from the culony of Natal, in South-eastern Africa, 209 



[The specimen sent appears to me to be identical with those 

 found in Great Britain. — J. H. G.] 



78. S.\xicoLA piLEATA^ Gmcl. Imitative Wheatear. 



Male. Eye dark brown." Feeds, I beUeve, entirely on insects; 

 frequents the open country, and is generally to be found perched 

 on mounds of earth formed by the white ants, and on stones, 

 though it occasionally alights on low bushes. Its song much 

 resembles that of the Lark in England ; and it rises fluttering 

 from the ground in the same manner, singing at the same time, 

 and descending suddenly as the Lark does. It is not a numerous 

 species about here. 



79. Petrocixcla rupestris, Vieill. South-African Rock- 

 Thrush. 



Frequents the same localities as the previous species. The 

 stomach of the specimen sent contained some of the Cape 

 Gooseberries, and some small stones. 



80. Oriolus larvatus, Licht. Masked Oriole. 



Male. Eye blood-red; bill and legs reddish-brown. Feeds 

 principally on fruits and berries. Some of the notes of this bird 

 are extremely liquid and mellow, others altogether as harsh. 

 This species builds on the outermost boughs of trees, frequently 

 over water, choosing a forked branch, and hanging the nest be- 

 tween them, in a very curious and ingenious way. 



81. Pycnonotus nigricans, Vieill. Le Vaillant's Bulbul. 

 These birds live entirely on fruits and berries, and are very 



destructive in our garden, devouring indiscriminately Bananas, 

 Loquats, Peaches, Papaws, Cape Gooseberries, and all other soft 

 fruits. They are very numerous ; they build generally in a fork 

 of a tree, towards the top, and lay from three to five eggs. These 

 birds often get intoxicated by eating fruit that is over-ripe and 

 has undergone fermentation, more especially the Cape Goose- 

 berry; and when in this drunken state are easily caught, as 

 they can fly but a few yards at a time, and then not straight, 

 soon tumbling to the ground. The berries of the Syringa trees 

 have the same effect on them, as also the fruit of the Banyan 

 Fig. Other birds that live on these fruits become intoxicated 



