278 MOTACILLA CAPENSIS. 



is rather a local bird in Damara and Great Namaqualand, but 

 is found somewhat numerously in moist and humid localities, 

 and is also at times pretty freely met with on the sea-shore. 

 It occurs sometimes in small flocks. It captures its prey both 

 on the wing and by running along the ground, frequently 

 following in the wake of cattle and picking up such small 

 insects as may chance to be thus disturbed. The nest of this 

 Wagtail is found in a variety of situations, and is composed 

 of tendrils and soft pliable plants. The eggs are three or 

 four in number, and are generally of a yellow-drab tint, 

 profusely speckled with obscure spots of pale brown, especially 

 towards the larger end." The species is also recorded from 

 German South-western Africa by Mr. Fleck. 



Stark informs us that these Wagtails are resident on the 

 barren and waterless guano islands off the west coast, and 

 with regard to their breeding habits writes : " The nest, 

 usually commenced in September, is a somewhat bulky cup- 

 shaped structure, built of dry grass and dead leaves and lined 

 with short hairs and fur. It is often placed against the bank 

 of a river or stream, under a stone, or among the exposed 

 roots of a tree or bush, sometimes in the hole of a wall or 

 rock, and at others on a heap of driftwood. The eggs, three or 

 four in number, are buff-coloured, thickly spotted and mottled 

 all over with brown. They average about 0'84 x 0"56." 



Bradshaw found them very common along the Orange 

 river. Layard writes : " The ' Quick Stertje ' as it is called 

 by the colonists, is abundant throughout the colony, frequent- 

 ing the crowded cities equally with the outlying farmsteads," 

 and adds : " In the country, each farm-house and ' pondok ' 

 (mud-dwelling of Hottentot labourer) has its well-known pairs 

 of this engaging bird; and woe to the unlucky urchin who 

 dares to meddle with them or their nests ! To say that ' the 

 angels won't love them,' would be a blessing compared to the 



