH eeedeeseasins ces wascde coe On,

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 Pterocles 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.

NG Ciliet Ar aR 12 OEM Ome

(Aves — Plate J1)

ACCIPITER POLYZONOIDES.—Smirn.

Aves.—Puate XI. (FEMALE.)

A. supra cinereus brunneo-umbratus, subtus albus; gula guttureque leviter fusco-subfasciatis ; pectore

abdomineque rubro-brunneo-fasciatis ; capitis cervicisque lateribus pallide griseis ; remigibus pri-

mariis pallid brunneis, pogoniis internis nigro-brunneo-fasciatis ; secundariis griseis, pogoniis albo-

marginatis et fasciis nigro-brunneis notatis ; cauda subtus alba fasciis sex nigro-brunneis instructa.

Lonaitupo 13 unc.

Co.tour.—Above, pearl-grey shaded with brown, the latter colour particu-

larly distinct upon the interscapulars: the feathers of the nape of the neck are

pure white except at the points. Space below the eyes, ear coverts and sides

of the neck dull pearl-grey ; chin and throat white freckled with light brown,

the latter colour in the form of short indistinct bars. Breast, belly and thighs

white, closely banded with narrow, slightly undulated, reddish brown bars ;

vent and under tail coverts pure white. Shoulder coverts dark leaden grey,

slightly tinged with brown; primary quill coverts dull blackish brown; the

outer vanes of the primary quill feathers, and the last two-thirds of the inner

vanes light brown, the first third white; each of the latter vanes are crossed

by a number of black-brown bars amounting on the longest feathers to ten

or eleven in number; the secondaries pearl-grey, the inner vanes broadly

edged with white in addition to being crossed by several narrow black-brown

bars. The two centre feathers of the tail and the outer vanes of the remainder

pearl-grey, faintly flushed with brown ; the inner vanes white, and all the vanes

excepting the outer one of the outermost feather of each side crossed by six

black-brown bands, the one nearest the point the broadest; on several of the

inner vanes more or less of the spaces between the bands are of the same

colour as the outer vanes; the tips of all the feathers white. The cere and

legs light saffron yellow; bill and claws brownish black, the edge of the

upper mandible near the angle of the mouth, and the base of the lower one

dull yellow. Eyes bright orange.

Form, &c.—Typical ; bill strongly arched from the base, and considerably

compressed ; festoon of upper mandible only slightly developed ; tarsi and

toes moderately robust, the divisions of the plates and scales of the former

scarcely perceptible; the inner toe rather longer than the hinder one; the

claws much curved, slightly compressed and pointed. The wings when folded

reach rather beyond the first half of the tail; the fourth quill feather rather

the longest, the third and fifth a little shorter and nearly of equal length.

Tail long and slightly rounded at the point.

ACCIPITER POLYZONOIDES.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches, Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tail ........:ceseeeeeseeeees 6 60

point of the tail............... ie} () Thenbarsusucnseeseccineeetsecate i 739

of the bill to the angle of the ther outer toe! areececnceesscieias if

TEI ndoqcodecasaobeapARsceGce 0 10 the’ middle 06... ....1..-e-se-ees 0 103

of the wings when folded...... wo) the inner toe acseescacwereeeh cs Or 6

The male is rather smaller than the female, but the colours are nearly alike.

Only a few specimens of this species were obtained, and those to the north of 26° south

latitude. Their manner of flight was exactly that of the common sparrow-hawk, and they

frequented principally the banks of rivers where small birds, upon which they appeared chiefly

to depend for their food, were abundant.

There are three South African species of the genus Accipiter, with which the present species

may, at first sight, possibly be confounded. From the first, Accipiter polyzonus, Temm., it is

readily to be distinguished merely by its inferior size, and the lighter tints of its upper plumage,

but should more definite diagnostic characters be required, they will be found in the colouring

of the tail. In A. polyzonus almost the whole colour of the tail consists of three dark transverse

bands; those of the inner vanes of the two middle feathers being distinctly edged, anteriorly,

with pure white. From the second, A. gabar, it willat once be distinguished by its wanting the

white rump; and from the third, A. minulus, by its superior size, and by the bands of its tail

being more numerous: In A. minulus there are only three bands, each of which is very broad.

These three, however, are not the only species with which it may possibly be confounded ;

there is another belonging to the East Indies, to which it approaches even more closely ; indeed,

the resemblance between them is so great, that we were at first disposed to regard them as

identical. Upon close examination, however, we were able to detect many discrepancies. The

characters of the species discovered by the Expedition, having been already given, we shall,

therefore, only instance certain appearances of the Accipiter Desumierii, the name given to

the Indian form by Temminck,* and leave the reader to refer to the description of the cor-

responding parts of our species. In A. Deswmierii, the bill is rather large for the size of the

bird, and is broad and convex, particularly towards the base; the cere is livid; the festoon is

much developed, and marked with a large yellow blotch ; the eyebrows and space in front of

the eyes are white; the sides of the head, the ear coverts, and the sides of the neck are light

rufous, the two first slightly mottled with short delicate brown stripes ; the chin and throat are

white, with a dark central line; the breast and belly are banded with rufous. The wings

when folded do not reach so far as the first half of the tail; the bands of the tail are narrow,

and in adult specimens rarely extend across the outer vanes ; the two middle tail feathers are

of a uniform grey colour, and without any appearance of bands; the tarsi are two inches

and two lines in length.

In addition to the species here figured, the following specimens of the genus Accipiter occur

in South Africa.

Accipiter polyzonus. Falco polyzonos, Temm.

Accipiter gabar. Le Gabar, Levaill. Ois. d Afrique, pl. 33.

Accipiter niger. Sparvius niger, Vieill. Gal. des. Ois. pl. 22.

Accipiter tachero. Le Tachero, Levaill. Ois. d’ Afrique, pl. 24.

Accipiter minulus. Le Minule, Levaill. Ois. d Afrique, pl. 34.

Accipiter rufiventris. Falco exilis, Temm. Pl. col. pl. 496.

* Planches colores, Plate 496.

FRANCOLINUS SWAINSONII

FRANCOLINUS SWAINSONII. — Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XII. (MAte.)

F. capite griseo-brunneo ; mento, gutture, spatioque circa oculos denudatis et rubris; colli partibus su-

perioribus, lateralibusque nigro-brunneis strigis albis variegatis ; corporis partibus superioribus pal-

lide flavo-brunneis strigis lineisque instructis ; partibus inferioribus flavo-griseis strigis brunneis no-

tatis, abdominis plumis preeterea strigis castaneis ; remigibus primariis, secundariisque pallideé brun-

neis, harum marginibus externis subochreis brunneo-variegatis ; cauda subochrea, lineis brunneis

variegata.

Loneitupo 14 une.

Perpix Swarysont, Rep. of Exped. App. page 54, June 1836.

Cotour.—The tints of this bird are of a dull and somewhat sombre cast.

The chin, the throat, and a space round the eyes, are bare, and of a colour

intermediate between lake and vermilion red; the top of the head is broccoli-

brown; the upper and lateral parts of the neck umber-brown, or blackish

brown, with white variegations, the latter in the shape of short narrow stripes,

one upon the outer, and another upon the inner edge, of each feather. The

interscapulars, back, and shoulders, pale yellowish brown, more or less

glossed with grey, and each feather has a dark stripe in the course of the

shaft, and some fine brown undulations, or narrow oblique lines upon both

vanes. Under parts a rusty, or yellowish grey, the breast and lower part of

the neck darkest, and each feather is marked, in the course of the shaft, by a

dark umber-brown stripe, which increases in width towards its hinder extre-

mity ; insome lights many of the feathers appear distinctly margined with sil-

very grey: the feathers of the belly are each marked, besides, by four addi-

tional narrow stripes, two upon the outer edge of each vane, the outermost

stripe bright chesnut, the innermost yellowish white, and not always very dis-

tinctly defined: the feathers of the flanks, thighs, and vent, have only the

central brown stripe, but the vanes are finely mottled with minute brown dots,

or delicate undulated lines. The primary wing coverts are umber-brown ; the

primary and secondary quill feathers yellowish brown, the vanes of the latter

towards their outer edges, and most of the tertiaries dusky buff, finely mot-

tled, or undulated with brown. Tail dusky buff, freely variegated with ob-

lique, waved, narrow brown lines. Upper mandible dark horn colour; eyes

dark brown; legs, toes, spurs, and nails, greenish-brown.

Form, &c.—Typical ; bill lengthened, strong, and considerably arched, with

the edges of the upper mandible overlying the lower, and inclosing it.

Chin, throat, and space round the eyes, denuded of feathers, and slightly

FRANCOLINUS SWAINSONII.

wrinkled. Wings when folded reach nearly to the commencement of the last

half of the tail; the first quill feather very narrow and spurious, the fourth,

fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, nearly of equal lengths, and the longest,

the second about an inch and a half shorter than the third, and nearly

intermediate between it and the longest feathers; some of the tertiaries

rather exceed, in length, the longest primaries. Tarsi, and toes, moderately

robust, each of the former armed with two spurs, the lowermost long, slightly

curved, and pointed, the uppermost about a line and a half in length, and

blunt at the point ; outer toe rather longer than the innermost one; scales on

the hinder parts of the tarsi small, when compared with those in front.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Wuenoth) ‘of the’ tail tna. ssleeeitecstssse 8 6

endsofither tall eccucsseee ees 14 OO Ot the starsustsssesseetesecenesce: 2 10

of the bill from the angle of of the middle toe..............- ee

thenmouthe seessecemnecease ss 1b 83 Orvtheroutertoee.cascseceesneee: 1 1

of the wings when folded ...... 8 3

The female has no spurs to the tarsi, but in other respects she closely re-

sembles the male.

The first specimens of this Francolin were discovered in a valley immediately south of

Kurichane, and at a time when they (five in number,) were perched upon the branches of a

decayed tree, near the margin of a small rivulet. To trees so circumstanced, these birds

generally repair, on the approach of night, and there remain till the break of day again invites

them to their feeding places, which are commonly the immediate banks of rivers. Among the

grass which clothes such localities, these birds wander during the greater part of the day, and

when they are surprised in their retreats, they run with considerable speed, and unless when

sharply pressed, generally prefer that manner of effecting their escape to flying. The slightest

alarm causes them to bend their course towards the jungle, in the densest parts of which they

conceal themselves until the danger is passed, and on such occasions they not unfrequently

perch upon shrubs which are fully covered with foliage. When feeding, particularly in the

morning, early, and also occasionally towards evening, they utter their harsh and frequent

calls, and these are often responded to by others of the species, who may be scattered at a

distance in the surrounding valleys. They feed upon small bulbs and insects, and also swallow

a considerable quantity of gravel.

a : - jr ry TURE vena :

teed bb 0 seenerrs qr ARUN ot 03 y ytapaas dian boiled wy uni be laure

lp waist sd euni mg act gerennet pal yah A ins ye wld zi wilt Wo Veit

rr. tiny i wilt. tae in ail pal tony ey (heen ibelylo tun iawn linia abit

‘ours? tet wl Yo errr Ay sad omy fd olf d oH 7 rl tabs ent

eee re vi Lanna, chor aT ‘gatuunly if enpial oly ve iol ah oes barren 29% dyed

t eirdutt or | asl Yea gawd Oil) my ows dite bears vivant ads To.daes 2 rusher

be Cayo, Wh Nha fs ‘isi B sunln eccnyncg gM * wil brarriey ce chetirins

om oe re 5 may teuumronai wit cad ‘1 ryerol ral Tal ~~ 4“ ratty ati | walt 303 sacely

_ Frosh

- = ei hs onl fiw estore ae Ha ‘Nvexcue jew of Yo on Mi whaid ot

>» - _ vt . -

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ae, : 7 i ai = v i |

Wee eo. th ri wv "a stem) dim LS ee be web fed Apel

a rag oe aa elt 1 @a 2 ae

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Ve hs vin be we aur wa hi a | aan The mn At

- a ; 7 7 Fy 7 7 ms e i oti lamer a a pier wv te

i th leu ake «t betes gio a he oF ey frit oma! ahewil: of T

aritcen amie. f2 os ot i ; shiners sacl rola

oe ah mo / ie es wine - ii seal fies peat atid M6 « eee pe fi =it

~ vis dl ihe ay Pettey an svicena 1 joan a i orf yer eas oitey mit we bis 5 andi: woe

Qi’ snr W ee pridha iaee es baby base @ fi somprandt ain oT ct toe

= int e Be > ® Why Sa sai pli Wersnes mwa Bln igen bo Prony y" aly oye aden ing

> ian ajiean A. a fie. bo iG he a vitesiy al ik J te comin wis te 4 ean at bis 4 hres en)

—_ Re - AD wie ey ai ii ie 7 rithms y S aes MD > ary : nd i shinier ut es in has ail ys rey

- perv dig oat bie wed an’ Mh iat ati rt] vr tes mn no Vetta

Vins > i) ~~ Pa APP is amy 7 nae wt tf Late eet J ,or sa an avai?

- wrote es ‘s % » ible re af ee ‘artes Seen © _ nw “ll Lovey erty vert ron ——

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\ “on wine ‘en a ‘ phen eval io ‘4 ohn emg). | A st le ale. i : es, — a se

_ > oy wy pai ole) mo na? -Ag ‘We §pudta-ed 049 “aie = = 4s ul

r ‘

nie

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; aan) i > iw ‘See oe :

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a i) ae ; : 0 ; : -

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; ‘eS wy be

iu we, a pee me

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3 vy :

° , On 7

re tami, baw: Halil: ¥ a fat bergen us i. # ) hes dail ae qoode bagoae ork) ;

; f ;

oil es ” ay i resis (aant? : pulacr” ee nee tad of “4 j nil j homey ulqoale 7

;

FRANCOLINUS NAYALBENSIS

( Aves — Plate 13.)

FRANCOLINUS NATALENSIS.—(Smirtu.)*

Aves.—Puate XIII. (Mate.)

F. capite supra brunneo, fusco-teniolato; fronte superciliis, capitis lateribusque albis, maculis brunneis

notatis ; cervice colli lateribusque brunneis albo-strigatis; dorso humerisque flavo-brunneis, fusco

subochreoque variegatis ; mento albo, brunneo-notato ; gutture, pectore, abdomineque nigro-brunneis ;

fasciis maculisque albis atque irregularibus variegatis, plumis albo-marginatis. Cauda flayo-brunnea,

fusco-teeniolata; rostro rubro-aurantio ; pedibus aurantiis ; oculis fuscis.

Lonarrupo 13 unc.

Cotour, &c.—The upper surface of the head dark wood-brown, finely

barred with umber-brown ; the front, the eyebrows, and the sides of the head

white and closely speckled with umber-brown; space immediately behind

each eye, and the ear-coverts light brown; back and sides of the neck dark

uinber-brown, and variegated with short white streaks, from most of the

feathers being edged with white: some of the feathers of these parts are

marked, besides, with one or more imperfect white bars, and many of them

have the shaft of a bright chesnut hue. Back and shoulders yellowish brown,

and freely variegated with umber-brown and sienna yellow markings :—the

umber-brown in the form of longitudinal stripes along the middle of the

feather, and of delicate, zig-zag bars across the vanes :—the sienna yellow,

between the bars, disposed in the form of small stripes and irregular blotches.

The under parts are mottled-white and blackish brown: on the chin and

upper part of the throat, white is the predominant colour, and the dark

markings consist of small oval spots, one near the centre of each feather: on

the breast and belly the light and dark colours are nearly in equal propor-

tions, the central portion of each feather is black-brown, more or less

completely broken into angular bars by a series of irregular white spots

which occur on each side of the shaft, the margins and tips of all the feathers

white ; vent and under tail-coverts pale yellowish brown, variegated with

imperfect rusty-white and umber-brown bars; thighs rusty-white, irregularly

barred with pale brown. Primary quill coverts and the quill-feathers

broccoli-brown :—the outer vanes of the former and of some of the primary

quill feathers finely freckled with pale cream-yellow ; the outer vanes of the

innermost primaries partially barred with light yellowish brown, and the

inner vanes faintly and sparingly speckled with the same colour; the

secondary and most of the tertiary quill feathers yellowish brown, each with

several broad umber-brown bars, the spaces between which are crossed by

numerous undulated lines of umber-brown. ‘Tail light yellowish brown,

crossed with numerous fine zig-zag umber-brown lines. The culmen between

the nostrils, the membrane covering the latter, and the edges of the mandibles

* South African Quarterly Journal, 2nd Series, No. I. Part ii. page 48. November, 1833.

FRANCOLINUS NATALENSIS.

towards the angles of the mouth greenish yellow; the remainder of the bill

intermediate, between yellow and reddish orange. Legs, toes, claws, and

spurs orange yellow ; eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill moderately thick, and the upper mandible

considerably longer than the lower, rather broad and flattened at the tip,

culmen strongly arched. First quill-feather rudimentary, the fifth, sixth and

seventh of equal length, and longest; the fourth, third, and second diminish

successively in length. Wings, when folded, reach to about the commence-

ment of the second-third of the tail. The tail is slightly rounded. Legs and

toes strong ; the hinder part of the tarsus above the spur is covered with two

rows of moderately large and nearly circular scales. Spur single, rather

short, and situated nearer to the hinder toe than to the knee-joint.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to the henoth’of the tail vs-c0.cses-s<sscaseeens BG

tipyot the tail 2. c.csse.0ese- 1i3e 16 Ofsthesbarsusieweeseseaeer a: eee cee mera

of the bill from the angele of of the middle toe ............... 1 0

CEL Mouth csaeumere dace ae 1 3 of the hinder toe ............... Oe

of the wings when folded ..... 6 68

In the adult female the colours are nearly similar to those of the male.

She is readily to be distinguished from the latter, by wanting the spur of the

tarsus.

Specimens of this species were found, though not in great numbers, on the banks of several of

the rivers towards the tropic of Capricorn. They appeared only to frequent the jungle, and

wherever they were disturbed in localities where the bush was scanty, they instantly retreated

towards situations better calculated for concealment.

In 1831, I found specimens of the same species, both to the eastward and westward of Port

Natal, and in those situations no individuals were ever seen beyond the jungle ; the present,

hike the other South African species, feeds upon small bulbs, seeds, and insects, and generally

roosts during the night upon trees.

Though I have adopted the subgenus Francolinus, and referred to it all the Cape species,

on account of the males being supplied with one or more spurs to the tarsi, yet I am neverthe-

less convinced it will eventually be found necessary to sink that subgenus, as permanent charac-

ters are not to be found which will enable us to distinguish female Francolins from Partridges.

South African Species of the Genus.

Francolinus clamator Temm. Francolinus pileatus Smith.

Francolinus midcollis Temm. Francolinus Natalensis Smith.

Francolinus Afer Temm. Francolinus subtorquatus Smith.

Francolinus Levaillantii Lesson. Francolinus Gariepensis* Smith.

Francolinus Swainsonii Smith. Francolinus adspersus Waterhouse.

* A figure of this species will be given in an early number.

uO 7 yt ; : ) be i ihe ; .

: ; 4 ; 7 . : f ’ ; " 7 a 7 7 ' -

_ - ; ia 7 7 : - . 2 : 7 i: 7

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: ' i a . a Ww :

_ _ os ‘ on

; oad r ‘ ‘

—- i - . is ; :

7 mt WeRAATAM * RSA _ n _- an =

Mid wate t. vahasiaoe ia aul woll nig dae ny ry Arvin re ris ta bushy ‘pitt af s anne " -

Lue .i wills yh ayet apo daibbs, hive wo lay w steal sally ant riyial = @

a evn uf sul ergy 5 Ldghil ¥ sa aii ie -

Mitwoeia ’ mi o "Ul ‘tna “ia fi dlonmration iit deena Tc it ey a a x

1p a8 ayuda hue buon. | section. rowel, wid uns ¥ guid ‘chic indy,

Byte siete , AA call qeeherdoni bees villi dove hea hove tpn ia Prrmien a |

Boiitirtd Hive v2 bas bai iy vibe wilt jae nl geil ban Atak il lag ih at Yp a sbi . 7

: FnaTRNO: ily Vindnl es uf viyuery lasts CO liga ull yhoyiade vas te

avin Hae vali wil itil 1% fia oT in walt Yo In rrr pall oa eit ii

bi die > bw = ive ‘wi ar “i {i svatas arid afte’ hen wily | ati walt .- pany fle wn, : ;

Hai Man, shysie gh % alow rain 9 Yheen bein apie" rtovrecvelocvay ‘ty erm, oh

7 Sar Aubin nay ni tana of sno alt od grew ut b situs tie Goin ill Ss

= _ -

oe & Viline ob wan ;

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cad i) De dt 7 y ; =

ea — a © bier oli ie iteand Ads fi WE aha ' + go dip , oe ;

%S 7 § - - oe Gis 5 ale we e £8 ” it (ia wit 1 we ll ‘

aa ere wo yee i sil ty ii. of ed en a fi a wh ay - a

_ » '- , a ab eabuth nT ay Vi i< ~~ a Mii aol

any WE ’ gl aie Pa - :

7 , a 7 7 : - y « i ; Mi) oud ia qe & i tu

ire ss 8, ca im ' oY Ag iaruly inert oul wine! 3 alt on a bhedwe Te ay ;

~~ teauiye aly yi anna od 7” ma al} aap’ Inada Liv avi aids aol yi lide we vi wh@ |

1! ‘ +e» * i. : sop = 7

: th tates inh ise hasan sad pti vy yet at 1) our wil \y rane Real ire pati Vg wi uatiey et - :

6, fare Me ginny ont bs na yore ek sh aae Dili * a dail’! aewvit *4i pe Vly coe oe it, ae ied + ee oh, os

4 Be shiek aa wt We on sa wd ott wud tibia oil ot viel Pease aurred ' iy wae wormed;

7 o 7 a wie Wl barf efiro’ rien a wae nite elfwy ’ ia

, ae rile iy mh leony bat nage vo se) 9 ete iad ne hii wi Honey ; fis Ta ie ) ah, Y ae

: Aiton vay, at , er jae wo uw + ee hl 0 ghd pubs ie ait ope Wie = it) wah. a ~~ ; aa

we a iy Ham W Abie ad hg hy " S beats ptet Heras wing Hoel deve 16H isi 1 (trie ole TS ne

7 .¥! a ees (esa ay whe wile an a =

ae mj" ay my i tw wy hwib af tia grils wae aan yilive si by yeh sw elie wo as 7

: ” (wea. a is ~~ eit sib as ov Atal TT ale — ava if oan b> Oye many & -

— wt Se Be us Aniltoxgtens P - thule "4 tie a wits as byieine te] Wa wy oes ts of re

Bag ghe gto owt nui alone fh dalny — aan abchong | i ' deine ieyrorg nod oF ae : 7 :

.—C ee e4 - _— i .

; assigen bls earn F aah de a a ra

7 odio eoeleh rth a eer ” iu? a =) a awl “i ~ eka er = ~~ : ae

oe » ibtawe oi 7. mana ¥ puis ba 4“) | fe A Te a a ood bress oi a ied)

| ove $. tha tion saat ne 1, 7 4 owt weet wane 7 i ~~! . :

aww 4 Aare “pine wi wel bins paved aS ay anna 1 ae idued ve hase ee

AN a! pe. ' any elves wees i b, “ball — " raging me 7 y

7 a | 7 ri i so its oh my Wonton 4 oth hs vi id Tt - a . :

; = mn - 7 - = 7 7

7 f - 7 i . i a=

aM : ts ls f a 7 a a

- ae ” 7 : Ps, es oy 7

7 : iy of we

a 7 ea Z Me

FRANCOLINUS PILEATUS

(Aves _— Plate 14)

FRANCOLINUS PILEATUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—PuaTe XIV. (Mate.)

F, capite supra sordidé griseo, brunneo variegato ; interscapularibus, cervicis parte superiore lateribusque

lucide rubro-brunneis, partis superioris plumis in medio albo strigatis, laterumque albo-marginatis ;

dorso flavo-griseo, brunneo-umbrato ; remigibus primariis secundariisque brunneis, harum margini-

bus exterioribus albis, illarum versus basin subochreis ; strig4 supra subtusque oculos alba ; pectore,

ventreque pallidé ochreis, hoc fasciis gracilibus brunneis, illo maculis rubro-brunneis notatis ; pedibus

aurantiis.

Loneiruvo 13 une. 6 lin.

Perprx Sepuaena, Rep. of Exped., page 55, June 1836.

CoLour.—The upper surface of the head is rusty grey, clouded with

brown; but the extent to which the brown appears depends upon the position

of the feathers. | When the latter are disposed in their natural order, little of

the brown colour is seen; but when they are deranged, and their brown bases

exposed, then the proportion of the latter colour is considerable. The back

and sides of the neck, together with the interscapulars, are intermediate

between brownish orange and reddish brown; the feathers of the former are

broadly margined with white, and those of the latter are marked each with a

broad white stripe along the centre; in some of them the stripe is divided

longitudinally by a narrow black line, and in others it is margined on each

side by a brownish stripe. Back and upper tail coverts yellowish grey ; the

former faintly clouded with brown, and the latter delicately mottled with very

fine transverse lines of the same colour. Shoulders hair-brown, several of

the feathers broadly edged with reddish brown, and all marked with a white

stripe in the course of the shafts. Primary quill coverts and primary and

secondary quill feathers chocolate brown, with yellowish white shafts ; the

outer vanes of the primaries, towards their bases, margined with pale sienna

yellow, or light reddish brown; and those of the secondaries, throughout

their whole length, with white. Over each eye, a white stripe, which terminates

at the nape of the neck, and beneath the eye another, which ends before the ear

coverts. These stripes, in front of the eye, are separated from each other by a

dark brown blotch. The chin, throat, and cheeks, white; the two latter deli-

cately spotted with pale reddish orange ; the breast and belly cream-yellow,

the former marked with large, fawn-shaped, dark reddish brown spots, and

FRANCOLINUS PILEATUS.

the latter is closely barred with delicate undulated brown lines ; the vent and

under tail coverts a pale ochry yellow, sparingly barred with zigzag brown

lines. The two central tail feathers light reddish brown, closely mottled with

delicate waved brown bars; the remaining feathers dark umber-brown, except

the outer vanes towards the quills, which are reddish brown freckled with

indistinct lines of a darker shade. Bill dark horn-coloured ; eyes reddish

brown; tarsi and toes pale Dutch orange ; claws and spurs a pale horn colour.

