from the Colony of Natal. 153 



the centre ; bare skin under the eye dark pink ; bill black ; tarsi 

 and feet dark pink. 



These Doves are occasionally very plentiful in particular loca- 

 lities^ arriving or assembling in considerable flights. Their food 

 consists principally of the berries of trees ; but they are also fond 

 of alighting on roadways and cultivated ground, where they run 

 about picking up seeds, &c. 



183. EupoDOTis MELANOGASTER (Riipp.). Corau Bustard. 

 Male. Iris light brown, darker towards the pupil ; bill, upper 



mandible brown, under mandible pale; thighs, tarsi, and feet 

 pale yellow. 



These beautiful birds are the most delicious-eating of any of the 

 Bustards here ; during the winter months they become extremely 

 fat. I believe they are far more plentiful inland than on the coast. 

 They are found sometimes singly, at other times in companies. 

 They are tamer, and in consequence much more easily shot, than 

 the larger kinds : if they think themselves not observed, they will 

 almost invariably crouch on the ground, when the sportsman may 

 get within twenty j^irds of them before they rise. Their flight is 

 heavy, but they are able to sustain it for a considerable distance. 



184. FuLiCA CRisTATA (Gmel.). Purple-knobbed Coot. 

 Male. Iris brownish red; bill whitish ash-colour; frontal 



shield white, terminating in two purplish chocolate-brown knobs ; 

 tarsi and feet ash-colour. 



The- bill of the immature bird is darker than that of the adult, 

 and the knobs on the crown are not so large. 



These Coots inhabit the lagoons, and are generally in com- 

 panies. When disturbed, instead of attempting to hide, they 

 immediately take wdng and fly a considerable distance round 

 and round, when, from their appearance and strong flight, they 

 may easily be mistaken for a flock of black ducks. 



The stomach of the specimen sent contained weeds^ seeds of 

 water-plants, and insects. 



185. PoDiCEPS MINOR (Lath.). Little Grebe. 



Male and female. Iris lightish brown; upper mandible dark 

 brown, except the margins, which (with the under mandible) are 



