246 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
282. SaxIcoLA sHELLEYI, Sharpe. Shelley’s Wheat-ear. 
This species, which we consider to be new to science, was con- 
tained in the same collection as Pinarornis plumosus, viz. from the 
Victoria Falls. It has a totally black tail like Sawicola arnotti, but 
it differs in having the primary-coverts white, with only a narrow 
black tip, as well as the wing-coverts. We have already stated our 
belief that S. arnotti has in its full plumage a white cap, and our 
opinion is justified by the presence of a pure white crown in the 
present species, its near ally. 
The following is a brief description of 9. shelleyi :—Entirely black 
including the wings and tail; crown of head pure white; outer 
scapulars white at base; all the wing-coverts white, the primary 
and greater coverts with a narrow apical bar of black. Total 
length, 7°3 inches; culmen, 0°7; wing, 4°15; tail, 3°15; tarsus, 
1:15. The bird described is probably the male, as accompanying it 
was another skin, rather browner in colour, and haying the cheeks, 
throat, fore-neck, and sides of neck white, here and there varied 
with brown tips to the feathers. This may possibly be the female, 
but in the absence of any correct dissection it is impossible to tell. 
This bird is named after our friend Mr. Edward Shelley, of 
Avington, one of the earliest of modern explorers in the Zambesi, 
and an old comrade of Livingstone’s. 
233. SAXICOLA MONTICOLA. Mountain Wheat-ear. 
Le Vaillant found this bird inhabiting the mountains of Namaqua 
Land, and never descending into the plains, except compelled by 
great drought. He describes them as very shy and difficult of 
approach, hiding themselves in holes or inaccessible precipices. 
We have received a few specimens from Kuruman, and from Mr. 
Atmore, who procured them about Traka; and we also found it 
ourselves at Nel’s Poort. Le Vaillant’s account of their habits is 
substantially correct. We only found them among the rocky 
mountain sides, breeding in the holes and crevices. Mr. H. Jackson 
writes to us:—‘‘Among the eggs I now send are fourteen of 
S. monticola, all from the same pair of birds, our old friends of last 
year. This makes thirty-four of this sort, all or nearly all from one 
