432 Mr. T. Ayres on Birds observed 



Female. Total length 6\ inches, bill y-'y, tarsus |, wing 3^'^, 

 tail 21. 



[The specimen sent appears to be the ordinary Cape form, 

 and not the smaller race which occurs in Natal (conf. Ibis, 

 18G9, p. 295).— J. H. G.] 



38. MiRAFRA AFRicANA, Smith ( =planicola, Licht.). Plain- 

 loving Lark. 



S^iarsely distributed in the Lydenburg district, where it is 

 found singly or in pairs, frequenting the open grassy 

 country. 



39. CoRYTHAix MUsoPHAGA (Dub.) . White-crcstcd Plan- 

 tain-eater. 



These birds are common in all the forests of the mountains 

 on the eastern slope ; they are frequently so noisy that one 

 cannot help finding them, but at other times so silent and 

 quiet that I have often sat for an hour under a densely fo- 

 liaged tree without being aware that they were close above 

 me, till my attention was at last attracted by a small berry 

 or two falling from the tree, or perhaps by the slightest rustle 

 amongst the leaves overhead. On such occasions it is pretty 

 easy, by keeping quiet, to get a shot. 



Male. Irides hazel; eyelids bright crimson; bill a darker 

 crimson ; tarsi and feet black. 



40. Mesopicus menstruus (Scop.). Olivaceous Wood- 

 pecker. 



These Woodpeckers are not uncommon in the forests of 

 the Gold-fields, and are invariably found in pairs ; and if one 

 is shot the other will not leave the sj)ot, but for some days is 

 to be found close by, still looking for its lost mate. 



41. CoccYSTEs jACOBiNus(Bodd.). Black-and-white Cuckoo. 

 During both the seasons when we were at the Gold-fields 



a few of these noisy Cuckoos appeared there in the spring, 

 and were evidently breeding, though avc could not find the 

 nests in which they laid. 



Male. Iris dusky ; bill black ; tarsi and feet dusky ash- 

 colour. Contents of stomach caterpillars and other insects. 



