352 Capt. Cf. E. Shelley on a Collection of 



144. Textor erythrorhynchus^ Smith. 



(154) ^, Kooroomoorooi Pan, 2nd January. Iris dark 

 umber ; bill, tarsi, and feet bright blood-red. Total length 

 in the flesh 10*5 inches. 



These birds are exceedingly local ; for I have only met with 

 them at the present spot and on the Crocodile river, close to 

 its junction with the Marico. The nest is placed high up in 

 a large tree, and is composed of long twigs and coarse grass, 

 and measures about 3 feet in diameter. It is so roughly put 

 together that one can see through it, excepting close to the 

 centre. The birds roost in these nests, which are probably 

 used year after year. They feed upon seeds, berries, and 

 insects. 



145. Hyphantornis nigriceps, Layard. 



{77) Umvuli river, 25th September and 6th October. 

 Male — iris crimson ; bill black ; tarsi and feet pale brown. 

 Female — iris hazel ; upper mandible light dusky brown, under 

 mandible delicate pale yellowish ; tarsi and feet pale brown. 



On the 1st of October we found a nest suspended over the 

 water of one of the small rivers which run into the Umvuli 

 on the north side ; it contained two very pretty blue eggs. 

 Subsequently a whole colony hung their nests over a pool of 

 water close to our camp ; but we left before the birds began 

 to lay : this was in the middle of October. We later on 

 found many nests hanging from the reeds on a small stream 

 running into the Quae Quae river. These nests much resem- 

 ble those of H. mariquensis, but are hung from the ends of 

 the reeds, instead of being placed between two upright reeds, 

 as is generally the case with H. mariquensis. The habits of 

 the two species are precisely similar ; and the eggs likewise 

 vary much in coloui'ing, some being blue while others are 

 white speckled with brown. 



146. Hyphantornis xanthops, Hartl. 



(76) S , Umvuli river, 11th September. Iris light tawny 

 yellow ; bill black; tarsi and feet pale brown. Total length 

 in the flesh 8 inches. 



