330 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
remove before we could secure the eggs. The nests were large 
masses of dried bents of grass and feathers. At the Berg River we 
found them breeding in September both at Mr. Kotze’s and Mr. 
Melck’s in holes of trees. The eggs were pure white with red 
specks, principally at the obtuse end. We have unfortunately 
omitted to record their measurements, but if our memory serves us 
rightly, they were much more round than oval and broad for their 
length. The nests were composed of hair, wool and feathers. Mr. 
Atmore says that they are common near Swellendam in mimosa 
thickets, nesting there in hollow trees: he mentions his having seen 
twelve eggs in one nest, “ which certaimly required all the fur of a 
hare to make it.” Mr. Ortlepp sends it from Colesberg, where he 
says it is called “‘Slangwyte” by the Dutch colonists. We have 
also received it from Colesberg and from Kuruman. Our friend Dr. 
Exton has kindly given us a specimen procured on the Modder River 
near Bloemfontein, and Mr. T. C. Atmore shot it near Hopetown. 
During his journey to the Matabili country Mr. T, E. Buckley met 
with the species in Bamangwato and again in Matabili-land. In the 
Transvaal, writes Mr. Ayres, “‘ these birds are sparsely scattered 
along the rivers, frequenting scrub and low bush, feeding upon insects, 
and creeping about the roots and low branches in search of their 
food: their flight is not prolonged, and their notes are harsh.” Mr. 
Andersson states that this Titmouse is “‘ found sparingly in all the 
regions between the Okavango towards the north, Lake N’gami 
towards the east, and the Orange River towards the south, and it 
also occurs in some parts of the Cape Colony.” 
Adult male.—General colour above grey, the least wing-coverts 
uniform with the back: wing-coverts black, all broadly edged with 
white, the margins to the primary-coverts much narrower: quills 
dark brown, externally narrowly margined with ashy whitish, 
broader on the secondaries, which are also blacker: upper tail- 
coverts and tail-feathers black, the latter with narrow apical tips of 
white, the outermost white for the whole of the outer web: crown 
of head glossy black including the lores and sides of the crown, 
forming a cap: on the nape a distinct nuchal patch of white: a band 
drawn from the base of the bill below the eye and occupying the 
ear-coverts, pure white: under surface of body grey, the cheeks, 
entire throat, and foreneck glossy black, extending down the middle 
of the breast, this black throat bordered by an indication of ashy 
