



ZOOLOGICAL BAMBLES. 161 



to be netted as it flies among its favourite trees, a species of 

 Zizyphus* but it is very rare, and only a few are annually secured. 

 The beautiful Ceratorrhina burkei and the resplendent G. derbyana 

 are found on the twigs or silky leaves of a species of Gombretum, 

 probably G. holosericiim ; but though the second species can usually 

 at the right time be found, the first is a beetle to be " hoped for." 

 We walked many miles to a nook found by Ayres to be a peculiarly 

 favoured spot in the restricted area of this species. A fine large 

 Prionid Tithoes confinis is found under the bark of dead trees, 

 and we procured an example of the large Cicindelid Ophrydera 

 rufomarginata ; so it will be seen that Rustenburg has some 

 attractions for the coleopterist, but it should be visited early in 

 the summer, and shortly after the rains have commenced. 



In the search for these insects we reached the hills and the 

 narrow perpendicular waterfall, which can be often seen a long 

 distance away. Here, enclosed by trees and rising ground, we 

 experienced that peculiar charm of South African scenery that is 

 gradually acquired, never forgotten, and yet is so difficult to 

 analyse or describe. But, as is so frequently the case among 

 these surroundings, animal life was abnormally absent and there 

 were no flowers ; it seems a country — to the naturalist — of the past. 

 The water after its long perpendicular drop flows through some 

 rocky pools beneath, and I never drank any that possessed such 

 a tonic and highly stimulating effect. After drinking it we seemed 

 to have left all fatigue behind, and to be invigorated for a fresh 

 march. This was once a fern paradise ; a few tree ferns are still 

 left, but unfortunately a market has been found for them, and 

 civilisation has once more ransacked nature. 



Among birds the South African Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsi- 

 phone cristata, is not uncommon at Rustenburg, and I found the 

 nest during my stay. It is well described in Layard's * Birds of 

 South Africa,' as " composed of fibres and dead leaves, stuck 

 over with bits of bark, cobwebs, and lichens to resemble a knot 

 in the tree." The last sentence, however, is not to be taken 

 as denoting concealment, for the nest is thoroughly exposed. 

 I found this one on a projecting branch on which were very 



* For the botanical determinations I am indebted to my friend Dr. S. 

 Schonland, of the Albany Museum, Grahamstown, to whom I submitted 

 specimens. 



