88 Mr. B. Alexander — An Ornithological 



this uncommon little Cliat-Tliriisli, the white patches on their 

 shoulders at once riveting the eye, as they journeyed in 

 perfect silence from one tree to another. This bird has 

 an airy flight and resembles the Tree- Creeper in the way in 

 which it flies on to a branch, the tail being pressed tightly 

 against the bark, and from continual contact the tail-feathers 

 after a time become worn very short. 



Unfortunately, we never met with this interesting bird 

 again. Out of this little party we procured an adult female 

 which has the feathers of the throat, cheeks, and fore-neck 

 white, mottled with black tijjs. These tips are, however, 

 disappearing, and the parts then become entirely white in fully 

 adult females. 



Several of the feathers of the fore-neck arc entirely white 

 on one side of the shaft only, while in others the white is in 

 the process of gradually extending from the shaft over the 

 whole of the remaining brown i>ortion of the feather. A 

 single feather on the crown also shows this change. 



This condition of plumage clearly demonstrates that, in 

 very old females, not only the above-mentioned parts become 

 entirely white, but also the crown of the head. 



112. MuscicAPA GRisoLA (Linn.). 

 Frequently observed from November onward. 



113. MusciCAPA C.ERULESCENS (Hart!.). 



Not a common bird, and of a retiring nature, keeping much 

 to the monotonous woods of Copaifera mopane. 



The breeding-season is towards the end of November, 

 when the feathers become much worn, the grey edgings to 

 the primaries, secondaries, and tail-feathers, very distinct in 

 specimens obtained in August, having disappeared through 

 abrasion. 



Adult (J • Total length (measured in flesh) 5 '6 inches, 

 wing 3'1, culmen 0*5. Iris hazel ; upper mandible black, base 

 of lower light horn-colour ; legs and feet dark slate-colour. 



Adult ? . Total length (measured in flesh) 5*4 inches, 

 wing 2*9, culmen 4'. Bill black, soft parts as in male. 



In several of our specimens the lower mandible is a light 



