354 Mr. J. H. Gurney on additional Species of Birds 



under mandible whitish in the centre ; tongue long, vermiform, 

 horny, and barbed at the tip ; tarsi and feet greenish ash. 



This Woodpecker is decidedly scarcer than either Dendrobatcs 

 fulviscapus or Dendromus smithii. It frequents the dense bush, 

 both on the coast and inland, and occurs either singly or in 

 pairs. The stomach of the specimen sent contained white 

 grubs. 



240. CoLUMBA DELEGORGii, Verreaux. Delegorgue's Pigeon. 

 Male. Iris dark brown ; bill ash ; bare skin round the eye, 



and also the tarsi and feet, dark pink. 



This bird was shot in November, and is the only one I have 

 at present seen. The stomach contained the frothy larvse of a 

 small species of Cicada which is found here plentifully on the 

 tops of trees. 



241. Francolinus levaillantii, Temm. Le Vaillant's 

 Francolin. 



Female. Iris hazel ; bill dusky yellow at the base ; tarsi and 

 feet dull yellow. These birds are scarce on the coast, but more 

 plentiful in the inland districts. They frequently lie exceed- 

 ingly close, and it requires a very good dog to find them. They 

 are mostly found in small coveys, and are very good eating. 

 Their call, which is generally uttered morning and evening, is 

 harsh and loud. They frequent high grass and other good covert, 

 and rise with a loud burr. Their flight is rapid and strong, and 

 they generally manage to settle out of sight, behind some hillock 

 or bush, where they are not easily found a second time. Their 

 food consists of berries, fruits, seeds, and insects. 



[Mr. Layard, the Curator of the South-African Museum, in 

 a paper recently published, makes the following remark with 

 reference to this species : — " It is a swamp bird, literally dwelling 

 in water-covered grounds. I have shot them and Snipes with 

 alternate barrels, standing up to my knees in water." Vide 

 ' Field' newspaper, 21st May, 1864.— J. H. G.] 



242. Glareolanordmanni, Fisch. Nordmann's Pratincole. 

 [Sent from Natal by Mr. Ayres, but without any accompany- 

 ing particulars. — J. H. G.] 



