32G Br. ft. B. Sharpe on Birds 



a. 9 juv. Deelfontein, Jan. 8, 1901. 



b, c. S ; d. ? ad. Deelfontein, May 15, 1902. 

 e. ? ad. Deelfonteiu, Oct. 10, 1902. 



There is a very distinct sinuation at the end of the first 

 long primary (2nd), and thus Saxicola layardi must be 

 placed in Poliocichla, or the variation in sinuation shown by 

 the different species must be considered to prove the worth- 

 lessness of the character, and all the species replaced in the 

 genus Saxicola. 



P. layardi finds its natural position near P. sinuata and 

 closely resembles it in colour. It is, however, distinguished 

 by its creamy-white upper tail-coverts and base of tail, 

 which are rufous in P. sinuata. 



The nestling is much lighter than in P. sinuata, the sandy 

 spots are very much paler, and the upper tail-coverts are 

 conspicuously sandy white, not rufous. 



[Not very common, and rather shy. Found on the rocky 

 flats.] 



75. Saxicola familiaris. 



Saxicola galtoni Strickl. ; Sharpe, ed. Layard, pp. 234, 

 818 (1875-84) ; Seebohm, Cat. B. v. p. 390 (1881) ; Stark, 

 Faun. S. Afr., Birds, ii. p. 201 (1901). 



Saxicola familiaris Steph. ; Sharpe, Hand-1. B. iv. p. 175 

 (1903). 



a, b. ? ad. et S juv. Deelfontein, Feb. 12 & 28, 1902. 

 Iris dark brown ; bill and feet black. 



c-e. d 2 ad. Deelfontein, March 5 & 13, 1902. 



/. S ad. „ April 2, 1902. 



g-l. S ? ad. „ May 5-31, 1902. 



m, n. <$ ? ad. „ June 3, 1902. 



o. ? 2 ad. „ Aug. 5, 1902. 



p. S ad. „ Oct. 24, 1902. 



There is apparently no difference in colour between the 

 sexes, and the young, after losing the spotted plumage, moult 

 into a dark brown dress, which later becomes a little paler 

 and more ashy brown from August to the breeding-season. 



In all these Deelfontein birds there is a broad and distinct 



