LUSCINID^. 109 



other birds, the barking of a dog, the bleating of a 

 goat, &c. 



The iris in this species is dark brown. 



[Specimens of this bird from Damara Land appear to belong 

 to a race somewhat smaller than that which is found in more 

 southern localities. — Ed.] 



134. Saxicola leucomelaena, Burch. Mountain- Wheatear. 

 Suxicola leucomelcena, Burcliell's Travels, vol. i. p. 335, note. 



„ ,, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. 



Om. 1852, p. 146. 

 Saxicola cursoria, Layard's Cat. No. 203. 

 Saxicola alpina, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 399. 

 Saxicola leucomelana, Sharpe's Cat. No. 241. 



This fine Saxicola is abundantly met with throughout 

 Great Namaqua Land, and also in the south of Damara 

 Land, especially in the valley of the Swakop ; it is 

 partial to localities which abound in rocks, and is found 

 throughout the year in the dreariest and most arid 

 spots, but never at any great distance from the hills, to 

 which it immediately resorts on the least approach of 

 danger. 



Like the rest of its family, this Wheatear is constantly 

 moving about, now fluttering its wings, then rapidly 

 elevating and depressing its tail, and next all at once 

 vibrating in every part of its body with frolic and ex- 

 citement ; it perches on a dry branch, a bush, a stone, 

 or any other spot from which it can obtain a clear 

 view of surrounding objects. It usually seeks its food 

 upon the ground, but will also seize insects on the wing 

 as they happen to pass within its ken and reach ; if not 



