Mr. T. Ayres on Ti*ans-Vaal Ornithology. 281 



and forwards over the driest end of the swamp with an ex- 

 ceedingly rapid flight, and were taking insects on the wing. 

 Though the birds were plentiful, they would seldom come 

 within range, and we only secured the specimen sent (an adult 

 male). This is the only time I have noticed them in this 

 part of the country. 



159. Milvus forskahli (Gmel.) . Yellow-billed Kite. 



160. Circabtus pectoralis, Smith. Black-breasted Har- 

 rier Eagle. 



161. Aquila n^evioides, Cuv. Tawny Eagle. 



162. Haliaetus vocifer (Daud.). African Sea-Eagle. 



163. Serpentarius secretarius (Scop.). Secretary bird. 



164. Hirundo albigularis, Strickl. Southern White- 

 throated Swallow. 



These Swallows breed sparsely in this part of the country. 



165. Hirundo cucullata, Bodd. Rousseline Swallow. 



A pair of these Swallows are now (30th December) breed- 

 ing in my bedroom. They have fixed their nest within a few 

 feet of my head ; and I hear them frequently talking to one 

 another in the middle of the night ; and in the early morning 

 it is pleasant to listen to their short but cheery song. The 

 little white-rumped Swifts (Cypselus caffer) tried several times 

 to turn them out when the nest was about half built ; and they 

 certainly would have done so, had not I prevented the rob- 

 bery. There is no fighting over the matter ; the Swifts simply 

 frighten the Swallows away by constantly flying close past, 

 making harsh cries ; and then, entering the nest, they take 

 possession. 



166. Cotyle cincta (Bodd.) . Brown-collared Martin. 



167. Alcedo semitorquata, Swains. Half-collared King- 

 fisher. 



168. Corythornis cristata (Linn.). Malachite-crested 

 Kingfisher. 



169. Sylvietta rufescens (Vieill.). South - African 

 Crombec. 



