Birds in the Cradock and Tarkastad Districts 195 



Calandrella cinerea (Red-capped Lark). — This is a resident and 

 common in both districts. This bird very rarely lays more 

 than two eggs in fact I have only taken one nest with three 

 eggs. I have records of nests taken in Sept., Dec, Feb. 

 and April. 



P^cnonotus capensis nigricans (Red-eyed Bulbul). — This is the 

 only member of the Pycononotidae found in these districts. 

 It is fairly common in the wooded parts. I have taken 

 nests in December and February. 



Zosterops annulosa (Cape White-eye). — In the wooded parts of 

 both districts this little bird is common. 



Cinn^ris chal^baeus (Lesser Double-collared Sunbird). — This is 

 a common species in the Cradock district, but appears to be 

 rare in the Tarkastad district. I have recorded it nesting in 

 the months of October, November, July and August. 



Nectarinia famosa (Malachite Sunbird). — This is a common 

 species throughout both districts. I have records of nests 

 taken in Sept, Oct., November. 



Parus afer (Grey Tit). — This is the only member of the true 

 Tits that inhabits both districts. It is fairly common in the 

 least wooded parts. It nests in a hole in a heap of stones 

 or in a stone kraal wall. The eggs vary a good deal in the 

 density of markings. I have one clutch in which the eggs 

 are completely covered with fine reddish spots. In another 

 clutch the eggs are very sparingly marked with fairly large 

 spots and blotches of pale reddish-brown. I have records 

 of nests taken in the months of October and March. 



Parisoma subcaeruleum (Titbabbler). — This is a common resi- 

 dent in both districts. It is very common in the Mimosa 

 scrub found along the banks of the Fish River. I have 

 records of nests in October, November and December. 

 Anthoscopus minuius (Penduline Tit). — This wonderful little 

 nest builder is common in both districts. I was some- 

 what surprised to find it inhabiting the open flats of the 

 Tarkastad District. There it builds its nest in any small 

 bush often only a few feet from the ground. In this situation 



