BIRD LIFE 225 



which was described by Mr. Austin Kobeits of the Trans- 

 vaal Museum. There are probably several other un- 

 described species in this valley, but owing to the exceed- 

 ingly rough nature of the country it is not always easy 

 to procure specimens, unless they are very common as 

 in the case of the siskin, which is very plentiful indeed. 



The order and nomenclature is from Haagner and 

 Gunning's Check List of tlie Birds of South Africa, and 

 the writer trusts that the notes will prove of some in- 

 terest to ornithologists, especially those who have had no 

 opportunity of studying the bird life of the Drakensberg 

 Mountains. 



Phalacrocorax lucidus (Licht) — ^outli African Cormo- 

 rant. \qyj common in the Mkhotlong Valley, Basuto- 

 land. In September, 1914, while staying at the Mkhot- 

 long Police Camp, the Avriter saw a large number, some 

 of which were nesting on most inaccessible krantzes at 

 the junction of the Mkhotlong and Orange rivers. Some 

 of the nests contained almost fully fledged young, so the 

 eggs were probably laid about June or July. The nests 

 appeared to be built of sticks, and were placed on ledges 

 of the krantz very high up, so that it would be prac- 

 tically impossible to get at themi, and even with the aid 

 of a rope from the top it would be a difficult proposi- 

 tion. This cormorant is not all common In the Game 

 Reserve, only one specimen having been obtained there. 

 Solitary birds were seen on several other occasions; 

 probably visitors from over the mountain. 



Anas sparsa {A. Sm.) Eyt. — Black Duck. Found on 

 both sides of the Drakensberg, but by no means com- 

 mon ; young birds have been seen in the Game Reserve. 

 A nest was once found just after the eggs had hatched, 

 in August, which vv^as quite close to the Game Lodge. 



Chenalopej) aegyptiacus {Linn.) — Egyptian Goose. 

 Not at all common, but occasionally seen on the Bush- 

 man's River, in the Game Reserve. Fairly common on 

 the Mkhotlong River, especially near its junction with 

 the Orange. 



