NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



Length, 8.00 ; tail, 3.80 ; wing, 3.60. 



Distribution. — From Cape Province through Africa to 

 Egypt. 



Habits. — The habits of the pied wagtail are similar to those 

 of the common Cape wagtail, but it is a much shyer and less 

 common bird. The nest is practically similar to that of the 

 Cape wagtail. Clutch, 3 to 5 ; eggs pale brown, profusely 

 spotted and freckled with grey and dark brown ; size, 0.90 by 

 0.60. 



Cape Long - tailed Sugar Bird {Promerops cafer). 



(Vol. I., p. 243.) 



Description. — Male : pale brown above with darker brown 

 centres to the feathers. Rump and upper tail coverts olive-yellow. 

 Forehead and crown bufF-brown. The lower throat, upper 

 breast, and sides of neck rufous-brown. Iris dark brown. The 

 bill, feet, and legs black. 



Lengthy 17. 00 to 19.50; tail, 11.5 to 14.00; wing, 3.80. 

 Six centre feathers of tail longest. 



Female is paler, and the tail is much shorter. 



Distribution. — Cape Province only. 



Habits. — This sugar bird is usually found in districts abound- 

 ing in protea bushes and aloes. They breed in winter. The 

 nest is cup shaped, and composed of twigs, roots, heath, grass, 

 etc., lined with the downy seeds of proteas, and is usually placed 

 in a protea bush. Eggs reddish-brown varying to light buff, 

 with blotches and irregular lines and scratches of dark purple, 

 and some finer lines and spots of brown ; size, i.oo by 0.72. 



Orange - breasted Sun Bird {Anthobaphes violacea). 

 (Vol. I., p. 243.) 



Description. — Male : head, neck, upper back, and throat 

 metallic-green with violet reflections ; this merges into metallic- 

 purple on the chest. A black spot in front of the eye and chin. 

 Lower part of back and upper tail coverts olive-yellow. Breast 



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