Birds from South Africa. 525 



in the fruit-trees. It cuts off all the leaves and twigs near 

 its nest, except those by which the structure hangs. This 

 bird is much disliked by the farmers, as it is so destructive 

 to the fruit-trees. The eggs vary greatly in colour. 



41. Lamprocolius phojxicopterus. (598.) 

 Bloemfontein. Common. Iris golden yellow ; feet and 



bill black. 



42. Spreo bicolok. (608.) 



Bloemfontein. Common. Nesting in the banks of the 

 larger spruits. Iris straw-yellow ; feet black ; bill brownish 

 black ; base of lower mandible and cere at gape yellow. 



43. Amydrus morio. (610.) 



Bloemfontein and Ingogo. A small flock of these birds 

 was met with twice near Bloemfontein ; at Ingogo they were 

 very abundant. Bill and feet black ; iris dark brown. 



44. DlLOPHUS CARUNCULATUS. (630.) 



Bloemfontein, common. I saw no specimens bearing 

 wattles. 



45. BUPHAGA ERYTHRORHYNCHA. (577.) 



At Ingogo a pair or two of this Oxpecker were generally 

 to be seen at the same place, perched on the ponies or cattle 

 while grazing. 



46. Cokvus capensis. (639.) 



I often saw a pair of these Crows at Ingogo, and once four 

 together. They frequented the grassy slopes of the moun- 

 tains, and were commonly seen perched on trees or bushes. 

 I never saw them at carrion. 



47. Dicrurus afer. (646.) 



Common in the Modder Bush and at Bloemfontein, but 

 very shy, probably because they are frequently pursued by 

 farmers on account of their killing the bees. 



48. Fiscus collaris. (693.) 



Bloemfontein and Ingogo. I shot one in the act of 

 carrying off a Cape Robin (Cossypha caffra). The speci- 

 mens procured were all males. 



