in the Lydenbury District of Transvaal. 429 



Warblers, frequenting the same localities — thick jungle and 

 low bush on the slopes of mountains. 



These birds generally keep themselves concealed, but less 

 so towards evening, or in wet weather, or after a heavy shoAvcr ; 

 the cock bird at such times often perches on some high twig, 

 singing a short song which reminded me much of the song 

 of the Chaffinch, that seemed to say " Is^nt it a pretty thing 

 to be a soldier ;" this is repeated over and over. 



It is not an uncommon species ; but the hen bird is compa- 

 ratively seldom seen. 



Male. Iris hazel ; bill dusky, under mandible yellow ; tarsi 

 and feet dusky. 



[It seems to me that the late Sir A. Smith was justified in 

 considering Chhropeta natalensis to be a Flj'catcher (see his 

 article on this species in the ' Illustrations of the Zoology of 

 South Africa'), though it bears a considerable resemblance 

 to some of the Warblers, amongst which it has been placed by 

 more than one subsequent writer. — J. H. G.] 



28. PiNDALUs RuncAPiLLUs, Hartl. Yellow-throatfed Fly- 

 catcher. 



Found sparingly in the dense forest, generally solitary or 

 in pairs, and mostly flitting about the thickest foliage of the 

 trees. 



They are exceedingly restless birds, seldom still for a second, 

 and never appear to be able to get enough food, which no 

 doubt consists of very small and delicate insects. 



Iris dusky ; bill, upper mandible dusky, under"^ mandible 

 yellow ; tarsi and feet greenish dusky. 



29. Fiscus coLLARis (Linn.). Fiskal Shrike. 



This Shrike is about as plentiful in the Lydenburg district 

 as in most other parts of the country ; a single one or a pair 

 may often be seen frequenting some particular portion of 

 ground. Iris dusky, tarsi and feet dusky. 



* [In • The Ibis,' 18()2, p. lo2, the " upper''' mandible is yaid to be yel- 

 low, which appears to be an accidental error. — J. II. G.] 



