104? BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



white: this colour extending in a line over the eye ; top of 

 the head black ; a stripe of the same colour extends from the 

 corner of the bill down the sides of the neck, and forms a 

 broad collar across the breast ; chin, throat, and belly white, 

 the latter tinted with rufous, which becomes stronger on the 

 flanks and vent ; centre tail-feathers all dark-brown, the basal 

 half of the rest white. Length, 6" 9'" 5 wing, 3" 9'" ; tail, 

 2" 10"'. 



The above description was taken from a fresh-killed speci- 

 men "still in the flesh," on the 19th of June. 



This is one of the most favoured and favourite birds of the colony, 

 over the whole of which it extends. He is protected and petted on 

 account of his own natural sweet notes, and for his great powers of 

 imitation. Perched on a white-ant's nest, he pours out a flood of 

 song, chaunting long into the darkening twilight, when other song- 

 sters are gone to rest ; and the morning light scarcely suffices to enable 

 you to see the musician, ere he again commences his mellow notes 

 or imitations. 



He is a favourite with the farmer and the shepherd the master and 

 the man : the good-wife also casts a kindly eye on him, as he flirts his 

 tail and wings on the mud wall of her little garden, and thumps her 

 'young hopeful'' who, unable to resist the tempting shot, is about 

 to " sliy a stone at him." 



He breeds in the rat-holes, close to the houses, or out in the fields, 

 and if wounded retreats into the first he comes to. He runs along tke 

 ground with great rapidity, and seldom alights on bushes never, 

 perhaps, on trees. If frightened from one stone, he flits to another, 

 and in alighting opens his tail, so as to show the white patch, on his 

 rump. He is usually perched on an ant-hill, in most cases sees you 

 before you see him, and acts accordingly ! 



193. Saxicola Bifasciata, Tem., PL Coi. PL 472, 



Fig. 2 ; Sax. Spectabilis, Hart. Ibis. 



MALE. Top of head dark-brown, mottled with black ; back 

 and neck reddish-brown, mottled with black ; rump clear 

 yellowish-brown : the same colour prevails over the whole of 

 the lower parts, except the throat, and a little way on the 

 chest, where is a rich black patch extending to the head, 

 and including the eye and ear ; a yellowish-brown stripe 

 passes from the nape of the neck on the one side, over the 

 eyes and nostrils, to the nape of the neck on the other side ; 

 tail and secondary wing-feathers black ; quill-feathers brown. 

 Length, 7" ; wing, 3" 6'" ; tail, 2" 6'". 



FEMALE. Wants the black markings, and is altogether 

 less brilliant, the yellows being rufous, and the tail and wings 

 dull- brown. 



This handsome species much resembles S. Pileata, but is a stronger- 

 looking bird. It was first sent by Capt. Bulger from Wiudvogel- 

 berg, but is also common near Graham's Town. Mrs. Barber writes : 



" Highlands, June 22, 1865. The contents of the Museum box are 



