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



siderable numbers amongst the ravines of the Magalies 

 mountains^ feeding on the sweet and large berries of a tree 

 called by the Caftres " moople/' which during that summer 

 were very plentiful. 



Pterocles gutturaliS;, Smith. Yellow-tliroated Sand- 

 Grouse. 



This species is not at all uncommon near the village of 

 Rustenburg ; in certain bare spots^ where tliese birds find 

 tbe peculiar seeds they are partial to : from twenty to thirty 

 in a flock may often be seen. 



372. TuRNix LEPURANA, Smith. Kurrichaue Hemipode. 

 This is a scarce species with us ; it inhabits the open 



veldt_, is solitary in its habits^ and is seldom or never found 

 on the corn-lauds with the Common Quail. 



Its length is given by Layard as 4^ inches^ but it measures 

 in the flesh as much as G inches. 



Crex egregia (Peters) . Greater African Crake. 



Female, Potchefstroom, 6th July, 1883. Iris and bare 

 eyelid crimson; bill bluish ash, with the ridge dusky and 

 the basal part rose-red ; tarsi and feet dusky ash-brown. 



This is an exceedingly scarce Rail in these parts ; the 

 specimen sent was killed with a long whip by a small boy, 

 whilst running about on wheat-land, the blades of the wheat 

 being then only a few inches high. 



PoRZANA BAiLLONi (Vicill.) . Baillou^s Crake. 

 Male, immature in change, Potcliefstroom, 18th July, 

 1883. Iris brownish red. 



This Crake is obtained here occasionally. 



373. PoRPHYRio ALLENi (Tliomps.). Allcu's Porphyrio. 

 Male, Rustenburg, 11th December, 1883, shot on the Hex 



river. Iris reddish brown ; tarsi and feet crimson ; bill dark 

 red, frontal shield dusky. 



This very scarce bird was sent to me by Mr. W. Lucas, 

 who had it in the flesh and noted the particulars above 

 transcribed. 



