Transvaal and Umzeilla's Country. 53 



Length of male in the flesh 4 inches, wing 2^^, tail 1 ; 

 bill black, legs ash-colour. 



I noticed these little Barbets hunting about for insects on 

 a tall species of acacia tree in the thick bush adjacent to the 

 Mashupan river, and was fortunate enough to secure them 

 both. I had never met with these Barbets before, nor did I 

 see any others of them where I killed this pair. 



[In the pair sent no difference is perceptible between the 

 sexes. The female bird has been added to the collection at 

 the British Museum.— J. H. G.] 



Mesopicus NAMAQuus (Licht.). Bearded Woodpecker. 



Male, shot 5th May, 1885, at Sibideilla's (Transvaal). 



These Woodpeckers are not at all plentiful, but are to be 

 found sparingly in most parts of the country where the bush 

 is favourable : they make a loud tapping noise that can be 

 heard at a considerable distance, and is generally answered 

 at a distance by the bird^s mate ; it is certainly a call-tap, 

 heard at regular intervals, having always the same sound and 

 invariably tlie same number (four) of taps. 



Campothera abingtoni (Smith). Golden-tailed Wood- 

 pecker. 



Male, shot June 13, 1885, at Rovi-rand, Umzeilla's country. 



I found these birds fairly plentiful, especially in the 

 Mopani forest, near Lehtaba river-drift. 



Campothera bennetti (Smith). Bennett's Woodpecker. 



Male, Lehtaba river. 



Female, Buffels (Transvaal). 



The same remarks apply to this species as to the preceding 

 one. I have found both in the Rustenberg district amongst 

 the Boukenhout trees, which are not unlike the Mopani. 



390. PsiTTACus rusciCAPiLLUs, Verr. & Des Murs. Goe 

 Parrot. 



Two males, shot 24th July, 1885, at Umzingeilla's, near 

 Olifants river (Transvaal). 



I first found these Parrots a little below Buffels, and from 

 thence, more or less, till I got to Umzingeilla's, where they 



