DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, llAHITS 



Distnhution. — Eastern part of Cape Province, northwards 

 through Natal and Transvaal to the Zanibcsi, and from there 

 to Angola and Nyassaland. 



Habits. — This barbet inhabits the trees on the margins of 

 forests, wooded kloofs, and along the tree-clad banks of rivers. 

 It often visits orchards and berry-bearing trees in gardens to 

 feed on the fruit, which it usually swallows whole. It makes 

 round holes in rotten trunks of trees and has its nest at the 

 bottom of the hole. Clutch, 3 to 4 ; eggs pure white ; size, 

 0.96 by 0.69. 



Pied Babbler {Crateropus bicolor). (Vol. II., p. 8.) 



Description. — Male : body above and below white. Wings 

 dark brown. Tail black-brown with indistinct cross bars. Iris 

 deep orange. Bill and legs black. 



Total length., 9.50 ; tail, 4.50 ; wing, 4. 50. 

 The female resembles the male. 



Distribution. — From Orange and Tugela Rivers to Damara- 

 land and Zanzibar. 



Habits. — The pied babblers inhabit the dense woods and 

 tangled scrub through which they creep. They are usually 

 seen in small parties, except when breeding. They feed on 

 the ground. When disturbed in a thicket thev fly off in single 

 file with loud cries of alarm. The nest is made of coarse grass 

 lined with line grass. It is cup shaped, rather deep and 

 substantial. Clutch, 3. Eggs blue and unspotted. The ends 

 of the eggs are smooth, but the middle part is covered with tiny 

 tubercles, making it rough to the touch. 



Tit Babbler {Parisoma subcceruleum). (Vol. II., p. 8.) 



Description. — Male : upper parts grey. Wing coverts 

 brown edged with grey. Primary coverts black with white 

 edging. Tail black, the outer feathers tipped with white ; the 

 white increases progressively, and half the outer webs of the 

 outside feathers are white. Duskv spot in front of the eye. 

 Ear coverts streaked with white. Under surface whitish, tinged 



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