Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 263 
CrsTICOLA CHINIANA (Smith). Large Grey-backed Fantail. 
This is decidedly a scarce bird about Potchefstroom. The 
specimen sent was shot on the rocky ranges about five miles 
from the town, amongst the mimosa-scrub; there were two 
of them, but the other escaped whilst I was picking up the 
one that I shot. 
Brapyornis sILens (Shaw). Silent Flycatcher. 
These birds are, I think, becoming more plentiful in this 
locality than they were a few years back; they are inveterate 
bee-eaters, and I see a pair which frequent my garden catch- 
ing the bees in the morning and evening as they fly from and 
to their hives. 
EstRELDA sQUAMIFRONS (Smith). Scaly-feathered Finch. 
Female, shot 15th September. Irides dark hazel; bill 
bright, but pale, rose-pink, the under mandible paler than 
the upper ; tarsi and feet dingy pale. The colours in these 
parts vary in intensity in different individuals. 
I found asmall company of these little fellows amongst the 
trees on the banks of the Vaal river, and another small com- 
pany within three miles of Potchefstroom, amongst the mi- 
mosa-scrub, feeding busily on the ground, and evidently 
seeking for grass-seeds; they are, however, uncommon just 
about here. 
PLocEPASSER MAHALI, Smith. Mahali Weaver bird. 
Male and female, shot 2nd and 8rd May. Ivides bright 
red-brown; tarsi and feet pale brown; bill, in the male, 
dusky, nearly black, in the female light dusky brown, paler 
on the under mandible. 
I met with a fair number of these birds amongst the large 
mimosa-trees that fringe the banks of the Rhinoster river, on 
the Free-State side of the Vaal. 
FRINGILLARIA VITTATA, Swains. Rock-Bunting. 
Both this species and F. tahapisi frequent the same loca- 
lities on the rocky ranges near Potchefstroom, where there is 
stunted bush amongst rocks and stones. 
