h'j Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa. AW 



307. Saxicola moxticola. 



CC. Klipfontein, Apl., May, June (7) ; Tv. AVakkcr- 

 stroom, Apl. (]). 



There are seven males and one female of this remarkable 

 Cliat in the colh-ction. Of the seven males, two dated 

 iMay 8 and June 18 are in what I have termed stage o 

 in the ' Birds of South Africa/ i. e., black with white 

 shoulders and abdomen ; another pair of males, dated 

 April 5 and 29, are in stage o, in which the crown is grey 

 and the white of the abdomen is not nearly so conspicuous — 

 ill fact, it appears to be gradually wearing oft' ; finally, three 

 males, dated Klipfontein, Auril 17 and 24, and AVakker- 

 strooni, April 11, are in stage 6 — grey with white shoulders, 

 — and in one of these there are a few black feathers on the 

 breast, which seem to be disappearing. I fear that these 

 examples do not throw much more light on the plumage- 

 changes of this interesting species. 



[This Chat was common in Namaqualand, but wild, 

 and it was not seen again till Wakkerstroom was reached, 

 when a single pair Avas met with, the male being secured. 

 It was usually observed in pairs, and frequented the rocky 

 sides of the hills and mountains. The call is a clear whistle 

 and the fliglit is swift. It is somewhat wary and difficult of 

 approach. 



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

 toes black.] 



308. Saxicola pileata. 



CC. Klipfontein, Apl, iNlay, June, Jidy (13); Durban 

 Rd., Mch. (1) ; Tv. Woodbush, June (6). 



The examples from the North-Eastern Transvaal are inter- 

 mediate between this, the typical form, and S. p. living stonii. 

 The white on the forehead is more restricted, but the black 

 band is of much the same breadth as in s[)ecimens from 

 Namaqualand. It seems to me best to refer these birds to 

 (S'. pileata. 



[This Wheatear was very common in Namaqualand ; but 

 only an occasional individual was seen in the Cape Penin- 

 sula, and it was not observed elsewhere, except at Woodbush. 



