330 Dr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds 



the ear-coverts distinctly brown, forming an auricular patch, 

 in contrast with rest of the plumage. 

 o. ? ad. Deelfontein, May 25, 1902. 

 An adult female which has completed its moult. The 

 plumage is somewhat greyer than at any other time of the 

 year, especially on the throat and under parts. 

 p. £ ad. Deelfontein, June 14, 1902. 

 This is a very puzzling specimen, and does not agree with any 

 of the stages accounted for by Butler, Feilden, and Reid. 

 It must be an old bird, as it has the outer tail-feathers 

 perfectly white, but the general colour of the plumage is 

 glossy black, the shoulder-patch, rump, and abdomen being, 

 however, pure white. The head under certain lights appears 

 to have a little browner shade than the back. 

 q. S ad. Deelfontein, July 22. 1902. 

 r. S ad. „ July 31, 1902. 



This is another extraordinary case, the general colour 

 being blackish with a very distinct wash of brown. The 

 head and neck are dull slaty grey. The shoulder-patch is 

 pure white with black bases to many of the median coverts. 

 The lower rump and upper tail-coverts are pure white, 

 the longer feathers of the latter having greyish-white tips. 

 The abdomen is hoary white, but obscured by a good many 

 brownish feathers. The outer tail-feathers are not pure 

 white, but have the black tips which seem to be a sign of 

 immaturity. 



.9. <J ad. Deelfontein, Aug. 2, 1902. 



r i his bird is black, above and below, though the primary 

 and secondary quills are much browner. The shoulder-patch 

 and upper tail-coverts are white (the longer coverts black). 

 Some of the feathers of the abdomen are tipped with white. 

 The three outer tail-feathers are tipped and margined on the 

 apical portion with black. The brown wings and tail seem 

 to belong to the first plumage ; the black dress otherwise 

 appears to be freshly assumed. 



r. S ad. Deelfontein, Aug. 5, 1902. 



An interesting bird in particoloured plumage — apparently 

 old, as it has the outer tail-feathers pure white. The head 

 and neck are light ashy grey, which shade extends over the 



