Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 265 
gratory, for a month or two after the breeding-season the 
grass-lands they inhabit are silent, and the songsters are no 
longer there. The cock birds are of a jealous disposition, 
and are constantly seen chasing away the would-be admirers 
of their particular inamoratas ; the hen birds are silent and 
retiring, and in consequence are not easily obtained. 
MrGALOPHONUS RUFIPILEUS (Vieill.). Fasciolated Lark. 
Male, shot 15th January. Stomach contained cater- 
pillars &e. 
This bird is called amongst the farmers the “ Rain-bird,” 
as they consider it a sign of rain that it rises during the 
breeding-season for some yards in the air with a fluttering 
flight, descending with a loud whew when this action is often 
repeated ; but it is very certain that the same habit prevails 
during a succession of dry weather; in fact it is one way in 
which the cock bird pays its addresses to the hen, and weather 
has very little to do with it. 
Numripa coronata, Gray. Crowned Guinea-fowl. 
These Guinea-fowls are plentiful along the banks of the 
Rhinoster river, on the Free-State side of the Vaal river. 
[In the specimen sent, a male from the above locality, the 
casque measures 2°3 inches along the curve of the upper 
edge; in another male from the Rustenburg district the 
casque is smaller.—J. H. G.] 
Evropotis arromeEs (Smith). Black-and-white-winged 
Bustard. 
Male, in full breeding-dress, shot 15th January. Irides 
light tawny brown, darkest towards the centre; bill light 
greyish brown, with the basal half pale rose-pink, which 
changes after death to pale chrome-yellow; tarsi and feet 
dark gamboge-yellow. 
Evropotis srENEGALENSIs (Vieill.). Senegal Bustard. 
Two males, shot 15th October. Irides pale tawny, gra- 
dually passing into dusky umber round the pupil; bill 
yellowish pale colour, with the ridge dusky ; tarsi and feet 
dingy yellowish white. 
