The Birds of SoutJi Africa 254 



only two specimens having fallen within his notice. It is of this 

 species that Mr. T. Atmore writes, in epistola, — " Just as we were 

 leaving the Knysna, we heard of an eagle's nest in the forest, and 

 under the tree, the person who found it counted 95 heads of the 

 little blue-bock (Cephalophus cceruleus)." M. Layard next describes 

 six authentic species of Caprimulgus, three of Cypselus, and as many 

 as fourteen of Hirundinids, if the last of them be not rather a 

 Cypselus. Next four species of Coracias, the one African trogon, 

 thirteen species of HalcyonidiK, six of Meropidse, the Upupa minor, 

 and two species of Irrisor. Then he passes to the passerine honey- 

 suckers, beginning with that very isolated bird the Promerops 

 caffer, then twelve authentic Nectarinice, and a Dicasum with two 

 supposed synonyms that should be cancelled. At least twenty- 

 seven admitted species are referred to Drymoica. Of the Phyllo- 

 scopus group only three, one of them being the British P. trochilus. 

 Ten good species are assigned to Saxicola, and three to Parus 

 (inclusive of the Asiatic P. cinereus). Four species of Zosterops, 

 three of Motacilla, and as many as eleven are referred to Anthus. 

 Eight thrushes, including two species of Petrocincla ; and six of 

 the African genus Bessonornis. Three orioles ; and six authentic 

 bulbuls. Various flycatchers of different genera; three Campe- 

 phagse, and two Dicruri. Four genuine shrikes, with sundry forms 

 placed near to them, whether or not rightly. Three species of 

 Corvidse, and fourteen of Sturnidse. As many as twenty-six species 

 of weaver-birds (Ploceus, &c.), and eighteen of Estrelda and Ama- 

 dina. Twelve true finches, and four kinds of sparrows ; six 

 Fringillariae ; and twenty species of larks, inclusive of three 

 Pyrrhulaudse \ nine Megalophoni (the African equivalent of the 

 Asiatic Mirafr^), and four Certhilaudce, the affinity of which last is 

 perhaps closer to the pipits. Three of Colius, two of Turacos, and 

 one of Schizornis. Five hornbills additional to the "Abba Gumba." 

 Three parrots only ; seven barbets (erroneously subordinated to the 

 Picidse) ; six woodpeckers, and the peculiar South African wryneck 

 (Yunx pectoralis) ; three honey-guides ; three coucals (Centropus), 

 one malkoha (Zanclostomus aereus), and ten Cuculinse. 



There are two species of green fruit-pigeon (Treron), seven 

 ordinary pigeons and doves, and three ground-doves (Peristera). 

 Of gallinaceous birds, two species of wild guinea-fowl, ten assigned 

 to Francolinus, two to Coturnix, two species of Turnix, and four of 

 Pterocles. The south African ostrich, by some considered to differ 

 from the northern race. Ten species of bustard. One Qidicnemus, 



