Birds observed during a journey to the Matabili Country. 355 



into ashy grey on the sides of the neck, which, like the chest, 

 are entirely ashy grey; rest of undersurface yellow, whitish 

 in centre of breast ; flanks and under tail-covcrts entirely 

 yellow ; sides of upper breast greenish ; under wdng-coverts 

 yellowish white, the outermost entirely white, with a small 

 dusky patch near outer margin. Total length 3*7 inches, cul- 

 men 0*9, wing 1-85, tail 1-3, tarsus 0'55. 



This species is easily recognized by its grey breast and yel- 

 low flanks. I do not adopt Lesson's title of mexicanus for 

 this bird, although the oldest, as it only misleads. The British 

 Museum contains a specimen, bought at the sale of the col- 

 lection of the late Baron Laugier de Chartrouse, said to be 

 from Mexico, which agrees with Dr. Bryant's specimens from 

 Porto Rico. 



Specimens examined. 



E.Mus.Brit. — a, ad. VortoWico {Bryant). 6. "Mexico.^* 

 E. Mus.P. L. Sclater. — a, ad. VortoUico [Bryant). b,ad. 



Porto Rico [Latimer). 



E. Mus. Salvin and Godman. — a, ad. Porto Rico {George 



Swift). 



XXXVIII. — List of Birds collected or observed during a 

 journey into the Matabili Country in 1873. By T. E. 

 Buckley, F.Z.S. &c. 

 Before proceeding with my list, it may be as well to write 

 a short account of our journey and the line of country 

 traversed. 



We left Pietermaritzburg with our waggons on the 13th 

 of May, and arrived at Newcastle, distant 160 miles, about 

 the end of the month. Newcastle is a small town near the 

 borders of the colony, and probably derives it name from the 

 fact of coal being found close by. Except on the coast-line. 

 Natal is almost wholly open country, patches of bush, some 

 large, but mostly small, occurring here and there on the slopes 

 of the valleys. Here our troubles began, as our two natives 

 had only been hired for that distance, and would go no fui'- 

 ther J however, having by this time learnt something of " in- 



2 c2 



