from the Colony of Natal. 273 



following the waves as they retire, and obtaining their food on 

 the very edge of the water. Their flight is very rapid. 

 [The specimens sent are in full winter dress. — J. H. G.] 



283. Ortygometra pyom^a (Vieill.). Baillon's Crake. 



Male. Iris brownish red j bill bright green, dusky on the 

 ridge; tarsi and feet ashy-green. 



This pretty little Crake I have only found in the vicinity of 

 Maritzburgj it inhabits the swamps and rushy pools, creeping 

 amongst the weeds and grass on the edges in search of food j 

 when disturbed it flies but a few yards, and drops suddenly into 

 the weed almost before the gun can be got to the shoulder, and 

 is, therefore, not very easy to shoot; the early morning is the 

 best time to look for these birds. 



[This species has also been obtained in Damara Land by Mr, 

 Andersson. — J. H. G.] 



The following remarks apply to species which have been 

 already enumerated in the previous lists of Natal birds. 



Telephonus ERYTHKOPTERUS (Shaw). Tchagra Shrike. (No. 

 87, Ibis, 1860, p. 211.) 



Male and Female. Irides dusky hazel ; the bill black ; the tarsi 

 and feet light ash- colour. 



This Shrike frequents the dense underwood and jungle, 

 occasionally it is found in more detached bushes; its flight is 

 weak, and it therefore trusts most to hiding for safety in the 

 matted coverts ; its notes are harsh ; the food consists, I 

 believe, entirely of insects; during its short flight the tail is 

 frequently expanded, which gives the bird rather a showy 

 appearance. 



Drymceca curvirostris, Sundev. Curve-billed Drymoeca. 

 (No. 195, Ibis, 1863, p. 323.) 



Male. Iris light brown; bill black, the under mandible 

 being ash-colour towards the tip; tarsi and feet pale; total 

 length 6^ inches. The gape and mouth are hlack. 



Female. Tarsi same colour as in the male, but more slender; 

 bill, the upper mandible dusky, the under pale; the gape, 

 mouth, and tongue pale ; size smaller than the male, 



N.S. VOL. I. u 



