28.2 Mr. W. L. Sclutcr on Birch- cullectcd 



is borne out by two specimens from Bcira, both of which 

 are in the plumage of P. xanthostomus and are assuming 

 the darker dress of P. niger. There is also a specimen 

 from Durban, Natal, in the British Museum which shews 

 this even more clearly. Tiie Black Tit was not noted in 

 Natal or Zululand, but was found in the Eastern and North- 

 Kastern Transvaal, and the Inhanit)ane, Beira, Goi'ongoza, 

 and Tete districts of Portuguese East Africa. In the In- 

 hambane and Beira districts it was by no means plentiful, 

 but in the North-Eastern Transvaal it Avas especially so. 

 It was observed in pairs and family-parties, and frequented 

 the larger trees and the edges of tlie woods; it was active 

 ami continually on the move, searching every crevice of 

 the bark and every branch for insects, while uttering at 

 intervals its trilling call-notes, which reminded me, with 

 its alarm-iiotes, of the European Great Tit (Parus major). 

 In actions and habits it is a true Tit. 



The soft parts are: — Irides dark brown ; bill black ; legs 

 and toes dark slate-coloured. In the young the inside of 

 the gape of the mouth is yellow, which disappears and 

 darkens with age.] 



1<S2. .'EgITHALUS CAROI.l. 



Z. Umfolosi Station, Aug. (1) ; Tv. Woodhush, .May 

 (1) ; P. Coguno, July (1). 



This Penduline Tit was only noted from Southern Zulu- 

 land, the North-Eastern Transvaal, and the Inhauihane 

 district of the Portuguese country. In each of these 

 localities it was only observed on one occasion and each 

 time in small parties, which were diligently searching tiie 

 bushes for insects and uttering a low call-note. It is an 

 active little bird and iti many ways reminded me of the 

 Zoster ops. 



The soft parts are : — Irides hazel; bill, legs and toes slate- 

 coloured.] 



183. Urolestes melanolicucus. 



Z. Urafolosi Station, July ( i) ; Tv. Klein Letaba, July, 

 Aug., Sept. (8). 



