422 Mr. T. Ay res on Birds observed 



384. Ph(enicopterus roseus, Pall.; Severtzoff, p. 70. 



Horizontal range. Occurs as a straggler on passage in dis- 

 tricts III. and IV. 



Vertical range. Occurs on passage as a straggler in districts 

 1 and 2. 



XLII. — Notes on Birds collected and observed in the Lyden- 

 burg District of the Republic of Transvaal. By Thomas 

 Ayres. (Communicated by J. H. Gurney.) 



The portion of the Drakenbergen where I collected the under- 

 mentioned birds is in lat. 25° S. and long. 31° E., or there- 

 abouts, and is that part of Transvaal known as the Lyden- 

 burg Gold-fields. It is on the eastern slope of the mountains, 

 amongst very romantic scenery, precipices and ravines abound- 

 ing, the latter often well wooded with timber and scrub. Clear 

 crystal streams are found running in all directions, the alti- 

 tude of the country being about 6000 to 8000 feet. The prin- 

 cipal rocks are limestones, sandstones, shales, and trap. The 

 climate is decidedly wet and ungenial, which is chiefly to be 

 attributed to the mountains being so frequently enveloped in 

 misty clouds, causing the climate to be raw and damp in com- 

 parison with most other parts of South Africa. 



This part of the Transvaal is exceedingly rich in ferns and 

 orchids, which are well suited by the climate and soil ; and 

 many of the shady ravines are made lovely by the feathery 

 foliage of the ferns ; one cannot, however, help being disap- 

 pointed at the paucity of birds and insects, though the ento- 

 mologist may nevertheless get many a prize not to be found 

 in other and warmer parts of the country. 



1*. AcciPiTER RUFiVENTRis, Smith. African Rufous- 

 breasted Hawk. 



Male adult. Iris bright golden yellow; bill blue, dusky at 

 base ; cere and eyelids greenish yellow ; tarsi and feet light 

 yellow. 



* [The species numbered are those which were inchuled in the collec- 

 tion made and sent to me by Mr. Ayres. — J. II. G.] 



