from the Colony of Natal. 353 



236. PoLiospizA GULARis, Smith. Streaky-headed Sparrow. 

 Male. Iris hazel ; bill and upper mandible light brown ; under 



mandible pale; tarsi and feet very light brown. 



I found two pairs of these birds about ten miles inland. One 

 pair had built a nest in a low tree on the top of a very exposed 

 hill ; the other pair had built in the valley below, and had young 

 ones in the month of December. 



The nests were open, but compact, with much downy substance 

 about them. The sexes resemble each other in size and plumage. 



237. Calandrella cinerea (Vieill.) : LeVaill. Ois. d'Afr. 

 pi. 199. C. ruficeps, Brehm. Lesser Rufous-headed Lark. 



Male. Iris dusky ; bill nearly black ; base of under mandible 

 pale ; tarsi and feet dusky. 



I found a pair of these birds near Maritzburg, and shot the 

 specimen sent; they were running about over some ploughed 

 ground in search of food. The stomach of this specimen con- 

 tained seeds and small pebbles. They are the only examples of 

 this species which I have seen. 



238. Barbatula minuta, Temm. Little Tinker Barbet. 

 Male. Iris very dark brown ; bill black ; tongue very thin, flat, 



and horny; tarsi and feet dark greenish ash. The note of this 

 curious little bird so much resembles the tapping of a hammer 

 on an anvil (having that peculiar metallic ring), that it is called 

 in Natal the Tinker-bird. It is silent during the winter months^ 

 commencing its monotonous cry in the spring, and continuing it 

 throughout the summer. 



They are numerous, but not easily seen, in consequence of 

 their small size, and their habit of sitting quietly on the tops of 

 thick bushy trees. When in search of food, they climb and 

 creep about the thick foliage of trees. They inhabit the coast 

 bush, being seldom found ten miles inland : those which I have 

 seen at that distance from the coast were silent. The stomach 

 of the specimen sent contained mulberries. 



239. Dendro BATES GRiSEOCEPHALUS (Bodd.). Olivc-co- 

 loured Woodpecker. 



Male. Iris very dark; bill, upper mandible bluish black, 



