TURDID^E. 125 



fourth, and sometimes the fifth, the longest ; the tail long, 

 broad, even, or graduated ; the tarsi long, and covered with 

 an entire scale, or several broad scales, in front ; the toes 

 long, the outer one longer than the inner, and united at the 

 base ; the hind toe long and strong ; the claws moderate, 

 curved, and acute. 



Genus CHJETOPS, Swainson. 



Bill moderate, thrush-like, notched ; nostrils basal, large, 

 naked, membranaceous, the aperture lateral and linear; 

 frontal feathers rigid, the shafts composed of bristles ; chin- 

 feathers the same, but weaker; rictus bristled; wings very 

 short and rounded ; tail rather lengthened, broad, convex, 

 soft, and slightly rounded ; tarsi very long and strong, 

 anterior scales divided ; lateral toes unequal ; claws small, 

 obtuse, and slightly curved, the three anterior of equal size. 



234. ChsetOpS PrenatUS, Temm. ; Chcetops Bur- 

 chelli, Sw. 



UPPER parts of head and back, ash-coloured, the centre of 

 each feather being very dark ; rump, chest, and belly, bright 

 red-brown ; vent and thighs ash-coloured ; head with a white 

 eyebrow and moustache ; throat and cheeks black ; wings 

 black-brown, some of the feathers edged with rufous ash; 

 secondaries tipped with white, causing the wing to appear 

 crossed with a white bar ; shoulders spotted with white, a few 

 spots of the same colour between the white bar and the 

 shoulder ; tail-feathers, with the exception of the centre pair, 

 tipt with white ; legs, claws, and bill, black ; eye bright- 

 red; plumage very lax and fluffy, particularly about the 

 rump : on being raised on this spot, it will be found to be 

 ash- coloured, like the back,, the rufous tint being quite super- 

 ficial. Length, 9"; wing, 3" 7'"; tail, 3" 7'"; tarsus, 1" 7'". 



This bird is, as far as I yet know, peculiar to the mountain ranges 

 between Caledou and Swellendam. It frequents the tops of the hills 

 and high elevations on their stony sides, and seeks its food, consist- 

 ing of insects, about stones and rocks. In habits it much resembles 

 the Rock Thrush, and, like it, is fond of perching on the summit of 

 some conspicuous stone or ant-hill, from which it surveys the surround- 

 ing prospect, and seeks for safety by immediate flight on perceiving 

 the approach of a foe. It pro/resses by a series of enormous hops, its 

 powerful legs being well suited to this end ; while its strong pointed 

 ciaws enables it to traverse with ease the inclined surfaces of slip- 

 pery rocks. It conceals itself readily iu holes, and, if wounded, seeks 

 such a retreat in which to die. Generally found in small families of 

 three or four individuals. 



