262 * Bl-RDS OP SOUTH AFRICA. 



toe, and robust ; the toes long and margined on their sides 

 with a membrane, and the hind toe usually long and slender ; 

 the claws short and curved. 



Genus PERISTERA, Swainson. 



Bill lengthened, slender ; wings pointed ; the second quill 

 longest ; tail moderate ; tarsi rather short ; lateral toes equal ; 

 hinder toe very short, not more than half the length of the 

 middle toe. 



512. Peristera Tympanistria. (Tsmm.) Pig., t. 



36 ; Golumba Tymjani stria, Temm. ; Tympanistria 

 Bicolor, Bp. ; Le Turterelle Tambourette, Le Vail, No. 

 272 ; Guv., Vol. 3, p. 83. 



GENERAL colour above, on the vent and tail-feaihers fuscous- 

 brorvh, with a few dark-green, iridescent spots about 

 the centre of the wing ; forehead, stripe ever the eye, and 

 the under parts, pure white ; inner webs of the wing-feathers 

 and flanks, clear rufous. Length, 8|" ; wing, 4J" ; tail, 2" 9'". 



Confined to the forest districts apparently. I found it common at 

 the Knysna ; but though continually heard, it was difficult to procure, 

 as it possesses the power of throwing its voice to a distance like a 

 ventriloquist, thus deceiving the hunter, who often ereeps from the 

 tree on, which the bird is actually perched. 



513. Peristera Afra. (Linn.) PL Eni. IGO ; Temm. 



Pig., t. 38, 39 ; Le Tourterelle Emeraudine, Le Vail,, 

 No. 271 ; Guv., Vol. 3, p. 83 ; Turtur Chalcospilos, 

 Wagler (Swain.), Nat. Lib., Vol. 11, p. 210. 



GENERAL colour above, cinereous- brown ; forehead, light 

 cinereous ; top of head, lead- coloured ; across the lower part 

 of the back is a white stripe, on each side of which is a broad 

 black one ; three narrow bands of the same colour extend 

 across the tail-coverts, the last one being on the tips of the 

 feathers ; on the centre of the wings are two or three large 

 spots of brilliant purple and green, while the inner webs of 

 the wing-feathers are bright rufous ; under plumage, vinace- 

 ous> lightest on the vent ; under surface of the tail, and 

 tail coverts, black ; the basal half of the outer web of the 

 former, and part of the three outer pair of the latter, white. 

 Length, 7J" ; wing, 4" '"; tail, 3J". 



Le Vaillant appears to have found this species abundant about the 

 Gamtoos, the Lourie, and Van Staden's Eivers, and throughout 

 Kafirland. Only one specimen has, however, reached my hands, and 

 for this the Mus'eum is indebted to Mr, J . D. Hugo, of Worcester, 



