198 Mr. F. A. Barratt's Notes on the Birds 



tiful ; I have never seen more than a pair together. I met 

 with one or two near Pretoria. 



19. CORACIAS GARRULA. 



I found this Holler in the same localities as C. caudata ; and 

 it appears to be similar in its habits to that bird, but is not 

 so shy and is easier to approach. I have often observed them 

 sitting motionless on the dead branch of a tree. 



20. CORACIAS CAUDATA. 



I obtained this bird near Rustenberg and on the Vaal river, 

 and have also received it from Marico, about twenty miles 

 north of Pretoria. The first specimen I shot was flying from 

 tree to tree, uttering a harsh note, and throwing its head about 

 in perfect confidence. On my wounding it and attempting 

 to pick it up, it screamed and furiously attacked my hand. 

 I have often chased one for hours unsuccessfully, sometimes 

 having to cross water up to my waist, so shy and wary are 

 these birds. They generally frequent large trees near run- 

 ning brooks. 



21. CORYTHORNIS CYANOSTIGMA. 



I have shot this lovely little bird in different places through- 

 out my journey from Bloemfontein to Potchefstroora, from 

 the latter locality to Pretoria, and thence to Lydenburg. I 

 also met with it on my trip to Rustenberg, in British Kaffraria, 

 and over the Kei, in the Fingoe country. It does not appear 

 at all shy ; and when I have been fishing in the Mooi river at 

 Potchefstroom, I have often observed it flitting past, dropping 

 in the water as if shot, and then rising with a small fish ; or 

 it would sit on a reed or twig and seem to be greatly inter- 

 ested in my proceedings. 



22. Halcyon albiventris. 



I have shot this Kingfisher near Rustenberg and Olifants 

 Nek. I noticed several of them in the thick bush near the 

 Megaliesberg range of mountains, and also near Pretoria. 



23. Upupa africana. 



I saw a great many of these birds flying about the mimosa 

 thorns on the Rhinoster river, between Kronstadt and Vaal 



