12 Dr. Smith’s Contributions to the 
long, sharp pointed, slightly curved, and of a jet black color ; 
eyes vermillion ; legs and toes reddish brown ; claws light horn 
colored. Length from base of bill to root of tail, three inches 
and three quarters; length of tail two inches and a half. In- 
habits the eastern parts of the colony, particularly about the 
banks of the Keiskamma river, and upon the trees and bushes 
which skirt the edges of that beautiful stream, it builds its pen- 
dulous nest. 
VIDUA. 
V. nigra, apicibus humerorum scarlatinis, intus castaneis. 
Above and below black; tips of shoulders scarlet, which is 
edged behind by a broad band of dull chesnut; inside of 
shoulders chesnut; secondary wing-coverts, scapulars and 
secondary quill feathers, edged with faint chesnut or reddish 
white ; armillz buff colored or pale reddish white ; upper man- 
dible pure black, lower flesh-colored inclined to red. 
The only specimen I have yet seen of this bird was injured, 
and therefore the description is not so complete as could be 
wished. The tai] feathers were of different lengths, so that 
there can be no doubt but that a part of them were progressing 
towards that state which characterises the birds of this genus 
during the summer months. Jt was shot in Cafferland, near 
the Kei river. 
Fam. STURNIDA. 
Genus, BUPHAGA. 
Bupnaca Africanoides. 
B. supra sub-brunnea ; mento et guttere sub brunneis ; pec- 
tore et parte anteriore abdominis viridi brunneis; parte poste- 
riore abdominis flavo alba ; rostro coccineo. 
Above dirty brown; primary and secondary wing coverts as 
well as primary and secondary quill feathers, brownish black ; 
tail graduated and composed of twelve feathers of a dusky 
brown color; chin and throat dirty brown ; breast and anterior 
part of belly greenish brown ; posterior part of belly yellowish 
white variegated with brown ; vent brownish. Bill between a 
crimson and a scarlet ; legs, toes, and claws, black ; round each 
eye a narrow circle, devoid of feathers, and of a yellow color. 
Length eight inches. Inhabits the country about Natal, and is 
commonly seen picking insects from the backs of cattle. 
It differs from the Buphaga Africana in the colors of the 
legs, tail, belly, back, and rump, and also in the size of the 
legs. 
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