Form.—Typical; bill broad at the base, narrow and curved towards the

point ; wings rounded, and when folded reach a little beyond the base of the

tail; the fourth and fifth quill feathers equal, and the longest, the third and

sixth but little shorter, the second and first successively shorter ; tail slightly

rounded. Tarsi and toes strong ; the former with a vertical row of large plates

behind, which extends from the knee joint to the strong cylindrical spur with

which each tarsus is armed ; the spur is situated rather nearer to the hinder

toe than to the knee joint, tapers from the base, and is slightly curved, the

convexity directed downwards ; the inner toe slightiy longer than the outer.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to the Tength) of the tarsus =... <-.0s5....002ses bea

tiprofthestatly, s.2e.seecee ces 13. «G6 of the middle toe. ............... 1 3

of the bill from the angle of the ofstherinnerstoessadecesceses ss eee 1)

MOULH TE, sega eeacccecesies i) of theyhinder’toe) .2...c-.5-<4-5. 0 323

of the wings when folded...... 6 66

Ofstheztalleacca esters 4 0

The female has no spurs to the tarsi; in other respects she exhibits a close

resemblance to the male.

On the immediate banks of the Marikwa river, which flows in a north-easterly direction

from Kurichane, we discovered the first specimens of this handsome Francolin. It showed but

little disposition to resort to the jungle, though when disturbed in the more open localities, which

it by choice frequents while feeding, it, like the last species, seeks concealment in the bosom of

the thickets. Early in the morning specimens were observed, in moderate abundance, upon

the open grassy plots which occurred, intersecting the wooded regions that skirted both sides

of the stream, and there they appeared to find their food in plenty, which was found to

consist of small bulbous roots, seeds, insects, &c. To the same localities these birds were

also observed to resort towards evening ; but at that period they were less readily discovered,

owing to their being commonly more silent at that time. During the middle of the day they

were rarely observed, and from what was ascertained there were grounds for believing they

repose while the sun is warm, and that while enjoying rest, they are generally perched upon

dwarf trees or shrubs, no doubt to be the more secure from the teeth of the numerous preda-

tory quadrupeds which are constantly traversing the woods in quest of prey.

: = a mn i" 7 is a) : : j ~~

mi 2 e "5 7 é ’ a , y - a i = 7

a : 4 : i ary 7

“o : i 7 ; 7 ; ”

7 y d ; 4 7 7

oan 7 : eS ae, oa z

My y Le ATTA ETRIOTT AN - »

T. 7 ~-5 = <a ag «4 7

. w 7 ~~ ; = a eee ie a ; a Ss oe ; 7

; Dent gen ot well preard fodaintuw oleoliob Aiiw beriad Unvolo ai quite! all

rn im A = 5 8 eer eS PORES el Ad pel AO :

wad youn: iw bornl pipatinge .wolley, ‘ina olag 2 aha ‘Ded walraew 7

os ‘ = Pi ; , peer me =

Wika batons qhewls ative Anitihs yy sity lt wxodeand [lad Lattin ow) el T woh ‘5

> Am 6 v9 depend iar dreds sal jaell qilhainnies oilt tl awiord beveny vw wajbale >

2 ae bola) cred deibieoy vw d adw volliop wilt ebro! eum tain add ;

ileal ie oo j Leotagtosivei) aynly WITT alynale wala to, sol! onltthad -

eae tenant ralaney © wring tine emrits j wy tntw iintet mlieey cae hue wereld y 4 awn a

7 - = a 7 7 4 a ee 7 ‘

a, 7 wile callers yen here hurd worsen wal ad 4 t baord idl luskgeyT _ vert

“att tw o iM aul harnyd vit Hid wy atatet bodsbst ily fyi babu agin y Aare,

Sane (ytd aif Mesyhel ilf baw Lovyes wiylrod Ninp dA baw tase ads 3 thas

Ahiiyh arf rarwale ylovianspoue rail ii 6 bras wll voted’ etl ted Unie’

‘ Siineldy og 2! to win bealtiny wb Adie indore ld. regret « bet tet” techeguers ;

Sita # Lenbdbnilys genre ali of Mula} =i rie +) ainveres (ni a

aabei dat es Wika eniltien berrimudie we wnye ould | Poston ae eens esas tlie

Sane AeaVieis clrulyile Phan cael ot) cor, grapad toi mid of ct ale sa : i"

_ isto aut ened sings yal, iia ays sien sab qaimen 0 bea cathe whet

a # an -

ate stone ‘

> a peerwl : i tl we a 7 :

nr % ia a. - —— ; aA - +

a ae. orm By sab Aj4 Hid oat Gh Geony 1) sad Mg

ee a eee

lt te ga di Gerth bo :

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; ; i =v ‘ TT

. Pe , ; oot tht aunty Wa

iin

—

fad

i S wx ) byaciaae -

@ ms en Aualbabs® “al yar su wy

- 7 ; ia H : = BD. O 4 @ptind fal alt

7 ; ; - a :

7 - 7 _ > > eae oe - - =. 5

pAb bereits oorts cernpent tenleo al dered adi'o} ernqe ta ana dw aT

ee ; ir Ls ,

see . slow od? oF eondldareay

= banal 930 a ilage & al cmos tonite wes, on diedté ail Wo edanil akan Lec oe wl

(mast lie sift dithesenert aarynnnd spat ei | 5 risantanrgsy pith rT Pesad eat wily vi punt sal ¢

mI Vid» on i ant fogs ener wil we | ob retwils wuse erage pohyaoey wilt Gd tyne i sonia pai ant, : ;

ote Fiilioit: dave: i inuglyewnm elie thm wall si i sai .gcdinath obiaber eramepee ll veihy 1

7 : ,i pie gomeeai: ul 5 atin a ru Srvnal : 18 ser ult nie )iornene at) ai (ond weave voli with

‘gee Ay d m1 Sait: Aiekingsey Pras vty ot s diitinial eevee lila whisky pay aqqo ail

eh, Fences eel hile Tiehy a wal oe bat od irre ll wold. aed davem i rau w

a when pom, emule aul “ata i? aT ih nen hee ale a. nnflont ver Ww ‘tae : a -

7 Popa eticss. Wuaee na) ore alt biota tlh tu, anal gu my rani. Nyoesy ot boaamage gai ;

ap eaie wilt ‘ x eu” it geal row heal tw bidghiw § eon ‘vladieanraaeata aod vin » wt on ~

DARE) Yili’ woh wdenrety oro 0 rel bool areal tale wit dns abevendte oon ey aa

Fu Livdoiny etry nr) ual ? Hs ppoeweit » debe dad tins ree y we wl hit a py as

1 ey 217010 1 ai Te Ne HH00> soll rae a ewig ait wt bt xl oe tyyta wi ont} hem 7 -

; a a he Mia wt ave > lg patra yttnaseinan sam dhe worn = —_.

- 7 a —_ ou -

a a 7 m 7

; : l 7 ;

iu _ . — 7

ERAN COLIN Ss! “Si B@Omk: (QUAND WES:

(Aves — Plate ld )

FRANCOLINUS SUBTORQUATUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XV. (MALE.)

F. capite supra sordidé badio, griseo-umbrato et maculis brunneis variegato ; cervicis parte superiore

lateribusque ochreis; dorso, caudaque sordidé subrufis brunneo-fasciatis; plumarum rachidibus

albis; oculo inter teenias duas nigras, superiore post aurem desinente inferiore ad guttur porrecta, et

cum inferiore lateris adversi lunulam formante; gula, guttureque subflavis ; pectore, abdomineque

subalbis brunneo-fasciatis ; rostro sordidé brunneo ; pedibus flavis; oculis rubro-brunneis.

Lonaitupo 10 une.

Perpix Coaqut, Rep. of Exped. page 55, June, 1836.

Cotour.—The upper aspect of the head rufous brown, faintly clouded with

lavender purple, and obscurely spotted with dusky brown; the eyebrows, the

bases of the ear coverts, and the back and sides of the neck, towards the

head, pale ochry red; the tips of the ear coverts bright rufous, and the

feathers immediately surrounding the angles of the mouth rusty white. The

side of the head is crossed by two fine black lines, the one above, the other

below the eye; the former terminates on the side of the neck, about three

quarters of an inch behind the ear coverts ; the latter, which has its origin at

the angle of the mouth, descends towards the throat, and, with the corre-

sponding one of the opposite side, forms a narrow lunated collar across the

throat. The lower part of the neck, in front of the interscapulars, clear

rufous, with some of the hindermost feathers tipt faintly with white, in

addition to being marked with a brown bar upon each vane; the ground

colour of the back, the shoulders, the secondary quill coverts, the tertiary

quill feathers and the tail, intermediate between rufous and clear rufous

brown, with each of the feathers of the back marked by a rusty white stripe

in the course of the shaft, and by several broad, incomplete dark brown bars

on each vane: the centre of some of the bars much lighter than the circum-

ference. The shoulder feathers and the secondary wing coverts are variegated

somewhat in the same manner, only much more delicately, the centre stripes

being very slender, and the transverse bars narrow and less distinctly

defined ; — several of the coverts are, besides, tipt with a yellowish white

colour. The tertiary quill feathers are marked, either with uniform black-

brown bars, or with a series of brown blotches upon each vane, the circum-

ferences of which are much darker than the centres; the tail is also barred

nearly after the same fashion. The primary wing coverts and the primary

and secondary quill feathers are pale umber brown, the outer vanes of the

FRANCOLINUS SUBTORQUATUS.

jatter barred with rufous ; the inner surface of the shoulders and wings rusty

ash-grey. The under part of the neck, the breast, and the belly, rusty white

and freely variegated with slightly curved, umber- brown bars. (In specimens of

a certain age the sides, or even the whole of the breast, is rufous, with the bars

narrower and less distinct) ;—the thighs, the under tail coverts, and the vent

pale rufous, the latter only finely barred with brown. The upper mandible

towards the angle of the mouth, and the whole of the lower towards its base,

greenish yellow; the remainder of both mandibles and the claws blackish

brown; the tarsi, the toes, and the spurs dull yellow. Eyes reddish brown.

Form. — Figure slender; the head small and the neck rather long for the

size of the bird; bill moderately strong, slightly curved, broad at the base

and rather narrow at the point; feathers of front narrow and rigid; the

wings, when folded, extend nearly over the first half of the tail; the first

quill feather is very small, the fifth and sixth are nearly of equal length and

longest, the fourth and seventh equal and rather shorter than the last two; the

third and eighth of the same length, but not quite equal to the fourth, and

only a very little longer than the second: some of the tertiaries equal in

length to the longest primaries. Tail full and slightly rounded ; tarsi mode-

rately robust and coated behind with two rows of large flat scales ; the toes

are short, the hinder one very slender; each tarsus armed with a single spur,

which is very short, blunt at the extremity, laterally compressed, and

situated about two lines above the hinder toe.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines

Length from the tip of the bill to the When pthyofithe; tarsus) seer ces. cece ae WG

extremity of the tail......... 10 +O of the middle toe ............... 0 9

of the bill from the angle of of the‘outer toe... oc... se. 0) nos

theamouthesacee-ee cee 0 10 ofthe inner toe: ...5. 5.<--. sens 0 44

of the wings when folded...... 5 3

ofsthe tatling..esa-eee ee toseee ee 2G

The female is without spurs to the tarsi; in other respects she exhibits a

close resemblance to the male.

The few specimens of this species which we obtained were killed near to the tropic of

Capricorn, and were found upon the bases and slopes of low stony hills, which were thickly

covered with fine brushwood. Among the brushwood, and between the large stones with

which the surface of the hills was strewed, these partridges principally sought their food;

and though they occasionally resorted to the plains, they generally manifested a disposition

to retreat to the hills, whenever they were molested on the latter. Having once reached

the localities, which it appeared they considered the best constituted to ensure them safety,

they could not, without much exertion, be driven from them; and from their holding their

ground with such pertinacity and manifesting such a determination to avoid flight, we lost

several individuals which otherwise would probably have been secured.

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HEMIPODIUS LEPURANA . A.Male. B. Female

(Aves — Plate 16)

HEMIPODIUS LEPURANA.—Snmi1ru.

Aves.—Piate XVI. (Mate anv Fema_e.)

Mas.—supra pallidé rufus, lineis nigro-brunneis undatis yariegatus ; interscapularibus albo-marginatis ;

gula alba; pectoris abdominisque lateribus lactifloreis,* plumis versus apicem macula brunnea

sagittata ; pectore in medio nitide rufo ; abdomine albo. Oculis pallidé rubro-flavis; rostro pedibusque

pallide lilacinis flavo-umbratis.

Loneaitupo 5 une.

Fem.—cervicis parte posteriore pallidé cinnamomea albo-striata ; interscapularibus dorsoque nigro-brun~

neo, rufoque fasciatis et albo-striatis ; pectoris lateribus maculis ovatis brunncis longitudinalibus.

Ortyais Lepurana, Rep. of Exped. App. page 55, June 1836.

Cotour. —(Male.) Above, the ground-colour is intermediate between pale

rufous and light chesnut; on the upper surface of the head the feathers are

indistinctly barred with brown; on the neck, back, and shoulders, nearest to

the body they are crossed by numerous slender black-brown bars, or irregular

crescents, and some of the shoulder coverts are besides delicately margined

with white. The eyebrows, sides of the head, and a stripe between the base

of the bill and nape of the neck rusty white, the feathers of the two first finely

tipped with brown. The inner vanes of the secondary quill coverts pale

rufous ; the outer vanes straw yellow inclined to white, and each of the latter

is crossed obliquely near its point by a well defined brown bar, the inner ex-

tremity of which terminates in an acute point. Primary quill coverts dark

brown; the primary and secondary quill feathers greyish brown, the outer

vanes of the former finely edged with a pale buff colour, those of the latter

broadly edged with cream yellow, and partially barred with the same colour.

Tail pale rufous, and crossed by numerous delicate waved brown lines. Chin

and throat dull white ; the middle of the breast pale Dutch orange, with a few

minute brown dots; sides of the breast and belly white, with a yellowish

tinge, each feather with an arrow-shaped brown spot near its point; centre

of the belly, and the thighs, white; vent, and under tail-coverts, very pale

buff-orange ; bill and legs pale lilac; eyes pale reddish-yellow.

Form, &c.—Typical; bill moderately long and slender; in form approach-

ing that of the smaller rails (Porzana, Vieill.) ; tail rather elongated, gra-

duated and pointed; wings when folded reach nearly to the commencement

of the last half of the tail; the first, second, and third quill feathers longest,

and nearly of equal length; the tertiaries slightly shorter than the longest

quill feathers ; tarsi rather slender, in front coated with two rows of scales,

* Kirby’s Introduction to Entomology, vol. iv. p. 287.

HEMIPODIUS LEPURANA.

and behind with one row ; toes short; claws slender, and slightly curved. The

thighs closely covered with feathers to the knee-joints.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Wength of the tarsus) .......sckarsesseels= 0 10

the tip of the tail............ 5 0 MIC Ae -tOG\enenentieacterte ster 0 38

of the bill to the gape ......... OY 9g OUGER (GO nmeeecassi acer 0 4

of the wings when folded...... 3 (OO INCL, LOC ass ee-nceneiseeses 0 23

Of) Che ttalleajecesacssrieiteneneacne i)

Female.—The crown of the head sparingly speckled with white dots, other-

wise as in the male; the back of the neck is pale cinnamon-brown, the feathers

edged with white; back a pale fawn colour, each feather crossed by several

black bars, and each bar with a more or less distinct angular projection at

the shaft of the feather, both before and behind, or simply behind; secondary

wing coverts pale cream-yellow, each, with an oblong deep brown spoton its

outer vane, and a large irregular chesnut blotch on the inner one, continuous

with the brown spot. Primary and secondary quill feathers brown, the two outer-

most primaries broadly margined with cream-yellow, the rest of the primaries

and the secondaries delicately edged with pale rufous; the tertiaries pale

chesnut, barred with black, and here and there variegated besides with small

and irregularly shaped white spots or stripes; the middle of the breast as in

the male, but the sides, instead of being marked with angular spots, have

them of an ovate form, and placed longitudinally upon the feathers.

Only a very few specimens of this Quail were obtained, and these not until after the expe-

dition had reached the country north of Latakoo. The grassy valleys south-east of Kurichane

were the only localities in which they were discovered, and even in those they appeared to be

very thinly scattered, for seldom was more than a single individual found in, or even near the

same place. When they were disturbed, they seldom flew far before alighting, though

after effecting that, it would appear they continued retreating, as none of those we succeeded

in getting a second time on the wing, were ever found near the situations where they were

observed to alight. The food of this species consists of seeds and small insects, and along

with these they likewise swallow a considerable quantity of fine gravel.

In the Museum of the Army Medical Department, at Fort Pitt, Chatham, there are the

male and female of an Indian species of Hemipodius, very closely resembling those we have

here described. They differ, however, in so many minor points, that we feel disposed to re-

gard them as belonging to a distinct species :— besides bemg rather smaller, the back of

each is marked after a different fashion, and the spots on the sides of the breast, in the female,

are ovate, and placed transversely, while in ours they are disposed along the middle of the

feathers. In the catalogue of the Fort Pitt collection, we have named the Asiatic species

Hemipodius Sykesii, in honour of Colonel Sykes, who has added so much to our knowledge of

the Zoology of India.

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VIDUA AXILLARIS.—Smirz.

Aves.—Piate XVII. (MALze.)

V. nigra: humerorum partibus anterioribus aurantiis; alarum tectricibus axillisque flavo-brunneis ; man-

dibula superiore nigra, inferiore albida ; pedibus rubro-brunneis.

LonaitTupo 6 unc.

Cotour, &c. -Velvet-black; the anterior portion of shoulder orpiment

orange; wing coverts intermediate between yellowish brown and _ reddish

orange, which is also the colour of the inner surface of the shoulders.

Primary and secondary quill coverts black, their outer vanes delicately edged

with light yellowish brown; quill and tail feathers black, with a greenish

gloss; the outer vanes of most of the secondary and tertiary quill feathers

towards their points narrowly edged with pale wood-brown, and several of

the tertiaries are also tipt with the same colour. Upper mandible black ;

lower, bluish white; legs, toes, and claws dark reddish brown.

Form, &c.—Bill strong, conical, and pointed, its sides slightly flattened ;

the under mandible larger than the upper. Wings when folded reach about

an inch and a half beyond the base of the tail; the first quill feather

rudimentary, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth equal in length, and the

longest, the second, third, and seventh rather shorter. Tail feathers unequal

as to length, being in our specimen in different stages of growth, and in

progress to form a long tail, which the males of this species evidently possess

during the summer season. Tarsi strong, the division between the plates, in

front, distinctly marked; toes strong, claws long, pointed, and_ slightly

curved,—the claw of the hinder toe largest, and its form strongly indicating

the office it is required to perform in assisting the bird in supporting itself on

reeds, rushes, &c., upon which it usually perches. The inner and outer toes

of equal length.

VIDUA AXILLARIS.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tail ...................0c0e. 2556

end ofthe tall®asre.cce seen it) ofsthewarsusmeereeseecreeeceenecee ib @

of the bill from the angle of the of the hinder toe ............... 0-5

MOU LHeee eessense steer etc 0 7 of the middle toe ............... i )

of the wings when folded...... 8 08 Of the outer toe...-....cmcc ese 0 6

Nothing is known of the female,— the probabilities are, she is of a

brownish colour, and without the gay coloured epaulets so conspicuous in the

male.

There is reason to believe this species of widow bird occurs but rarely in South Africa. The

individual which our figure represents, was obtained upon the south-east coast, between seven

and eight hundred miles to the eastward of Cape Town, and at the time it was shot, it was

perched upon rushes growing out of some marshy ground in Caffreland.

South Africa furnishes us with a number of birds yet referred to this Genus, but it appears to

me very doubtful if all of them will continue to be classed together. Those of the Cape admit

readily of being divided into two sections,—indicated by the character of the plumage and habits

of the species. The species of the first section have the summer feathers, in the males, soft and

velvety, which is not the case in those of the other section; the former resort to marshy grounds,

and feed and build their nests among reeds, or long rushes,—the latter principally frequent the

vicinity of human dwellings, or occur in dry localities, thinly covered with wood, and when driven

from grounds upon which they may be feeding, generally perch upon trees, or brushwood.

The species of the first section, besides, have the bill stronger in proportion, and more elongated,

than the species of the second.

1ls¢ Section. 2nd Section.

Vidua longicauda, 9 Cuv. Vidua regia, Cuv.

Vidua lenocinia, = Lesson. Vidua serena, Cuv.

Vidua axillaris, Smith. Vidua superciliosa, Cwv.

* The tail in the state in which it existed in the specimen figured.

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ASTUR MELANOLEUCUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Priate XVIII. (Femae anv Younc Mate.)

A. capite, collo, humeris, pectore, abdomineque nigro-brunneis ; dorso brunneo ; remigibus primariis,

secundariis que brunneis, pogoniis internis albo-fasciatis ; cauda supra brunnea, grisea-tincta et fasciis

quinque nigro-brunneis notata ; rostro brunnco, flavo maculato; pedibus viridi-flavis; unguibus

brunneis.

Lonerrupo 21 une.

ACCIPITER MELANOLEUCUS, Smith, South African Quarterly Joumal, Vol. I., page 229, June, 1830.

Cotour.—Head, neck, and shoulders blackish brown ; back and quill fea

thers dull umber-brown, the inner vanes of the latter crossed with many broad

white bars ; breast, belly, and thighs liver brown ; upper surface of tail brown,

with a gray tinge ; lower surface white ; and both marked by five transverse

broad dark brown bands, the one near the points of the feathers widest ;

eyes yellow ; bill rich brown ; festoon of upper and base of lower mandible

yellow ; cere yellow, with a greenish tinge; legs and toes greenish yellow ;

claws brown.

Form, &c.—Typical: figure robust ; bill short and stout; culmen curved

from the base; festoon well developed; legs very strong; outer and inner

toes of moderate length ; middle toe very long; tarsi shielded before and

behind, and on the sides coated with small oval scales ; claws very long, mode-

rately curved and pointed ; hinder and outer toes of the same length; wings,

when folded, reach over the first two-thirds of the tail; the fourth and fifth

quill feathers equal and longest; the first about two-thirds the length of the

fourth; the third slightly, shorter than the fourth; the second about an

inch shorter than the third ; tail long, its tip slightly rounded.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus ..........<0...0se0- 3 0

ends ofthe talicoanwasetee Sle uO ofthe’ middle'toe* -2...c.s7eneeres ale ad

of the bill from the angle of the Of thesmmner toes 2.22. 4cceewe- cee Lee did

TNO UGhiees sere eases ee en de of the hinder toe.................. 0

of the wings when folded ..... 12-9

Om thentalllsac: aes te ecetsctee aeRO

* When it is not added that the claw is included, it is always to be understood that the measurement

applies to the toe without the claw.

ASTUR MELANOLEUCUS.

YounG.—The top and sides of the head, and the back and sides of the

neck dull umber-brown ; the base and edges of each feather light yellowish

brown ; the umber-brown on the sides of the head and neck in particular

appears almost disposed in longitudinal streaks. The back, shoulders, quill

coverts, tertiary quill feathers brown, each feather tipt with yellowish brown ;

under parts white, shaded delicately with yellowish brown, and each feather

streaked with umber brown in the course of the shaft; the streaks narrow,

and broadest towards the points of the feathers ; primary and secondary quill

feathers brown, freely barred with white; the secondaries and several of the

innermost primariestipt with yellowish brown. Tail, above brown, below

livid white, and on both aspects crossed by five broad dark brown bands ;

the two or three outermost feathers of each side have the spaces between the

dark bars more or less clouded with tawny white; the tips of all the tail

feathers are of the same colour. Bill blackish brown, with slight indications

of yellow upon the festoon and the base of the lower mandible.

In specimens more advanced in age than the one represented in the plate, the upper parts

are of a dull umber-brown, and the lower parts irregularly mottled, black and white.

The form and strength of the legs and bill of this species clearly entitles it to be ranked as an

Astur, if we are warranted in forming such a genus. It is a bird rarely found in South Africa,

and with its habits [am quite unacquainted. It occurs most commonly in districts covered

with high wood ; yet specimens have been killed not far from Cape Town, where nothing beyond

a few dwarf trees existed.

OTIS AFRODMDE So) Ay Mallee: Hemvallle

(Aves.— Plate 19.)

OTIS AFROIDES.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XIX. (Mate anp Femate.)

O. capite nisi vertice et auribus, collo, corpore subtis, femoribus, fasciis duabus apud rectrices laterales,

primariis partim et secundariis nigris ; auribus, collari curto humerali, fascia alarum longitudinal,

remigum (primo excepto) pogoniis majoribus mediis, teeniola tibiali apicibusque rectricum latera-

lium albis ; vertice brunneo fusco-striato ; cristula albo nigroque varia; interscapulio, tectricibus

alarum superioribus, scapularibus et tertiariis brunneo-nigricante fuscoque undatim fasciatis ; dorso,

tectricibus rectricibusque caude nigris, albo nitidé lineatis: rostro flavo, apice brunneo ; pedibus

fuscis.

Femina. capite, collo, corpore supra et pectore superiori fusco-ferrugineis brunneo-nigricante prave et

densé striatis ; mento, regione postparotica et pectore imo albidis; cauda dorsali fusco brunneoque

variata ; fascia alarum alba notaque alba super remiges minus quam in mari conspicuis.

