]9G :\Ir. L. 1^ Mouritz on the 



especially as I liave noticed our two local forms inter- 

 breediug on more than one occasion. Whereas in other 

 districts of Southern Rhodesia I have found this dove 

 nesting throughout the year, I have not found fresh eggs 

 later than the middle of May in the Matopos. 



33. X Chalcopelia afra. Metallic-spotted Dove. 



Sind. 'Miseiibe." 



All of these doves which I have seen here, have had the 

 metallic spots green, or merely edged with blue. This 

 species pi'efers the,hills to the open country, and is, indeed, 

 but seldom found at any distance from the granite in 

 this district. 



31. "l (Ena capensis. Namaqua Dove. 



Sitid. " unkombazana " or " injovazana." 



Although very common at Fortusher in 1908, subsequent 

 observations tend to prove this species less numerous thau 

 might be expected, and somewhat locally distributed. 



35. J Numida coronata. Crowned Guinea-fowl. 



Sind. '^itendele." 



The Guinea-fowl, once so common in the hills, is now 

 greatly reduced iu numbers, and indeed is no longer found 

 in many of its old haunts. This diminution may probably 

 have been caused through the lavages of wirevTorra or other 

 disease, but, to my mind, there seems little doubt that the 

 town and local sportsmen, aided by the greatly increased 

 numbers of baboons (with their egg-stealing proclivities), 

 are the true causes of this bird's partial extermination. 

 This, as anyone who is conversant with the habits of the 

 Guinea-fowl will understand, should be deplored the more 

 on account of the high economic value of the bird. Within 

 the hills, " amatendele " are still to be found along the 

 Malemi valley, and I have frequently met with them on 

 the Mshingili and Malamba ranges, but always in sadly 

 diminished numbers. On the surrounding veld they are 

 still more uncommon to the east and north, but are more 



