296 Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 



dead bougli, on the top of which they perch, with the bill 

 pointed well upwards. This peculiar call of theirs can be 

 heard at a considerable distance. They feed upon berries 

 and fruits. My brother obtained three young birds of this 

 species, which became very tame, and followed him all about 

 the house, constantly letting off their alarm-note, and inva- 

 riably doing so when pleased; they all unfortunately met 

 with their deaths by accidents. 



PoGONORHYNCHUs LEucoMELAs (Bodd.). Picd Barbct. 

 Wherever bushy ranges are found this species is not un- 

 common. 



319. PoGONORHYNCHus TORQUATus (Dum.). Black-cliceked 

 Bar bet. 



Male and female. Irides dull red; tarsi and feet dusky, 

 in some specimens dingy black. 



These Barbets are very common; sometimes four or five of 

 them may be seen together on the same bough, bowing and 

 scraping to each other in a most comical manner, and singing 

 out most lustily ko-korro, ko-korro, rapidly repeated. 



320. Barbatula extoni, Layard. Exton^s Barbet. 

 Male, Rustenburg, June 27th. Irides dusky umber; bill 



black ; tarsi and feet dusky brown. Stomach contained ber- 

 ries of a mistletoe. 



This Barbet is not at all uncommon in the Magaliesbcrgen, 

 but, being an inconspicuous little bird, is easily overlooked ; 

 those I saw were almost always on or near a species of mis- 

 tletoe, which, during our winter months, is well covered with 

 berries, upon which these birds feed. Having nipped off a 

 berry, the bird, with its head well up, cleverly divides it and 

 discards the fruity shell, when the kernel seems to slip down 

 its throat unawares, and the bird has a comical look, as if 

 astonished at the result. Those I saw were solitary. The 

 note is peculiarly loud for so small a bird. 



321. Indicator sparrmani, Steph. Sparrman^s Honey- 

 Guide. 



Male, Rustenburg, June 1st. Irides hazel ; bill very pale 



