4:0 Mr. (•• H. Taylor on Birds 



706. CuRSORius TEMMINCKT. (Teiiiminck^ti ('ourser.) 

 $. 3.8.06. Indhlovudvvulilie. Stomach contained insects. 

 Fairly common. They appear to be migratory, arriving 

 in this district about the beginning of July. They are fond 

 of patches of veldt where the grass has been burnt off, and a 

 pair having once chosen a spot to their liking, appear to 

 remain there as long as they are in the locality. 



711. Glareola MELANOPTEKA. (Nordmann's Pratincole.) 

 (a) S . 8.10.06. Indhlovudwalilie. In stomach insects. 

 Only one troop of these birds was seen, early in October. 

 When seen there were no locusts about and they seemed to 

 be catching insects in the air just as Swallows do. They 

 were quite tame, often dashing past within a few yards of 

 my head. 



752. Gallinago nigripeknis. (Ethiopian Snipe.) 

 (a) $ . 27.7.06. Indhlovudwalilie. Iris dark brown. 

 Stomach contained orubs and laro-e number of small stones. 



Not common; only one specimen seen and obtained, though 

 no doubt there were more in the locality. When flushed 

 this Snipe only flies a short distance and settles again. 



721. Stephanibyxmelanopterus. (Black-winged Plover.) 

 $ . 29.7.06. Indhlovudwalilie. Iris yellow ; eyelids 

 scarlet. 



These birds are fairly common in this locality. They are 

 very fond of large patches of burnt veldt, which they come 

 to directly it has been burnt, staying there for some months 

 and breeding in the same spot. 



Two clutches of eggs taken consisted of three, the other of 

 four eggs. The nest, if such it may be called, is a mere 

 scratching in the ground thickly lined with dry sheep's 

 droppings and a few small j)ieces of burnt stick or grass. The 

 nest is placed right out in the open on the burnt veldfc, where 

 it is very hard indeed to find. 



W^hen the female is sitting the male bird is generally close 

 by within a few hundred yards, and on being disturbed always 

 takes to wing at once, and after circling round once or twicu 



