RHYNCHHA CAPENSIS. 679 
on the flats to the hilly streams: they are usually found singly, but 
sometimes, when plentiful, may be put up in flights. 
It also occurs in the Transvaal, and has been shot near Potchef- 
stroom by Mr. Ayres, between September and March. The late 
Mr. Andersson’s last collection contained a specimen shot by him 
at Ondonga in Ovampo Land, on the 6th of February, 1867, and 
Professor Barboza du Bocage records an example killed in the 
province of Duque de Braganga in Angola. 
Tail rounded of sixteen feathers; bill twice the length of the 
head; two longitudinal black bands on the head separated by a 
narrow medial, reddish-white band, and on each side a yellowish- 
white band; the upper parts variegated with black and light red, 
with four longitudinal yellowish-white bands; wing diversified with 
white. Three lateral tail-feathers on each side white, sides trans- 
versely barred with dusky, axillary feathers white, barred with 
greyish black. Length, 12”; wing, 5” 6’; tail 2” 6’. 
Fig. Dresser, B, Hur. vii, pl. 541. 
651. Ruynconxa capensis (L.). African Painted Snipe. 
The “ Painted Snipe” frequents the same localities as the 
preceding species, and is very common at certain seasons, breeding 
with us in the marshy ground near Cape Town. 
The eggs are somewhat like those of G. nigripennis, but are of 
a yellower ground, and the markings are more defined and of one 
colour, a very dark brown, almost black. 
Mr. Rickard states that he has only procured it once near Hast 
London, and Capt. Trevelyan says that it is scarce near King- 
williamstown. In Natal Mr. Ayres also records them as very rare. 
Majors Butler and Feilden and Capt. Reid observe that near Newcastle 
it was not met with till July 20th, but it was afterwards common 
in the thick sedge and grass in the “vleys.” No nest was found, 
though the birds were in pairs in November, and evidently going to 
breed. 
According to Mr. Ayres they are scarce in the Transvaal, and 
Mr. Barratt writes: ‘ This beautiful Snipe does not frequent the 
marshy ground about Potchefstroom in such great numbers ag 
G. nigripennis ; as [have never known more than five or six to have 
been seen in a month or so, That is about the same place where 
one can see thousands of G. nigripennis, which breeds there; but 
