Birds from South Africa. 529 



76. Saxicola monticola. (1276.) 



Common at Bloemfontein and Ingogo. I found two or 

 three nests — one in the wall of a fort, another under a 

 boulder on a kopje. The grey form was uncommon at 

 Ingogo. At Bloemfontein some of the grey birds had 

 white shoulder-patches, others had not. I saw one dark male 

 there with a white head. This is a strong-flying and active 

 bird. 



77. Myrmecocichla bifasciata. (1279.) 



This bird seems to resemble our Whinchat in its habits, 

 and to prefer perching on bushes. It is common on the 

 lower slopes of Inkwelo and Majuba. 



78. Myrmecocichla formicivora. (1281.) 

 Bloemfontein and Ingogo. This Chat is very common 



round Bloemfontein wherever there are ant-hills. The cock 

 sings well; he has also a habit of hovering in the air. 

 Although often scattered about, these birds seem to keep in 

 family parties during the winter, and when a broken ant-hill 

 has been found they quickly unite. I have seen them appa- 

 rently shew considerable sympathy or curiosity when one 

 of their party was wounded. They perch on bushes and 

 buildings as well as on ( ant-hills ; I have seen one singing 

 on the sail of a windmill and frequently on a tent-pole. 

 They nest in holes, apparently excavated by themselves to 

 a depth of four or five feet. I took a nest with four hard- 

 set eggs on October 1st. The eggs are white. 



79. Pachyprora capensis. (1360.) 



I obtained specimens of this bird in dense bush in a 

 kloof near Majuba Hill. 



80. Cotile cincta. (1400.) 



Bloemfontein. This species nests in single pairs in the 

 banks of the spruits. I opened one or two holes and found 

 that the eggs had not been laid on Nov. 13th. This is a 

 bird of rather heavy flight for a Swallow. 



81. COTILE PALUDICOLA. (1402.) 



Locally abundant at Bloemfontein in winter. 



