from the Colony of Natal. 265 



constantly perched on a horizontal iron bar which supported 

 the chimney of a house^ and was passed through the roof. 



252. Melittophagus bullockoides. Smith. Greater South 

 African Bee-eater. 



From the Monocusi Kiver. Iris, bill, tarsi, and feet black. 



253. Halcyon senegalensis, Linn. Senegal Kingfisher. 

 These birds were collected to the north-east of Natal, at the 



mouth of the Monocusi River. The irides of this Halcyon are 

 dusky ; the tarsi and feet black. In the bill the upper mandi- 

 ble is red, and the lower black. 



254. Halcyon senegaloides, Smith. Man grove -King- 

 fisher. 



Male. Iris dark brown ; bill deep red ; tarsi and feet dark 

 reddish yellow. 



In the Female the bill is dusky towards the tip, and the plu- 

 mage duller. 



These birds, as far as I know, are only found among the man- 

 groves which line the bay ; they feed principally upon small 

 crabs, though fish are sometimes taken by them. They are 

 generally found singly or in pairs, and are only here during the 

 winter months, leaving us on the approach of summer; they 

 are rather shy birds, and dive into the dense mangrove-bush 

 when alarmed. 



255. Upupa minor, Shaw. 



Male and Female. Iris dusky brown ; bill dusky, pale at the 

 base ; tarsi and feet dusky brown. The female is smaller than 

 the male. 



These birds are very scarce in Natal ; when found they are 

 generally solitary, only very occasionally a pair are together. I 

 know little or nothing of their habits from personal observa- 

 tion; they often feed on the ground, and are very shy generally. 



256. Sylvietta micrura, Riipp. Short-tailed Creeper. 

 Female. Shot by Mr. Norris whilst it was creeping about 



in some dense underwood. Very uncommon here. 



[The collections formed in Damara Land by Mr. Andersson 

 contained several examples of this curious species. — J. H. G.] 