Oris ArromeEs, Smith, Proceedings of the Zoological Society, Part I. p. 11, 1830.

Cotour. — Forehead, supercilia, cheeks, chin, neck, breast, abdomen,

thighs, flanks and under tail coverts velvet-black ; crown of the head blackish

brown, irregularly crossed and broken by cream-yellow lines, and fringed on

either side with a white streak, which, passing backwards, blends itself with

the black plumage of the occipital sub-crest ; ear coverts and an irregular

semicollar at the base of the neck posteriorly white; greater part of the

dorsal aspect, including the scapular and interscapular plumage, tertiaries

and superior wing coverts transversely undulated with bands alternately

brownish black and ochre-yellow, the latter with a golden tinge in strong

lights; these bands become broader towards the lower parts of the dorsal

surface. Lower wing coverts, white, forming a broad band along the margin of

the wing; first quill and greater part of the other primaries dull brownish

black, but the basal and middle portions of the inner webs of the latter more

or less patched, stained, or powdered with white ; outer web of two or three

of the inner secondaries either patched or striped with white. Back brownish

black, finely barred with cream-yellow lines; superior tail coverts black,

transversed with irregular white bands; four middle tail feathers brown,

densely crossed by broken zig-zag cream-yellow lines, as well as by two

black bands and the rudiment of a third near the tip; on the lateral tail

feathers the markings nearly similar, but gradually changing into lighter

brown and blueish white, the first band also disappearing, and the second

and third becoming more developed, and of a more brilliant black ; the tips

of all the feathers white; colours of the inferior surface of the tail darker,

black bands and intermediate markings more obscure; femoral plumage

terminated by a white garter; axillary region black; inner surface of shoulder

OTIS AFROIDES,

white. Bill inclining to yellow, upper mandible largely, and lower scantily

tipt with blackish ; legs yellowish ; claws blackish.

Form.—Figure and general appearance of Otis Afer: head broad and flat

above; neck very slender; wings when folded reach as far as the commence-

ment of the last third of the tail; the second and third primary quill feathers

of equal length, and the longest, fourth and fifth of equal length, and rather

shorter than the second and third, first and sixth of nearly the same length,

and about three quarters of an inch shorter than the second; some of the

tertiaries and the longest primaries of equal length. Tail slightly rounded ;

thighs denuded of feathers for an inch and a half above the knee joint ;

carpal spur rudimentary and obtuse.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches, Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Hength of theta) 2.0.0... .05:..sss0s Ai PRT

point of the tail’ ............ SRG Ofithe tarsus!ps-casasceossesete 3. 4

of the bill from the angle of | of the outer toe: 5... sccneeeees 0 10

THerMmouthl .ccteneescanoseees 1 10 | of the middle toe ............ 1 4

of the wings when folded ... 11 0 | of the inner toe ............... 0 83

Femate.—Ground colour of the dorsal plumage ochre-yellow, inclining to

ferruginous, and variegated on the head by longitudinal, and on the sub-crest

and neck by transverse blackish lines; back and wings profusely covered

with brownish black markings, varying in form and direction* ; upper tail

coverts irregularly banded with brownish black and ochre-yellow ; colours

of tail feathers less bright than in the male, the broad bands being of a dull

black, and the terminal white obsolete; white band on the wings and patch

on the inner webs of the primaries inconspicuous. Chin cream-yellow

speckled with blackish; patch behind the ears the same; ear coverts light

ochre-yellow faintly streaked with brown; upper part of breast pale ochre-

yellow waved with blackish brown lines, lower part cream-yellow ; abdomen

rusty black; feathers of thighs fringed with white at the tips: upper man-

dible dark brown, with sagittal horn-coloured band near the apex ; lower

mandible and legs rather paler than in the male.

When this species and Otis Afer are viewed together, many marked differences are imme-

diately discoverable ; but when an actual comparison cannot be instituted, a reference to the

wings will under any circumstances enable the naturalist to refer his specimen to its proper

species. In Otis Afer the quill feathers are entirely black, in Otis Afroides, more than half of

each of the primaries is white. The species here figured inhabits the arid plains of the interior,

and is never found much to the southward of the Orange River. Its call differs considerably

from that of Otis Afer; but in most of their habits, &c. they closely resemble each other.

The food of both is similar, and consists of insects, small snakes, seeds, ke.

The colours of the female differ greatly according to age.

Loria ae

i: aldano | noon nicaucaninle we

DIM DEAS

LL LIN I

GALLINULA DIMIDIATA.—Temm.

Aves.—Piate XX. (AputtT Mate anp YouneG FEMALE.)

Mas.—G, capite colloque castaneis; dorso, alis, (remigibus primariis secundariisque exceptis,) abdomine,

caudaque nigro-brunneis, striis maculisque albis variegatis ; remigibus brunneo-rubris. Rostro pedi-

busque pallidé rubro-brunneis.

Lonaitupo 63 une.

GALLINULA DIMIDIATA, Temm., Less, Manuel d’Ornith. tom. 1, page 537, 1831.

Crex RuFIcoLLis, Gray, Zoological Miscellany, page 13, 1831.

Cotour.—Head, neck, and breast bright chestnut — the throat and breast

lightest ; back, shoulders, wing coverts, quill coverts, tertiary quill feathers,

belly, upper and under tail coverts, and tail blackish brown, freely va-

riegated with delicate longitudinal white streaks, and small white dots, the

latter almost restricted to the quill coverts, the upper and under tail coverts,

the vent, and the tail. Wherever the variegations consist of longitudinal

white streaks, there are two on each feather, one on the outer, the other

on the inner vane; behind the stripes, however, there are generally four white

dots. (vide fig. a.) When again the variegations consist of dots, there are from

two to three of those near the edge of each vane, at some distance from each

other, and those of the one vane are situated opposite to the corresponding

ones of the other. (vide fig. 6.) Primary and secondary quill feathers brownish

red ; bill and legs reddish brown; the lower mandible faintly edged above

and below with yellowish brown.

Form.—Bill short and deep at the base, hence, when viewed laterally it has

distinctly a triangular shape ; head rounded ; neck rather short and full; body

rather robust ; tail full and decomposed; thighs feathered almost to the knee-

joints ; tarsi rather strong, and the toes long for the size of the bird. Wings

when folded scarcely reach beyond the base of the tail, the fourth and fifth

quill feathers equal and longest, the second, third and sixth equal and

slightly shorter, the first rather shorter than the second ; the whole of the

feathers loose and rather of a wiry appearance; tarsi in front coated with

one row of plates, behind with two rows, of which the commissure is

behind, bare space above knee-joints also coated with plates; outer and

middle toe with a rudimentary web at their base; claws slender, slightly

curved and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus........ ........000. in 0

point of the tail ............. Gas thei middle}toe'... 22. :2-2-.0<6 1 04

of the bill from angle of mouth 0 74 thelouter toe sescscssceceeecs 0 10

of the wings when folded ..... 3 the) IMMeN COC serosa. secesasecan- 0 93

OL tho itaileenaens setectiaceesiiesass 2 0 the hinder toe ..............- 0 38

GALLINULA DIMIDIATA.

Youne Fremate.—The top of the head and the back of the neck umber-

brown, variegated with spots of yellowish brown, generally four of these

towards the tip of each feather, two upon the outer, and two upon the inner

vane; the back, the shoulders, the primary and secondary quill coverts, some

of the tertiary quill feathers, the upper and under tail coverts, and the tail

dark liver brown, variegated with slender yellowish brown bars or dots; the

bars are generally two or three on each feather, more or less undulated, and

mostly interrupted at some part of their course, the variegations on the quill

coverts, tertiary quill feathers, and tail are generally very few in number,

sometimes they are entirely wanting, The chin tawny white, the sides of

the head and neck, the throat, the breast and the belly umber brown, rather

profusely marked with angular or curved bars of deep yellowish brown; the

ground colour as well as the bars darkest on the sides of the breast and

belly ; towards the middle of these regions the tints are lightest, and the

bars are generally indistinct. Primary and secondary quill feathers brownish

red, and the outer vane of the first primary of each wing edged either with

a series of delicate tawny white steaks, or a continuous line of that colour.

The bill and legs dark reddish brown.

While examining this species, and the two others figured in this number, I had constantly

before me twenty other species, which are considered by many authors as belonging either

to Gallinula, or to Crex (Porzana, Vieillot); but as I could not discover any characters by

which the limits of these two groupes could be satisfactorily fixed, 1 have deemed it better

to regard those birds as forming in reality only one groupe. I was, indeed, able to select

out of the whole number four, or rather five species, which differed materially from each

other, viz. Fulica chloropus, Lin.; Rallus Porzana, Gm. Lin.; Rallus crex, Lin.; Rallus

pusillus, Gm. Lin., and the species just described; and I doubt not, had I been unacquainted

with any other species than those, I should have regarded the characters which they indi-

vidually presented, as sufficient to warrant my viewing them as all belonging to different

groupes ; when, however, I compared their characters with those exhibited by the species

from whence it had been necessary to separate them, in order to have definable peculiarities,

such a number of intermediate modifications were observed, as rendered it impossible to say

between what two species of the whole number the greatest hiatus existed, or where the lines

of demarcation could be fixed.

Gallinula dimidiata is by no means a common bird in South Africa, though it is occasion-

ally procured even in the neighbourhood of Cape Town. It frequents marshy situations, and

resides among the reeds and long rushes, with which such localities generally abound,

and where stagnant waters occur near its haunts, it is said to enter them, and to swim with

facility, and even occasionally to cross them in quest of its food, which consists of insects,

mollusca, &e. When walking or running it, like Gallinula chloropus, carries its tail erect.

ATAICINGS ATTA

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seat? Wo Vat elias wal rary hetweo thy ta Boe Asie Laljantriy wwe

RET OAL Aegon? ban rater wilde dwt rarities hi So cyl tnd ijawer

genes Revs thine petite Fink es ritive ed) Wibtald wii aaed oe

4 poe as Late ya

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Oia we rolloy sahioh din Poroaae lain gael shynk

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A RRSP ND: am wa edt on: 980-90 96 Ove Vile fae egell

PTs ty Cory @cy .sriied anh ty dent mos In ea begaryy ofitl ztte antag

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WiawW Useet fils at? Pied nat ack Pane

ww Y uf es) eR EAAAATSENY eess Le SAS EE ates cL Ca

iar Von oY Sere jaws old snoid? ed} AS bap fgid agit

ny i j iat ty STAs WoWILS Wa “et FA wo I iw Athy i haa ier

Bi) te Bote gly no JAG PELE Paes y hill a hy a “Stolen 45 5900) ta

4 , "0 2 j Te » ae

te OOM} 7s Bulla, oeatt te albiei ; Dn) ) aes

4.29% > Peay ‘YF rhe ia

pee) Wop Valor: 8 Dae CIs? Maieibel yen , te: aaah

La: wt Ww pa 70: Winin! ig tev iy Ww td ex Y. {ed the uid Ane

SU EHOS £1 /ddanle atidweediwns gueulte! re

Tie £ee re she ibs im op Po ¥ na tt

rh D jdionah: ately (iy aid wiewet Jon 21 ~ ko. 2

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Petry per” 2 = i J Pa r the be 3 ung) <

NT sort ae dak 4, ews ORO) be ail els ehh

OA NT Shots ape via VBlW ie “yenatid ee aid ea i raeuen of

wie estan Sebi Bre. > sevice: og “ig iin a teat mit Gliuahye “wale “he nag

—_ wh eres mh: hl ort ore abi soni) Ro eee ee

ing 04 aiintng Giicaraieenie Dt baa «je Ona Tet amie iat yde ad dw) Maas,

Sarl yy *pestomrpils a Eth Born aeog srs bilinsadle 4 OE aS gore te petite pat ahh

yey sabe at Tha per poten’? Ps OU ton Mie w: oh glueiioieoy -ae: piper

45 Dy Lasdectishacss aS Lhies read sal, Lies" beoruereLolig: spa veut givhal NOR

re STs tied De Bris) ugh ec ete eet gl wae as amr esi pi nhs gacen®

Aesth Ket SHY eee her sci ie cn adircattl ies het catia Ih ca ea ah AR

is % Seapaibe ia (Beyietions qnbeineal taataeigy aa ihchetinl: dhoate GAY > esvlendeys, elds Ybor” padded

ae a Dipl oth didiiag motiaonainab dps

caaubibat ‘go's 2) valiegamerett uid hcdtinilves Shave] acre pr pase ye eet mbraermmeadinis enon

cshahameaiil Arta, Seer e a eel mye fi) Lvehen hirgas'a lak giana nye we sag ern, Eres aioe: glia

es SPRapoiiny “enivileon| bose Moiciwe calidon. sgcislari yet bet. blow. asl yanmap cacdiner

shee GP tind: stbadd) potion ot fuiine be Si eluved ai Ade angen arden ra ep

qoit LEM Y

; tyr

wine = EDN SENN NWA ane ees Tad ew Ae UZ

GALLINULA JARDINII

(Aves Plate 21.)

GALLINULA JARDINII.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XXII. (MALE.)

A. capite, colli partibus superioribus lateralibusque, rufis; mento albo; dorso, humeris, gutture, pectore,

abdomine, caude tectricibus supcrioribus inferioribusque nigro-brunneis, striis albis variegatis ;

remigibus primariis secundariisque griseo-brunneis; cauda versus basin subnigra, versus apicem

castanea ; mandibula superiore rubro-brunned, inferiore nitidé flava ; pedibus pallidé rubro-viridibus.

Lonairupo 53 unc.

Crex Jarpru, Smith. Proceedings of the South African Institution, November, 1828.

Cotour.—The head and the back, and the sides of the neck dark rufous ;

the chin white; the back, the shoulders, the secondary quill coverts, the ter-

tiary quill feathers, the throat, the breast, the belly, and the upper and under

tail coverts liver brown, varied with longitudinal white streaks, each feather

with two streaks towards the point, one on the outer and the other on the

inner vane; primary quill coverts and primary and secondary quill feathers

grayish brown; tail, close to the base, dusky black, elsewhere bright chesnut,

the tips of some of the feathers with a dusky or blackish tinge; upper man-

dible reddish brown; lower mandible greenish yellow ; legs and toes light

reddish brown.*

Form, &c.—Bill slender and pointed; legs short; toes moderately long ;

claws short, slender, and slightly curved; figure slender; wings short and

rounded, and, when folded, extend just beyond the base of the tail ; fourth

and fifth quill feathers equal and longest ; third, sixth, and seventh, scarcely

shorter; second about three lines shorter than the third; and the first about

as many lines shorter than the second. Tail vertically compressed, bushy,

and the feathers decomposed.

* The colouring assigned to the bill and legs is described from a preserved specimen.

GALLINULA JARDINII.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Tuengthof thetarsusi <..nescessececeee a

endiof the’ tailivescecssaaneeseees ity | of thennner) toe) s.-.ceesseaeerece 4,

of the bill from the angle of the of thesouteritoe ss... sesso ssaeeeene 0 74

Seno) Ne geaqacundonckadhdndsabenge 0 64 of the middle toe.................. 0 93

of the wings when folded ...... pie fs) of the hinder’toes.. «cssec.cs.csene (8)

Of the tail | xkeeessassaesneecastees 178

Though I have never seen the female of this species, yet, from information

I have received, I am disposed to believe she resembles the male in point

of colours.

This elegant little rail is but rarely obtained by collectors in South Africa. The figure here

given is a representation of the only specimen I have ever procured, though I remember

having once seen another in the possession of a dealer in Cape Town. It resorts to marshy

grounds, or the vicinity of lakes, and is occasionally to be seen flitting about among the reeds,

by which the lakes are generally margined. It also at times extends its peregrinations upon

the aquatic plants which sometimes coat the surface of stagnant waters; and while in such

a position it appears actively engaged in feeding upon the aquatic insects which occur upon

these plants.

Should Alecthelia of Lesson prove a good groupe, and should the South African bird which

Swainson has described under the name of Alecthelia lineata * belong to it, then the present

species must stand as Alecthelia Jardinii, and that represented in Plate 20, as Alecthelia

dimidiata. I believe Swainson’s bird to be the young of the latter.

* Lardner’s Cyclopeedia, Menageries, page 338.

wea

ail

[ae

nin

‘siget

sINULA

(Aves

ELEGANS.

Plate eA)

GALLINULA ELEGANS.— Smiru.

Aves.—Puiate XXII. (Mate.)

G. capite, collo, pectoreque rufis; dorso, humerorum tectricibus, corporis lateribus, caudee tectricibusque

inferioribus nigro-brunneis, maculis ochreis ovatis variegatis ;* abdomine nigro-brunneo maculis

albis notatis ; cauda brunneo-nigro fasciolis rufis variis; remigibus brunneo-rubris, ad margines

pogoniarum maculis ochreis, plus minus notatis; rostro pedibusque rubro-brunneis.

Lonairupo 6 une.

CoLour.—The head, the neck, and the middle of the breast bright rufous,

lightest on the throat; interscapulars, back, lesser wing coverts, sides of

breast, flanks, vent, and under tail coverts liver brown, and variegated with a

profusion of rather large and somewhat oval, reddish ochre-coloured spots—

each interscapular feather generally with six or seven of these spots com-

monly disposed as represented on the Plate, letter a; middle of belly

blackish brown, with spots similar in form and size to those on the back, &c.

only pure white, except such of them as lie directly upon the dark ground

colour,—these have a faint bluish tint. Primary and secondary quill coverts

and tertiary quill feathers liver brown, with oval or irregular reddish ochre spots,

and more or less broken and similarly coloured bars ; quill feathers brownish

red, the edge of each vane ornamented with a series of small irregular ochre-

yellow spots; on the inner vanes of several of the feathers the spots are

almost invisible ;* inner surface of shoulders blackish brown with white

bars ;f inner surface of quill feathers pale brocoli-brown. Tail liver-brown,

each feather with four or five bright rufous bars, the shape and appearance of

which will be seen by reference to the Plate, letter 6. Bill reddish brown,

the lower mandible with a yellowish white line along the under edge of each

ramus ; legs and toes also reddish brown.

Foru.—Figure rather plump; bill considerably shorter than the head, and

* As far as my experience goes, little importance is to be attached either to the presence or absence of

spots upon the quill feathers in birds of this genus. The law of nature, as it affects this group, seems to

be in favour of irregularity in that respect, since we frequently find in the same individual some of the

quill feathers spotted, and others without spots; nay, specimens occasionally present themselves without

spots on any of the quills, while others, evidently of the same species, have a proportion of spots on each

of the feathers.

+ In some specimens of this species which I have examined, small white spots existed in the place of

bars.

GALLINULA ELEGANS.

moderately slender ;* wings rounded, and when folded, reaching to the com-

mencement of the last third of the tail; the third, fourth and fifth of equal

length, and the longest; the sixth and seventh are slightly shorter, the

second is about half an inch shorter than the longest quills, and nearly equal

with the ninth, the first three quarters of an inch shorter than the second.

Tail slightly graduated, pointed, and composed of regularly formed feathers,

the webs not at all decomposed. Thighs covered with feathers almost to the

knee joints ; tarsi moderately robust, in front with a single row of large plates,

behind with two rows of rather irregularly formed scales; middle toe in-

ternally has a well-marked membranous edging.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the tip of the bill to the Length of the tarsus..... .5............. 1 f)

endiofetheltailin.caraeasnctuce 6 0 the outer't0e: sce .e-..0.e2e- 0 10

of the bill, to the angle of the the middle toe ............... { 0

MOUts eee seco ec eee 0 9 thesnner toess essere 0 9

of the wings when folded..... By 1G theshinderstoeseneenceneeenees 0 32

ofithe tallies cages eres eee a6

I had long been in possession of specimens of Gallinula dimidiata and Gallinula Jardinii,

before I obtained a specimen of the present species; and it was not until I procured it that

1 was induced to sink the subgenus which I had characterised to receive the two first-named

species. The characters of the subgenus were derived principally from the form which the

tail exhibited in both species, and from the peculiarity of the texture of its feathers, though

other minor peculiarities were not overlooked. Upon procuring Gallinula elegans, however, I

found it possessed all the characters of my subgenus, with the exception of those derived

from the tail, and that it differed in no essential point from those for which the new division

had been established, except in having the tail feathers undecomposed and placed horizontally :

the three species are therefore here figured, as in my opinion all appertaining to the same

group.

Gallinula elegans is a rare bird in South Africa, and comparatively but few individuals have

yet been obtained. All the specimens I have seen were procured near the south-east coast, in

the direction of Port Natal, and were killed upon or near to the margin of stagnant waters,

which were densely fringed with reeds or strong rushes, among the one or other of which

they were discovered flitting to and fro in quest of food.

* The bill in this species is not uniform as to length ; in some individuals I have seen it much shorter

than it is in the specimen here figured, much deeper at the base, and when viewed laterally, exhibiting

more of a triangular form. The naturalist, who is not a slave to theory, will soon find that if he depend

either upon the forms or measurements of individual organs for his specific characters, he will, in time,

have to sink many of his species; both, however, are useful as auxiliary characters.

AVA IS ADI“ AY

Pcs a a qnidiaen, bablot nodw baw .bebntwo: eutes *; tabula yloler bows

eA Taupa: 4 CTR bow Maat bridd wilt 4 Lint uid ld Init tegl. alt 46 roadiondsn

Mb wed rite yltitalte ‘gaa dderee bits. dixie od? ‘teanaol edit: bata elhgitst

thups vhuon bein inp taogaol oft sndtved toile Hogs ie Meal proda bi fntonee

Hinesan a0 ah tortie doth to eorwep dordt fertouds ,fusin add die

Medio boaict ylestagan to hézoent00 five bon of Doteobony yliugife aT

) 401 of frowde etosltadt Ati barsvot edgidT diseoqmooal Ly se ton wlowall

wentalq oy!’ toot algiiabiin iaetl ub daydor ylotivbans iat pediol ania ia. >

watt! ‘ei Uses ‘mofo bent Wisligert varline to eer ont div bitiled: - . oe -

: , Sabi eons Haali oa-Tigw.9 ead vilniredh e

Wiad on ty i { sil "

7 yh i by

acid woh Th Lepr ous ’

ped Patel nals clear

at Loki eahy | \ ave odd

( m4 At

Ba) ‘Ban ar faavetral yy > to aera Rae Ae o haa etic § i oad unof fist [:

lnaw. Yous. aw ai boas ae ih ae ott Bi his sepals nh &. Dental s yt

SP tose Ok buiiston suits basael 1" (Tadhg ated tha nile 4 fagcban save Po.

HAY Uqioa ise, wre way anudodne add fr wary: Hii wt! jokes ce

be Yo ning ad out te Waeretithag oil! niait., tinh” eats sip) Baal i hetidilee Tea a j

cpbiaithn Ge smineard iy Aastookevre dt arent sotdisatlvouy doniaraa

' ae en DH tie coperguclng ye VO wi; yhotritts” ache tue Seige +f ah. Hgee,

p) i @AY, Hides: -1Gt seal xqerit linen Nationa wii beth Hi dess van Sat. Al aL

oxivod 1 brsonl ine bomiqarogsbin priest Jiet di Sy al Soe ole Spe Th trees cient towel

Si slain Si the QOIIGO een te mh Dew gh ath pelvis Su, matey asic aiff

cee Agen

, niwohsy Nivea

weit duit Usritmi agin: » bd Bar A Mick? at ill none & ria

Yoho Min’ 9th wen Bareiaotey weave wea ‘sy iid a rovtitoge als UB Svabyiectiles tose alae eG Sn

W Kitbnyme We Hirer Walt 69 ned Gelwoi yer toatltal, aide hee Jelev snl palidortly bgt ol pe ae

th vnoall Ti A AB eet coe aaalars' Qowith. 2 eles dite Lena elaainaty ext faite! SS =

HOOF Td thay at ett ban oF wales Bewiyosbiy wag eae

Bon we j adits woud arty ironed ot me wetted dou i ssinaepe vito Ht wh * ne oe

eh eatlapetal \f-vriate, saesln: Bie rene! ify ssaonirali idouias hecwrail orod sardonca ad ig nai. nae

p ditt arate Sib pexsods a2 prety» gory td ocive nlite sd. 5: wes) volo 1G roe ae

| ate hrandal> aiiperpe eth woh. Ranoprat beteliividnes. Yo sbeatinttenbane ice as Relais

Anatol sculls an totem pg sxtowen dh etl: edith ull Jo

VANELLUS GATE RALIS. r

(Aves. Plate23)

VANELLUS LATERALIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XXIII. (Mate.)

V. cervice, dorso, uropygio, tertiariis et scapularibus fusco-brunneis viridi-metallico delicaté intinctis :

alarum tectricibus, pectore et abdomine columbinis ; tegminibus tibiarum griseo-brunneis ; fronte,

mento, pogoniis primariorum internis versts basin, secundariis praeter apices, cauda (fascia penul-

tima excepta), lateribus, tectricibus alarum internis, tibiis, caude tectricibus, crissoque albis ; gula,

primariis nisi ad basin internam, secundariis ad apices, et fascia lata caude penultima nigris ;

collo laterali-inferiore nigrescente, plumis albido laté marginatis: caruncula anté oculos flava, lobulo

superiori rubente : rostro tibiisque viridi-flavis, illo apice nigro: caleari carpali et unguibus nigris.

Lonairupo 13 un. 6 lin.

Cotour.—Front of the head white with a brown margin spreading over

the vertex; back of neck, interscapulars, back, rump, scapularies and

tertiary quill feathers wood brown tinged and glossed with metallic green,

the feathers on the back of the neck faintly streaked with brown. Primary

quill feathers (except the base of the inner webs) and the tips of the

secondaries pitch black ; remainder of these last and the base of inner webs

of primaries white. Tail feathers white on both aspects, except a very broad

penultimate band of glossy black ; the tips of the two centre feathers wood

brown ; chin white; throat black ; feathers of the under and lateral parts of

the neck blackish brown broadly margined with dirty white; breast and

abdomen dove colour; flanks and femoral coverts dark grey brown, obsoletely

fringed with grey; upper half of inner surface of wings, thighs, vent and

under tail coverts white; inferior lobe of ante-ocular caruncle yellow, the

superior lobule orange-red. Bill and legs greenish, the former broadly tipt

with pitch black ; carpal spur and claws blackish.

