32 Mr. A. D. Wi\]av—Oni!thoh;/;cnl 



tlie male tlian the female, accordino- to tbe observations made 

 of my brother's specimens. With such a veMt hauntino- bird 

 as this species one would naturally exjiect it to take toll of the 

 locust swarms when these occur, and the avidity with which 

 the tame ones swallow these insects gives oround for the 

 belief that they form their sta[)le food (as they must with 

 many other birds), varied with spiders, beetles, ants and their 

 ego's, and possibly a little vegetable diet. 



In addition to the above menu the tame ones consume 

 lettuce, bread and milk, and a small quantity of Quaker 

 Oats, but any other variety of cereal they leave untouched. 

 It is regrettable, but it was a matter of absolute necessity that 

 their flight- feathers had to be shortened, as w^ere it not for 

 this treatment they would soon escape from the large 

 enclosure in which they spend their lives. A striking dis- 

 similarity in size, which should have been notified earlier in 

 these notes, is apparent between these two birds : the male, 

 by reason of his larger bulk and brighter plumage, is more 

 conspicuous than his mate. In conclusion, I might mention 

 that a characteristic peculiar to this latter which I have lately 

 observed is, that she often rests the body on the tarsus, 

 particularly when any soft material, such as a lady's dress or 

 piece of sacking, is near by ; and on it she contentedly squats 

 till requested to depart elsewhere. 



XIV. — Oniltliological Notes from Natal. 

 By Alfred D. Millar, Col.M.B.O.U. 



1. The Genus MoTACiLLA. (Wagtails.) 



These birds are so named from their peculiar habit of 

 constantly vibrating their tails upwards and downwards. 

 They are now protected by special enactment in Natal by 

 reison of their utility in destroying and eating insects, of 

 ■which they are constantly in search. 



Seven species are found in South Africa, but of these only 

 three are resident, all of which have taken up their abode in 

 ISatalj the remaining four being migrants from Europe. 



