ZOSTEROPS CAPENSIS. 189 



Type of Z. atmori, Sharpe. Similar, but with yellow of the head cross- 

 ing the base of the forehead. Total length 4'6 inches, culmen 0-4, wing 2-3, 

 tail 1-9, tarsus 0-7. 



The Cape White-eye is apparently confined to Africa south 

 of about 27° S. lat. 



Andersson writes : — " I have only once or twice observed 

 this species in the southernmost parts of great Namaqualand, 

 along the periodical watercourses bordered by mimosas ; but 

 from thence southwards it becomes more numerous, and at the 

 Cape and in many parts of the Colony it is abundant : a pair 

 or two may be seen any day in most of the gardens in the im- 

 mediate environs of the Cape." He met with these White-eyes 

 in small parties searching diligently amongst low bushes and 

 trees for insects and their larvae, and found their nests placed 

 at the extreme end of a branch. " The nest is very prettily 

 shaped, and is composed of loose tendrils interlaced, covered 

 with moss outside, and lined internally with hair, &c. The 

 eggs are four or five in number, and are said to be incubated 

 by both parents." 



Andersson collected specimens on Table Mountain in 

 November, at the Knysna in January. Victorin found the 

 species in Karroo. Mr. Kickard notes its occurrence at Port 

 Elizabeth and East London ; Mr. Atmore procured the type 

 of Z. atmori, Sharpe, at Grahamstown ; Captain Trevelyan 

 found them some sixty miles eastward at Kingwilliamstown, 

 and Mr. Gordge procured me a specimen at Durban in Natal, 

 which is the furthest known eastern range for the species. 

 Most of these specimens are now in the British Museum, and 

 on comparing them I have come to the conclusion that the 

 type of Z. atmori is only an abnormally coloured specimen of 

 Z. capensis. 



I met with the Cape White-eye in small pleasure parties in 

 the pine forests around the base of Table Mountain, where they 



