Mr. T. Ayres oii the Ornithology of Transvaal. 343 



one adult, with the iris crimson, the other two younger birds, 

 with the iris reddish brown. 



Meuops persicus. Pall. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. 



These Bee-eaters breed in considerable numbers during 

 our summer months in the banks of the Vaal river, twenty 

 or thirty miles from Potchefstroom. I am not aware that 

 they breed elsewhere hereabouts, though there are other 

 localities apparently suitable. 



Merops nubicoides, Des Murs. Carmine-throated Bee- 

 eater. 



Shot near the junction of the Crocodile and Notuane 

 rivers, in January 1884<, by Mr. Lucas, who wrote to me in 

 February that this species is more numerous amongst the 

 Magaliesbergen than it used to be in former years, when it 

 was scarcely known in the Rustenburg district; now it is 

 by no means uncommon. This Bee-eater appears to assume 

 its nuptial dress later than most of the family, not acquiring 

 its best plumage till the latter end of December. 



370. Halcyon semic.^rulea (Forsk.). African White- 

 headed Kingfisher. 



The specimen sent is the first I have seen or heard of in 

 this part of the country ; it was shot in September whilst 

 quietly sitting on a tree overhanging a pool of water some 

 ten miles from Potchefstroom by our ex-Landrost Mr. 

 Andries Goetz, who kindly presented it to me in the flesh. 



[The bird sent is marked as a female, and is apparently 

 adult.— J. H. G.] 



Ceryle maxima. Pall. Great African Kingfisher. 

 This species becomes scarcer every year about Potchef- 

 stroom. 



Chrysococcyx cupreus (Bodd.). Didric Cuckoo. 



At the accustomed time last spring these Cuckoos appeared 

 in more than their usual numbers, and there is little doubt 

 that this species is fast increasing about here; they, how- 

 ever, disappeared this year (1885) much sooner than they 

 usually do, and for the last three months, from January to 



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