Form.—Body moderately robust; bill long and rather thick at the base ;

nasal fossa well marked and terminating at the commencement of the last

third of the upper mandible; nostrils linear, and situated about half way

between the base and the termination of the fossa; sides of the head, in

front of the eye, ornamented with a membranous caruncle, which is either

entire or slightly bilobate ; the portion above a line drawn from the eye to the

base of the bill, and which forms a lobe, when a division exists, is broader

than the remaining portion, and its upper extremity is obtusely pointed ; the

portion below the line is more than twice the length of the upper, considerably

narrower, obtuse at the point, and somewhat of a falciform shape. Wings,

when folded, reach to the tip of the tail, or even slightly beyond it; the

second and third quill feathers are of equal length and the longest, the first

VANELLUS LATERALIS.

and fourth are a little shorter. Tail slightly rounded; legs very long and

slender, the lower half of the thigh bare; tarsus covered in front by transverse

plates, behind by several rows of scales ; toes rather short, the middle and

outermost connected at the base by a rudimentary web, hinder toe extremely

short; immediately below the bend of the wing a short curved and pointed

spur.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines:

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .................. 3 6

the tip of the tail ......... 13 «6 the ‘outerG0e) > scsmeecess 0 103

of the bill from the angle of the middle toe............... i

GheMmMOULseeeeseEseeeeesene 1 6 | the hinder toe............... 0 23

of the wings when folded ... San.0 the carpal spur ............ 3

ofithestaills tease enaseete eee 4 0

In the female the back of the neck is scarcely if at all streaked with brown ;

in other respects the colors of both sexes are alike, only those of the female

are not quite so bright.

This is the third African species of the genus Vanellus, with which I am acquainted, that

has the head ornamented with membranous wattles, and the only one which has yet, I believe,

been discovered south of the Equator; the other two, Vanellus albicapillus, Vieillot,* and

V. albiceps, Gould,+ are both of Northern Africa. Our species cannot be confounded with the

latter, though it may possibly require a little attention to distinguish it from the former. By

reference to the flanks and femoral coverts, we are at once furnished with the diagnostic

characters; in Vieillot’s species, those are like the other parts of the belly, white; in the

South African species, they are of a very different hue, being a dark slate colour or even

bluish black. Should such differences, however, not be regarded as sufficient to establish them

as two species, numerous other peculiarities are to be readily detected on a careful examination

of the two birds.

Vanellus lateralis, as far as I know, has never been found to approach the southern ex-

tremity of Africa; it would appear to be an inhabitant of the south-east coast, and not to

extend its range west of Port Natal. When about to cross the U’Tugale river, some fifty miles

eastward of Port Natal, I observed two specimens feeding near to the edge of the water, both

of which were procured after great exertions. They manifested extreme watchfulness, always

kept upon the bare sand, and cautiously avoided approaching spots where thickets or any kind

of cover existed from which they might be shot. During their movements to and fro, they

carried their bodies erect and never indulged in any of those jerking motions, which we

observed constantly practised by all the species of Pluvianus. They were discovered to have

been feeding upon water insects, small modlusce, Kc.

* Vieillot, Gal. des Oisseaux, Plate 236.

+ Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1836, p. 45.

PYRREULAUDA AUSTRALIS, A Male B.Female .

PYRRHULAUDA AUSTRALIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XXIV. (Mace anp Femate.)

Mas.

P. capite nigro-brunneo ; gula, gutture, corporisque partibus inferioribus nigris ; interscapularibus,

dorsoque subferrugineis brunneo-strigatis; alarum tectricibus minoribus, tectricibusque primariis et

secundariis sordideé fuscis, primariis exceptis, rufo-marginatis ; rectricibus duobus intermediis fuscis

rufo-marginatis, ceeteribus nigris. Rostro albo; oculis brunneis ; pedibus subcarneis.

Fem.—Supra rufa fusco-strigata ; subtus rufo-alba, pectore fusco-maculato.

Lonaitupo 5 une.

MeGALoTIS AUSTRALIS, Rep. of Exped. App. page 49, June, 1836.

Corour. Male.—Head and under parts black, the upper and lateral parts of

the former with a strong rusty tint ; interscapulars and back subferrugineous,

tinted with grey and variegated with brown streaks, one streak along the mid-

dle of each feather ; upper tail coverts dark umber-brown faintly tipt with pale

rufous. The lesser wing coverts, the primary and secondary quill coverts, and

the tertiary quill feathers umber-brown, and, with the exception of the primary

coverts, distinctly edged and tipt with rufous; the primary and secondary

quill feathers dark umber-brown verging to black. Tail, with the exception

of the two middle feathers, black, these are umber-brown, edged and tipt

with rufous. Bill white, with a livid shade. Eyes dark-brown ; legs and

toes flesh-coloured.

Form, &c.—Figure and carriage, in some respects, like those of the Larks

( Alaudine ), in others, like those of the Finches (Fringiline), the points of

resemblance, as far as number are concerned, being in favour of the latter.

Body rather robust ; head broad and flat above ; bill conical and pointed, the

culmen obtuse and slightly curving from the base, the sides of the upper

mandible convex particularly towards the base, the commissure straight, and

the cutting edges of the under mandible received within those of the upper;

nostrils basilar and concealed by a covering of rigid wiry feathers. Wings

rather long and rounded, when folded they reach over the first two-thirds of

the tail, the first quill rudimentary, the third and fourth the longest and

slightly exceeding the second and fifth, the sixth considerably shorter ;

several of the shorter primaries have their points emarginate ; the tertiaries

nearly as long as the primaries. Tail of moderate length and slightly forked.

Tarsus short, moderately robust, and shielded both before and behind ; toes

short and rather slender, the outermost and innermost of equal length, the

PYRRHULAUDA AUSTRALIS.

middle one longer than either by the last joint ; hinder toe shorter than the

shortest of the anterior ones, the claws nearly straight, that of the hinder toe

longer and stronger than any of the others.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines, Inches, Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus .................. Oi

the tip of the tail ......... 5a 10 the outer'toe ............... 0 23

often bill tere seertere eee OS the middle toe............... 0 33

of the wings when folded..... 3 2 | thehinder toet.. ccs; ese. Oo 21

of the tail yy the hinder toe and claw... 0 43

Female.—Above dull rufous streaked with umber-brown, particularly on the

head and neck; beneath rusty white, the breast mottled with umber-brown

stripes ; eye-brows white ; ear coverts brown ; the outer vanes of the two

lateral tail feathers, together with a portion of the inner vane of the outer-

most adjoining the shaft, and the tips of both cream-yellow. The young bird

exhibits nearly the same colours as the female, only most of the feathers of

the upper parts are margined with dull rusty white, and the brown stripes on

the breast are less defined.

In the year 1829, when I proposed to institute a new ornithological group under the title of

Pyrrhulauda, { was only acquainted with one bird (the present), which I regarded as possessing

typical characters. Since that period I have had opportunities of studying three other species,

—two of South Africa and one of India,—all of which go to confirm the propriety of the division

proposed. The figure of these birds and a few of their habits assimilate them to the Fringilline,

while the majority of their habits, together with several points in the structure of individual

parts, and the disposition of some of their colours, indicate their closer approximation to

Alaudine. Temminck, by looking to their form, has classed them as Finches, while on the

other hand Lafresnaye,* by regarding the structure, &c. of individual parts, has maintained

their place to be with the Larks, in which view he is supported by Lichtenstem, who esteems

them as Larks, and closely allied to Callendulle, Mirafra and L’ Alouette ba’eleuse of Levaillant.

If it be a law of nature that every principal group shall consist of a series of subordinate

ones, each of which shall have its representative in some other principal groups, then we may

view Pyrrhulauda as the group of Fringilline, representing one of those of Alaudine ; but

on the contrary, if such be not a law, then we must concur with the last-named authors in

placing Pyrrhulauda as a group of Alaudine.

The present species is gregarious, and flocks of several hundred individuals are often seen

upon the plains bordering the Orange River. It rises into the air, and after soaring for a time,

descends again like the larks, and like them also it builds its nest upon the ground, under the

shelter of a tuft of grass or some dwarf shrub. For more of its habits, see remarks to the

other species.

* Magazin de Zoologie, par Guerin, 1833.

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PYRRHULAUDA VERTICALIS.—Sniru.

Aves.—PuLateE XXV. (Mate, Femare, anv Youne.)

Mas.—P. capite, corporisque partibus inferioribus brunneo-nigris; vertice, genis, fascia transversa pone

nucham, macula ad latus pectoris, corporisque lateribus albis ; dorso sordidé fusco, plumis griseo-albis

marginatis ; alarum tectricibus minoribus, remigiumque tectricibus brunneis, albo-marginatis ;

remigibus rubro-brunneis, apicibus sub-albis ; cauda, rectrice externa excepta, brunneo-nigra,

hae precipue, sub-albaé; oculis brunneis; pedibus carneis.

#em.—Supra brunnea plumis pallidé rufo-brunneo-marginatis ; gula guttureque subalbidis ; pectore rufo-

albo, brunneo-maculato ; abdomine nigro ; corporis lateribus, crissoque sordidé albis.

Lonerrupo 53 une.

MrGaoris verticatis, Rep. of Exped. App. page 48, 1836.

Cotour. Male.—The crown of the head, the cheeks, a transverse bar on

the back of the neck, and an irregular blotch on each side of the breast,

together with the flanks, white; the remainder of the head and under parts

rusty black. The interscapulars, back, rump, and upper tail coverts dirty

umber-brown, each feather irregularly edged with greyish white ; the lesser

wing coverts and the primary and secondary quill coverts umber-brown,

broadly edged with white ; the quill feathers broccoli-brown faintly tipt with

white, and the secondaries and tertiaries, besides, are margined externally

with the same colour ; inner aspect of shoulders umber-brown. Tail, with

the exception of the outermost feather of each side, umber-brown, the four

middle feathers darkest: the two feathers excepted are rusty white, with a

cloud of brown along the inner vane towards its inner margin, and each pre-

sents also a dash of the same tint upon the outer vane towards its quill.

Bill dusky white, with a livid shade ; eyes dark-brown; legs and toes flesh-

coloured ; claws horn-coloured.

Form, &c.—Typical. Head rather small. Bill considerably thicker than

that of P. Australis, its sides more convex, and the culmen more obtuse and

more arched; commissure slightly waved. Wings rounded, and when

folded, reach to the last third of the tail, the first quill feather rudimentary,

the third and fourth of equal length and longest, the fifth rather shorter, the

second and sixth equal and considerably shorter than the fifth. Tail very

slightly forked. Tarsus and toes moderately robust, the outermost and

PYRRHULAUDA VERTICALIS.

innermost toes rather longer than the hinder one, but shorter than the middle

one ; claws nearly straight, that of the hinder toe longest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches, Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus........ ........068 0 7%

the tip of the tail .......... Sano the middle toe................ 0 43

Ofathe ‘bill eeeee senate eeeeeece 0 53 theiouter:toeme-sceeseceer soe 0 33

of the wings when folded ..... 3 62 the hinder toe .......+..0.s06 Q 723

Ofithestatlsetseetensesceecaceeres 2 3 the hinder claw............... 0 3

Female.—Above dusky brown, all the feathers more or less broadly mar-

gined with a colour somewhat intermediate between ochre-yellow and wood-

brown ; quill feathers intermediate between broccoli and wood-brown ; the

tertiaries and a few of the innermost secondaries margined externally and

tipt with pale sienna-yellow. The outermost tail feather of each side pale

cream-yellow, with a dash of brown near the inner edge of the inner vane ;

the second feather margined externally with pale cream-yellow, the two

middle feathers approaching to wood-brown, their edges and tips lightest,

the remaining feathers of a uniform umber-brown. Eye-brows rusty white ;

chin and throat dull white ; breast rusty white with brown spots ; middle of

the belly brownish black ; sides of the belly and flanks dirty white, here

and there clouded with dusky tints.

The colours of the young bird are nearly similar to those of the femadle,

only the edgings of the feathers, particularly those of the head and shoulders,

are more defined and contrast stronger with the general colour than they do

in the female.

This species, like Pyrrhulauda australis, inhabits the extensive arid plains of the more

southern districts of South Africa, and like it, congregates in large flocks. When feeding, the

numerous members of these flocks are widely scattered ; but the moment one individual takes to

flight from alarm, all the others follow the example, and they move off in a body to another

locality. It is not their custom to fly far before they come to a halt, and the instant they reach

the ground they scatter in all directions, and run to and fro with great rapidity. When flying

they pursue a slightly undulating course, and on these occasions they frequently utter cries

similar to what they do when running upon the ground, and which consist of a shrill prolonged

chirp, nearly like to the sound which may be produced by shutting the teeth and drawing in

the breath while the lips are alternately pressed together and opened. Soaring appears to be

less practised by this species than the last; yet, nevertheless, individuals are occasionally to be

seen rising in the air and descending again almost perpendicularly. Like P. australis, it feeds

upon the seeds of grasses, &c.

PYRRHULAUDA LEUCOTIS.

Aves.—Puiatt XXVI. (Mare, Femae, anp Youn.)

Mas.—P. capite, cervice, humeris, abdomine, crissoque nigris ; genis, fascia transversa pone nucham,

macula ad latus pectoris, laterum partibus posterioribus, uropygio, caudeeque tectricibus superioris

albis ; dorso, alarumque tectricibus minoribus, et secundariis castaneis; remigibus brunneis ; cauda,

rectrice externa exceptd, brunned, quatuor rectricibus intermediis, apicibus marginibusque subrufis,

externa rufo-alba brunneo-umbrata. Rostro albo, brunneo-umbrato; oculis brunneis; pedibus

carneis.

Fem.—Supra brunnea, plumis pallidé rufo marginatis; humeris pallidé castaneis albo marginatis; gula,

gutture, pectoreque sordide albis, brunnco-punctatis ; abdomine nigro; corporis lateribus, crissoque

sordidé albis, fusco-umbratis.

Lonairupo 5 une.

Loxta Leucoris, Salt, Abyss. App. page lix.

FrinGILLA oToLeucus, Temm. Pl. Col. 258, fig. 2 & 3.

Cotour. Male.—Head, neck, shoulders, breast and abdomen black ; ear

coverts, a transverse bar on the back of the neck, a blotch on each side of the

breast, the hinder portion of the flanks, the rump and the upper tail coverts

white, the two latter tinged with wood-brown ; interscapulars, back, lesser

wing coverts and the secondary quill coverts intermediate between chesnut

and tile-red, several of the coverts tipt and edged with white. Primary quill

coverts and the quill feathers intermediate between broccoli and umber-brown,

the tertiaries and a few of the innermost secondaries tipt and edged with pale

rufous. Tail, with the exception of the outermost feather of each side,

umber-brown, the four middle feathers the lightest, and tipt and edged with

pale rufous, the outermost feather rusty white clouded with brown, parti-

cularly upon the inner vane. Bill white clouded with dusky ; eyes dark-

brown ; legs and toes a flesh-colour shaded with brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill rather longer than that of P. Australis, more com-

pressed towards the point and narrower at the base than in that of P. Ver-

ticalis ; culmen towards the base but lightly curved, towards the tip much

arched ; head rather small ; wings when folded reach to the last third of the

tail; quill feathers nearly as described in P. Australis. Tail but very slightly

forked. Tarsus robust; toes short and stout, the outermost and innermost

of equal length, and scarcely longer than the hinder one, the middle toe

PYRRHULAUDA LEUCOTIS.

exceeds the others in length by its last joint; the claws are but slightly

curved, the claw of the hinder toe longer than the toe itself.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines, Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the'tarsus ........-...0.---- 0 7%;

the tip of the tail ......... 5, 0) of the middle toe............... 0 42

Of the: buys eeecssrecwse et oc: 0 6 of the other toes............... 0 32

of the wings when folded ... 3 3 of the hinder claw ............ Overs

Ofithettailiecescascseeeeese ots 2 0

Female.—Above dusky brown, the feathers edged with pale rufous or

rufous-white ; the lesser wing coverts brown towards their bases and rufous

towards their points, many of them partially margined with white ; the

primary and secondary quill coverts and the quill feathers brown, the two

first tipt and margined externally with white or pale rufous, the quills

excepting the two or three outermost are margined externally with rufous,

and narrowly tipt with white. Chin, throat, breast, flanks, and vent rusty

white, the chin, throat and breast faintly mottled with small brown spots ; inner

surface of the shoulder dark umber-brown ; eye-brows dirty white spotted

with rufous ; and there are indications of a narrow white collar upon the back

and sides of the neck. Tail dark-brown, the feathers margined and tipt

with pale rufous, the outer vane of the outermost of each side pale rufous or

rusty white.

The young bird is coloured nearly as the female, only the tints are more

dusky and the light edgings to the feathers, particularly those of the head

and shoulders, are narrower, but more distinct and better defined.

Of the manners and habits of this species we know but little. Though its members show a

disposition for society, yet we never detected more than five or six individuals associated

together, which circumstance has always inclined us to believe that we had not reached the

head-quarters of the species. The few specimens we obtained were killed upon plains thinly

covered with dwarf shrubs, near to the Tropic of Capricorn. Their flight, when occasioned by

fear, was usually but short, and they were never seen to alight upon anything but the ground,

along which they ran with great rapidity, and then proceeded to collect their food, which

consisted of seeds, &c.

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PLATYRHYNCHUS CAPENSIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XXVII. (Mate anp FEMALE.)

Mas.—PI. capite supra nigro ; cervice dorsoque flavo-brunneis, fusco-strigatis ; subtus sordidé albus, parce

fusco-strigatus ; capistro, spatiisque ante oculos pallidé flavis ; alarum tectricibus minoribus, remigium

tectricibus, remigibusque griseo-brunneis, quibusdam subflavo-marginatis, lineas obliquas duos

versus basin alarum formantibus; rectricibus griseo-brunneis pallidé flayo-brunneo marginatis.

Mandibula superiore olivaceo-brunned, inferiore subflava, ambobus argenteo-nitentibus ; pedibus,

unguibusque viride-flavis.

Fem.—Capite sordidé griseo, fusco-strigato, aliter ut in mare.

Lonaitupo corporis cum capite 3 unc. 5 lin. ; caude 2 une. 5 lin.

CoLour.—Space between eye and bill straw-yellow ; upper part of head

black, with a few of the feathers at the base of the bill narrowly edged with

white. The back and sides of the neck, the interscapulars, the scapulars, the

back, and the rump, intermediate between yellowish brown and oil-green,

each feather with an oblong, umber-brown stripe along its centre—the feathers

of the neck are dusky grey towards their bases, those of the back pure white.

Chin, throat, breast and belly dirty white and variegated with narrow, longi-

tudinal, greyish brown streaks; the sides of the breast and the vent are

faintly tinted here and there with ochre-yellow. Lesser wing-coverts, primary

and secondary quill-coverts, quill feathers and tail dark greyish brown ; seve-

ral of the lesser coverts and the secondary quill-coverts are broadly tipt with

dull sienna-yellow, and in this way are formed two oblique stripes of that

colour towards the anterior portion of each wing ;—each of the first-named

feathers which is so tipt has also a longitudinal umber-brown stripe in the

course of the shaft ;—the secondary wing coverts, together with the tertiary

quill feathers and a few of the innermost of the secondary quill coverts are

margined externally with pale yellowish brown, and as well as the remaining

quill feathers internally with white, most distinctly towards their bases. Tail

feathers faintly edged with light olive-brown, the colour most palpable upon

the outer vanes. Upper mandible dark olive-brown, lower, pale straw yellow,

and both are glossed with a silvery lustre. Feet and claws greenish yellow.

Form.—Figure robust; feathers lax and silky. Head large and broad ;

bill much depressed, very wide at the base and narrow at the tip, the

PLATYRHYNCHUS CAPENSIS.

upper mandible strongly hooked, the lower emarginate and slightly bent

upwards ; the sides of the upper mandible are convex, and the culmen,

particularly towards the point of the bill, is distinct though blunt ; nostrils

and base of bill concealed by strong bristles and rigid wiry feathers, the

former at the angles of the mouth directed laterally. Wings rather short and

rounded, and when folded reach nearly to the commencement of the last

half of the tail. Third and fourth quill feathers longest and equal ; second,

fifth and sixth slightly shorter, the first about half an inch shorter than the

third. Tail slightly rounded at the point, the two middle feathers rather

shorter than those immediately on each side of them. Tarsi short and rather

slender, scutellated anteriorly, scaled posteriorly; toes long and slender,

the middle and innermost nearly of equal length and united as far as the third

joint, the outermost considerably shorter and free except at its base, the hinder

one nearly of the same length as the outermost; claws large, pointed and

much curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus........ ...0...0000. 0 7

the tip of the tail .......... 5 10 therouter toereeaseeserecccese 0 63

of the bill from the angle of the ; the middle toe................ 0 6

MOU th Mee aaescctcsccee eaters Opt thenner och eetereaceeeece (a

of the wings when folded ..... 2 the hinder toe mascececcseceee 0 4

Omtheytatlvcecescmsescsessos: oases 20 ad

In the female the upper parts of the head are a dusky slate-grey, striped

with umber-brown ; on the back the umber-brown stripes are narrower than

in the male ; on the under parts they are the reverse. In other respects, the

colours are nearly the same in both sexes.

I have not found this species beyond the forests which exist upon the south-east coast,

towards Delagoa Bay. It frequents chiefly the brushwood which occurs scattered among

the large trees, though occasionally it also resorts to the trees themselves in search of insects,

which constitute its food. While hunger presses, it moves incessantly to and fro, and its

progress from one spot to another is effected with great rapidity, yet so as to admit of its

readily detecting the objects of which it is in quest, as is evident from the frequency with

which it is to be seen seizing small Lepidoptere and other insects, even when on the wing.

While at rest it is usually found perched in the depths of thickets, and commonly in damp se-

questered situations.

Having never had an opportunity of examining recent specimens, I merely surmise the

individuals in which the head is black to be males; the reverse, however, may be the case.

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SAXICOLA INFUSCATA.—Smiru.

Aves.—PuaTeE XXVIII. Mate.

S. supra griseo-brunnea ; gula guttureque sordideé albis ; pectore abdomineque flavo-griseis, plus minusve

brunneo-tinctis ; alarum tectricibus, remigibus, rectricibusque fuscis, partim sordidé albo-marginatis.

Rostro pedibusque nigro-brunneis.

Loneirupo corporis cum capite 4 unc. ; caudee 33 une.

Cotour.—The upper and lateral parts of the head, the back and sides of

the neck, the interscapulars and the back rusty broccoli-brown ; the chin and

the threat dirty white ; the breast, belly, and thighs, yellowish grey, more or

less deeply tinted with brown. Lesser wing coverts, primary and secondary

quill coverts, quill feathers and tail umber-brown, the coverts and the

secondary quill feathers edged and tipt with dirty white, the primary quill

feathers towards their bases and the lateral tail feathers, particularly the

outermost one of each side, margined externally with the same colour. Bill,

feet, and claws, liver-brown; eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Figure robust. Bill strong, rather broad at base and the

cutting edges distinctly inflected, apex of upper mandible slightly hooked.

Wings rounded, and when folded, reach to the commencement of the last half

of the tail; the first quill feather rudimentary, the third and fourth longest

and equal, the fifth is slightly shorter than the fourth, and the second and

sixth are of equal length, and about three lines shorter than the third. Tail

Square at the point. Tarsi long, and rather robust, anteriorly scutellated,

posteriorly entire ; claws long, strong, and moderately curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the farsus.................000» 1 33

the tip of the tail............ ye 3 of the outer toe............05.-- 0 53

Length of the bill from the gape...... 0 103 of the middle toe...........2... 0 7

of the wings when folded..... 4 9 of the Inner t0e.............00.. 0 3

Ob thes bali csccceeserestsesencs 3 6 of the hinder toe............... 0 33

The colours of the fema/e differ little if at all from those of the male.

This is the largest and rarest of the South African Saxicole. It appears to be principally, if

not entirely restricted to the districts between the Oliphant and Orange Rivers, and seldom

SAXICOLA INFUSCATA.

occurs far from the sea-coast. It selects sterile tracts which are thinly covered with brush-

wood for its habituts, and in these situations it is so extremely watchful that even weeks of

incessant toil will scarcely ensure the collector a specimen. When disturbed it perches

upon the highest twig within its reach, and from that incessantly surveys the country

around, and if the slightest danger is suspected, it either flies off to a distance or dives among

the shrubs, and conceals itself until the patience of the pursuer is exhausted. During many

months which I passed in the country in which this species occurs, I only saw twelve

individuals, and it was not till the nest of a pair was discovered, that two specimens were

obtained. Anxiety for the welfare of their young appeared to diminish the solicitude they

manifested under other circumstances for their own safety, and it was by taking advantage of

that discovery that we obtained the male and female we now possess. It seeks its food, which

consists of insects, upon the ground, and while on it, as well as when perched, it raises and

depresses its half extended wings after the manner of the other species of the genus.

In addition to the present bird, we have eleven other species inhabiting the South of Africa.

They are

Saxicola pileata, Vieill. Le Traquet Imitateur, Le Vaill. Ois. d Afrique, pl. 181.

Saxicola familiaris. Le Traquet Famillier, Le Vaill. Ib. pl. 183.

Saxicola sperata, Lin.

Saxicola rubicola. Le Traquet Patre, Le Vaill, Ib. pl. 180.

Saxicola formicivora, Vieill. Le Traquet Fourmillier, Le Vaill. 2b. pl. 186 and 7.

Saxicola leucoptera, Swainson.

