44 Mr. J. H. Gurney on additional Species of Birds 



their atteution is attracted by some flower or by others of their 

 owD species. 



288. Irrisor cyanomelas (Vieill.). Little Blue-and-black 

 Irrisor. 



Total length 10*5 inches ; iris dusky ; bill and feet black. 



These Hoopoes are very scarce in Natal, mostly frequenting 

 the inland thorn-bush, though occasionally found near the coast. 

 They are always seen either singly or in pairs (not in families, 

 like /. erythrorhynchus) , and may be seen creeping about the 

 thorn-trees, picking beetles and other insects from the crevices 

 of the rough bark . The hen bird sent was busily engaged upon 

 a swarm of white ants, which had worked their way up on the 

 surface of a tree. 



[The male bird sent exhibits the accidental peculiarity of 

 three white contiguous feathers in the upper covert of the left 

 wing. 



Judging from collections sent to this country by Mr. Anders- 

 son, I should suppose this species to be much more abundant in 

 Damara Land than in Natal. — J. H. G.] 



289. Saxicola bifasciata, Temm. Bifasciated Wheatear. 

 Male. Iris dusky ; bill, tarsi, and feet black. 



These birds I found near the Upper Movi River ; but they are 

 more plentiful on the Drankensberg, in the Transvaal Republic, 

 frequenting rocky hills and feeding on insects. 



290. Saxicola monticola (Vieill,). Mountain- Wheatear. 

 Iris dusky -, bill, tarsi, and feet black. 



This bird I shot in the Free State of Transvaal, but I also 

 saw one on the banks of a small stream near the Jugela in Natal. 

 It appears to be solitary in its habits, frequenting the steep 

 banks of rivers, and is very shy and scarce. It moves the tail 

 up and down precisely as the Wagtails do. The stomach of the 

 one I obtained was well filled with insects. 



291. Myrmecocichla formicivora (Vieill,). Ant-eating 

 Wheatear. 



Female. Bill, tarsi, and feet black. 



I first met with this Chat near the Jugela River in the upper 

 district of Natal, and found that it gradually became more plen- 



