76 Mr. A. Ttoberts on BinLs in 



Dendromus albifacies, Gun. & "Rbts. (1 M., 2 F.) 

 May-Jnne. 



The description of lliis now s])ecies has been tal^en from 

 the^e specimens, details of \\hich are to be found in the 

 'Annals of tlie Transvaal jMusenm,' I'.Ul. It differs from 

 D. script or I Cauda, Keichenow, in havino; a white eyebrow, 

 pale band across the lower back, and its slightly larger 

 size. 



This Woodpecker was very shy and difficult to procure, 

 as it is not so noisy as most species, seeking rather to avoid 

 than attract attention. It has a knack of keeping out of 

 sight behind the trunk or limb of a tree, not peeping 

 curiously round to watch the actions of the intruder as do 

 others, but content to remain out of sight until it finds itself 

 observed, when it darts off to another tree and disappears 

 behind the trunk again. Freshly killed specimens give off 

 a strong but not unpleasant scent. It was only observed at 

 Villa Pereira. 



Mesopicus namaquus (Lcht.). 1{. (u?). (3 M., '^ F.) 

 Resident. 



I. Indian red ; B. dark horn-colour ; L. olive-greon. 

 M.: Leng. 237-241 ; W. 133-13G ; Tl. 72-80 ; Ts. 21-l>3 ; 

 C. 34-37. F. : Long. 227-230 ; W. 130-135 ; Tl. 71-72 ; 

 Ts. 22 ; (J. 32-34. 



The Bearded Woodpecker was very common, and its 

 resonant tapping was one of the notable features of the 

 forest ; sometimes this tapping would be repeated at intervals 

 for quite a long time, and usually when following up the 

 sound 1 discovered that it was much farther off than ex- 

 pected ; it was then also generally made by an individual 

 which seemed to be trying to attract attention rather than 

 drive insects from shelter in the decayed tree on which it 

 was tapping. At other times occasionally small parties were 

 disturbed amongst large trees, and they at once set up a 

 chattering, and if still further disturbed, would dart off to 

 other trees uttering a shrill screech of alarm. Freshly killed 

 specimens smelt strongly of ants. 



