Birds frum South-eastern Africa. 251 



63. Thamnobia cinnamomeiventris (Lafr.). 



(104) (^ , hills near Shongo river, 1st November, Iris dark 

 umber; bill, tarsi, and feet black. Total length in the flesh 

 9'25 inches. The crop contained beetles and other insects. 



We met for the first time a pair here among the rocks ; 

 subsequently I saw a third specimen among the rocks at 

 Kanye. 



64. Thamnobia shelleyi (Sharpe). 



(37) Umvuli river, 10th August. Matabele name "■ Inque- 

 lechaine.^' In both sexes iris dusky; bill, tarsi, and feet 

 black. 



This is an arboreal Chat, frequenting the woods on the 

 banks of rivers. Although generally near the ground, on 

 being disturbed it immediately flies to the higher branches 

 of the trees. We only met Avith it on the Umvuli, and with 

 but few representatives of the species even there. They were 

 feeding entirely upon ants, which they take from the ground 

 as well as the trees, and are shy and difficult to approach. 

 Mr. Sharpe has rightly identified the female; she has the 

 crown black and throat white, while the male has the crown 

 white and throat black. 



65. Pinarornis plumosus, Sharpe, 



(33) Umvuli river, 7th August and 9th October. Iris bright 

 umber ; bill, tarsi, and feet black. 



I found a pair of these curious birds on a rocky spur of a 

 low range of mountains, well wooded with high trees. They 

 are the only two of this species that I have ever seen. Their 

 habits are decidedly those of a Chat ; and although shy and 

 retiring they are at once conspicuous by their large size 

 and the peculiar graceful movements imparted to them by 

 their lax soft plumage and ample wings and tail, as they hop 

 and flit about the large boulders and rocks, alighting on them 

 as softly as a falling snow-flake. The male is darker and 

 brighter in plumage than the female, which gives the latter 

 a somewhat faded appearance. 



66. Myrmecocichla formicivora (VieilL). 

 (173) Spalding's, Hart river, 27th January. 



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