Occas'ionaJ Notes. 143 



Bradyornis silens (Silent Bush Robin) = Tarsir/er sllens, and 

 is not now called or placed with the Shrikes. 



(19) Mr. W. KiRBY, of the Kiniberley Waterworks, 

 writes: — "The following dates for 1906 may be of interest: 

 the first examples of the Rufous-breasted Swallow {Ilirundo 

 semirufd) arrived here on August 20th, the Bee-eater (^Merops 

 ((piaster) on 22nd September, and the Swift [Cypselus 

 opus) on 2nd October. On 17th September there were 

 upwards of 500 nests of the Cliff Swallow [Petroclielidon 

 spiloderd) on a stone building.'^ 



(20) New Records from Port Elizabeth. — Mr. F. W. 

 Fitzsimons, Director of the Port Elizabeth Museum, forwards 

 us the following notes : — 



" The distribution of Meyer's Parrot {Poeocephalus mer/eri) , 

 according to the latest authorities, does not include Cape 

 Colony. During February last two of these birds were shot 

 at Klip Vlei, which is in the near vicinity of Port Elizabeth. 

 I have carefully examined these specimens, and I am quite 

 convinced they are wild birds. They were shot in the 

 scrubby bush and are both males. If more are discovered I 

 shall let you know. 



" Sclater states that the Cape Grass Bird [Sphenocacus 

 africanus) is confined to the western portion of the Cape 

 Colony. I have carefully examined a specimen procured in 

 the vicinity of Port Elizabeth, and it is without question one 

 of this species. The main difference in the two species is 

 that the upper and under tail-coverts are without streaks in 

 S. intermedins, and the size differs somewhat. The specimen 

 before me answers perfectly in the markings and measure- 

 ment to S. africanus. Mr. J. G. Brown, who knows the 

 birds in this locality better than any man, assures me it is 

 quite common here. If this be so, then its range must be 

 extended to the Eastern Division of the Colony. The specimen 

 referred to was shot near Zwartkops, a few miles from this 

 town.'' 



