360 Bird-Notes from South Africa. 



Bulawayo, where we parted from our East Coast contingent, 

 and throughout the whole distance had once more the pleasure 

 of being surrounded by the beautiful species mentioned 

 above, while between the Diamond-fields and Cape Town 

 many black-and-white Chats (? sp.) frequented the veldt, 

 and at one of the stations Hirundo cucullata had its nest 

 on the dwelling-house. At another station near a river I 

 put up two Secretary-birds, which flew away in a leisurely 

 manner looking like a pair of Herons ; but some members 

 of the party had seen examples previously. 



During our final three days' stay at Cape Town I was able 

 to make two ornithological excursions. The first was to the 

 Cape Flats, once more in company of Mr. Fairbridge, when 

 we added to our former list Circus ranivorus, Estrilda astrilda, 

 Pyromelana oryx, Bradypterus brachypterus, Ardea melano- 

 cephala, Serinus flaviventris, and S. canicollis. In a low 

 shrub we found a nest of the last species with fresh eggs, 

 and so tame was the female that she continued to sit on them 

 while we examined her, and only pecked our fingers. I pur- 

 posely dislodged her to look at the eggs, but she never left 

 the edge of the nest, and fought and uttered cries with the 

 utmost determination. When my hand was withdrawn she 

 settled again upon the eggs at once — a wonderful exhibition 

 of fearlessness. Hirundo cucullata and Cotile paludicola were 

 also observed. Leaving the Flats we proceeded to the Race- 

 course near Kenilworth, where a pair of Secretary-birds 

 were reported to be breeding. They were not, however, to 

 be seen and we had to content ourselves with a sight of the 

 lovely flowers — terrestrial orchids, heaths, Sparaxis, Morea, 

 Lachenalia, and so forth, which were now beginning to cover 

 the ground in profusion. Macronyx capensis and Anthus 

 pyrrhonotus were the only birds of importance noticed. 



The next day a small party was conducted to the top of 

 Table Mountain by Mr. W. L. Sclater, ascending to the 

 Reservoir and returning by the Skeleton Gorge. The 

 Proteas were nearly past, but the heaths were still in full 

 beauty and other plants were now in flower. We had the 

 good fortune during the ascent to fall in with a pair of the 



