PYCNONOTID^. 123 



156. CrateropUS melanops, Hartl. Dark-faced Babbler. 



Crateropus melanops, Hartlaub in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1866, pi. 87. 

 „ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 219. 



I have only met with this bird in the northern dis- 

 trict of Damara Land, and in the parts adjacent towards 

 the north and east ; there it is common, and, when not 

 too much disturbed, becomes quite familiar with man. 

 During my encampment in the desert, on my return 

 from the Okavango, there was scarcely a day that a 

 family of these birds did not pay me a visit, coming 

 quite close to my tent, searching for insects amongst the 

 debris, and especially attaching themselves to my cook's 

 establishment. 



The favourite resorts of this species are tangled 

 brakes, where it restlessly hops about amongst the 

 bushes, gradually descending to the ground, exploring 

 on the way, and searching about the roots and amongst 

 the fallen dry leaves for insects and their larvae. It is 

 gregarious in its habits ; and several of its nests are fre- 

 quently found on the same bush or in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of each other. The nest is firmly con- 

 structed of fine twigs lined with some softer materials. 

 The eggs are of a greenish-blue colour, smooth at the 

 extremities, but quite rough on the central parts, with 

 numerous little tubercles. 



157. Crateropus Jardimi, Smitb. Jardine's Babbler. 



Crateropus Jardinii, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 6. 

 „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 251. 



„ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 217. 



[Mr. Andersson's last coUectiou contained specimens of both 



