820 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
comelena being sometimes predominant and sometimes that of 
S. monticola. 
Majors Butler and Feilden and Captain Reid, on the other hand, who 
paid great attention to the changes of plumage in this species, 
believe that the female does not change her livery, while the male 
goes through successive changes, sufficient to account for all the 
links which are included in Mr. Seebohm’s chain of hybridization. 
They believe that the progress from youth to age may be tabulated 
as follows :— 
1st stage. Birds of the year in immature plumage, very similar to 
the females, though perhaps slightly darker. 
2nd stage. Shoulders white, though the patch is not so conspicuous 
as in the next stages. The whole of the lower parts black or 
blackish-brown. ; 
3rd stage. Shoulders white. Traces of white on the abdomen. 
4th stage. Shoulders white. Head not so black as in the second 
and third stages, but a few shades lighter, indicating the commence- 
ment of the change to grey. Below, from breast to vent, white. 
5th stage. Head grey or greyish-white. Below white, from breast to 
vent. 
6th stage. Head grey or greyish-white. Below, black from belly to 
vent, with, in some cases, traces of white on the lower abdomen. 
They consider stages six and seven to be of about the same 
period of the bird’s life, but that in some the white head is gained 
before the white belly, while in others the white belly is assumed 
before the head changes. 
7th stage. Grey, with greyish-white shoulders. 
8th stage. Grey, shoulders white. 
9th stage. Paler than seventh stage, becoming whitish-grey ; 
shoulders white. 
We can only say that, as far as the British Museum series goes, the 
observations of the above authors seem to be confirmed. 
Dr. Bradshaw collected a series in the Orange River district, and 
says that the species is tolerably plentiful about three miles from 
the river in rocky mountainous veldts. 
Page 249. SAaxICOLA ANDERSSONI. 
Is a stage of plumage of S. monticola. 
Page 250. PRatTINcOLA TORQUATA. 
Universally distributed and very abundant in the Newcastle district: 
breeds (B., F., and R.). 
bt eget ee ine 
a. 
