NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



Ground-scraper Thrush {Turdus Utsipsirupa). (Vol. 

 II., p. 23.) 



Description. — Male : olive-brown on the back. Some of 

 the feathers of the wing coverts tipped with white. Two 

 black bars behind the eye, and two others from the base of the 

 lower mandible flanking a creamy-white throat. Under parts 

 creamy-white, profusely marked with dark brown pear-shaped 

 spots. Wing coverts unspotted. Iris dark brown. Upper 

 mandible and point of the lower one dark brown ; the rest of 

 the beak light yellow. Legs yellowish with a tinge of rose 

 colour. Feet darker. 



Total lengthy 8.25 ; tail, 3.00 ; wing, 5.00. 

 The female is similar to the male. 



Distribution, — From the middle of the Cape Province, 

 northwards to Angola and North Nyassaland. 



Habits. — ^This thrush inhabits the bush-lands. It is usually 

 seen in pairs or singly on the ground under the trees. The nest 

 is round and open, and made of grass lined with feathers or down. 

 Eggs shiny white spotted with purplish and dark blotches ; size, 

 1. 10 by 0.58. 



Natal Thrush {Turdus guttatus). (Vol. IL, p. 23.) 



Description. — Differing from the former, in the wing 

 coverts being spotted with white. Upper part of bill brown ; 

 lower yellow. Legs pale flesh colour. 



Lengthy wing, 4.55 ; tail, 3.60. 



Distribution. — Port St Johns in Pondoland, and eastwards 

 up the coast to Natal and north to British East Africa. 



Habits. — The Natal thrush inhabits the dense coastal bush 

 and seeks for its prey by scratching amongst the dead leaves in 

 damp spots. 



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