Saxicola monticola, Vieill. Le Traquet Montagnard, Le Vaill. Jb. pl. 183.

Saxicola cinerea, Vieill. Le Traquet Tractrac, Le Vaill. Ib. pl. 184.

Saxicola Le Vaillantii, Smith.

Saxicola nigra, Vieill. Le Traquet commandeur, Le Vail. 1b. pl. 190.

Saxicola cursoria, Vieill. Le Traquet a calotte et queue blanche, Le Vaill. Ib. pl. 190.

Saxicola bifasciata, Temm. Pl. col. 472, fig. 2.

Saxicola Baroica, Smith.

Eight of the above species have been well figured by Le Vaillant, and a representation of the

last named will be given in the course of these illustrations.

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ALAUDA FERRUGINEA

(Aves__ Plate 29)

ALAUDA FERRUGINEA.—Smiru.*

Aves.—PuatE XXIX. (MALE.)

A. supra ferruginea, infra sordide alba; gula, gutture pectoreque nigro-brunnco strigatis ; superciliis sub-

ochreis ; remigibus brunneis; rectricibus nigro-brunneis, quatuor externis, externé rufo-marginatis,

duabus mediis ferrugineis ; rostro brunneo, mandibula versus basin sub-flava ; pedibus flavo-brunneis ;

oculis brunneis.

Lonairupo corporis cum capite 4 unc. 3 lin. ; caudee 3 unc. 2 lin.

CoLour.—The upper and lateral parts of the head, the back and sides of

neck, the back, rump, shoulders, scapulars, two or three innermost tertiaries,

and two centre tail-feathers, bright ferrugineous red; the under parts dull-

white, the breast and belly faintly tinted with buff-orange, and the throat,

breast, and flanks, variegated with oblong dark-brown spots—one spot

towards the point of each feather. The white of the chin is faintly mottled

with some dusky tints, and the commencement of the throat is margined

on each side by a blackish line, which commences at the base of the lower

mandible, and terminates below the points of the ear-coverts. Eye-brows

dirty ochre-yellow. The lesser wing coverts, the primary and secondary

quill coverts, the primary and secondary quill feathers, and a stripe along

the middle of the two or three innermost of the tertiaries, light umber-brown ;

the lesser coverts are edged and tipt with ferrugineous passing into white,

and the quill coverts, together with the secondary quills and the primaries

towards their base, edged externally with rusty white. Tail, with the

exception of the two feathers already mentioned, dark umber-brown; the

outermost feather of each side broadly edged externally with rufous white, and

the one next in succession narrowly with the same colour. Bill dark yellowish

* Such naturalists as find characters by which the thick-billed Larks may be separated from those in

which the bill is less developed, would probably place this species with the former. We confess our

inability to discover fixed characters by which the limits of the two groupes could be defined, and as we

have examined many species which we could not with certainty refer to either, provided the division

was to be adopted, we think it better to include both kinds under A/auda.

ALAUDA FERRUGINEA.

brown, passing towards the base of lower mandible into dusky yellow. Eyes

dark-brown ; feet and claws light yellowish-brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill strong, conical, and pointed, culmen slightly

curved, and the nostrils are concealed by wiry recumbent feathers. Wings

long, slightly rounded, and when folded reach to the commencement of the

second half of the tail; the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth quill-feathers, nearly

equal, and longest, the second rather shorter, and the first is not quite half

the length of the second ; tertiaries nearly as long as the primaries. Tail

square at the point, or but very slightly forked. Tarsi robust, and scutellated

both before and behind ; toes strong and short, the claws of the hinder rather

longer than those of the anterior toes, and but very slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the outer toe ........ ...... 0 4

the tip of the tail ............... th of the middle toe............... 0 53

Length of the bill from the gape..... 0 10 of the inner toe...... 0 3

of the wings when folded 4] of the hinder toe ............... 0 8

Olithemballe ee. astecdacte eet 3 2 | of the hinder claw ............. 0 3t

Ofstite staxsUs Bes. ae ceetcmes cee: Dod

In the female the ground colours are not quite so bright as in the male,

and the brown streaks on the breast are less distinct.

The extensive arid plains immediately to the southward of the Orange River, commonly

called the Bushman Flats, form the favourite habitat of this Lark. It is a wild bird, mani-

festing considerable suspicion at the appearance of man, and unless in the mornings, rarely

permits him to approach so near as to enable him to shoot it. It soars very frequently, parti-

cularly in the early part of the day, and about sun-rise whistles delightfully ; being, while so

occupied, generally perched upon the summit of the highest bush which exists in the locality.

Besides this species, fifteen others inhabit the south of Africa. Le Vaillant has figured

seven of these, and two, more recently discovered, have lately been represented in Guerin’s “ Ma-

’

gazine de Zoologie.” Those yet unfigured we shall publish in the course of these illustrations.

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PLOCEUS SUBAUREUS.—~Snmiru

Aves.—PLate XXX. (Fig. 1, MAtzez.)

P. fronte, vertice, capitis lateribus, guttureque vitellinis ; nucha, cervice, dorso, alarumque tectricibus

minoribus viridi-flavis ; caude tectricibus, pectore, abdomineque luteis ; remigibus brunneo-rubris,

versus basin flavo-marginatis ; rectricibus brunneo-flavis, flavo-marginatis. Rostro livido-brunneo ;

oculis, pedibus, unguibusque carneis.

Loneirupo corporis cum capite 4 unc. ; caude 2 unc. 9 lin.

PLocEus sUBAUREUS.—Smith. Proceedings of South African Institution, April, 1832.

Cotour.—The front, crown, sides of the head, and the throat, bright saf-

fron yellow ; nape, back and sides of the neck, interscapulars, back and lesser

wing-coverts intermediate between sulphur and gamboge-yellow ; upper tail

coverts, breast, belly, and under tail coverts a clear and deep lemon-yellow

(light chrome-yellow) ; primary quill coverts intermediate between sulphur and

king’s yellow, their tips between oil and honey-yellow ; secondary quill coverts

similar in colour to the tips of the primaries and all margined with king’s yellow.

Quill feathers light brownish red, the outer vanes narrowly edged with king’s

yellow, the inner vanes towards their base, broadly, with primrose-yellow, which

is also the colour of the inner surface of the shoulders. Tail intermediate

between sulphur and honey-yellow, the outer vanes narrowly edged with king’s

yellow, the inner vanes, broadly, with pale primrose-yellow. Bill liver-brown,

the under mandible slightly mottled with reddish brown ; eyes red ; legs, toes

and claws a deep flesh colour, the latter clouded with brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill very thick and rather short ; culmen strongly

arched. Wings when folded reach over nearly the basal half of the tail, fourth

and fifth quill feathers of the same length and longest, third and sixth slightly

shorter, second rather shorter than the third, first narrow and about one-third

PLOCEUS SUBAUREUS.

the length of the second. Tail rather long, and its apex slightly rounded,

legs and toes robust, the tarsi in front distinctly scutellated, behind entire ;

claws strong and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus.........,..../-..00 0 10

the tip of the tail............ 6 10 Ofsthe outertoeme: sececeeeer eee 0 52

of the bill from the angle of of the middle toe............... 0 st

the MOUth eee eesscews ssncssts Oo 8 Of the'amnentoetecsccescceenscee: 0 53

of the wings when folded... 3 5 of the hindertoete.s.c.csseaes 0 54

Ofitheztallleeseecssenscsecacs 2 9

The colours of the female are not quite so bright as those of the male.

The head-quarters of this species and of Ploceus ocularius must be looked for to the north-

ward of the Tropic of Capricorn ; at least the paucity of specimens to the southward of it would

warrant such an inference. During a residence of fourteen years in South Africa, I only

met with four specimens of the last named species and ten of the present, and even a part of

these were contained in the numerous collection, which during that period were submitted to

my inspection. The specimens of P. subaureus, which I myself procured, were all killed in

the neighbourhood of Algoa Bay, and those which were contained in the collections alluded to

were either got in the same locality or more to the eastward.

A closely allied bird is found on the western coast of North Africa, and will require to be

considered as of the same species if the opinion of Temminck* be founded upon facts. That

learned ornithologist, when speaking of the differences in size between what he calls Z’ Aigle

oceanique (Falco leucogaster, Lath) and Le Blagre, Levaillant, observes that he has noticed

as great differences in that respect in other species. “The birds of prey of Senegal and the

whole coast of Guinea,” he remarks, “are one-third smaller than the same species which

inhabit the middle of Africa, while all the birds of the genera Lanius, Merops, Premerops, and

the greater number of the Gallinacee of the eastern coasts of Africa are larger and their

plumage of purer colours and more brilliant than the same species in the more sterile parts of

the middle of the continent.”

As our experience does not incline us to such opinions, we shall continue to regard the Sierra

Leone bird (Ploceus aureoflavus, nobis)+ as distinct, until more detailed evidence be

adduced to show that climate and food are productive of such modifications.

* Planches colores, Plate 49. Text.

+ Ploceus aureo-flavus. Tead, throat, and breast saffron-yellow ; belly, vent, and under tail coverts

light chrome-yellow ; back of neck, interscapulars, back, shoulders, tertiary quill feathers, and tail, inter-

mediate between sulphur and honey-yellow. Primary and secondary quill feathers yellowish brown,

and margined externally with pure yellow. Bill horn-coloured. Legs and claws flesh-coloured. Length

from point of bill to tip of tail 53 inches; wings when folded, 3 in. 2 lin. ; tail, 2 in. Inhabits Western

Africa.

PLOCEUS OCULARIUS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Piate XXX.—Fig. 2. (MALE.)

P. fronte, vertice, pectoreque auro-flavis ; dorso, uropygio, humerisque flavo-virentibus ; abdomine cau-

deeque tectricibus inferioribus subvyitellinis; gula, gutture, fasciaque per oculos nigris ; remigibus

griseo-brunneis externe flayo-marginatis ; rectricibus flavo-brunneis, flavo-marginatis. Rostro nigro ;

oculis flayo-rubris ; pedibus livido-purpureis.

Lonaitupo corporis cum capite 3 une. 11 lin. ; caude 3 une. 1 lin.

Pioceus ocutarius, Smith.—Proceedings of the South African Institution, Noy. 1828.

Corour.—Front, crown, cheeks, sides of neck and breast golden yellow ;

nape, back, rump, upper tail coverts and lesser wing coverts greenish yellow

verging towards oil-green ; belly and under tail coverts gamboge-yellow, the

latter inclining to king’s-yellow. Chin, throat, and a transverse stripe on each

side of the head enclosing the eye, deep black. Bill black; eyes reddish

yellow ; legs and toes livid purple ; claws horn-coloured.

Form, &c.—Figure rather slender. Bill long, considerably curved, and not

so robust as in the more typical species; nostrils circular and near to the

capistrum. Wings rounded, and when folded extend but little beyond the

base of the tail; the third and fourth quill feathers rather the longest, the

second and fifth slightly shorter, the first about one-third of the length of the

second. Tail rather long and slightly rounded. Tarsus strong; the hinder

toe very robust, and its claw strong and much curved ; anterior toes rather

slender and the claws delicate ; the outer toe slightly longer than the inner

one.

* DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | Length of the tail ..........-sceeeeee eee 8 1

the tip of the tail ......... 7 0 OF the! tarsus! eck cae anceelnniel il

of the bill to the angle of the | Of the middlé toeveea- 2.020. 0 74

THOU LH ences ses cuyaceissoee aes 0 94 | Of therOuter bOE: sos... cecns 0 4

of the wings when folded... 38 3 of thevhinder t0@.cecemece ens se O 4

The principal difference between the male and female consists in the latter

having the chin and throat of the same colour as the upper surface of the

PLOCEUS OCULARIUS.

head, and not black, as in the male ; the colours generally are not so bright

as in the male.

When I first examined the figure of Ploceus brachypterus, Swainson,* I was disposed to

regard it as intended to represent the species here figured; but upon obtaining a specimen of

the bird itself, from Western Africa, I found it to differ from ours in so many points, that I could

not view them as identical. The bill of the Senegal bird is shorter and much more robust than

that of the Cape one, and it is also less curved ; the colour of the back of the former is also

much greener, and the black of the throat and the sides of the head is more extended.

Specimens of Ploceus ocularius are found sparingly distributed over South Africa : more

especially in the vicinity of the south-east coast. There does not appear among the members

of this species any predisposition to congregate —at least, we have rarely found more than the

male and his female associated together, and these have generally been discovered in retired

situations, well supplied with trees. From a branch of some one of these they suspend their nest,

which is constructed of delicate fibres of bark closely interwoven, and so fashioned as to give

it when complete the form of a retort. The female generally lays three eggs, which are of a

bluish-white colour, spotted sparingly with dusky brown,—the spots of greatest size and most

numerous towards the large extremity. The male and female sit alternately upon the eggs,

and while so occupied, they are so pertinacious of their duty, that they may with the greatest

facility be taken alive in the nest.

* Naturalist’s Library, by Sir William Jardine; Ornithology, Vol. vii., Pl. 10.

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PTEROCLES GUTTURALIS.—Snmiru.

Aves.—Puate XXXII. (FEMALE.)

For the description of this bird see the letter-press accompanying Plate ITI.

The egg is represented of the natural size, and each female lays two or three

once or oftener during the warm season. These they deposit, without

any care, upon the bare ground, and it is only when level spots fitted to the

reception of eggs cannot readily be obtained that the birds of this genus

bestow any labour on the preparation of nestling places. Nothing is ever

interposed between the eggs and the soil, indeed whatever is calculated to

separate them is carefully avoided. Almost the instant the young birds escape

from the shell they take to a wandering life, and remove from place to place

with their parents in quest of food.

Though we find species of Pterocles beyond the confines of Africa, yet the majority of those

now known are peculiar to it. The regions south of the equator have furnished nearly as many

species as those to the north of it; and both will doubtless afford many additional ones when

the yet unknown districts shall have been thoroughly explored. Each of the known species, as

far as our observations go, has a limited range, and should the ranges of such as inhabit the

unexplored tracts of the interior not be greater, we may in time expect great additions to the

present list. The following are the African species with which we are at present acquainted.

Pterocles arenarius, Temm. Barbary and Senegal.

Pterocles guttatus, Licht. Egypt.

Pterocles quadricinctus, Temm. Senegal.

Pterocles coronatus, Licht. Nubia.

Pterocles Lichtensteinii, Temm. Nubia.

Pterocles tricinctus, Swain. Senegal.

Pterocles exustus, Temm. Egypt and Senegal.

Pterocles tachypetes, Temm. South Africa.

Pterocles bicinctus, Temm. South Africa.

Pterocles simplex, Roux. South Africa.

Pterocles maculosus, Burchell, South Africa. _

Pterocles gutturalis, Smith, South Africa.

PARRA CAPENSIS.—Smirtu.

Aves.—Puate XXXII.

P, fronte subflava ; superciliis albis ; capite supra, fascia ante alas, corporis lateribus, caudaque rubro-

aurantiis ; cervice nigra, purpureo-tincta ; dorso flavo-brunneo ; subtus alba; gutturis, pectorisque

lateribus viridi-flavis ; remigibus purpureo-brunneis, apicibus aliquarum albis, reliquarum flavo-

brunneis ; rostro unguibusque flavo-brunneis ; pedibus viridi-flavis.

Lonairupo corporis cum capite 54 unc. ; caudz 1 une. 9 lin.

Cotour.—Front sienna-yellow ; eyebrows white; the crown of the head,

the nape, the sides of the head, behind the eyes, a narrow bar on each side of

base of neck, in front of the shoulders, together with the sides of the body,

and the tail, deep reddish orange, brightest on the head. The upper surface

of the neck, between the nape and the interscapulars, black glossed with

purple ; interscapulars, back, and upper tail coverts, intermediate between

broccoli and yellowish brown, the feathers tipt with wood-brown, and

clouded with metallic purple. Sides of neck and breast pale greenish-

yellow ; chin, throat, breast, belly, and under tail coverts, white ; shoulders

and lesser wing coverts yellowish grey ; primary quill coverts light liver.

brown ; secondary quill coverts pale broccoli-brown, tipt and edged externally

with white. Primary and secondary quill feathers liver-brown, a few of the

innermost secondaries white at the points, the remainder together with the

primaries narrowly tipt with yellowish brown ; tertiaries between brownish

red and yellowish brown, their tips and the edges of the outer vanes dull

white. Inner surface of shoulders and wings light liver-brown. Bill and

claws yellowish brown; legs and toes livid greenish yellow.

Form, &c.—Aberrant. Bill straight, moderately long, slender, and towards

the point distinctly wedge-shaped. Wings, when folded, reach to near the

tip of the tail, the first and second quill feathers longest, the third, fourth, and

fifth nearly equal, and slightly shorter than the two outermost. On the edge

of each shoulder a small tubercle in place of a spine. Tail lax and conical.

PARRA CAPENSIS.

Legs strong and rather short; tarsi scutellated anteriorly, the scut@ most

distinct towards the toes ; lower half of tibia naked; claws long, straight and

pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines, Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the outer toe................. 1 4

the tip of the tail............ i of, the middle toe............... 1 4

Length of the bill from the gape...... 0 93 of the inner toe ................ Ne)

of the wings when folded..... By eg) of the hinder'toe................ ORG

Ofgthe talliccnensecedasecsctesens' 1 10 of the hinder claw.............. ey)

Ohethe talSUssyaence se cticctcnce cs mess e of the other claws, about...... 0 6

We have only met with one individual of this species, and that we strongly suspect to be in

immature plumage: the whole of the interscapulars, back and upper tail coverts are probably

brilliant metallic purple in adult birds. It was killed, while seeking for its food, upon some

water-plants which coated the surface of a small river near to Algoa Bay. ;

Parra Africana is the only other species of the group which has yet been found in

Southern Africa: it never ranges so far to the westward as the Cape Colony, though it is often

found to the Westward of Port Natal.

ATHENE CAPENSIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—PiLate XXXIII.—FeEmate.

A. supra brunnea, posticé lucens ; capite cerviceque supra lineolis, maculisque sagittiformibus albis notatis ;

dorso flayo-brunneo lineolato; scapularibus internis maculis albis notatis, lineam longitudinalem forman-

tibus; pectore, flavo-brunneo, brunneo-rubro, alboque, fasciato ; abdomine albo, brunneo-maculato ;

remigibus rectricibusque brunneis, flayo-brunneo teniolatis; rostro viridi-flavo; oculis aurantiis.

Loneirupo 93 une.

Noctua capensis, Smith.—South African Quarterly Journal, 2nd Series, 1834.

Co.tour.—The top of the head, and the back and the sides of the neck

intermediate between chesnut-brown and cochineal-red, each feather varie-

gated with two imperfect white bars, the one nearest the point somewhat

arrow-shaped, and margined anteriorly and posteriorly with brown of a darker

tint than that of the other parts of the feathers. Interscapulars, scapulars,

back, rump, upper tail coverts, and tail feathers umber-brown, with a faint

purple gloss; several of the scapulars are marked with large white blotches

towards their points, and some of the outermost ones, which overlap the inner

edges of the wings, are white with brown points ; the remainder of the scapu-

lars and the feathers of the other parts enumerated are crossed each by two

light, yellowish-brown bars; the one nearest the point, in most situations,

slightly arrow-shaped, or at least with more or less of an angle where it

crosses the shaft; each of the tail feathers with fourteen narrow, and

slightly waved, yellowish-brown bars. Shoulders, lesser wing coverts, and

secondary quill coverts, the same colour as the back, and similarly barred, a

few of the lesser coverts situated towards the outer edges of the wings,

have each a large white blotch on the outer vane, which blotches form a sort

of broken white bar along the anterior part of the wing, and _ parallel

with that formed by the white scapulars. The large quill coverts, and the

quill feathers pale umber brown, the latter, except the outer vanes of the

two outermost primaries, crossed by many narrow, yellowish-brown bars,

the bars of the inner vanes fading into white towards the edges of the feathers.

The outer vanes of the two outermost primaries faintly margined towards the

ATHENE CAPENSIS.

quill with dusky white, and those of the remaining quill-feathers variegated

with a few narrow white stripes upon their outer edges; inner surface of

shoulders pale cream-yellow, their outer edges white. Chin and under sur-

face of neck pale brownish-red, here and there indistinctly barred with pale

cream-yellow ; breast barred pale yellowish-brown, brownish red and white,

the bars of the latter colour most distinct towards the base of the neck, where

one occurs towards the point of each feather. Belly white with large brown

blotches, one blotch near the tip of each feather; vent, and under tail coverts

pale cream-yellow, legs white, externally tinted with light yellowish brown,

and faintly barred with dull brown; bristles of toes yellowish white. Cere

livid green; bill greenish-yellow; eyes orange-yellow ; claws towards base

yellowish-brown, towards points liver-brown.

Form.—Typical. Bill small, the upper mandible much curved and strongly

hooked at the point; cere covered with rigid wiry feathers and strong bristles.

Wings rounded, and when folded reach rather beyond the first third of the

tail, the fourth quill feather the longest, the third and fifth nearly equal, and

rather shorter, the second considerably shorter, and the first about an inch

and three quarters shorter than the longest. Tail slightly rounded at the

point. Tarsi feathered to the toes, the latter thinly covered with strong rigid

bristles; claws long, slender, and slightly curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches, Lines. , Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | Length of the tarsus ...........+..-... 0 9

the tip of the tail...... .. 956 of the middle toe............... One9

of the bill from the gape ...... 0 113 of the outer foe .......00...... 0 64

Of. the tail srsmes nem ecmeee entre 31.9 of the inner toe ............0.- 0 74

of the wings when folded ... 5 0 Of the hinder/t0ehe. occece eee ce Omens

The bird of which the foregoing is a description was shot in the depths of one of the forests

of the eastern district of the Cape Colony. It is the second specimen of the species we have

seen ; the first was also killed in a forest of the same district, in 1824, and differed in none of

its essential characteristics from the one here described.

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(Aves Plate 34:)

DICRURUS LUDWIGII.—Smirun.

Aves.—Puate XXXIV.—Mate.

D. niger, nitente cceruleo-viridi variegatus; abdomine, corporis lateribus, caude tectricibus inferioribus,

femoribusque grisco-nigris. Remigibus primariis, secundariisque nigro-brunneis, externé nitente-

ceeruleo marginatis; rectricibus viridi-nigris. Rostro pedibusque rubro-brunneis. Oculis brumneis.

Loneitupo 7 unc. 2 lin.

Dicrurus Lupwieu, Smith. Proceedings of South African Institution, 1834.

Cotour.—Black, with a gloss of blueish-green, the latter brightest on the

head, back of the neck, interscapulars, shoulders, quill-coverts, tertiary quill-

feathers and breast, and on these it varies in intensity according to the light

in which the bird is examined; belly, flanks, under tail coverts, and thighs,

greyish-black. Primary and secondary quill-feathers blackish-brown, the

outer vanes narrowly edged with steel-blue. Tail deep greenish-black, with a

faint metallic lustre, which is more distinct in some lights than in others.

Bill, legs, and claws, reddish-black. Eyes deep brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Figure moderately robust. Bill short and stout,

broad towards the base, compressed towards the point, the upper mandible

hooked, and the lateral tooth well developed. Wings rather long, and, when

folded, reach to the commencement of the last third of the tail; the third and

fourth quill feathers equal and longest, the second and fifth slightly shorter,

and the first about half the length of the longest ones. Tail slightly forked,

the points of the feathers, especially the lateral ones, slightly divaricated.

Tarsi anteriorly faintly scutellated, posteriorly entire. Toes slender, the

hinder one strongest, the outer and middle ones united as far as the first

joint; claws rather slender and moderately curved. Bristles at angle of

mouth strong and rigid.

DICRURUS LUDWIGII.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus. ................. 0 73

the tip of the tail i 7 of the middle toe............... 0 53

Length of the bill from the gape...... 0 103 of the outer toe................. 0 4

ofstheitalieesrecccsncsectcase seer Sano of the inner toe ........ ....... 0 84

of the wings when folded..... 4 0 of the hinder toe............... 0 382

Nothing is known of the female.

A few specimens of this bird were seen in 1832 in the forests adjoming Port Natal, but only

one was procured. They were very shy, and the least ground of alarm caused them either to

fly from their usual haunts or to retire into the dense foliage whither we could not follow them.

The most retired situations appeared to form their favourite habitats, and in those they were

either seen perched upon some dead tree, or else performing rapid evolutions in the air in search

of food. They appeared from their perches to watch the approach of the insects upon which

they fed, and the instant they perceived them they were upon the wing, and actively engaged

in pursuing them. In the course of these movements they performed considerable circuits over

the adjoining thickets, but generally at last returned to the spots from whence they set out, and

there waited the appearances which courted further exertions. On one occasion two individuals

were observed in the same locality; in the others only one.

This, and Le Drongear, Le Vaillant, Ois d’Afrique, pl. 167, (Dicrurus musicus, Vieill.) are the

only species of the genus which I have been able to find in South Africa, though the author just

mentioned assigns two others to that country, viz. Le Drongo, pl. 166, (Dicrurus cristatus, Vieill.)

and Le Drongo a moustaches, pl. 169, (Dicrurus mystaceus, Vieill.) Considering the general

accuracy of Le Vaillant, one feels disinclined to question his correctness on the present occasion,

yet at the same time I must give it as my opinion that the last named, if they were killed in

the localities our traveller mentions, are now no longer to be found in them, or else that they

are only occasionally there as immigrants from some other country.

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CORYTHAIX PORPHYREOLOPHA.—Vicors.

Aves.—Puiate XXXV.—MaAte.

C. fronte, strigaque per oculos splendide viridibus ; capite cristato ; remigibus secundariis, rectrici- busque

splendenti purpureis ; collo, abdomine medio, pectore, regioneque interscapulari gramineo-viridibus,

his subrufescentibus ; dorso abdomine imo, femoribusque griseo-nigris, primo viridi-tincto ; remigibus

primariis, fascia lata subpurpurascenti-coccineis ; rostro pedibusque subatris.

