the Trans-Vaal Territory. 295 



numbers amongst the bush on the banks of the Tugela, in Natal ; 

 and my brother has recently met with it on the Limpopo. 



Iris reddish-hazelj bill lilac, blackish at the tip, tarsi and feet 

 pale. 



34. (L. 392.) EsTRELDA MELBA (Linn.). Crimson-throated 

 Finch. 



Obtained near the river Limpopo. 



35. (L. 408.) Passer arcuatus (Gmel.). Cape Sparrow. 

 The nest of this bird is a very rough cumbrous structure 



placed in a hedgerow or low tree, and much resembles that of 

 the English Sparrow; it is exceedingly well lined with feathers 

 and other warm material. I found one situated in the base of 

 the nest of a Rook {Corvus capensis, Licht.), in a low mi- 

 mosa-tree ; in the Sparrow's nest were three young birds nearly 

 fledged, and the Rook was sitting upon four eggs in the upper 

 storey. 



36. (L. 442.) Crithagra butyracea (Linn.). Butyraceous 

 Grossbeak. 



This species is common at Potchefstroom, breeding amongst 

 the hedgerows, and constructing a cup-shaped nest, rather 

 roughly built of twigs intermingled with fine hair-like sub- 

 stances as a binding, and lined with cotton and fine wool with 

 here and there a feather. It begins to lay in September. 



[I may take this opportunity of remarking that in a nearly 

 allied species, C.sulphurata (Linn.), I find specimens from Natal 

 considerably smaller than those from the Cape, but I think not 

 otherwise different. — J. H. G.] 



37. (L. 426.) Megalophonus cinereus (Vieill.). Lesser 

 Rufous-capped Lark. 



38. (L. 434.) Megalophonus apiatus (Vieill.). Bateleuse 

 Lark. 



39. (L. 435.) Certhilauda garrula, A. Smith. Garrulous 

 Lark. 



All these three Larks are to be found in the open country of 

 the Trans-Vaal. 



x2 



