from the colony of Natal. 3'j 



at every repetition of the note. They are tolerably plentiful within 

 a range of fifteen miles from the coast. 



168. Dendrobates fulviscapus (111.). Yellow-shafted 

 Woodpecker. 



[Sent from Natal, but not by Mr. Ayres. — J. H. G.] 



169. YuNx PECTORALis, Vigors. Pectoral Wryneck. 

 Male. Iris reddish brown; tarsi and feet very dull light 



green. The note of these birds very much resembles that of the 

 "Cuckoo's-mate '' in England. Their food consists of flies, beetles, 

 &c., of those kinds which bore and live in dead wood; but al- 

 though I have seen many of these birds, I have never observed 

 them hammering the trees like Woodpeckers, and am therefore 

 inclined to think that they obtain their food more by probing 

 apertures from the surface with their long tongues and drawing 

 the insects out, than by working holes with their bills. They 

 frequently sit on a bough for a considerable length of time, 

 uttering at intervals their monotonous call. Their flight is rather 

 heavy and dipping. I have not noticed them here during the 

 summer, 



170. Indicator major, Stephens. Greater Honey-guide. 

 Female. Iris, bill, tarsi and feet all dark brown. These birds 



frequent bushy and forest land, and by their incessant chatter- 

 ing attract the notice of the traveller, whom they will at once 

 direct to the nearest bees'-nest. When arrived at the spot, they 

 remain stationary in the boughs above, waiting patiently for 

 their share of the spoil. The CafFres are well acquainted with the 

 habits of these birds, and having taken the honey and comb, 

 always leave a certain portion stuck on a stick, with the young- 

 bees in, for the bird as a reward, which he eats as soon as the 

 coast is clear. 



171. Treron delalaxdii (Bp.). Delalande's Pigeon. 

 Female. Iris light blue, whitish towards the pupil ; basal 



half of bill crimson, the remainder light slate-colour ; tarsi and 

 feet vermilion. These Pigeons are gregarious, feeding on the 

 soft fruits and berries peculiar to the bush, and never feeding or, 

 to my knowledge, alighting on the ground ; their flight is ex- 

 tremely rapid. ^ 



VOL. IV. u 



