484 MESSRS. OLDFIKLD THOMAS AND M. A. 0. ITINTON ON 



representing 34 species, and as these were all obtained in the 

 course of two months, it forms a striking tribute to Capt. Short- 

 ridge's energy and collecting ability. 



We have had occasion to describe five species and sub-species 

 as new, partly from the collection itself, and partly from other 

 collections which the study of the fresh material has enabled us 

 more fully to understand. Such more accurate discrimination of 

 earlier material is by no means the least of the benefits to science 

 rendered by the collection of such series as the present. 



Half of the collection, including all the.types, is presented to 

 the National Museum by the Percy Sladen Trustees, and half is 

 returned to the Kaftrarian Museum, King William's Town, of 

 which Oapt. Shortridge is Curator, lie has sent us the following 

 report on this expedition, and as it gives a good account of the 

 natural characteristics of the region, we have thought it well to 

 publish it nearly i7i extenso : — 



"Through the kindness of the Administrator, Sir Fredei-ick 

 de Waal, special shooting facilities were obtained; while by 

 arrangement with Dr. L. Peringuey, Director of the South African 

 Museum, considerable rail fare reductions were secured. 



" During the first six weeks I was joined by Mr. A. White, who 

 was sent by Dr. Peringuey to gain experience in trapping and 

 other field work, in which he proved himself a keen and useful 

 assistant. 



^' Later, during my visit to and below the Augrabies Falls 

 (which by crossing a number of side streams were seen while in 

 flood) I was accompanied by Mr. W. Louw, who acted as 

 assistant, and Dutch interpreter. i 



" The country generally, with its sparse rainfall, but remarkable 

 strip of rich irrigable soil that varies from a width of under a 

 hundred yards to over two miles on either side of the river, is 

 in some ways quite like Egypt on a small scale, and should be 

 capable of great development, although the river itself, with its 

 dense belt of low trees, and muddy water, is more reminiscent of 

 the Jordan. 



" This belt is by far the most striking feature in the district. 

 The trees grow only on the low ground that is periodically flooded, 

 and consist , largely of Willows, Mimosa and other shade trees. 

 There is little or no real undergrowth, and prior to cultivation 

 the soil between the trees is bare and loose. An extraordinaiy 

 variety of birds collect and breed here. 



" On either side of this alluvial belt the country is bare and 

 arid, sparsely covered with very low scrub with here and there a 

 few isolated kopjes, which are supplemented to the westward by 

 considerable ranges of rocky hills that commence about halfway 

 between TJpington and Kakamas. 



" In several places on the north bank strips of typical red 

 Kalahari sand extend to the river, which roughly forms the 

 southern bounclary of the Kalahai-i. The river itself should not 

 otherwise prove an important barrier between any two faunistic 



