220 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
seen sitting on stones by the road-sides, in pairs or families. In its 
flight and habit of flirting its tail it resembles the Wheatear.” Mr, 
Ayres also writes :—‘‘ Frequents the same localities as the previous 
species (Saaicola pileata). The stomach of the specimen sent con- 
tained some of the Cape gooseberries, and some small stones.” In 
a previous communication to Mr. Gurney, he makes the following 
observation respecting a specimen forwarded by him :—* Stomach 
contained insects and berries. This specimen and two others were 
together: I did not see them settle on rocks or stones, but they 
alighted on trees and fed on the nectar of the blossom of a species 
of aloe. I found them on a hill called the Changa, between Pieter- 
Maritzburg and Durban, a very precipitous country, where aloes 
and low bushes are plentiful.” 
Mrs. Barber informs us that it breeds in holes under rocks, and 
sends a nest, composed of fine roots and hair. Eggs, 3—5, of a 
light buff or dirty white, minutely freckled throughout with pale 
rufous ; they are sometimes, however quite white; axis, 13”; diam., 
9”. Of its habits, she writes :—‘“ The male sings a rather lively song; 
he does not commence early in the morning, at or before daylight, as 
the Robins do; but after the sun has warmed him he begins to pour 
forth his cheerful melody: his notes are clear, and rather pleasing, 
and he is fond of choosing a conspicuous situation whence he can be 
heard and seen to the best advantage.” 
The whole of the head and throat, dark ashy-blue; back and 
wings, dark-brown; the former with a deep rufous tinge, increasing 
towards the rump, which is entirely deep rufous; the tail is also 
rufous, with the exception of the two centre feathers ; all the under 
parts deep rufous, lightest towards the vent; the female wants the 
blue head, otherwise she is like the male; bill, black; the gape and 
mouth, yellow; tarsi and feet, dusky (Ayres); feet, black; iris, 
dark-hazel (Buckley). Total length, 8°4 inches; culmen, 1:05; 
wing, 4°35; tail, 3°3; tarsus, 1:1. 
Fig. Le Vaill., Ois. d’Afr., pls., 101, 102. 
204. Monricona EXPLORATOR. ; Sentinel Rock-Thrush, 
Petrocincla explorator, Layard, B. 8. Afr., p. 130 (1867). 
Not very common, but widely distributed. We have seen it 
