from the Colony of Natal. 47 



" Supra brunnea, subtus niulto pallidior, fulvo-brunnescens, 

 subalaribus sordide albidis ; remigibus et rectricibus fuscis, 

 dorsi colore marginatis ; rostro et pedibus nigricantibus ; 

 rostro parvo, breviusculo, incrassato. 

 "Long, circa 4"; rostr. 34'"; al. 2^"; caud. 1" 7'"; tars. 7|"'." 

 As it appears to me that, even if the present specimen be a 

 young bird, it in all probability belongs to a new and unde- 

 fined species, I here include it as such under the specific appel- 

 lation suggested by Dr. Hartlaub, to whom I am much in- 

 debted for the careful diagnosis inserted above. — J. H. G.] 



297. CoLius CAPENsis (Gmel.) . White-backed Coly. 



Male. Irides greyish white ; bill black at the tip, dark crim- 

 son at the base, as is the cere also ; bare skin round the eye 

 bright scarlet ; tarsi and feet dark pink. The sexes appear to 

 be similar in plumage. 



These birds are entirely fructivorous. They live in companies, 

 and are by no means so common as C. striatus [Ibis, 1860, 

 p. 213]; but their habits are very similar to those of that species, 

 except that they are more shy and take wing more readily. In 

 this Coly the tarsus acts apparently as a heel, being quite rough 

 from constant use in climbing. 



298. TuRTUR SENEGALENsis (Linu.). Senegal Turtle-Dove. 

 Male. Iris dark brown. 



Given to me by the late Mr. Norris. I am unacquainted with 

 its habits. 



299. Peristera LARVATA (Tcmni.) . White-masked Dove. 

 Male. Iris double, inner circle dusky, outer pink ; eyelids and 



bare skin pink; bill black; tarsi and feet dark pink. 



These Pigeons inhabit the dense bush along the coast of Natal, 

 and are generally seen on the ground, silently and busily seek- 

 ing for food. They are rather shy birds, and not easy to obtain. 

 The best method of doing so is to sit still in those parts of the 

 bush which they frequent, when they soon begin to move about ; 

 otherwise they watch from their thick covert any intruder who 

 approaches, and, when he comes within a few yards, fly up with 

 much bustle and are immediately out of sight. Their note is a 

 low melancholy " coo-coo," rather prolonged and very guttural. 

 There is not much difference in the plumage of the sexes ; but 



