58 Mr. W. L. Sclater on Birds collected 



719. HOPLOPTERUS ARMATUS, 



Tv. Klein Letaba, July, Aug. (2) ; P. Tete, Aug. 

 (1 imm.). 



[I have only seen this species in the low country of the 

 Transvaal, in Beira Harbour, and near the Zambesi on the 

 Mazoe and Luenya Rivers. It is generally observed in pairs ; 

 the cry is sharp and clear, and exactly resembles the clink 

 made by striking a ]nece of iron on a stone. The first time 

 I heard the call on the Klein Letaba I thought that it 

 was the sound of a native hammering his assegai straight, 

 and it was many seconds before 1 realized that it was 

 the call of this Plover. 



The irides are crimson-lake ; the beak, legs, and toes 

 black.] 



720. Stepiianibyx coronatus. 

 Z. Umfolosi Station, July (3). 

 [" Kiewitje " of the Colonists. 



The Kiewitje is most commonly found in high country 

 and always frequents open plains or grass-lauds. I have 

 observed it in Namaqualand, near Pietersburg, in the high 

 country at White River, and on the flats at Umfolosi Station, 

 Zululand. At the last locality it was found consorting 

 with the following two species. It is by no means shy ; 

 generally on being disturbed it flies round in circles, often 

 well within gunshot, and at the same time advises the 

 countryside that there is an intruder about. The colonial 

 name is derived from the call. 



The soft parts of an adult are : — Irides yellow ; bill dull 

 crimson, tip black ; legs and toes red.] 



721. Stkphanibyx melanopterus. 

 Z. Umfolosi Station, June, July (7). 



[This bird was very common on the Umfolosi Flats, being 

 found in company with S. coronatus and 8. inornatus, both 

 of which it resembles in general liabits and cry. 



The soft parts are : — Irides pale yellow ; base of bill and 

 legs dark crimson.] 



