180 H. W. James 



been in the river bed so that in the event of a flood a great 

 many eggs must get destroyed. The number of eggs is 

 invariably two. It nests in the months of August, Sept., 

 October, November, December, and sometimes in February, 

 April and June. 



Siephanihyx coronatus (Crowned Lapwing). — This is a common 

 species in both districts congregating in small flocks during 

 the winter months. I have taken eggs in the months of 

 October and December. 



Oedicnemus capensis (Cape Thickknee). — A common bird in 

 both districts. When out riding one day I noticed one of 

 these birds jump up from a stony patch near a water furrow. 

 I rode towards the place and when I was about 20 yds. 

 away the other bird, which had been lying close by jumped 

 up very erect and with wings outstretched charged straight 

 at my horse running rapidly and hissing loudly. I could 

 now see the eggs and on dismounting the birds repeated the 

 manoeuvre several times as I knelt beside the nest. A couple 

 of months later I came across another nest about 200 yards 

 from this spot and as the birds behaved in the same manner 

 I presume it was the same pair as this is the only instance 

 I have come across of this species behaving in this way. I 

 have recorded it nesting in Nov., Dec, Jan., Feb. 



Totanus Uttoreus (The Greenshank). — A few of this species are 

 found feeding on the dams or in the pools of rivers. 



Tringa minuta (Little Stint). — This migrant visits both districts 

 yearly in good numbers being found in flocks of 20 to 40 

 on the rivers and dams. I have obtained specimens in March 

 and October. 



0/15 cafra (Stanley Bustard). — This handsome bird is plentiful 

 in the least wooded parts of both districts. It is a very shy, 

 wary bird. It nests out on the stony rands making no 

 attempt at nest building, laying its eggs in a slight hollowj 

 amongst the stones. At Halesowen I took many nests in the 

 months of October, Nov., Dec, Feb. In the Tar^astad 

 district I took several nests in the months of March & April. 



