78 MR. ROBERT GODFREY ON THE 



the King William stown Museam from Draaibosch by Miss 

 Wilson, in 1905. 



White-rumped Stonecbat — Pratincola torquata (i^.)- 

 The South African Stonecbat, distinguished from the closely 

 allied European species by its white rump, no more deserves 

 the name of " Stonecbat " than does the northern form ; 

 from its chosen haunts it should rather be called the "grass- 

 chat.'"' This species resides at Pirie all the year round, 

 showing a preference for waste tracts and occurring in con- 

 sequence more plentifully at the higher altitudes. Below 

 the forest, however, pairs are scattered at intervals in suitable 

 places, where long rank grass, with or without an admixture 

 of low bush, predominates ; they also frequent rough patches 

 of land within the cultivated areas and sometimes live in 

 close proximity to houses. Though generally content with 

 a low perch, this bird has been seen at Pirie to settle on a 

 high tree. At East London the stonecbat is not uncommon 

 and occurs even within the harbour area. Being of restless 

 disposition and wont to delight in their rough call, they are 

 seldom overlooked where present ; they may even intrude 

 themselves upon a traveller\s notice by flying along the road 

 in front of him in the fond belief that they are leading him 

 past their preserves. 



Like his northern ally, the male is a dandy and loves to 

 display himself before his mate, spreading himself out so as 

 to show to advantage his parti-coloured plumage. The song, 

 of three or four notes, is varied and somewhat bold, with a 

 short ])ause between the phrases ; it is most noticeable in 

 July, but goes on for the greater part of the year, though 

 the exact dates have not been deternn'ned. 



A nest of this species, found under a stone in a field, and 

 containing three hard-set eggs, was brought with its owner 

 on '2 1st December, 1911. It was a shallow cup, probably 

 misshapen however in consequence of having been removed 

 from its site, constructed of dry grasses ; on one side a 

 distinct outer barrier had been more tightly woven, and 

 under the lining of the nest was a small quantity of hare's 