Lonaitupo corporis cum capite 7} unc. ; caude 8 unc.

CorYTHAIX PORPHYREOLOPHA.—Vigors. Proceedings of Zoological Society, page 93, June 1831.

CoRYTHAIX BURCHELLU.—Smith, South African Quarterly Journal, No. 5, page 13, Oct. 1831.

Cotour.—Front and sides of head brilliant dark green (duck green,) top of

head, rudimentary crest, tertiary quill feathers, upper tail coverts and tail

splendid purple, changing in some lights to brilliant deep green, with a strong

metallic lustre. Neck, upper part of belly, shoulders, interscapulars and

breast intermediate between sap and oil green, the two last named _ parts

distinctly tinged with rusty orange; back greyish black, strongly glossed with

green ; hinder part of belly, flanks and thighs rusty blackish grey, faintly

shaded with green. Lesser wing coverts, and secondary quill coverts bright

lavender-purple, in certain lights changing to shining blue or purple;

primary quill coverts, brownish red; bastard wings deep purplish green.

Primary and secondary quill-feathers, bright crimson red, broadly tipt with

alight purplish brown and narrowly edged with dark metallic green ; the ter-

mination of the crimson is separated from the purplish brown by a light

yellowish brown line. The extent of the crimson is less upon the outer than

upon the inner vanes, and is entirely wanting upon the outer vane of the

first feather ; the bases of several of the innermost secondaries deep purplish

brown; the shafts of the quill-feathers clear reddish brown; insides of

shoulders dusky blackish brown, edged externally with greenish grey. Bill,

legs, and claws, deep reddish black.

Form, &c.—Bill naked and short, broad at the base, and compressed

towards the point; nostrils oval, nearly midway between the base and apex

of the upper mandible and nearer to the culmen than the commissure, the

latter slightly undulated. Head with a flattened and rudimentary crest of

rigid feathers, which projects but little beyond the nape. Wings large, rounded,

CORYTHAIX PORPHYREOLOPHA.

and when folded reach to the commencement of the second third of the tail ;

the fifth quill feather rather the longest, the fourth, third, second and first

successively shorter, the second being about the same length as the secondary

quill feathers, the first nine lines shorter; the tertiaries as long as the

primaries. Tail long and rounded at the point. Tarsi short, anteriorly scut-

ellated, and posteriorly coated with minute granular scales; outer toe

semiversatile; claws strong, pointed, and much curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines,

Length from the point of the bill to the Length of the tarsus ..........s.s1000 ee)

tip (Ofithe tally eis crneewwsecee aw Gs of the outer toe ....00..-1e0- 0 11

Length of the bill from the gape...... 0 it of the middle toe ............ 1.6

of the wings when folded ... 7 8 of: thetinner’ toe, eicecese sche ON LO

Off the: taily ay hen cceeckeccctess SO | of the hinder toe............... 0 64

In the female the crest is shorter and the colours are less brilliant, the

extent of the crimson upon the wings is also less and on few of the quills

does it reach beyond the basal half of the feathers. Both sexes are nearly

alike in size.

This species, as far as I know, has only yet been found towards Port Natal. It inhabits the

scattered thickets which occur along the coast, and in the densest portions of these it seeks its

food, which consists of fruits, &c. It is a very shy bird, and unless the spot upon which it

perches after it has been disturbed be well marked, it will rarely be discovered by the hunter.

When conscious of danger, it remains perfectly motionless, and as its usual position is parallel

to the branch upon which it rests, little appears to facilitate the discovery. In moving from

one part of a branch to another, it generally runs along, it, either ascending or descending,

according to circumstances, and it often pursues a similar course while removing from one side of

a tree to the other.

Besides the present species, Corythaix Persa also inhabits southern Africa. The latter is

still common within the limits of the colony, and there is scarcely a forest or wooded ravine

from which the quick-sighted collector may not obtain specimens. It sits and moves to and

fro upon trees in the manner of C. porphyreolopha.

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owl) Aauiltha im) on, = ewolan a hut » vorpal ra Hier i walle aed oat al

ating ay” ay. wh mw Pol i =" of omen Ty oh x wigti 4 vine au 1 Ys Ht

‘=

TURDUS OBSCURUS.—Smirn.

Aves.—Puate XXX VI.—MAte.

T. capite, dorso, gula, outture, pectore, abdominisque lateribus griseo-brunneis; abdomine medio humerisque

interné rubro-aurantiis ; caudex tectricibus inferioribus griseo-brunneis, singulis linea longitudinali

alba variegatis ; alarnm tectricibus minoribus, remigium tectricibus, remigibus, rectricibusque

brunneis ; rostro pedibusque flavis; oculis brunneis.

Loneirupo corporis cum capite, 5 unc; caude, 45 unc.

Mervta opscura, Smith.—App. to Rep. of Exped. p. 45, June, 1836.

Cotour.—The upper parts of the head, neck and body, together with the

chin, throat, breast, and sides of belly, intermediate between broccoli and

clove-brown (greyish brown),— the colour of the four last named regions

lightest. Lesser wing coverts, primary and secondary quill coverts, quill-

feathers, and tail umber-brown, glossed with broccoli-brown, the tail darkest.

Belly reddish orange, deadened with a tint of greyish-brown ; inner surface

of wings towards shoulders bright reddish orange ; under tail-coverts greyish-

brown, each feather with a dirty whitish stripe in the course of the shaft, and

several of them are tipped with the same colour. Bill, legs and claws,

yellow. Eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill rather slender, and strongly compressed, the

upper mandible considerably longer than the lower, and flattened towards the

point; angles of mouth sparingly furnished with short bristles. Wings

moderately long, and when folded reach to the commencement of the last

half of the tail; the fourth and fifth quill feathers equal and longest, the

third and sixth slightly shorter, the second about half an inch shorter than

the third, the first rudimentary, and scarcely more than an inch in length.

Tail slightly rounded at the point. Tarsi and toes robust, the former with

TURDUS OBSCURUS.

slight indications of scute in front, towards the toes ; claws strong and much

curved, particularly those of the middle and hinder toes.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ..... ..........4+. ih 33

the tip of the tail............... Eh Gs of the outer toe ........ ...... 0 8

Length of the bill from the gape..... 1 03 of the middletoe!s. 20.0 si0..00 0 105

of the wings when folded 52 Of the inner toGien.ceenetsescten- 0 63

ofthe taille jenccnen. vee esse ce 4 6 of the hinder toe ............... 0 43

The colours are the same in both sexes, only those of the female are of a

duller tint.

The metropolis of this species is probably on the east coast towards Delagoa Bay, at least the

few specimens we obtained were found in that direction. It is a solitary bird, inhabiting

damp secluded thickets and brushwood skirting the banks of rivers, and is generally seen in

such localities actively employed in displacing the decayed vegetation which occurs upon the

surface of the soil, and which covers the insects and worms upon which it feeds.

a 1D i a

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fidadtad brid Duitllon & a na bid donertiby dad, "4 1 a 7 tain tm enemies aye oat

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alt no aye sidw m woitadingay birepiol alt 9 snipe ob hy eohgucs ah gle tae wntliaaal ; dove

, i, <8 ils ake ” a ¥ Sethe ~ dies wh -

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TURDUS STREPITANS.—Snmrirtu.

Aves.—PuatTE XXX VII.—MaAte.

T. sordidé griseus ; fronte verticeque fortiter, nucha, cervice, interscapularibus, scapularibus, humerisque

leviter brunneo-tinctis ; subtus albus, hic illic, ochreo-tinctus ; cervicis lateribus, pectore, abdomineque

maculis pyriformibus notatis; capitis lateribus albis ochreo-tinctis et fasciis tribus variatis inferné

conjunctis. Oculis rubro-brunneis. Mandibula superiore, inferioris apice, unguibusque livido-brun-

neis ; mandibula inferiore, pedibusque flavis. Cauda breve leviter bifurcata.

Lonerrupo 83 une.

Mervta Lersitstrupa, Smith, Rep. of Exped. App. p. 46. June, 1836.

Cotour.—Front and top of head brownish grey ; occiput, upper aspect of

neck, interscapulars, scapulars and shoulders deep yellowish grey, faintly

shaded with brown; back, rump, and upper tail coverts dirty ash-grey. Un-

der parts white, tinted in places with ochre-yeliow, and the sides of the neck,

the whole of the breast, the flanks and the belly are variegated with blackish

brown pyriform spots, one on each feather, the large end reaching nearly to

its point. Sides of the head white, slightly tinted with ochre-yellow, and

each is variegated below the eyes with three blackish brown bands; the an-

teriormost proceeds from the base of the lower mandible, the second from the

middle of the under eyelid, and the third from the outer angle of the eye, the

first extends nearly horizontally, and the two others obliquely downwards and

backwards till they unite with the horizontal one. Primary wing coverts and

primary quill feathers deep brownish red, the latter tipped and edged exter-

nally with yellowish white; the first two-thirds at least of the inner vanes of

these feathers are of a clear buff-colour, darkest towards the shafts ; the se-

condary wing coverts, and the secondary and tertiary quill feathers dark

greyish brown, the outer vanes lightest, all margined externally and tipped

with dirty white. Eyes reddish brown; upper mandible and tip of lower

inferiorly as well as the claws liver-brown ; lower mandible elsewhere and the

cutting edge of upper pale saffron-yellow. Feet and insides of bill deep

straw-yellow.

Form, &c.—Figure robust and rather short. Bill long, and moderately

strong; the upper mandible broad and slightly depressed towards the base,

TURDUS STREPITANS.

narrow and distinctly notched near the tip ; culmen between nostrils elevated

and rounded, towards the point of bill strongly curved ; nasal fosse large and

membranous, the nostrils narrow longitudinal slits near to the edges of man-

dible ; wings short and rounded, and when folded they reach over the first half

of the tail; the first quill feather rudimentary, the third rather the longest,

the second and fourth of equal length and scarcely shorter than the third, the

fifth a little shorter than the fourth, and the remaining primaries diminish in

length successively. Tail short and slightly forked. Legs long; tarsi ro-

bust, anteriorly indistinctly scutellated, posteriorly entire; toes strong, the

inner and outer toes of the same length; claws strong, much curved and

pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Tn. Lines. In. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the wings when folded....... oy 2

the tip of the tail.............. 8 6 ofthe starsus..ac. aejeccassdeeses 1 3

Of theta een. cosaecats Geer 30 of the middle toe ................ 0 8s

of the bill from the angle of the of the outer toe:....:..5.........- i

MOU consents csone tease sees LEY ofthe anner!toe).2.-nacsce ese ieee 0 33

The colours of the female differ little if at all from those of the male.

Immediately upon reaching Kurichane, this thrush began to appear in the thickets, and we

continued to acquire occasionally a specimen even in the vicinity of the Tropic. It seeks its

food upon the ground, and when so occupied, its resort is readily discovered by the natives

from the noise it makes in scratching the ground, or in displacing rubbish and decayed leaves

which conceal the imsects it is seeking. The name by which it is known in the country it in-

habits is characteristic of the vigour with which it employs its feet, the nearest translation we

can give of it is the “ Ground-Scraper.”

The form of its bill, particularly towards the base, the length of its legs, and the shortness of

its tail, are all characters which remove it from the more typical species of the genus Turdus,

yet there is in its structure and habits what necessarily constitutes it a true thrush.

TURDUS LIBONYANA.—Snmiru.

Aves.—Puate XXXVIII.—Mate.

T. supra valde flavo-griseus, vertice brunnco-tincto; alarum tectricibus minoribus, remigium tectricibus,

pogoniisque externis brunneo-griseis, prioribus aurantio-lavatis ; remigibus, interne versus basin

pallidé aurantiis; gutture flavo-albo, utrinque fascia nigro-brunneo-maculata marginato ; pectore

flavo-griseo pallidé aurantio tincto; abdominis lateribus aurantiis, medio crissoque albis; oculis

brunneis ; rostro pedibusque flavis.

Loneitrupo, 9 unc.

Mervta Lisonyana, Smith, Rep. of Exped. App. page 45. June, 1836.

CoLour.—Above deep yellowish grey, the top of the head strongly shaded

with brownish red. Shoulders, lesser wing coverts, quill coverts, and outer

vanes of quill feathers brownish grey ; the lesser coverts, and the secondary

quill coverts faintly tinted with pale buff orange, and the latter distinctly

edged with the same colour; inner vanes of quill feathers brownish red,

broadly margined internally towards the base with pale buff-orange. The

two middle feathers of the tail and the outer vanes of the rest deep broccoli-

brown, the inner vanes brownish red, distinctly tipped and faintly margined

with white ; in certain lights all the feathers appear crossed by a great

number of bars of a darker tinge than the ground colour. Throat white

tinged with ochre-yellow, and margined on each side by a series of small

oval spots of a blackish brown colour, and so arranged as to form two longi-

tudinal bands, one extending from each side of the base of lower mandible.

Breast light yellowish gray, faintly tinged with pale Dutch-orange ; sides of

belly and inner surface of shoulders bright Dutch-orange ; middle of belly,

vent and under tail coverts white, many of the latter feathers brown towards

their base. Eyes dark brown, bill, feet, and claws, yellow, the latter clouded

with brown.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill nearly straight, the culmen slightly arched

towards the base, strongly towards the point; edges of under mandible in-

flected and received within those of the upper. Wings moderately long,

TURDUS LIBONYANA.

rounded, and when folded cover about the first half of the tail; first quill

rudimentary, the third, fourth, and fifth equal and longest, the second and

sixth slightly shorter than the fifth. Tail slightly forked, and the two outer-

most feathers rather shorter than the rest. Tarsi moderately strong, distinctly

scutellated anteriorly near to the toes, elsewhere entire ; toes robust, the

outer slightly longer than the inner one; all armed with curved and pointed

claws, the claw of the hinder toe both longest and strongest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the wings when folded..... 4 6

the tip of the tail............ 9 O Okt hextarsusscesccecrsseacceetee 1 24

Length of the tail .........0.00.0ss.0000 4 0 of the middle toe............... 0 9

of the bill from the angle of of the outer toe................. OGG

the mouth eeeenec eens scse Wid of the hinder toe...-......-5. 0 43

The colours of the female are not quite so bright as those of the male, par-

ticularly those of the belly, the inner surfaces of the shoulders and the internal

edges of the wing feathers.

The first specimens of this thrush were procured in the neighbourhood of Kurichane. The

thickets which occur upon the banks of rivers form its favourite habitat, and it is usually

found early in the mornings actively engaged under these thickets in seeking its food, which

it often acquires by displacing the rubbish with which the ground in such situations is commonly

covered. When disturbed while so occupied it generally takes wing and flies to the spots most

densely supplied with foliage, in which it endeavours to conceal itself. In all its habits it

closely resembles Le Griverou of Le Vaillant* (Turdus olivaceus), and several individuals

were passed in the first instance without notice under an idea that they were of the last named

species. When one was killed, however, the differences were readily detected: the throat was

found to want the spots which exist in Turdus olivaceus, and the colours generally to be different,

though distributed nearly according to the same pattern.

* Oiseaux d’Afrique, plate 98.

—

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demand ipevoria lod rou ell we oy vit nets soda elit erties —

we pair in he We at ie ‘ wede oats oc ‘al ie “ot ee yholwaaa batalls

eas

a 7 * Iaagaicny boas i pric alibe Hera {Le 78 0 ov sac ot nil 20 ii pen ese

. ae Hea report ies it 7am ool tod « oat sabi oY wala oi wale

TT — aul io sewitt on Wind ow os ht ie ti “a Yu vy itt ee

: i eens

- wi

PN. 5 er ial mh rie sh oi liigina wh. oi Gwe wn — ward be aie iT

of = pale ie at a was bs mat a dive Sina ' lov them. ilar a ae ie Lina)

sie itt een se a. autor qt teat d Afiw ‘Aas ida 7 i sd a mi Nad qe iis nik eee hi

i “tet ah ie ut Wess endian of ronal A “tgoitt Biien iy

| saab svn sip, dase we snowy yw :? val anttiay mh te erie) nl os a

Mente on fa, Wy cepts ogg) oo) wun at te oda dee - pa ef . pth pone

- ; he 2) aay alo abil jen prey etme art iP wht rove ag eH Sin inl specwed

. _ ren al a ‘ ul syd a iy My re his we eee tah mt or v7 oli tiny oa ane

saving Huse wit a ws a oe Ce thysou

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- aa a > - eaten th mit e t i 4 = Wi ad a ad ite Yo shay

= timeline wate ie 3 te a. wee beeen vl a _—

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ponte ‘Bri oa bl, waste oil bo. # aul ont iodl, dled Ae pape

; ish asi — he Nie *whlenaee it ai e =i Y gruver | We ti elt ag omy rym piedoids :

caw. a

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Sa ‘om nfit Toga fh: yaalalt fa dy vile aT a PAB lt with estrone tal ete D'

TURDUS GUTTATUS.—Vicors.

Aves.—PLaTeE XXXIX.

T. supemeé flavo-brunneus, subtts albus plus minusve pallidé flavo-brunneo-nebulatus ; capitis lateribus

strigis tribus nigro-brunneis variatis; pectore abdomineque guttis subrotundis brunneis notatis ;

tectricibus alarum rectricibusque tribus utrinque lateralibus ad apicem albis; rostro sordidé rufo-

brunneo ; mandibula inferiore ad basin viridi-flava ; oculis brunneis ; pedibus viridi-flavis.

Lonerrupo corporis cum capite 53 unc; caudex, 4 unc.

Turpus Gutratus, Vigors. Proceedings of Zoological Society, 1831, p. 92.

Co.tour.—The upper parts of the head, the back of the neck, the inter-

scapulars, back, shoulders and tail intermediate between honey-yellow and

orange-brown (rich yellowish brown); eye-brows and sides of head white

tinted with yellowish brown, and the latter is besides variegated with three

umber-brown stripes and a number of minute brown spots ; two of the stripes

originate immediately behind the eye and enclose the ear coverts, the third

commences at the base of the lower mandible and terminates about the

middle of the neck. Chin, throat, sides of neck, breast, belly, vent, and

under tail coverts white; the sides of the breast are tinted with yellowish

brown, and each of the feathers of the breast and belly has a roundish

umber-brown spot at its tip. Lesser wing coverts and primary and

secondary quill coverts umber-brown, with the middle portion of each of the

outer vanes of the primary coverts light yellowish brown, the tips of the

other feathers pure white. The inner vanes of the quill feathers dull umber-

brown, the outer vanes dull wood-brown and edged particularly towards

their bases with dirty cream-yellow ; the tail is of the same colour as the

back, and the three lateral feathers of each side are broadly tipt with white,

more especially the outermost, the inner vane of which is white for more than

an inch from the tip. Bill dull reddish brown, with the lower mandible

towards the base greenish yellow. Legs and claws greenish yellow.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill nearly straight, moderately compressed, and

the culmen slightly arched. Wings when folded reach some way over the

second third of the tail ; the first quill feather rudimentary, the fourth and

TURDUS GUTTATUS.

fifth longest and equal, the third and sixth rather shorter, the second about

three quarters of an inch shorter than the two longest. Tail long and slightly

rounded at the point. Tarsi moderately long, rather robust, and with indi-

cations of plates anteriorly towards the toes, elsewhere entire ; claws strong,

the anterior ones much curved.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches, Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length (of the tarsus: 7osccse ssi sennses 1 34

the tip of the tail .......... SG theiouter t0e)css:sresac0 ences ONT

of the bill from the gape ...... 1 13 the middle toe................ 0 93

of the wings when folded ..... 4 10 thetinnerstocsseaseeeeeeenecees 0 6

ofthortauleractencche ctor 4 0 the hinder toe .............. OS

The colours of the female are not known.

Only a very few specimens of this species have yet been procured, and none beyond the

forests which border upon Port Natal. Those which we have seen were found in damp retired

situations ; and when discovered, were actively employed, beneath the brushwood, in search

of food.

AQUILA CORONATA.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puares XL. ann XLI.

A. capite, cervice, partibusque inferioribus flavo-albis ; cruribus nigro-brunneis maculatis ; dorso griseo-

brunneo, plumis albo-marginatis ; uropygio, caudeeque tectricibus superioribus nigro-brunneis albo-

fasciatis ; alis subbrevibus ; cauda longa, nigro brunnea, dimidio ultimo fasciis tribus caeseis notato

et albo terminato ; rostro rubro-brunneo; digitis oculisque flavis.

Lon@irupo maris, 343 unc.

Fatco coronartvs, Lin.

Tur Crownep Eacur, Edwards, Plate 224.

ImppriaL Fare or Arrica.—Griffith’s Animal Kingdom, vol. vi. p. 230.

AQUILA coroNaATA, Smith.—South African Quarterly Journal, second series.

(Adult Male. Plate XL.)

CoLour.—Head, crest, neck, and under parts, yellowish white ; the thighs

externally variegated with large blackish brown bars and arrow-shaped spots,

the points of the latter directed towards the bases of the feathers, internally,

like the tarsi, they are marked with delicate umber-brown streaks in the

course of the shafts; some of the under tail-coverts crossed with irregular

umber-brown bars, the shafts of the feathers of the crest brown. Interscapu-

lars and feathers of the back hoary brown, broadly margined with winte. tne

former lightest ; rump and tail-coverts blackish brown, irregularly barred and

broadly tipped with white. Lesser wing coverts blackish brown, clonded or

rather irregularly barred with greyish brown, and all broadly edged at

and near the point with white. Primary quill coverts deep blackish

brown, tipped with white, their inner vanes towards quills hoary brown;

secondary quill coverts blackish brown, with white points, and several

broad brownish grey bars. The immer vanes of the primary quill feathers

dingy umber-brown, crossed towards their points with irregular blackish

brown bars, and towards the bases by white ones; the latter towards the

inner edge of the feather spreads so as to form nearly the whole of the mar-

ginal colour ; outer vanes blackish brown, barred with grey. The inner vanes

of the secondary and tertiary quill feathers light brown, fading towards their

inner edges into white, and here and there crossed by irregular blackish brown

AQUILA CORONATA.

bars, which diminish in width towards the margins of the feathers ; outer vanes

transversely banded, blackish brown and deep hoary grey. Tail blackish

brown, tipped with white, the last half variegated with three broad, deep,

hoary grey bands. The upper mandible and the lower, except at its base,

liver-brown, clouded with reddish brown, the base of the lower mandible dingy

yellow. Eyes and toes yellow; claws a dark horn colour. Most of the

feathers of this bird have a faint silky gloss.

Specimens are frequently obtained in which the under parts are more or

less tinged with pale hyacinth-red, and blotched with brown; such appear-

ances are only to be regarded as indications of immaturity.

Form.—Figure moderately robust; feathers of occiput considerably elon-

gated, and forming a distinct crest. Bill strongly curved towards the point,

and the festoon on the cutting edge of upper mandible slightly developed.

Wings short, somewhat rounded, and, when folded, reach about two inches

beyond the base of the tail; the fifth and sixth quill feathers equal and longest ;

the fourth and seventh equal and a little shorter; the third rather longer,

and the second rather shorter than the eighth; the first nearly five inches

shorter than the two longest. Legs powerful and feathered to the toes. The

toes superiorly with a few transverse plates behind base of claws, elsewhere

coated with small subcircular scales ; claws long, powerful, much curved and

flat beneath.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | Wength of the tarsus.:.-.... ¢.0..ccn+ses 4 0

the tip of the tail .......... 34 6 | OL stheiouterntoew.-ceeseeeesee tee 1 6

of the bill from the angle of the | of the middle toe ............. 2 2

moutheereystcleeree pices 2 -43~ | of the inner toe ............... ete

of the wings when folded ..... 19 #0 of theihmder toete.--.:<2--4-coumeel 1

Ofithextarllisepeacseasicessceescics 14 0 of the hinder claw ... ........ 228

(Young Female. Plate XLI.)

Co.our.—The top of the head, the chin, the throat, and the feathers of

the crest umber-brown, the tips of the latter cream yellow; the sides of the

head and the upper and lateral parts of the neck dull yellowish brown ; the

interscapulars, back, rump, upper tail coverts, shoulders, lesser wing

coverts, primary and secondary wing coverts and scapulars, rich blackish

brown, with a strong resplendent gloss in certain lights. The secondary

wing coverts and the upper tail coverts partially barred with dusky white,

and the latter also narrowly tipped with the same colour. Breast blackish

brown, all the feathers towards the bases cream-yellow with a reddish tint ;

belly, flanks, vent, and under tail coverts, blackish brown, variegated with bars

AQUILA CORONATA. (young )

y = : '. hi? ae 7 » , 1 ~

7 7 a >= >

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tee = ae OF

=, sacs bin lbs A si Yo en am nd baa ime in, un ga ter Ania

| a qlnwrrate> aati amano ana ‘We ruts co snes lt 0 Sag OE a

. a ioe ont | oiliber: dit p hvnviid alfviting ine bopyit nedimt adj ts

Ltr : fet r atlibwe ali fw reed frees hagyyit avronetandian Leah whecherre~ ‘fa

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Ss Ee - piaanayanon. ae Pr ona pew i eit shai Bb oat ay (hao bea, soins Serwtagainat >

ae yf Baiting * sendy vl Mat ath be ngett le /* oi ie fir a ‘to patepoir al soul 7

a , a - bat - baad ty # adn ei vase haan 7 si w Po “tide al eel indalrgy vided. 9am aeiln iy,

aa Zz edt a Titers dy: s al bap 8 ‘eo wt Ve" egaslabvonge ies pair Tintagel : vn srt Ww ati ail . 9

sai > vem nn orn evn ee bo ae al aot 4 acti J od pi ey an sheer atvgiyitg flim towne Fins

~ a Abo ain ol So Was = oq needs, Te Ne » ua sl y ae Ah Ah. Seamed site

| . a yal ad diss ofl r Mall wed th aot Wi eg "a (hue styl mown a oe 4A en ia

hae ftv cradssonaibues lve a yt oy ha a. a“ rege He (e- onguotais i guunte pres ores i.

