330 Mr. E. Symonds on Birds 



23. Geocolaptesolivaceus (Lath.). Ground Woodpecker. 

 I have only seen these birds on one farm in this district, 



where the hush is extensive^ the banks being high and of 

 a kind of soil on which no grass grows. I observed quite a 

 number of these Woodpeckers sitting on the mimosa trees, 

 chattering and making a great noise. 



24. Dendropicus cardinalis (Gmel.). Cardinal Wood- 

 pecker. 



This species is common in the mimosa bush along the river. 



25. Geocichla LiTsiTsiRUPA (Smith). Ground-scraper 

 Thrush. 



This species is common here. I found its nest on a 

 mimosa tree, built very much as the Missel Thrush builds 

 at home. 



26. TuRDUs OLIVACEUS, Liuu. Olivaceous Thrush. 

 These Thrushes are commonly seen hopping about under 



the trees in the bush. 



27. Prinia flavicans (Bonn. & V.). Black-chested 

 Grass Warbler. 



These birds are very common in the gardens here ; one 

 pair builds yearly in a mulberry-tree a round oblong nest, 

 with a dome on the top and an entrance at one side, of fine 

 grass beautifully twisted and woven. 



28. Nectarinia famosa (Linn.). Malachite Sun-bird. 

 These beautiful little birds are common in the town of 



Bethlehem (Orange Free State) all through the summer, but 

 I have never seen them at Kroonstad. Bethlehem is much 

 colder than this district, and as it is nearer the mountains 

 (Wittebergen) it has perhaps a greater rainfall, and flowers 

 may be more plentiful, but there is no bush near it. 



29. Lanius minor (Gmel.). Lesser Grey Shrike. 



The specimen sent is the only one I have seen here, an 

 adult female, shot 21th March. 



30. Lanius collaris, Linn. Fiskal Shrike. 

 This ShriKC is common here. 



