the Birds of PhUipstown. 13 



know how long tlie fight had been going on before I arrived, 

 but I watched for fully five minutes before one of the com- 

 batants " threw up the sponge," and in a very ruffled state 

 made off, hotly pursued by the victor. These birds are 

 tohtrably good mimics and are particularly fond of imitating 

 the call of the Greywing Partritlge. 



The only Thrusii found in these parts is Cabanis' Thrush 

 {Turdus cahaniai) — it is not uncommon. 



The Black-fronted Bulbul (JPycnonoius iii<jrieans) is a very 

 common bird. 



The Ground-Woodpecker (^Geocolapfes ol'ivaceus) is seen 

 now and then. It is not ver}' plentiful. 



Pied Barbet (Trichola;ma leucome.las). — These birds are 

 very plentiful everywhere, and are rather troublesome in 

 orchards. Shelley's Barbet (7". a^'n/s) (see Stark and Sclater, 

 vol. iii. p. 162) is merely the young of the Pied Barbet. 

 The absence of the tooth to the upper mandible does not 

 signify, as the young of the Black-collared Harbet {Lyhius 

 torquatus) will also be found to be lacking in this respect. 

 Apparently the patch of red on the forehead only appears 

 when the bird reaches the adult stage. 



Two species of Mouse-bird, the White-backed (Coll us 

 capensis) and the Red-faced (C erythi'omeloii), are very 

 common. I have sought in vain for a redeeming feature 

 in their characters. They are unmitigated rascals, and easily 

 take firsi place in the ranks of the orchard-plunderers. 



The White-necked Raven (^Coriidtur alhieollis), Black 

 Crow (^Corvus capensis), and Pied Crow (C. scapidatus) are 

 all residents, but are not often seen. Flocks of the last- 

 named were causing the postal authorities at De Aar and 

 Britstown much annoyance recently. They used to roost on 

 the telegraph-wires in such numbers as to interfere with the 

 current. The trouble was caused by the upj)er wires sagging 

 under the weight of the birds until brought into contact 

 with the lower wires. I have heard of the same trouble 

 being experienced in the district of Glen Grey, but in this 

 case Black Crows were the offenders. 



Of the three species of Starling, namely, the Pale-winged 



