ery. =") 
4A8 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA, 
bird as observed by him during Mr. Jameson’s expedition into the 
interior :—‘‘ This is a very common species in many parts of the 
Bamangwato country and from thence to the southward. There are 
many nests on the trees in a kloof near Mangwato, and on a still day 
their loud but not unpleasant notes resound amongst the rocks. 
Occasionally two cock birds will fight with such eager ferocity that 
clutching one another they fall struggling to the ground, and even 
when thus picked up they will still continue to peck at each other. 
The nest is retort shaped with two necks, very rough outwardly and 
composed of wiry grass stalks, inwardly lined with feathers. The 
eggs rest on a sort of platform between the two necks of the nests 
and are three in number, of a pinkish white much marked in indis- 
tinct stripes of pinkish brown, more especially at the obtuse end. 
The eggs measure 1 inch by 0°6/’ Mr. Andersson observes :— 
“Damara Land proper would seem to be the stronghold of this 
species ; but I have also found it abundant at Lake N’gami and in 
the neighbourhood of the Okavango, and it likewise occurs, though 
less frequently, in Great Namaqua Land. It is gregarious in its 
habits and may occasionally be seen in large flocks; it usually 
frequents the wildest and most desolate spots, far away from either 
fountain or stream. It feeds chiefly on seeds and insects, which it 
seeks for on the ground, and, if disturbed, usually takes refuge in 
the nearest tree till the supposed danger is passed, when it resumes 
its previous occupation. At the beginning of the rainy season this 
bird occasionally, though rarely, sings so melodiously that I have 
seldom heard anything more exquisite. Several pairs of these birds 
build on the same tree, constructing large rambling nests of coarse 
grass near the extremities of the boughs; each nest contains two or, 
rarely, three eggs ; and I have observed that all the old nests have 
two entrances. The bill, legs, and toes in this species are yellowish 
red. Senor Anchieta has met with it at Capangombe, Maconjo, 
and Biballa, as well as at Quillengues and Caconda. 
Upper part of head, and stripe on each side of neck black-brown ; 
stripe over the eye white, widening considerably to the back of the 
head; side of head brown; side of neck and back light-brown ; 
rump, vent, chin, and throat pure white; breast and belly dull- 
white ; wings with two white stripes across the shoulders. Length, 
6’ 6/"" s wing, 4” 5 tail, 2° 9'7". 
Fig. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8. Afr, pl. 68, 
