428 Mr. T. Ayrcs on Birds observed 



Male. Iris tawny, bill black, tarsi and feet dusky. 



[The colour of the iris in this species would seem to be 

 somewhat variable : in ' The Ibis ' for 18G2, at page 29, Mr. 

 Ayres recorded specimens from Natal in which it was '' very 

 pale green ;" and Mr. Layard, in the first edition of his Cata- 

 logue, p. 137, speaks of it as "very pale yelloAv," whilst Le- 

 vaillant describes it as " brun fonce /' Andersson, avIio ob- 

 tained it at the Knysna, records one specimen as having the 

 iris '^wbite," and one "^^ yellowish white." — J. H. G.] 



24. Pycnonotus NIGRICANS (Vicill.) . Brounoir Bulbul. 

 This widely distributed species was most common in the 



spring, when some particular trees were in full blossom ; they 

 were constantly feeding on the nectar together Avith the 

 Sugar-birds. 



25. LioPTiLus NiGRicAPiLLUs (VieilL). Bush Blackcap. 

 Decidedly scarce, and I cannot remember ever having seen 



more than a pair together. They are fruit-eating birds, and 

 are mostly seen amongst the upper branches of the trees and 

 bushes. 



Female. Iris dark lake-red ; bill pinkish flesh-colour ; tarsi 

 and feet flesh-colour. 



26. PoGONOciCHLA STELLATA (VieilL). Whitc-starrcd Fly- 

 catcher. 



These birds seem to appear in the spring and summer 

 months, when they become tolerably plentiful, frequenting 

 the thick forest ; they are solitary, or at most in pairs, and 

 in habits much resemble our Robin ■^. 



Iris dusky j bill black ; tarsi and feet dusky pale. 



[Judging from the specimens sent by Mr. Ayres, it would 

 seem that the female only diflers from the male in wanting 

 the white starry spots on the throat and in front of the eye. 

 —J. H. G.] 



27. Chloropeta natalensis (Smith). Natal Flycatcher. 

 This species much resembles in its habits many of the 



* [I imagine Cosnijpha caffra to be the bird referred to under the title 

 of 'Tiobin," vide Layard's Cat. 1st edition, p. 132.— J. II. G.] 



