170 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



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

 scales ; the toes long, strong, the lateral one unequal, and the 

 hind toe long and strong. 



Genus JUIDA, Less. 



Bill moderate, more or less slender, the sides compressed, 

 and the culmen slightly curved to the tip, which is emargi- 

 nated ; the gonys long and slightly advancing upwards ; the 

 nostrils basal, lateral, and sunk, with the feathers advancing 

 to the opening, which is exposed and oval ; wings moderate 

 and pointed, with the first quill short, and the second rather 

 shorter than the third, fourth, and fifth, winch are the 

 longest ; tail more or less long, alightly rounded, or much 

 graduated ; tarsi about the length of the middle toe, robust, 

 and covered with broad scales ; toes rather long, strong, and 

 roughly scaled, the lateral toes unequal, the outer one longer 

 than the inner, the hind toe long and robust ; the claws 

 strong, short, slightly curved, and compressed. 



335. Jllida AustrallS. (A. Smith.) Lamprotornis 

 Burcliellii, Smith, Zool. S. A., PL 47 ; Megalopterus 

 Australia, Smith, Kept, of Exp., p. 52. 



PLUMAGE, a bright resplendent green ; ears violet-purple, 

 with a half collar of the same colour on the back of the neck ; 

 belly green- blue, with a steel gloss ; tail graduated, the 

 outermost feather of each side three inches shorter than the 

 two centre ones. Length, 13" 6'" ; wing, 7" 6'" ; tail, 6" 9'". 



This fine bird was discovered by the expedition under Dr. Smith, in 

 lat. 25 south. It was rarely seen to leave high trees, but to seek its 

 food, which consisted of fruit and insects, exclusively upon them. 



I have received it from the Transvaal Republic, through Mr. Arnot ; 

 and from Damaraland, through Messrs. Andersson, Kisch, Green, and 

 Chapman. 



t 336. Jllida CEnca. (Linn.) Lamprotornis Longi- 

 canda, Sw., Nat. Lib., VoL II., p. 148 ; Le Vert Dort, 

 Le Vail, PL 87; Turdus (Emus, Auct. ; Blipp. Neue 

 Wirbelth. Voeg., p. 25. 



HEAD metallic- green, glossed with violet-brown ; tail very 

 long, graduated, glossed with purple, and banded with 

 numerous dark lines; body shining bluish-green ; purple on 

 the lower part of the back, rump, belly, and vent. Length, 

 20" ; wing, 8" ; tail beyond, 9 J". 



According to Le Vaillant, this species is found in large flocks in 

 Great Namaqualand ; but are very difficult to procure, owing to their 

 shyness. They feed on berries and on worms. I have never seen it in 

 any of the collections formed there. It is a West African bird. 



