the Trans- Vaal Terntory. 297 



Professor Sundevall (Consp. Pic. no. 180, p. 63), was included 

 by nie in my list of Natal birds (Ibis, 1860, p. 213) as Campethera 

 chrysura, and subsequently (Ibis, 1862, pp. 37 & 157) as Den- 

 dromus smit/ii. I believe that the correct specific name of this 

 Woodpecker is that which, on the authority of Professor Sun- 

 devall, I have here applied to it. — J. H. G.] 



45. (L. 498.) OxYLOPHus serratus (Sparm.). Edolio- 

 Cuckoo. 



Appears in Potchefstroom about November, and leaves again 

 before the winter sets in. 



46. (L. 524.) Francolinus swainsoni, A. Smith. Swain- 

 sou's Francolin. 



47. (L. 528.) Francolinus pileatus, A. Smith. Pilcatcd 

 Francolin. 



Both these Francolins are found near the river Limpopo. 



48. (L. 537.) Pterocles gutturalis, A. Smith. Sombre 

 Sand-Grouse. 



These birds are tolerably plentiful in the neighbourhood of 

 Potchefstroom toM'ards the latter end of winter and the begin- 

 ning of spring, but appear to leave in summer; they are gene- 

 rally in companies of from three to a dozen or so, and very 

 seldom found singly : they mostly frequent bare ground not 

 far from water; and I am informed that they go regularly to 

 drink twice a day, however distant they may be from their 

 supply. Their flight is exceedingly strong ; they rise with a 

 loud whirring noise, and when on the wing they somewhat 

 resemble some of the Pigeons, especially Columba trigonigera. 

 On the approach of danger they crouch and lie very close to 

 the ground, and it is then exceedingly difficult to see them ; 

 when disturbed they do not run, but rise quite suddenly. 

 Their notes, which are, I believe, only uttered on the wing, are 

 short and harsh, and may be heard a considerable distance; 

 they feed much uj)on the seed of a small species of tare or pea, 

 and also upon bulbous nutty roots of a small species of grass, 

 which they scratch up ; these bulbs have a strong, agreeable 



