Birds in the Cradock and Tarkasiad Districts 197 



nest is always ornamented with white and yellow cocoons. 

 It is by no means easy to find. The eggs are two in num- 

 ber. In colour they are white, spotted and blotched with 

 dark brown and purple, the markings often forming a ring 

 round the larger end. I have recorded it nesting in Sept. 

 and October. 



Eremomela flaviventris (Yellow-bellied Warbler). — This is 

 another common species in both districts. It builds a tiny 

 cup-shaped nest composed of wool and cobwebs securely 

 woven to the branches of a small bush and rarely more than 

 2 ft. above ground. The eggs are two in number and 

 white in colour with markings consisting of spots of greenish 

 brown chiefly on the larger end. The nesting months are 

 October and November. 



Phylloscopus trochilus (Willow Warbler). — This little migrant 

 visits Cradock yearly and is found in good numbers feed- 

 ing in the tall Mimosa trees growing along the river banks. 

 I have not yet observed it in the Tarkastad district. 



Tardus olivaceus (Cape Thrush). — This species is found in both 

 districts being commonest in the Cradock district. It nests 

 in Oct. 



M^rmecocichla formicivora (Ant-eating Chat). — This is a com- 

 mon species in both districts confining its haunts to the 

 open flats. It nests in a rat or ant bear burrow, but I have 

 no record of dates. 



Emarginaia sinuata (Sickle-winged Chat). — Another common 

 species in both districts. It nests on the ground under a 

 bush, clod of earth or a stone, laying three to four pretty 

 blue eggs, sometimes spotted faintly with light brown and 

 sometimes plain. I have records of nests taken in Sept., 

 Oct., Nov., and March. 



Saxicola monticola (Mountain Chat). — This species is very 

 common in the mountains of both districts although it does 

 not confine itself to the mountains being equally common 

 on the tree-less flats. It nests in a stone wall or under a 

 stone in the months of Oct., Nov., Dec. and April. 



