TUBDID^E. 137 



moderate ; the lateral toes unequal, the outer one slightly 

 uuited at the base ; the hind toe long, strong, and armed with 

 a prominent claw, 



258. Criniger Importunus ; Trickopkorus 



poriunus; Turdus Importunus, Vieil, Ency. Meth., 

 p. 662 ; Guv., Vol. 6, p. 378 ; ISImportun, Le Vail., 

 PL 106 ; Bosclivogel of Colonists ; Turdus Clamosus, 

 Steph. ; A ndropadus Veciferus et A. Familiaris, 

 Swain. ; T. Brachypolioides, Jard. 



GENERAL colour, uniform dull olive -green ; lightest on the 

 under side ; feathers of the wings and tail edged with yel- 

 low; some thin, long, hair-like bristles protrude from the 

 back of the head ; eye very pale yellow. Length, 7" 9'" ; 

 wing, 3" 9'" ; tail, 3" 9'". 



" L'lmportun " of Le Vaillant is not very rare in the neighbourhood 

 of Cape Town, but does not manifest its presence by its importunity, 

 as indicated by that author. I have generally found it in thickets, 

 moving quietly about in search of insects, and darting upon them 

 while at rest. I have sometimes, but rarely, seen it on the ground, 

 scraping among dead leaves. 



Le vaillant found it very plentiful from Duivenhok's River to 

 Algoa Bay ; and Messrs. Atmore and Cairncross have sent it from 

 Swellendam. Le Vaillant states that it builds on branches of large 

 trees, and lays four Or five eggs, marked with olive- colour. It has a 

 clear, shrill, single piping note, and will readily come to any one who 

 knows its call and can imitate it. 



259. Criniger Plaviventris ; Tnckophorua 



viventris, Smith, Zool. S. A., PL 59. 



UPPER parts of head, back, rump, and tail, olive-brown ; 

 outer vanes of some of the quill-feathers slightly edged with 

 green ; chin and throat, pale straw-yellow ; breast and flanks, 

 greenish-yellow ; centre of belly and vent, yellow ; bill, legs, 

 and toes, a dark horn-colour. Length from point of bill to 

 tip of tail, 9" ; wing, 4" ; tail, 4" 2'". 



Inhabits tlie country near Port Natal; is entirely confined to 

 thickets, among which it searches for insects, never descending to the 

 ground. Dr. A. Smith loc. cit. 



o Genus PYCNONOTUS, Kuhl. 



Bill more or less short, and broad at the base, with the 

 culmen curved, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is 

 emarginated ; the gonys short and ascending ; the gape 

 furnished with a few short, weak bristles ; the nostrils basal, 



