on the Mountain Chat.



255



Mr. Ayres observes:—“This bird I shot in the Free

State of Transvaal, but I also saw one 011 the banks of a small

stream near the Tugela in Natal. It appears to be solitary in its

habits, frequenting the steep banks of rivers, and is very shy and

scarce. The stomach of the one I obtained was well filled witlr

insects.” Later he writes :—“ These chats are to be found in

many localities in the open country of the Transvaal, frequenting,

rocky situations. Their nests are generally placed in crevices

within a few feet of the ground ; but at some of the farmhouses-

tliey may be seen having taken possession of an unfinished

Swallow’s nest, under the eaves, where, if not interfered with,,

they become exceedingly tame. Though sombre in colour, they

immediately attract the sight by frequently spreading the tail,

and showing its snow-white feathers. They are also frequently

to be found amongst the ant-hills which are so abundant in the

Transvaal.”


Messrs. Stark & Sclater (Birds of South Africa, vol. II.,.

pp. 195, 196) observe :—“ The Mountain Chat is very common

in rocky districts, and is generally to be found in the dreariest

and most arid places, especially where there are hills, to which it

generally retreats when disturbed ; like other Chats it moves

jerkily, fluttering its wings and raising and depressing its tail

when it perches on a stone or bush. Its food consists of insects,

which it catches either on the wing or on the ground. It has a

pretty song, which, however, is not often heard. They often sit

in pairs on small ant hills and have a habit, the males especially,,

of soaring a short distance and dropping suddenly again and

then skimming on a considerable way.


Major Butler gives the following notes on its nidifica-

tion : “ Found a nest on September 10th, near Newcastle (in


Natal) containing two fresh eggs, and the fragments of another

that had been broken. It was built on the side of a hill under a

slab of rock overlooking a running stream about twenty yards

below, and consisted of fine dr)' grass, roots, etc., neatly put

together and well lined with sheep’s wool, horse- and cow-hair,

the whole being supported by a strong embankment of short

pieces of coarse stems, grass-fibres, roots, lumps of dry earth, etc.,

matted together and extended some eight to ten inches from the



