546 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Mr. T. Ayres states that in the Transvaal, this Wagtail is “ not nearly 
so plentiful as M. capensis : it is almost always found in pairs, usually 
near rivers, and often where cattle have been lying during the 
night, where it catches the insects that are attracted by the cow- 
dung. It is generally distributed, but rather more plentifully 
along the Vaal River than elsewhere.” Mr. Jameson’s expedition 
procured this species on the Umvuli River in August, and in 
the Zambesi region Dr. Kirk says it is found everywhere and is 
superstitiously regarded by the natives, who call it ‘ Droindwi.” 
Mr. Andersson writes in the “ Birds of Damara Land ” :—“T have 
only observed this Wagtail on the borders of the Orange River, 
where it is not uncommon. It is generally to be seen either singly 
or in pairs, and usually settles on stones or on the ground, along 
which it runs with great celerity in pursuit of small insects, which 
constitute its chief food, and it also skims the surface of the water 
for the same purpose.” Senor Anchieta has procured it once at 
Humbe on the Cunene River, and Sala met with it at Kattumbella in 
Benguela, as well as in Angola. On the West Coast of Africa it 
appears to be seen on all the rivers from the Quanza to the 
Cameroons. It is also found in other parts of Eastern and North- 
Hastern Africa. 
Mr. Ortlepp sends eggs of this species found at Colesberg, which 
are light brown, profusely speckled throughout with dark brown, 
chiefly at the obtuse end. Axis, 11’’’; diam. 7’’’.. He says that 
in its habits and nidification it resembles M. capensis and that it has 
a “sweet and sustained note like that of the Cape Canary.” 
In their recent paper on the birds of Natal Majors Butler and 
Feilden and Captain Reid observe :—* One seen and obtained by 
Reid on the edge of a sluggish stream near Colenso, on the 20th 
November, where Butler also observed a pair on the banks of the 
Tugela. Several pairs seen, and a specimen procured, at the mouth 
of the Umgeni, near Durban, on the 24th December. Not observed 
in the neighbourhood of Newcastle.” 
Adult male.—General colour above jet black from head to tail ; 
lesser wing-coverts like the back; median and greater coyerts 
white with concealed black bases, forming a conspicuous shoulder- 
patch ; bastard-wing and primary coverts black ; quills black with 
white bases, the shafts of which are black ; the innermost secondaries 
as well as the innermost greater wing-coverts entirely black, the 