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AQUILA CORONATA.

of pure white or bright reddish orange; and the feathers of the belly and the

tail coverts are tipped with one or other of these colours. Thighs externally

velvet-black, the feathers tipped and partially barred with white ; the tarsi

and thighs internally deep umber-brown, tipped and barred with white. Tail

coloured as in the adult. Base of lower mandible, edges of upper towards

the angle of the mouth, and the toes, yellow; the other parts of the bill and

claws horn colour, the latter lightest.

Form, &c.—Figure rather more massive than that of the male, the feathers

of the crest rounded at the points ; in other respects the description of the

male will apply to the female.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus.................00. 5 0

the tip of the tail ......... 387 600 of the outer toe.............0.+. i! 6

of the bill from the angle of of the middle toe............... ZieO

ENG MOULM' cevecsvscuesdeewes 2 Ad of the inner toe ..... .......... t «2

of the wings when folded..... 20. 6 of the hinder toe............... ] 1

Of wuhie Gail eee. ceeesesccorecces 16 (0 of the hinder claw ............ 8 1

There is every reason to believe that this is the bird figured as the “ Imperial Eagle of

Africa,” in Griffith’s Animal Kingdom, and if so, it is an inhabitant of both Western and

Southern Africa, and has a similar range as Aquila bellicosa, which is found at Sierra Leone,

as well as at the Cape of Good Hope. In South Africa it inhabits the same districts as the

last-named species, and is only to be distinguished from it, when flying, by the comparative

shortness and roundness of its wings, and the great length of its tail. By these peculiarities it

is also readily distinguished from the other or more common species when in the hand; and

if further proofs of difference are required, the markings of the tail and the character of the

crest will supply ample evidence of its being a distinct species. In A. coronata, there are only

three light-coloured bars to the tail, and all of these upon the last half of it; while in A.

bellicosa there are seven light-coloured bars, part of them on the first half. The crest, in the

first-mentioned, is strongly developed at all ages; in the last it is only rudimentary, both

in youth and in advanced age. It feeds, like its congener, upon small quadrupeds, &c., but

is not so active in seizing them, probably owing to the greater imperfection of its wings. It

builds its nest on lofty trees, and lays two eggs.

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AQUILA BELLICOSA.

Aves.—Puate XLII.—(Mippue-acep FeEmate.)

A. supra, purpureo-brunnea, plumis partim purpureo-griseis tinctis ; cervice infra pectoreque brunneis ;

ventre, cruribusque albis, maculis fasciisque brunneis variegatis ; caud& purpureo-brunned fasciis

septem purpureo-griseis notata, apice albo.

Loneitupo 36 unc. 6 lin.

Le Grirrarp, Levaill.—Ois. d’ Afrique, vol. i. plate 1.

Latham, Ind. Orn. Supp. 1801.

Fatco arMIGER.—Shaw’s General Zoology, 1806.

Faco BELLIcosus, Daud.—Orn. vol. ii. p. 38.

CoLour.—Head, neck, breast, back, ramp, upper tail coverts, and lesser

wing coyerts dull purplish brown, the interscapulars and the feathers of the

back and rump, together with the upper tail coverts, and lesser wing coverts,

more or less clouded with dull lavender-purple, and tipped with white ;

the edges of many of these feathers inclining to yellowish brown, belly, vent,

under tail-coverts and legs white, variegated with irregular shaped blotches

and short transverse stripes of a purplish brown colour, the latter principally

confined to the legs; primary quill coverts and secondary quill feathers purplish

brown, the outer vanes of the former and the inner vanes of the latter towards

their base clouded with lavender-purple, which colour on the coverts almost

forms distinct bars; the points of the last named feathers white; secondary

wing coverts yellowish brown clouded with lavender-purple, and tipped with

dusky white. Primary quill feathers dusky brown with a strong shade of

grey, particularly on the outer vanes; the inner vanes with a number of

umber-brown bars. Tail above barred purplish brown and dull lavender-

purple, eight bars of the former colour and seven of the latter; beneath white,

barred with brown; the tips of all the feathers white. Bill and claws a

livid horn colour, with a yellow blotch on each side of base of lower mandible

towards the angle of the mouth. Eyes yellow. Toes livid greenish-yellow.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust, somewhat intermediate between

that of the more typical eagles and Morphinus ; feathers of occiput slightly

elongated and forming a rudimentary crest. Bill strongly curved towards the

AQUILA BELLICOSA.

point, the hook of upper mandible greatly lengthened, and the festoon on the

cutting edge strongly developed. Wings long and pointed, and when folded

reach to within about two inches of the tip of the tail; the third and fourth

quill feathers equal and longest; the second and fifth slightly shorter; the

first considerably shorter. Toes with a few transverse plates superiorly behind

the base of the claws; elsewhere covered with small, more or less circular

scales. Claws very strong, much curved and pointed, particularly those of the

middle and hinder toes ; these are also grooved internally. Tail, fan-shaped.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | Length of the outer toe.................. 1h ili

the tip of the tail............ 360~CO«*G of, the inner toe: ....s.0<eeessei- i ath

of the bill from the gape ...... 2 | of the middle toe ............... 2 11

of the wings when folded ...... 24 6 | of the hinder toe. . .......0se0s0- 1 vf

ofjthettaille =n po LA 0 | of the middle claw ....... y), al

Olgthestarsusicc.cemececmascs ease es ep EW) ofstheshindericlaw:sosaeseesa leo

We have never met a male bird of the age in which the female is repre-

sented in the plate, yet we have reason to believe both undergo the same

changes; we have seen one in which faint indications of brown markings

were still perceptible on the belly.

The plumage of the specimen figured, we are inclined to believe, is that of a bird of the

second year, and that had it lived till after another moulting period, the whole of the under

parts, behind the breast, with the exception of the legs, would have been a uniform white

colour, or, in other words, it would have exhibited the garb which immediately precedes that

of maturity, and which has been described and represented by Levaillant.* Small antelopes,

hares, and gallinaceous birds, constitute the common food of this eagle, and after capturing

them, it carries them away in its powerful talons, either to its nest or to some convenient situation

where it can in safety consume them. In seeking its prey, it flies almost constantly in circles,

and generally at a very great height; yet the distance to which it ascends does not appear to

prove disadvantageous to it, as it readily detects the smallest of the quadrupeds upon which

it feeds, even from the great elevation to which it ascends. On discovering its prey it instantly

descends, and advances to the object of its pursuit with a rapidity and a noise which excites

surprise, though its approach may not have been unobserved.

* Oiseaux d'Afrique, vol. i. plate 1.

- peor bar : : aa

: ae wowed ade bara hanvaiigen lhe nang std} dibs oq cy Aral Lae eT ;

: habia uodw fas , chatting Diva tol. agai _ hyena by Caine 9 smb guilt im.

_—.. nd boo » bnislt ult jilar wilt te qit ot te aula i are zy oa oe at onan

>. aan -arbivsronb: lndgile Wt bao f Kane oa ‘¥ Havgacel Sonne tespa eroiltocd My

a buidod aieiegnr esta eptoresoat wots tini aooT avnods i Moshilaungs 4 vent _

ies + off o ee ea ees Avie dy. ree Vee CO ewal wala a os

a = bis VR SIR? 0%

= he cw hi Sybaueeste( | Fanon mln ora anal paso. soba wa 5 a

: fig, at a : or = wo

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ul et) : 1 ee ree es a ate vo 7 y a om jas ap tat « eile e ay we a =, :

aie Pa - 7-? ns pilin ver ety te : ' a 9 : a : an i) amet NI ad Wo: hens a 2 —

ie si a hn ml we ih ati ir - “va ‘HON Ki gana sypiea alt Lad ei ee we

4 ‘¥ r fi at ie aval wih Uviyer wade § i .7 af a 7 lik a al - oe a + :

2 Ti or = WA) bur aa be — = fe = uh eg 4 aa al 3 or a

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ghar ih ition ry sile thal atl Ltn i tm oan (oe ere. Pa es

a cc > } Wnt resin yrel w i ail A7T@ how adh vail ry ili Lia dina ot 7 : 1

aes ob vi ashen ize aie gilt | ne ms (paid Abid; vee abetted ousea He 7 J

ey > noted nals asia i set oni anid 1 ge ius laity eoving whe i cate aml omen Hy Poe

PS a Mh PYAAR iON Seoul il ts gs ca % wikige al awl sxtanporn al ae 416 areae i ~~

| Se a 0h ehre.e e fi doth a dian & 15> gee Nl see Set nt ae, 7 a

WP aM goto Neha ito walt ty nl gna poryiveis a

7 Wohin ext wa ‘tNH yt ets a Mi wh Henny . + ‘we gle walt ” wcrmnaretaie psi sept abireseds, an

raid = Forronaitio none aon wot foe y ot yma > au |

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; n ee ates ;

CIRCUS SWAINSONII.—Smiru.

Aves.— Pirates XLIII ann XLIV.

C, pallide griseus, flavo-griseo umbratus ; subtus albus, gutture pectoreque griseo-tinctis ; caudz tectricibus

superioribus albis, maculis, fasciisque flavo-griseis notatis ; rectricibus duabus intermediis griseis, flavo-

griseo tinctis, lateralibus partim griseis partim albis fasciis brunneis sex notatis. Rostro livido-nigro ;

cera, pedibus, oculisque flavis.

Lonaitupo 19 une.

Circus Swarnsoni, Smith.—South African Quarterly Journal, vol. i. page 384, 1830.

Circus paLuipus, Sykes.— Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1832, page 80.

(Adult Male. Plate XLIII. Fig. 1.)

CoLour.—Above ash-grey, clouded with yellowish-grey. The front, the

eye-brows, the upper tail-coverts, the inner surface of the shoulders, and all

the under parts snow-white, the throat and breast tinted with pearl-grey,

and the tail-coverts blotched and barred with yellow or brownish-grey.

Lesser wing-coverts, primary and secondary quill-coverts, scapulars, tertiary

quill-feathers, and a few of the innermost secondaries the same colour as the

back; the secondary quill-coverts narrowly tipped with white, and like the

tertiaries and innermost secondaries broadly edged internally with the same

colour. The basal half of the inner vane of each primary quill-feather white,

variegated with incomplete brown bars, the last half dark liver-brown, passing

into white at the extreme points; outer vanes towards the tips brown, more or

less deeply tinged with grey, the three or four outermost grey towards the

quills. The two centre tail-feathers ash-grey clouded with yellowish-grey,

and with faint indications of dark bars on each side of the shafts; the next

two of each side, more or less of the same colour, and with six imperfect dull

brown bars, each obscurely edged anteriorly and posteriorly with dirty white ;

the three outermost feathers white with six incomplete brownish-grey bars, those

of the outer vanes on some of the feathers being connected with each other

externally by the same colour, the bars of the exterior feather of each side

tinged with buff-orange ; the tips of ali the feathers white. Under surface of tail

white, with the dark bars obscurely marked. Bill livid black, with a yellow

blotch on the edge of both upper and under mandible near base ; cere, legs and

toes yellow. Claws a dark horn colour. Eyes yellow.

The feathers of all the upper parts of this bird have a distinct silky lustre.

Form, &c.—Figure long and slender. Bill delicate and strongly hooked,

the cere covered with strong recumbent bristles; cervical collar distinctly

marked, wings when folded reach beyond the commencement of the last third

CIRCUS SWAINSONII.

of the tail; the third and fourth quill-feathers equal and longest. Tail long

and slightly round at the point. Tarsi long and rather slender.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | Length of the tarsus. .......:.2.-....-- 2 6

the tip of the tail 19 O | of the middle toe............... i, a2

Length of the bill from the gape...... 1 0 | of the outer toe.............0... 0 93

of the wings when folded..... 13 0 | of the inner toe ....... Soccer

Of the (tally eset antsinesiacstescters 9 6 ofstheybinderstoerwensaecerces 0 6

(Middle Aged Male.—Plate XLII. Fig 2.)

Coxour.—Above, a part of the plumage is purplish brown and a part dark

silvery grey, the latter most advanced upon the shoulders and anterior

parts of the wings. Chin, throat, and breast greyish white, variegated

with large rusty brown stripes, one along the middle of each feather ;

belly, flanks, thighs, vent, and under tail-coverts white, with a number of

longitudinal stripes of a colour intermediate between tile and hyacinth-red ;

upper tail-coverts white, clouded with grey towards the point.

(Young Female.—Plate XLIV.)

Cotour.—The top of the head, cheeks, ear-coverts, upper surface of

the neck, interscapulars, back, scapulars, and lesser wing-coverts purplish

brown with a satin lustre, the feathers of the top of the head and the lesser

wing-coverts tipped with pale buff-orange, those of the back with reddish

orange. The primary and secondary wing-coverts and the quill-feathers

umber-brown with a purple shade; the primary wing-coverts are tipped with

white, and the first half of the inner vanes of the primary quill-feathers are

white barred with dark-brown, the outer vanes strongly tinted with grey ; the

quill-feathers narrowly tipped with dirty white. The four middle tail-feathers

barred alternately with purplish brown and greyish brown, the bars of the

latter colours clouded with buff or white shades; the lateral feathers dirty

white with three or four rusty brown bars; the tips of all bright sienna yellow.

Eye-brows, space under eye, and the rump white ; cervical collar, throat, and

all the under parts intermediate between sienna-yellow and Dutch-orange ;

several of the feathers of cervical collar towards its upper extremities brown

near centre, and several of those of the breast and belly the same colour

near their shaft.

This bird has a wide range in South Africa, and I have myself seen specimens of it, though

sparingly, in the neighbourhood of Cape Town, and also near Port Natal, the mouth of the

Orange River, and the Tropic of Capricorn. Like its congeners it flies low, often almost

touching the surface of the ground, and generally in a straight line, rather than in circles. Its

eapegs OR) wile’ b |

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. i

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“iH hin yravol oo y A ve i>, Dos wrstti Lcoy whl ber sgamul if oT anise ilu. psed hed duce

A oda eiml ast olFt stoke ail} ic. Sel mnaertt ators t ste worm

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bad ; 200 ayant: edt woah dAjnati. to evtigrak adi to gener al css! did AL 1 of ‘adil: ;

has . prade. isi bd oni Ate a pe te Oe bar eu ‘é a gaol can altgclt ah ovad ile be al itd basi an -

xt wound salt ia fe ot bagi) sll X etn Voie hous ok poate in gaan, vhs: suse yo baba dtiw.

aad asad atqeeeia, 40 re th, eater tanpve ais , fst ; ohke nade Masroeiae wre dom

orn huss sroteai ios an alt wi ol hai vi. tet Yo cen ll bon of ohare

cunt oval JoslGnrot ‘gh ead 2 wk te ulied bs Lawn] fest wiel oft ” iigeent nal aes ev tat

~ulteut si ob enn 4 dare, vd » x romeruatta resibun lea ait ee souls fi MnoR vd basasthe

“whiesbeasd bon mts eres “ le eet sesuiily, ilar t Pant ‘balay

7 ta uray Viblibe 2 ut

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epee Gil grubs ‘Yo aserdaoeies O1ht do ogy gam aieg ber iiooslog 8 p iw nepal a sly

—anab to fiw etn to betaine rales lhe ve {eng aul) 42 saliterigingne bara bygone

Het yas a bas ¢ apres oe Ab reer med. sails Seibert salt oi bal. annex idtiw’ -

dvishy eyeuilss sult altah. slmsituhetbsein 6 wi. ody aids inginsenb doc! ‘Wo eeaeltedh “hoyrise

jlfodotadl sahevinime 4 bow _begtl shyebyod rn 4 A dorhal, AF eorilA Wart ai untae

ee ialaing tun, wera, pool re ihe’ los very a3 pm siLisest oilt «lige, a aartsio2 Wel ——

outoing ovis te raluqiiginws tw cb thurs 1 ling wood trode ora od? ellohe ys

akea- fall ylaytice 9 stcmmiwe wale wy pony 8 tt tues tede inant Seotlt em deua poe

Potent aned prat barney wl gaat dud ena roe qe Ipasknsy ita itt 20a se ppt a

wl di erst Hew esiciygy bay ay yorita to. tied artvereds oilt te molaw von latot «Yo Mada Qalleoe —

ajeit bodla ay ba wm ABue aged, riliaust ail: at Sau ie mg: aan of ovigits est gle”

_ barman 4 ihe: 13a 1 bes de mainae @ e wpe = do i) a ay

= tals Oe ee Aad yecryy Wo _lasiné ana 4i rau agtlit

id Ges @ heeal be we ian tei re he a oh .<ral Lies aay be ‘port

r nae UL qk Hey St M0 ¢ “Ye potasiiles ‘sh vd “hareaipedb ad

jmioages tdyna oo z0 i ener teas vibes Ve Jere iaeab te syn gob silt friqusaiie: od

snfinests ut ablaliere vl to ine ’ Aba vanlb } waite atin bomiair> ghatusiiat od. oF

sn pazzy sv getting | soning yes Ww ra1gab mid ‘bail ow doosng 1A ayaa

iran TT as ; 4 Aa els maha tha dyin aiaage paariberls eo sigsiiaoo ol Jew Mes bowl

som i 3 ‘at “acess OF awoud yg pil eceit age plo saul aie er ewan mn

vig evefii

CIRCUS SWAINSONII,

food consists of small quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, &c. and upon some one or other of these it is

often to be seen pouncing in the course of its flight. Damp and marshy situations appear

to form its favourite hunting grounds, but it does not, like some of the other Cape species,

select those to the exclusion of dry and grassy plains.

Although I am not possessed of the information which would enable me to state positively

the age at which Circus Swainsonii attains its mature plumage, yet I have reason to believe it

appears with the moult of the second year. A female of the first year is represented in Plate

XLIV ; and fig. 2 of Plate XLIII is a male probably in its second year, just before the adult

garb had been fully acquired. The plumage of the young differs not only in colour, but in

various other respects from that of the adult. The feathers in the former, besides being more

numerous, better formed, and of a more compact texture, are shorter, broader, and more

pointed than in the latter.

This is not the only bird of prey, in which we have observed the texture and form of the

feathers to vary with age. In many of the Accipitres of South Africa, like changes occur ; and

we find those who have the feathers long, narrow, and pointed in youth, have them short, and

with rounded or semicircular points, in mature age—and vice versa, though not in the same re-

markable degree. Thus diagnostic characters, drawn from the configuration of feathers, will

not prove universally applicable ; indeed, in several instances in which attempts have been

made to render the form of these available in the determination of species, confusion and error

have been the result. The long and pointed feathers of Le Chass-fiente, Levaillant, have been

advanced by some authors as the best and readiest characters, by which it was to be distin-

guished from Vultur fulvus, Lin., of which it is only the young. Having examined hundreds

of specimens of the vulture in question, I invariably found all individuals with sallow-coloured

plumage—a mark of youth—to have the feathers narrow and pointed, even in the collaret ;

while in those with a pale-coloured plumage—one of the indications of maturity—they were

broad and semicircular at the points ; while the collaret consisted of coarse, wiry, or decom-

posed feathers, which, in appearance, almost resembled a ruff of slender bristles. I often met

with specimens, also, in the intermediate stages between these extremes ; and in many I ob-

served feathers of both descriptions upon the same individuals. In the three vultures which

occur in South Africa (V. fulvus, Lin., V. auricularis, Daud., and V. occipitalis, Burchell,)

one law seems to prevail; the feathers, in the young of all, are long, narrow, and pointed ;—in

the adults, they are short, broad, and rounded, or semicircular at the points.

Facts, such as these, testify what caution is required, in order to estimate correctly the value

of characters, as they appear in individual specimens, which may be presented for examination.

Nothing short of a total revision of the characters, both of groups and species, will tend in the

slightest degree to free our science from the anomalies, perplexities, and contradictions

by which it is at present swallowed up. Such an inquiry, if cautiously and patiently carried

through, would supply either what is required, or prove that such a regularity as would enable

the naturalist to detect fixed and general laws, does not exist in nature; or at least is not to

be discovered by the cultivators of Natural History of the present day. If the revision

be attempted, the degrees of development of individual parts or organs ought especially

to be minutely examined, with a view to discover how far such may be available to classifica-

tion. At present, we find the degree of development of some one external organ, often consi-

dered sufficient to constitute a distinct species, though all other characters of the specimen

may be strictly in keeping with those of a species, loug known to science, My experience,

CIRCUS SWAINSONIL.

which has not been very limited, would incline me to regard the size of external parts, parti-

cularly in certain classes of animated beings, not entitled to consideration, as a specific

character ; nor would I even be disposed to admit a greater size of all the parts of the body, as

a proof that an individual in which such a condition was manifested, was of a different species

from another, from which it only differed in being a trifle larger. To this conclusion I should be

led, from having observed among some species,—of Ploceus in particular, that some individuals

were often to be seen considerably larger than others, where no doubt could exist as to their

all being of the same species. During the late expedition into the interior, a well-marked case

in point occurred. In a cluster of reeds, skirting a pool of water, some way to the northward

of Latakoo, we found an enormous flock of Ploceus auricapillus, Sw.; and among the indivi-

duals of this flock, a distinct discrepancy, in point of size, was evident ; though not the slightest

difference could be detected, either in the form or structure of their nests, nor in the shape nor

markings of their eggs. Many of the smallest, as well as of the largest individuals, were killed ;

and no differences could be discovered, on the most minute examination, save that the latter

were about a third larger than the former. As I have appeared to lay some weight upon the

character of the nests, in proof of these birds being of the same species, [ may merely observe

that each species of Ploceus which inhabits South Africa, forms its nest differently ; and the

differences are very palpable, when those of each sort are compared together.

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crRix CACENSiS

( Aves_ Plate 45.)

STRIX CAPENSIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XLV.—MAte.

S. supra brunneo-rubra, maculis parvis albis parcé notatis; infra pallide rufo-ochrea maculis parvis

cordatis notatis ; fascie brunneo-flava ; circulo cervicali isabellino, plumis plurimis brunneo-termi-

natis; remigibus subochreis brunneo-fasciatis ; oculis nigro brunneis ; rostro, pedibusque livido-flavis.

Loneitupo 16 une.

Srrrx capensis, Smith.—South African Quarterly Journal, New Series, 1836.

Cotour.—The upper surface of the head and neck, the interscapulars, the

back, rump, upper tail coverts, lesser wing coverts, scapulars and secondary

quill coverts, intermediate between yellowish brown and brownish red, and

variegated with a number of white, more or less spear-shaped spots, one

towards the point of each feather, those on the head and neck smallest and

least distinct. Many of the feathers are also blotched or mottled towards their

base with ochre-yellow, which is most distinctly seen when the plumage is

deranged. Edges of shoulders and inner surface of wings anteriorly pale

Dutch-orange spotted with brown. Primary quill coverts the same colour as

the back, each towards the base mottled with reddish orange ; the inner vanes

of secondary quill coverts dusky white barred with brown. The points of

all the primary quill feathers and the outer vanes of the two outermost ones

brown, the latter with a few reddish orange variegations towards their base,

the remaining primaries, and the secondaries reddish orange externally,

cream-yellow internally, both the vanes barred with brown. Sides of the

neck and under parts of a colour intermediate between ochre-yellow and

pale reddish orange, and each feather, towards its point, is marked with

asmall heart-shaped pale brown spot; tarsi spotless. Facial disc a pale

fawn colour with a pink tint, the bases of the feathers at the inner canthus of

the eye brownish black. The cervical collar pale buff-orange with many of the

feathers, particularly of its inferior portion, tipped with brown. The two

middle tail feathers of the same colour as the back, without variegation ; the

outer vanes of the three next of each side nearly the same colour, only lighter ,

STRIX CAPENSIS.

the inner vanes pale cream-yellow, both crossed with four brown bars ; the

outer vanes of the two outermost scinna-yellow, inner vanes white, both with

four imperfect brown bars ; the points of all the feathers slightly speckled

with white ; bill and toes livid straw-yellow ; eyes brownish black ; claws a

dark horn colour. The whole of the plumage has a slight silky gloss.

Form, &c.—Typical. Bill strongly hooked and pointed. Facial disc

rather large, the feathers rigid and wiry, those in front of the eyes directed

forwards and covering the base of the bill; cervical collar strongly marked,

the feathers compact, erect, and arranged in several rows, their points

slightly rounded ; wings large, and when folded reach about an inch and a

half beyond the point of the tail; the second quill feather the longest, the

first and third slightly shorter, the fourth considerably shorter ; tail small and

square at the point; legs long; upper half of tarsi covered with feathers,

lower half and toes covered with small flat circular scales, upon which are

scattered a few strong rigid bristles ; the last joint of toes with two or three

transverse plates superiorly ; claws long, slightly curved and pointed.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches, Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | Lienothiof the ttarsus, qoeccecsssece ee: 3.38

the tip of the tail...... .. 16 0 of the outer toe ............... 13

of the bill from the gape ...... ify 3) of the middle|toe:..........5... 1 44

of the wings when folded ... 12 8 | of the inner toe’ .......:....<:. 1 44

@Y UNG Pepronanssndabonoshvoc 5 of the hinder toe..............- 0 73

The female is considerably larger than the male, and the colours are not so

clear. The down with which the young bird is clothed is a dull cream-yellow,

and the plumage of the upper parts during the first year is darker than in

adult birds.

The few specimens of this species which I have seen were obtained near Cape Town, close

to Table Mountain, in the rocky precipices of which they were said to have concealed them-

selves during the day. The colonists recognise this bird as distinct from what they call the

Doodvogel, (Strix flammea, Lin.) which occurs abundantly throughout the whole of South Africa.

By its size we at once distinguish it from Strix badia, Horsfield, the species to which it is by

colours most nearly allied.

MELACONOTUS SIMILIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XLVI.—FEeEMmALE.

