464 Mr. J. H. Gurney on additional Species 



This species seems to be equally distributed through Natal and 

 the Transvaal. 



Circus RANivoRUs (Daud.). Le Vaillant^s Harrier. (No. 24, 

 Ibis, 1859, p. 242; 1860, p. 204.) 



These Harriers are exceedingly plentiful about the reedy 

 swamps of the Transvaal; and, during the summer months, 

 they appear to congregate towards evening over one particular 

 portion of a swamp, flying and wheeling round and round till 

 darkness puts an end to their meeting, when they retire singly 

 or in pairs to their beds amongst the high rushes. I have 

 counted as many as thirty in these assemblies ; they are easily 

 shot in the dusk of the evening, their sight being apparently 

 anything but good at that time. 



CoTYLE PALUSTRTS {^teph.) ; Hiru7ido paIudicola,Yie\\\. South- 

 African Sand-Martin. (No. 219, Ibis, 1864, p. 347.) 



This Martin is as common in the Transvaal in June and July 

 as it is in the upper districts of Natal. They are fond of 

 following the course of a river, skimming along with rather 

 eccentric flight within a few feet of the surface of the water. 



Specimens with the under parts dark and entirely whole- 

 coloured, are to be seen in company with the white-bellied birds, 

 but are not nearly so common. 



[The whole-coloured variety of this Martin is mentioned by 

 Mr. Layard (B. S. Afr. p. 58, No. 91).— J. H. G.] 



Pratincola rubicola (Linn.); P. pastor, Strickland. Stone- 

 chat. (No. 77, Ibis, 1860, p. 208; 1868, p. 157.) 



This species is common throughout the Transvaal, breeding 

 in walls and banks. 



SAXTcoiiA MONTicoLA, Vieill. Mountain-Whcatear. (No. 290, 

 Ibis, 1868, p. 44.) 



These Chats are to be found in many localities in the open 

 country of the Transvaal, frequenting rocky situations. Their 

 nests are generally placed in crevices within a few feet of the 

 ground ; but at some of the farmhouses they may be seen having 

 taken possession of an unfinished Swallow's nest under the 

 eaves, where, if not interfered with, they become exceedingly 

 tame. Though sombre in colour, they immediately attract the 



