74 Mr. E. L. Layard on South-African Ornithology. 



the Orange River. Its song is sweet and sustained, and it has 

 also considerable powers of imitation." I saw a few pairs about 

 Grootevadersbosch, but I never heard them utter any sound. 



324. Laniarius icterus. Another specimen of this grand 

 Bush-Shrike is in the Museum at Graham's Town, obtained, I 

 believe, in that neighbourhood. 



339. JuiDA PHCENicoPTERA. Mr. Henry Bowker says they 

 breed in hollow trees or deserted Wood-peckers' nests. Mr. 

 Atmore says they " do not come to the westward of the head- 

 waters of the Gamtoos River." 



353. DiLOPHUs CARUNCULATUS. My brief account of the 

 breeding-habits of this bird is confirmed by two other intelli- 

 gent eye-witnesses. The species never seems to return two suc- 

 cessive years to the same neighbourhood. 



363. Hyphantornis ocularius. A single female was ob- 

 tained near Graham's Town, by Mr. Fred. Barber, who saw it 

 " poking about amongst old dead leaves,- scratching and search- 

 ing for insects." 



366. Sycobius bicolor. Said by Mr. Atherstone to be 

 common along the coast to the eastward of the Kei River. The 

 back of the head is furnished with a few elongated bristle-like 

 feathers, in some instances bifurcating, resembling those of the 

 Indian genus Trichophorus. 



379, Chera progne. Mr. Henry Bowker, a close observer 

 of our fauna and flora, tells a story different from that given 

 by my other informant. He writes " This bird seldom inter- 

 feres with our corn-lands, and is mostly found on open flats. 

 It builds its nest in long grass close to the ground. The 

 points of the blades are drawn over and tied together at the 

 top, like the framework of a native hut. The tail of the male 

 in the breeding-season is not an inconvenience to him. He 

 never seems to enjoy himself so much as during a high wind, 

 in which he shows himself off to advantage, spreading his 

 tail out like a fan. I should say the average is ten or fifteen 

 females to one male." This latter statement is curious, and 



