from the Colony of Natal. 327 



good dog it is sometimes a difficult matter to flush it. From 

 the frequently worn appearance of their claws, I fancy they par- 

 tially obtain their food by scratching the earth, after the manner 

 of the Rasores, 



If undisturbed when rising, their flight is generally fluttering 

 and noisy; they also sometimes (but not always) utter a few 

 short notes as they rise. They are fond of sunning themselves 

 on the top of any convenient low bush, fluttering their wings 

 every few seconds, and making a sort of rattling sound. 



[In reference to this species. Dr. Hartlaub remarks, " This 

 Megalophonus is very nearly allied to M. planicola of Lichten- 

 stein, and to my M. occidentalis, but difi'ers by the uncommonly 

 lengthened beak, and by the wings and tarsi being much 

 shorter. I cannot find a name for it, and think it must be 

 undescribed. 



The accompanying figure represents a male specimen of this 

 Megalophonus, to which Dr. Hartlaub has given the specific 

 name of " rostratus." 



Dr. Hartlaub has also favoured me with the following defini- 

 tion of the specific peculiarities of this species : — 



" Supra fulvo-brunnescens nigricante maculatus, nucha pallidius 

 rufescente, maculis nigris substriata ; pileo rufo, nigro macu- 

 latim striato : subtus fulvus, juguli maculis longitudinalibus 

 nigris : mento albido, immaculato : subalaribus Isete rufis, 

 primariis omnibus in dimidio majore basali rufis, secundariis 

 minus rufis, rectricibus fuscis,harumextern8e pogonioexterno 

 albido: pedibus magnis, rubentibus: rostro fusco-nigricante, 

 mandibula basali pallidiore. — Long. 6^". Rostr. a fr. 8'". 

 Al. 3^". Caud. 2" 3'". Tarsi 12^"'. 

 Affiuis M. planicola et M. occidentali, sed rostri longitudine 

 et forma aliterque diversus.*' — J. H. G.] 



203. Anthus brachyurus, Sundev. Short-tailed Pipit. 



Male and female. Iris dark hazel ; upper mandible of bill 

 dark brown ; under mandible pale ashy colour ; nostrils linear ; 

 tarsi and feet pale. 



This species is only plentiful during the summer months ; it 

 is quite a terrestrial bird, never, to my knowledge, alighting on 

 any twig or stem of grass, but always on the ground. The birds 

 generally rise from the grass close to one's feet ; and it is no easy 



