Egg-CoUecthtg in the Biishveld. 11 



nest is plnced under tlie slielter of n stone, nsiiall}^ one where 

 there is a small tuft of grass growing at the side. The eggs 

 are somewhat simihir to those of Ant/ius r. raalteni, but rather 

 rouuder ; they measure 20 7-22 X 16-5. 



The Banded Sand-Martin (Cotile cinrta) was found nesting 

 in holes in the bank of a gulley, but I was too early for eggs 

 on the 10th December by a few days. 



The Rufous Grass- Warbler (Cisticola rufilata) is not un- 

 common in the trees orowing amonost the jocks on the 

 border of the l)ushveld proper, and does not appear to stray 

 to any other situations. Jt is a very silent bird, having the 

 habits of Apalis, and also much resembling Frinia in many 

 respects. It appears to nest in December, but nests were 

 not discovered. 



Beyond a rocky belt which cuts across the road the bush- 

 veld proper begins, and except for an open glade here and 

 there the road passes for many miles through wooded 

 country. A few Boers are encam{)ed in the valley, not far 

 from the road, but their dwellings are so unobtrusive 

 and they themselves so seldom seen that wo hardly notice 

 their presence. Although nearly all the common bushveld 

 birds are to be seen in the upper part of the valley down 

 which the road passes, there are two notable exce[)tions, 

 namely, Textor niger and Plocepasser mahali. The reason 

 for this is not apparent, for the nature of the bushveld seems 

 to be the same, and yet they do not occur to the south of the 

 pan. Having travelled some five miles through the bush- 

 veld, we reach a point opposite the tall chimney-stack and 

 turn off to encamp. The place where I always encamp is on 

 the property of Mr. W. Bernard, who also owns part of the 

 pan, and I have to thank him for his kindness on many 

 occasions when I should have spent an uncomfortable night 

 had he not rjiven me shelter durinfj thunder-storms. 



Mr. Bernard very kindly gave me leave to collect there 

 whenever I chose, although he rigidly protects the game on 

 his property, and it is due to this action on his ]>art that 