M. capite supra, cervice, regioneque interscapulari cceruleo-griseis ; dorso, alarumque tectricibus minoribus

flavo-viridibus, ultimarum quibusdam etiamque remigium tectricibus pallidé flayo-terminatis duas

lineas obliquas formantibus ; cauda flavo-virescenti, quatuor pennis externis pallidé flavo-terminatis ;

infra lucide flavus, pectore aurantio-tincto. Rostro nigro; pedibus livido-griseis. Oculis brunneo-

aurantiis.

Lonairupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 3 unc. 44 lin; caude, 3 unc. 10! lin.

I > 3

MeLaconotus stmitis, Smith.—Rep. of Exped. App. page 44, June, 1836.

MELACONOTUS CHRYSOGASTER, Swains ?—Birds of Western Africa, Plate XXV. 1837.

Cotour.—The upper and lateral parts of the head and neck, together with

the interscapulars intermediate between pearl and blueish grey, the upper

surface of the head with a slight tint of green; back, rump, upper tail-

coverts and lesser quill-coverts, intermediate between siskin and oil-green, a

few of the last-named feathers and some of the tail-coverts tipped with

straw-yellow. The front and the feathers immediately before the eyes pale yel-

low; eyebrows white. Primary and secondary quill coverts and the tail-

feathers clear oil-green, the three outermost of the latter, on each side, broadly

tipped with straw-yellow, and the next to them, narrowly, with the same

colour; the primary and secondary quill-coverts straw-yellow at the tips,

forming a second oblique band of that colour on each wing. The three outer-

most quill-feathers brown edged externally with greenish yellow, the re-

mainder of the primaries and the secondaries have the inner vanes brown,

and the outer vanes oil-green. Several of the tertiaries are tipped with straw-

yellow, the other parts being green with a brown tinge. The inner vane of

each quill-feather is edged with straw-yellow, which is of considerable breadth

towards their base ; inside of shoulder the same yellow. The chin, throat,

and under parts light king’s-yellow ; the breast with a tinge of orange. The

tail-feathers are all edged externally with straw-yellow, under-surface of tail

light greenish yellow. Bill black; feet livid greenish grey ; eyes orpiment-

orange.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust. Tail long and rounded at the tip,

MELACONOTUS SIMILIS.

the feathers somewhat pointed. Baill moderately strong anteriorly compressed,

culmen obtuse and curved from its base towards the point most distinctly ;

the upper mandible strongly hooked, the lateral tooth but slightly developed ;

nostrils close to the base of the bill, near to the commissure, and _ par-

tially concealed by a few recumbent bristles; point of lower mandible bent

upwards. Some short bristles towards angles of mouth. Wings rounded,

and when folded reach over the first third of the tail, the fifth quill-feather

rather the longest, the fourth and sixth equal and slightly shorter, the third

about one line shorter, the second about three lines shorter than the third,

and the first nearly seven lines shorter than the third. Tarsi moderately

robust, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire; toes strong; claws rather

slender, all moderately curved and pointed, those of hinder toes strongest and

most arched.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines, Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to | Length of the farsus....:......00000+6 0 11

the tip of the tail ......... ho | of the outer toe: -....2:.ssc00s- 0 4

of the bill from the gape 8) ofthe anner toe%.... escscncse 0) OL

OLethe/ tail) ceveescneseinecesiciccters he aly of the middle toe............... Ors:

of the wings when folded..... BG | of thevhinder toe... .<...5+.0. 0 3

The male of this species was not procured.

Only one specimen of this species was obtained, and the structure of its feathers mdicated

that it had not quite reached the age of maturity. The bird described by Swainson,* under

the name of Melaconotus chrysogaster, is probably a male of this species, which has nearly, if

not actually, attained its adult plumage. The existence of two yellow bars upon the wings in

our specimen would argue against the identity, but as we know that such colours in this

group generally disappear as age advances, we hold their existence as no valid objection to

the conclusion, more especially as in Melaconotus olivaceus we know that change actually takes

place, and even the yellow terminations of the external tail-feathers often disappear about the

age of maturity.

Our specimen was killed near Kurichane, lat. 26° South, when searching for its food

(insects) among the branches of an acacia tree, and some others which were seen, though not

killed, were similarly employed upon similar trees in the same neighbourhood; none were

found more to the southward. Those we saw were in localities thinly covered with scattered

trees, and they evidently preferred the latter to a denser foliage, inasmuch as a choice was

offered. The last remark will also apply to Melaconotus olivaceus, which is always found among

the branches of lofty trees, even where the surface of the ground around them is densely

coated with brushwood, and forming just such a jungle as would please the true Melaconoti.

* Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library, Ornithology, vol. vii. page 244.

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LAMPROTORNIS BURCHELLII.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XLVII.—MAte.

L. capite supra, regione interscapulari, dorso, humeris, remigium tectricibus, caudze tectricibus superiori-

bus, mento, gutture, pectoreque profunde viridi nitentibus ; cervice, uropygio abdomineque cyaneo-

purpureis ; capitis lateribus brunneo-purpureis, plumis quibusdam purpureo-rubro terminatis ; rec-

tricium pogoniis externis, cyaneo-purpureis ; pogoniis internis brunneo-nigris ; rectricibus duabus in-

termediis eeneo-purpureis, reliquis cyaneo-purpureis, omnibus earum remigiumque pogoniis ex-

ternis, subnigro-fasciatis. Rostro, pedibusque brunneo-nigris ; oculis griseo-nigris.

Loneaitupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 6 unc. 9 lin,; caude 6 unc, 9 lin.

Mercatoprervs Avstratis, Smith.*—Rep. of Exped. App. page 52, June, 1836.

Cotour, &c.—The upper surface of the head, the interscapulars, the

scapulars, the shoulders, the large and smaller quill coverts, the upper

tail-coverts, the chin, the throat and the breast dark duck-green with a

splendid metallic lustre; the sides of the head pansy-purple, many of the

feathers tipped with brilliant shining purplish red passing into flame-red.

The back and the sides of the neck superiorly, together with the rump

and the belly splendent dark plum-purple, the intensity of the colour vary-

ing according to the direction in which the light falls upon the feathers ;

vent and under tail-coverts the same colour, only neither quite so deep nor

so bright ; inner vanes of quill feathers brownish black, shaded with green

in certain lights; some of the outer vanes coloured like the top of the

head, others edged with nut-colour, and elsewhere like the rump plum-

purple. The two middle tail-feathers bronzed-purple, deadened by a gloss of

green, the outer vanes of the remainder the same colour as the rump, the

inner vanes brownish black; all the tail-feathers and the outer vanes of

the quill-feathers are faintly variegated with numerous pale, velvet-black

bars. On the centre of the abdomen anteriorly there is a large brilliant

purplish red blotch, and towards the inner edge of each wing a little behind

the point there is an oval spot of the same tint, which in certain positions

appears to pass into flame-red, the latter is margined externally with plum-

purple. Several of the smaller wing-coverts, and some of the scapulars are

broadly banded with velvet-black, and these feathers, as well as most of the

smaller ones of this bird, are brownish red, with a silky lustre towards their

base. Inner surface of quill-feathers and under surface of tail chocolate-

red. Bill and feet brownish black ; eyes greyish black.

Form, &c.—Figure moderately robust; bill rather short, nearly straight,

and laterally convex; tip of bill and culmen obtuse; nasal fosse deep ; nostrils

* Having carefully examined a number of species of ZLamprotornis, I find the peculiarities mani-

fested by the present species, in common with several others, result only from different degrees of develop-

ment of individual parts, and consequently cannot be employed as generic characters. I have, therefore,

found it necessary to discard the group I indicated in 1836, under the title of Megalopterus, and also

the trivial name of the species I described (Australis) as being inapplicable now that the bird must be

regarded as a true Lamprotornis. The specific appellation which has been substituted will doubtless be

approved by persons who desire the merits of a scientific naturalist and able traveller to be duly honoured.

LAMPROTORNIS BURCHELLII.

oval, the upper margins prominent. Wings very large, rounded, and when

folded reach nearly to the commencement of the last half of the tail, the

third, fourth, and fifth quill-feathers equal and longest, the sixth slightly

shorter, the second and seventh equal and about an inch shorter than the

longest ones, the first not quite half the length of the second; the points

of the inner vanes of the three longest feathers obliquely trancated. Tail

long, full, and strongly oraduated, the two middle feathers longest and

slightly narrower than the lateral ones; the external one of each side about

half the length of the two middle ones, the intermediate ones successively

graduated between the two extremes. Tarsi strong, anteriorly distinctly

scutellated, posteriorly entire ; toes strong, particularly the hinder one, the

lateral ones nearly of equal length and shorter than the hinder one, the

middle one the longest; claws blunt and slightly curved, those of the hinder

toes large and robust.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. | Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus........ ........-+4 1S ats

the tip of the tail .......... NB} 0 5 of the outer t0e.......c..cencnse Ove:

of the billfrom the gape ...... 1 13 of the inner toe ............... 0 74

Otethe Walle ascsecwesssietleneesister 6 69 of the middle toe ............. 0 113

of the wings when folded ..... fp ks of the hinder toe ............... 0 823

In the female the tail is rather shorter, in proportion, than in the male ; and

the metallic gloss of the plumage, generally, not so brilliant.

We were aware of the existence of this bird for several weeks before we knew to what

group it belonged, or even could venture a surmise as to its relations. The great size of its

wings, and the peculiar appearance it had in consequence when flying, bafHled all our conjectures,

and the extreme caution and shyness it observed for a long time ensured it safety, even in the

midst of our guns. It was rarely seen to leave high trees, except to remove from one to

another, so that, till specimens were actually secured, we never for an instant fancied it to be a

Lamprotornis. It appeared to seek its food, which consisted of insects and fruits, almost

exclusively upon trees; on the other hand, the more common species of South Africa obtain

much of theirs on the ground.

If it be essential, in order to carry out the plan of the Creator, that certain birds should be

provided with longer and more weighty tails than others of their congeners, it will also be

necessary that provision should be made to ensure them against injury or inconvenience from

such arrangement. We have indicated a provision in the instance under consideration in the

great development of the wing feathers, which can be necessary only to meet the increased

obstacles to the bird’s progressive motion through the air, created by the length and weight of

the tail. In almost’every bird in which the last-named organ is of great size, we find the

wings also much larger than in species with the same size of body and with short tails.

Another species of this genus, from North Africa, Zamprotornis longicauda, furnishes evidence of

the fact, and several of the Vidue of South Africa might also be instanced, as well as nume-

rous other birds of different countries.

The first specimens we observed were in lat. 25° South, and from thence the numbers gra-

dually increased as we advanced to the northward.

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COSSIPHA HUMERALIS.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate XLVIII.—Mate.

dorso imo flavo-rufo, griseo-tincto ; uropygio, caude tectricibus superioribus, rectricibusque versus

basin rufo-aurantiis, duabus intermediis, apicibusque reliquorum rubro-brunneis; superciliis, teenio-

laque frontali albis ; capitis et cervicis lateribus, fasciaque pectorali interrupta nigris; fascia humerali

alba ; subtus alba posticé rufo-aurantio-tincta.

Lonartvpo ab apice rostri ad basin caudee 3 une, 114 lin.; caude 3 une. 2 lin.

BessONORNIS HUMERALIS, Smith.*—Rep. of Exped. App. pp. 46, June 1836.

CoLour.—The upper parts of the head and the neck, together with the

interscapulars and the anterior half of the back blackish grey, with a faint

tinge of reddish brown ; the rest of the back, gall-stone yellow, obscured by a

tint of grey. Therump, upper tail coverts, and the greater portion of the tail

clear deep orange, the two middle feathers of the latter and the tips of the

others deep reddish brown. Eye-brows white, and united anteriorly by means of

a narrow band of the same colour, which stretches across the forehead. The

sides of the head, including the eyes, the feathers at base of upper mandible

in front of the white band, the sides of the neck, and a curved blotch on each

side of breast, black. The chin, throat, and breast, pure white ; the belly

white, with a faint tinge of Dutch-orange; the flanks and under tail coverts

pale Dutch-orange; the thighs greyish brown, pencilled with dusky white.

Lesser wing coverts black, several of those close to shoulders broadly tipped

with white; the primary and secondary quill coverts brownish red, a few

of the latter broadly edged externally with white, and form with the white

which variegates several of the lesser wing coverts an oblique white band on

the anterior part of the wing. Quill feathers brown grey, narrowly margined

externally with clear greyish white. Bill liver-brown ; feet purplish brown ;

eyes dark brown.

Form, &c.—Figure slender; bill nearly straight, triangular at the base,

* This bird is too strongly allied to Cossypha, as characterised by Vigors, to warrant my continuing to

view it as belonging to an independent group.

COSSIPHA HUMERALIS.

rather convex at the sides in front of nostrils; hook of upper man-

dible and emargination slightly developed. Bristles at angle of mouth

short and scanty. Wings rounded, and when folded extend a little be-

yond the base of the tail; the fourth and fifth quill feathers equal and

longest, the third and sixth equal and slightly shorter, the second and seventh

rather shorter than the sixth, the first about half the length of the second,

broad and regularly formed. Tail long and slightly rounded at the point;

tarsi in front scutellated superiorly and inferiorly, entire in the middle and

posteriorly. Outer and inner toes equal and considerably shorter than the

middle toe; hinder toe nearly the same length as the lateral toes. Claws

pointed, and moderately curved; the claws of the hinder toes longest and

strongest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines, Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ................4. 1, 0

the tip of the tail......... 7 13 of the outer'toe ...5.....0...2 O 4

of the bill from the gape ...... Om of the middle toe............... Oo 6

Ofsthientailigecscecscent aetna Bez of the hinder toe ............... 0 383

of the wings when folded 38 63

In size and colour the female is like the male.

The first specimen of this species was procured in lat. 26° South, and between that parallel

and the tropic of Capricorn we obtained many others. All the individuals seen were upon low

trees or high brushwood close to rivers, either at rest on the branches or actively seeking among

the foliage for insects, which constitute their food. When in motion they were frequently

observed to raise and depress the tail by jerks, after the manner of the Motacille, and occa-

sionally, though not often, to slightly spread and elevate the wings like the Saxicole. They

shewed nothing of the shyness and vigilance of the latter, the approach of man appeared to give

them little uneasiness, and when a specimen was once seen, little precaution was necessary to

ensure its acquisition for our collection.

Though this bird differs in some of its habits from the one upon which Mr. Vigors constituted

the genus Cossypha, yet in others, as well as in its structure, it assimilates so nearly to it as

not to justify us in continuing to regard it as of a different group. Cossipha vocifera, Vig.,

frequents similar localities to our bird, and moves about among the branches of trees after the

same manner, but as far as we have observed it never jerks its tail or wings. The bird described

by Levaillant, under the name of Jan Frederic* (Cossipha Pectoralis), resembles strongly in its

habits C. humeralis; it occurs in similar situations, moves its tail in the same way, and in the

mode in which the colours are distributed there is considerable similitude. There is one mate-

rial difference, however, to be observed between them, C. pectoraljs is more on the ground than

on trees or shrubs; C. humeralis again is but rarely seen upon the ground.

* Oiseaux d'Afrique, Plate cxi.

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ERY THROPYGIN PR CTONRALITS.

(Aves _ Plate 4:9.)

ERYTHROPYGIA PECTORALIS.—Smrru.

Aves.—Puate XLIX.—MAte.

E:. capite, cervice, interscapularibus dorsoque summo brunneis griseo-tinctis ; gutture, abdomineque flayo-

albis : pectore pallide isabellina brunneo-strigatis ; dorso imo, uropygio, caudeque tectricibus supe-

nioribus subferrugineis ; alarum tectricibus primariis secundariisque nigro-brunneis albo-marginatis,

lineam longitudinalem albam formantibus; remigibus brunneo-rubris externé versus basin pallide

rufo-marginatis. Cauda nigro-brunnea, plumarum apicibus albis.

Lonaitupo capitis cum corpore, 3 unc. 13 lin. ; caudee 3 unc. 14 lin.

ERYTHROPYGIA PECTORALIS, Smith.—Rep. of Exped. App. p. 46., June 1336,

CoLour.—The upper surface of the head intermediate between yellowish

brown and brocoli brown ; the neck superiorly together with the interscapu-

lars, and the anterior half of the back yellowish brown, tinted with brocoli-

brown; posterior half of back, rump, and upper tail coverts deep reddish orange.

Chin, middle of abdomen, and under tail coverts pale cream-yellow; breast

light sienna-yellow, streaked with umber brown—one streak along the centre

of each feather ; thighs cream-yellow externally spotted with umber brown ;

flanks dull reddish orange, shaded with light chesnut brown. Eye-brows

pale cream-yellow, each margined superiorly with a slender streak of umber-

brown ; feathers immediately in front of eyes, and a rudimentary line on each

side of throat, from base of lower mandible blackish brown; ear coverts pale

rufous, clouded with brown. Primary and secondary quill coverts, and the

lesser wing coverts, liver brown, some of the last named feathers tipped with

white, the others margined with rusty grey. A few of the innermost of the

primary quill coverts, and most of the secondaries are edged externally, and

partially tipped with white, so that each wing appears crossed obliquely by

two irregular white bands. Primary and secondary quill feathers brownish

red, with their outer vanes towards the quills narrowly edged with wood brown ;

tertiary quill feathers liver-brown, broadly margined with yellowish brown.

Tail liver-brown, the feathers rusty towards their edges, and white at the

points, the quantity of white greatest on the external feather of each side,

and least on the two middle ones, upon which it is almost invisible. Bull liver-

ERYTHROPYGIA PECTORALIS.

brown; the base of lower mandible yellowish ; legs light yellowish brown,

with a flesh coloured tint ; eyes clear Dutch-orange.

Form, &c.—Figure slender; bill slightly curved; the culmen blunt and

considerably arched, the degree of curvature in the latter greatest towards

the point; the bill triangular towards base, compressed towards the point ;

the sides of mandibles slightly convex ; nostrils small, opening longitudinally

and near to the commissure ; emargination of upper mandible slightly indi-

cated. Wings rounded, short, and when folded reach a little beyond the base

of the tail; the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh quill feathers equal and

longest, the third slightly shorter, the second considerably shorter than the

third, and the first about half the length of the longest ones, and broad and

rounded at its point. The secondary and tertiary quill feathers but little

shorter than the primaries. Tail long and slightly rounded at the point, the

apices of the feathers broad and rounded ; tarsi moderately strong, faintly

scutellated anteriorly, entire posteriorly. Toes rather slender, the lateral

ones equal in length and considerably shorter than the middle one, rather

longer than the hinder one, the latter is the most robust. Claws slender,

pointed and moderately curved, the hinder claws strongest and longest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. a Inches. Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to the | Length of the tarsi ..............0...++- 0 11

tipvofithe tau. von. encceseeene 6 6 (3 | Ofstheroutersboel e-snecmecmeccr en: 0 3

of the bill from the gape ...... 0 8 | Ofsthewmiddlestoe mrensercsceceee 0 6

Ola the: tallscsecearcossnaccscseeeees 3. Ik | of the hinder'toe:.....2:2.0c-+ +e (ey 8:

of the wings when folded ...... Ze ieot | ||

In the female the colours are not quite so bright as in the male. The size

of both sexes is the same, and the colours are distributed after the same

pattern.

This and the species represented in the next Plate (L.) accord so perfectly in their habits,

organization, and configuration, that no doubt can exist as to their being of the same group ;

but what that group may be is not so easily to be decided. In their manners and _ habits they

have a remarkable similitude to the Saaicole, and their colours are distributed after a like

fashion. The form and character of their individual organs, however, exclude them from that

group. The bill, wings and tail are not those of Sazicole, and the circumstance of their never

leaving trees and descending to the ground, also removes them from a genus the species of

which, in many respects, they strongly resemble. They jerk their wings after the same manner

as the Sazicole, and they hunt for insects which constitute their food with the same activity.

BRYTHROPYGIA PABNA. (A male-B. young)

(Aves.- Plate 50)

ERYTHROPYGIA PAENA.—Smiru.

Aves.—Puate L.—Mawe anno Younec.

KE. capite supra obscure brunneo, plumis rufo-griseo marginatis ; cervice rufo-griseo ; interscapularibus

dorsoque summo flayo-rufis; dorso imo, uropygio, caude tectricibus superioribus, caudaque versus

basin rubro-aurantiis ; gutture albo ; pectore ventreque pallidé lactifloribus, pectoris abdominisque

lateribus flavo-brunneo-tinctis ; remigibus brunneo-rubris, externe pallidé flavo-brunneo-marginatis 5

rectricibus versus apices nigro-brunneis, quatuor externis singulorum albo-terminatis ; superciliis lacti-

floribus. Rostro, nigro-brunneo ; pedibus lividé griseo-brunneis.

Lonarrupo ab apice rostri ad basin caude 3 unc. 3 lin. ; caude, 2 une. 9 lin.

ERyruropyaia PAENA, Smith.—Rep. of Exped., App. p. 46., June, 1836.

Cotour.—( Male, fig. a.) Head superiorly dull brown, the feathers distinctly

edged and tipped with rusty grey; upper aspect of neck rusty grey ; inter-

scapulars and anterior half of back intermediate between Dutch-orange and

yellowish brown; hinder part of back, rump, upper tail coverts and the basal

two-thirds of tail clear reddish orange, last third of tail feathers liver brown,

the edges of the feathers rusty, and the four outer ones of each side broadly

tipped with white; chin and throat white ; breast, belly, and vent pale cream-

yellow ; the sides of the breast and the flanks with a strong tint of rusty

yellowish brown. Lesser wing coverts pale greyish brown; primary and

secondary quill coverts brownish red, the latter externally edged with pale

wood-brown. Quill feathers brownish red, delicately edged externally with

wood-brown, which on a few of the primaries, towards their bases, becomes

strongly tinted with buff-orange ; several of the secondaries are narrowly

tipped with white, the inner vanes of most of the quill feathers broadly edged

with yellowish white ; the inner surface of the shoulders pale cream-yellow.

Bill liver-brown ; eyes reddish brown ; legs livid greyish brown.

Form, &c.—Figure slight; bill rather slender, and slightly curved, the

culmen arched, from the base, the curvature rather abrupt towards the point ;

emargination near tip of upper mandible, scarcely visible ; nasal foss@ deep.

Wings short, rounded, and when folded reach over nearly the first third of the

tail, the third, fourth, and fifth quill feathers of the same length and the

ERYTHROPYGIA PAENA.

longest, the second and eighth equal in length, and about four lines shorter,

the first about half the length of the longest ones, narrow, particularly towards

the point. Tail moderately rounded ; tarsi slender, faintly scutellated an-

teriorly, entire posteriorly ; toes of moderate strength, the middle one con-

siderably longer than the other three; claws slightly curved and pointed,

those of the hinder toes longest and strongest.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches. Lines. Inches, Lines.

Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus.............-..0+.. 1 0

the tip of the tail............ 6 0 of the:outer’t0e.....c-sers-cu see QO 4

of the bill from the gape ...... Oy ey) OfstheWNMeNibOe): sssaceacteae/te cert OC

of the wings when folded ...... rye tts) ofithe middle toss. sancc ene cree: Oo 42

Olethektallereceste comer mccasene ci DAE 3) of the hinder toe ............... 0 8

The colours of the female are the same as those of the male, only not quite

so clear. The young bird (fig. d.*) is highly variegated : the feathers of the

head, neck, back, and rump are dull cream-yellow, tipped with dark brown ;

those of the under parts, pale cream-yellow, tipped with reddish brown.

The habits and configuration of this species, as has already been observed, agrees with those

of E. pectoralis ; like it, the present inhabits arid districts thinly covered with dwarf trees,

among the branches of which it seeks its food. Its movements, while flitting from branch to

branch, are rapid, and when resting or hunting for insects it is constantly watchful, always

ready to take alarm and to retreat when its haunt has once been discovered. On such occa-

sions, however, it rarely flies far before it alights, and if not under the influence of fear, it

seldom passes the tree nearest to that it has abandoned. In its disposition to view every object

with distrust, and to watch carefully whatever attracts its attention, it resembles in a marked

manner the Savicole.

* The specimen figured had acquired much of the plumage of an adult bird, hence the colours of youth

are but imperfectly represented.

THE ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. BEAGLE,

UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPT. FITZROY, R.N. Ra:

fae DURING THE YEARS 1832 ro 1836. bit

Edited and Superintended by CHARLES DARWIN, Esq., M.A. F.R.S. V.P.G.S., Naturalist to the Expedition. :

‘Comprising highly-finished representations of the most novel and interesting objects in Natural History, collected during

the voyage of the “ Beagle,” with descriptive Letterpress. :

Figures are given of many species of animals hitherto unknown or but imperfectly described, together with an account

of their habits, ranges, and places of habitation. : | ;

The collections were chiefly made in the provinces bordering on the Rio Plata, in Patagonia, the Falkland Islands, Tierra 3

del Fuego, Chili, and the Galapagos Archipelago in the Pacific. wll

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‘ With a Notice of their Habits and Ranges

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THE ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. SULPHUR.

Unprr THE comMAND oF Capt. SIR EDWARD BELCHER, R.N. C.B. F.R.GS., &e.

Edited and Superintended by RICHARD BRINSLEY HINDS, Esq., Surg., R.N., Attached to the Expedition.

Among the countries visited by the Sutpaur, and which in the present state of Science are invested with more particular —

interest, may be mentioned the Californias, Columbia River, the North-west coast of America, the Feejee Group (a portion

of the Friendly Islands), New Hebrides, New Ireland, New Guinea, China, and Madagascar.

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THE BOTANY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. SULPHUR. ~~

By GEORGE BENTHAM, Esa, F.L.S., &c. Senta

Durine the widely extended voyage of Her Majesty's Ship Sunpnur, the subject of Botany was pursued rte,

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afford a number of plants of very considerable interest to science, and which are conveniently divided into the ==

following geographical heads. These different departments are preceded by notices of the climate and scasons,

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and described by Mr. Bentham.

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