12 Dr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds 



had nearly completed their moult, except for the outermost 

 primaries. 



c $ . Deelfontein, May 7, 1900. 



[This species was found from March to May, but was 

 not common. It occurred in twos and threes on bare 

 patches of the veldt, generally along a road. We did not 

 find a nest.] 



17. Rhinoptilus africanus. 



Cursorius bicinctus (Temm.); Sharpe, ed. Layard, pp.654, 

 855 (1884). 



Rhinoptilus bicinctus Sharpe, Cat. B. xxiv. p. 43 (1898) ; 

 id. Hand-1. B. i. p. 170 (1899) • id. Bull. B. 0. C. xii. p. 2 

 (1901). 



Rhinoptilus africanus (Temm.) ; Reichenow, Vog. Afrikas, i. 

 p. 159 (1900). 



a. S ad. Deelfontein, Feb. 9, 1901. 



b, c. $ ad. „ Feb. 1G-20, 190.2. 



d. ? ad. „ May 9, 1902. 



e. S ad. „ July 4, 1902. 

 /. ? ad. „ Sept. 8, 1902. 

 g. c? ad. „ Oct. 28, 1902. 



The series shews a graduation from a dark to a light sandy 

 rufous aspect of the upper surface. The darker specimens 

 are those which have newly moulted in February; and at that 

 time of year both the upper and under surface of the body 

 are much intensified in colour, wliile specimens obtained 

 in November, when the plumage has become worn from 

 exposure, are very much paler. 



[This Courser was a fairly common resident throughout 

 the year, being generally seen in pairs. The birds are 

 very swift runners, and when put up only go a few yards 

 before settling again. They become very tame in captivity, 

 especially young birds brought up by hand.] 



18. Glareola melanoptera. 



Glareola melanoptera Nordm.; Sharpo, ed. Layard, 

 pp. 050, 855 (1884) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xxiv. p. 57 (1896) ; 

 id. Hand-1. B. i. p. 171 (1899) : Reichenow, t. c. p. 115 

 L900). 



