322 Dr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds 



observed on the kopjes. We did not succeed in finding a 



nest.] 



68. Petrophila brevipes. 



Monticola brevipes (Waterli.) ; Sharpe, ed. Layard, 

 pp. 221,816 (1875-84) ; Seebohm, Cat. B. v. p. 324 (1881). 

 Petrophila brevipes Sharpe, Hand-1. B. iv. p. 145 (1903). 



a. $ ad. Deelfontein, Jan. 7, 1902. [Tarsus 10.] 



b, c, d. S ad. „ May 5-22, 1902. [Tarsus 10-105.] 

 e. ? ad. „ May 23, 1902. [Tarsus 1-0.] 

 The travellers do not seem to have recognised the distinct- 

 ness of these two Rock-Thrushes, but P. brevipes is smaller, 

 -with a shorter tarsus, and has a hoary-white shade over the 

 head. The grey of the throat does not extend to the fore-neck, 

 and the rufous colour of the rump and under parts is paler 

 than in P. explorator. The female of P. brevipes is likewise 

 greyer above, and is more coarsely mottled with blackish on 

 the sides of the throat, which is very white in contrast ; the 

 rest of the under parts are brighter orange, with narrow black 

 margins to the feathers of the fore-neck and breast, so that 

 the bird does not appear to be striped as the female of 

 P. explorator is. 



It is a curious fact that both in the ' Catalogue of Birds' 

 and in the ' Hand-list ' the specific name of brevipes is 

 attributed to Strickland and Sclater instead of to the late 

 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse, who first described the species in 

 Alexander's 'Expedition of Discovery ' (1838). 



69. COSSYPHA CAFFRA. 



Cossypha caff r a (L.) ; Sharpe, ed. Layard, pp. 224, 816 

 (1875-84) ; id. Cat. B. vii. p. 39 (1883) ; Stark, Faun. 

 S. Afr., Birds, ii. p. 213 (1901) ; Sharpe, Hand-1. B. iv. 

 p. 163 (1903). 



a. ? ad. Deelfontein, July 3, 1902. 



The single specimen obtained has a very dark throat 

 and chest, approaching cinnamon, as contrasted with the 

 light orange-rufous throat and whitish chin of Natal birds. 

 The difference is not due to seasonal plumage, as specimens 

 killed in January and Julv are identical. Were it not that 



