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THE BIRDS OF THE TRANSVAAL: NOTES MADE 

 AT WATERVAL ONDER.* 



By F. J. Ellemore. 



The following observations were made between Nov. 6th and 

 Uth, 1897 :— 



Halcyon orientalis (Peters' Kingfisher). — Not uncommon. 

 Procured six specimens (five males and one female). Discovered 

 nest in a hole in the river-bank containing three fledglings. 



Two Cuckoos — one, a male, corresponding with the descrip- 

 tion of Coccystes jacobinus (Layard and Sharpe's ' Birds of South 

 Africa,' p. 158), with the exception that the eyes are olive ; the 

 other a female, which in every particular corresponds with the 

 male of C. serratus (ibid. p. 161). Ovaries very well developed ; 

 one egg almost full size, but wanting shell ; quite the size and 

 shape of the egg of the Golden Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus). 

 Both these birds were in company, and the only Cuckoos seen in 

 the district during a stay of eight days. In my excitement I 

 shot badly, but this gave me a better opportunity of observing 

 them. Each time when shot at, they flew to separate trees, but 

 were soon together again ; when the male was shot, the female 

 did not fly off when approached, and so was easily procured. 



Pogonorhynchus torquatus (Black-collared Barbet). — These 

 birds were always to be found on the topmost branches of the 

 wild fig-trees early in the morning, and were easily approached 

 when feeding. Not common. 



Batis molitor (White-flanked Flycatcher). — Uncommon ; saw 

 only two pairs, which were procured. Discovered nest in the 

 fork of a bush five feet from the ground. The nest was a neat 



* Waterval Onder is on the railway line between Pretoria and Delagoa 

 Bay. It represents the sudden descent of the line from the high veld to the 

 warmer lowlands. Several of the birds enumerated by Mr. Ellemore as found 

 at this spot were never seen by myself when collecting near Pretoria, on and 

 off, during a period of four years. — Er>. 



