TUEDIDiE. 138 



The Sub-Family, TIMALINiE, or Babblers, 



have the bill moderate, with the culmen much curved, and 

 the sides compressed to the tip, which is generally entire, 

 or only slightly emargiuated ; the gonys long and ascending ; 

 the nostrils basal, and more or less exposed ; the wings short, 

 and much rounded ; the tail of various lengths, and gra- 

 duated ; the tarsi lengthened, robust, and usually covered 

 with an entire scale ; the toes long, strong, and strongly 

 scutellated above ; the claws more or less long, compressed, 

 and acute. 



Genus CRATEROPUS, Swain. 

 Bill nearly as long as the head, more or less straight from 

 the base, much compressed, obsoletely notched ; rictus 

 bristled ; frontal feathers rigid ; wings short, and rounded ; 

 tail large, broad, soft, and rounded ; feet very large and 

 strong ; tarsus lengthened ; anterior scales divided ; lateral 

 toes nearly equal ; hind toe large, nearly as long as the 

 middle toe ; plumage lax, soft. 



251. Crateropus Jardinii, Sm.; z. s. a., pi. 6. 



Above, olive-brown ; feathers of the head dark-brown, edged 

 with greyish-white, imparting to the bird a scaled appear- 

 ance ; chin, throat, breast, and anterior portion of belly, 

 ashy-brown, marked with elongated white spots ; posterior 

 portion of belly and vent, yellowish- grey ; tail dark-brown ; 

 centre pair of feathers strongly tinged with grey ; all crossed 

 by dark-brown bars, only visible if held in certain positions. 

 Length, 10" ; wing, 4" 6'" ; tail, 4" 3"'. 



The expedition under Dr. A. Smith first obtained this bird in lati- 

 tude 25° 24' south, in spots covered with reeds, such as are seen along 

 the margins of the rivers of that country. It is described as being of 

 a restless, noisy disposition, and congregating together in considerable 

 numbers, preying upon insects, &c. 



I have received a few specimens from Kuruman ; and Mr. Andersson 

 obtained it in Damaraland. 



252. Crateropus Bicolor, Jardine; Edin. Jour. 

 Nat. and Geo., PI. 3 ; Smith, S. Af. Q. J.., Vol. 2, p. 85. 

 General colour, white ; with black wings and tail, bill, and 

 legs ; feathers of the back very thick and fluffv ; tail rounded. 

 Length, 10" ; wing, 5" ; tail, 4" 7'". 



Procured by Dr. A. Smith between the Ky-Gariep and Kurrichane. 

 I have also received many specimens from Damaraland, through 

 Messrs. Andersson, Kisch, Green, and Chapman ; they appear to be 



