12G BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



235. Ohaetops Aurantius, Layard. 



Head and shoulders above, ashy-grey, streaked with black ; 

 back and rurap brick-red ; tail graduated, black, each feather, 

 with the exception of the two central, tipped with white ; 

 this colour extending farther up each feather, until it attains 

 its maximum in the short outside pair; throat jet-black, 

 with a white band extending from the lower mandible to the 

 breast ; another smaller white line passes from the nostril 

 over the eje, and terminates a little beyond it ; breast and 

 belly, a fine clear orange- rufous, or burnt sienna ; wings black, 

 each feather more or less edged with ashy- grey ; a white bar 

 extends across wing ; the plumage very lax and decomposed, 

 particularly over the rump. Length, 8" 9"' ; wing, 3" 7'" ; 

 tail, 4" ; bill, 9'" ; tarsus, 1" 8"'. 



This handsome species was obtained by Mr. J. O'Eeilly in some 

 abundance in the mountains near Graafi-Eeinet. He describes it aa 

 extremely wary and difficult of approach, and feeding on insects, for 

 which it seeks among the low brushwood. It has also been received 

 from Capt. Bulger, at Windvogelberg, and from Mrs. Barber. 



Mr. J. O'Eeilly writes as follows : — " GraafF-Eemet, January 2nd, 

 1863. Inhabits rocks in high mountain ranges. Scarce ; very shy and 

 cunning, usually frequenting places assimilating to its plumage. Con- 

 tinually on the hop, and seldom takes wing ; when it does so, flies but 

 a short distance. Always on the watch, seldom showing much more 

 than its head above the stones. Found about Graaff-Iieinet all the 

 year round, and in pairs. Food consists of small insects of any sort ; 

 drinks in the evening. Note, a sharp chirp, particularly when sur- 

 prised. Breeds in December. Nest built of grass and rock-mosses, 

 in crevices among rocks. Eggs, three to four, green, with brown 

 speckles." 



When this bird was sent home, Dr. Hartlaub and Mr. Sclater 

 identified it as C. Frenatus, Temm. Since then, specimens have been 

 obtained corresponding entirely with Temminck's figure of that bird, 

 and I am convinced that this species is distinct. I haVe male, female, 

 and young birds of each ; and Mr. O'Heilly describes the nests and 

 eggs of the orange-bodied species, which Dr. Hartlaub supposes to be 

 the young of Frenattcs. C. Frenatus breeds about Caledon ; and our 

 C. Aurantius never appears there by any chance. 



Genus TURDUS, Linn. 

 Bill as long or nearly as long as the head, with the cul- 

 men curved, and the sides gradually compressed to the tip, 

 which is emarginated; the gonys long, and rather ascending ; 

 the gape furnished with short weak bristles ; the nostrils 

 basal and lateral, with the opening oval and exposed ; 

 wings moderate, with the first quill very short, the second 

 rather shorter than the third and fourth, which are equal 

 and longest ; tail moderate, broad, and slightly emarginated ; 



