LUSCINID^^. 93 



with great swiftness, and raises and droops its tail in 

 quick succession, but does not expand it ; at times it 

 stands quite vertically, with its whole body vibrating 

 with excitement, whilst it rapidly utters a succession of 

 harsh, jarring chirps. 



Two nests of this species, taken on the 5th and 6th of 

 January, contained two eggs each : the nests were com- 

 posed of grass, and lined with fine, soft tendrils ; they 

 were built in thorn-bushes, and placed from twelve to 

 eighteen inches above the ground. 



Measurements of a male : — • 



in. lin. 



Entire length 6 3 



Length of folded wing . . ^ . . 2 10 



„ tarsus 10 



„ middle toe 7 



tail 2 8 



biU 10 



116. Thamnobia coryphaeus (Vieill.). Coriphee Bush- creeper. 

 Le Coriphee, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 120. 

 Brachypterus coriphceus, Layard's Cat. No. 183. 

 Thamnobia corrfphceus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 2990. 



I do not remember to have seen this species in Damara 

 Land ; but I first observed it in the central part of Great 

 Namaqua Land, and from thence southward it became 

 more abundant. It seems partial to low bushes, and may 

 be seen running along the ground from one bush to 

 another with wonderful rapidity ; it also usually adopts 

 this mode of endeavouring to make its escape when 

 pursued. 



The male has a very agreeable song during the 



