554. BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
1866, I obtained three eggs of this Coly from a nest built in a small 
bush, and composed externally of grass and twigs, lined internally 
with softer grass; the eggs were white, but dull. On October 16th, 
I met with several nests of this bird on the same tree; but all 
contained young, invariably three in number. On December 29th, 
I obtained a nest with three eggs.” 
According to Captain Shelley’s arrangement of the genus the 
present species belongs to that section of the Colies which has 
the entire lower mandible pale, with the upper mandible black 
(sometimes with a paler basal portion). The chestnut rump and 
uniform throat are also characters which distinguish this section 
of the genus, but the colour of the middle of the back, which is 
black with a broad white band down the centre, will always serve 
to distinguish the present species. 
Upper parts generally ash-coloured; a white line, bordered on 
each side by a broad black one, extends from between the shoulders 
to the rump, which is purple, glossed with red; throat and chin 
cinereous, changing into vinaceous on the breast, and a dirty yellow 
on the belly; head crested; tail very long, and graduated; wings 
short and rounded; legs in a fresh specimen bright coral-red; bill 
bluish; plumage of body singularly short and hair-like. Total 
length, 13” or 14”; wing, 3" 7’’’; tail, 10"; bill, 6’’; tarsus, 8’”. 
Mr. Ayres gives the following soft parts :—“ Iris greyish white ; 
bill black at tip, dark crimson at base, as is the cere; bare skin 
round eye bright scarlet; tarsi and feet dark pink. Sexes appear to 
be similar in plumage.” 
Fig. Le Vaill. Ois. @’Afr. vi. pl. 257. 
539. Coxius casTaNonorvs, Verr. Chestnut-backed Coly. 
This species belongs to the same section of the genus as 0. 
capensis, but has the middle of the back chestnut and uniform with 
the rump. 
It occurs in West Africa from the Gaboon down to Angola, and 
its only claim to be included in our limits is its occurrence at 
Benguela and Capangombe, where it was found by Anchieta. Mr. 
Monteiro gives the following note:—“‘Feeds on wild fruits, 
principally on that of a wild fig-tree very abundant all over the 
country, and called Mucuwzo; flies slowly, generally in threes and 
fours together, uttering a disagreeable note; found generally 
