from the coluny of Natal. 35 



feeding on the mud-banks when the tide recedes ; they run 

 about on the mud with great activity, and their flight is also 

 exceedingly swift. 



176. LiMNOCORAX FLAViROSTRis (Swains.). Black Gallinule. 



Male. Iris crimson ; bill dull dark green ; tarsi and feet 

 dull red. In their habits these birds much resemble the Jacanas, 

 frequenting sedgy swamps and pools, walking with ease on the 

 lilies and light weeds which grow on the surface of the water, in 

 search of the softer snails, insects and seeds on which they sub- 

 sist. On being disturbed, they run immediately amongst the 

 rushes, from which it is then almost impossible to dislodge them. 

 They do not fly with such ease as the Jacanas ; their habits 

 appear to be solitary. 



The following notes contain additional information communi- 

 cated by Mr. Ayres respecting some species included in my 

 previous lists of Natal birds. 



PoLYBOROiDES RADiATus (Scop.). Rayed Gymnogene. 



Immature. Iris dark brown ; cere deep pink ; skin round 

 the eye yellow. Stomach contained the remains of a land-crab, 

 lizard, large spiders, beetles, and other insects. 



CiRCAETUS FASCIOLATUS (Gray). Banded Harrier-Eagle. 

 (PI. III.) 



This is a very rare bird, frequenting the dense bush along the 

 coast. [In the specimen of this bird sent by Mr. Ayres, and 

 also in that preserved in the British Museum, the number of 

 transverse bands on the tail is four ; in the example previously 

 noticed in * The Ibis ' (vol. iii. p. 130) the number is five, but the 

 uppermost band is much less distinctly marked than the other 

 four, and is placed so high up on the tail as to be hardly notice- 

 able. The accompanying Plate (PI. III.) is after a drawing- 

 taken by Mr. Wolf from this specimen, which, together with that 

 sent by Mr. Ayres, forms part of the collection preserved in the 

 Norwich Museum. — J. 11. G.] 



Helotarsus ecaudatus (Daud.). Short-tailed Bateleur. 

 The mature birds, on calm sunny days, when passing high 

 overhead, occasionally make a sharp, quick, clapping noise, which 



d2 



