SAXICOLA INFUSCATA. 
occurs far from the sea-coast. It selects sterile tracts which are thinly covered with brush- 
wood for its habitats , and in these situations it is so extremely watchful that even weeks of 
incessant toil will scarcely ensure the collector a specimen. When disturbed it perches 
upon the highest twig within its reach, and from that incessantly surveys the country 
around, and if the slightest danger is suspected, it either flies off to a distance or dives among 
the shrubs, and conceals itself until the patience of the pursuer is exhausted. During many 
months which I passed in the country in which this species occurs, I only saw twelve 
individuals, and it was not till the nest of a pair was discovered, that two specimens were 
obtained. Anxiety for the welfare of their young appeared to diminish the solicitude they 
manifested under other circumstances for their own safety, and it was by taking advantage of 
that discovery that we obtained the male and female we now possess. It seeks its food, which 
consists of insects, upon the ground, and while on it, as well as when perched, it raises and 
depresses its half extended wings after the manner of the other species of the genus. 
In addition to the present bird, we have eleven other species inhabiting the South of Africa. 
They are 
Saxicola pileata, Vieill. Le Traquet Imitateur, Le Vaill, Ois. d’Afrique, pi. 181. 
Saxicola familiaris. Le Traquet Famillier, Le Vaill. lb. pi. 183. 
Saxicola sperata, Lin. 
Saxicola rubicola. Le Traquet Patre, Le Vaill. Ib. pi. 180. 
Saxicola formicivora, Vieill. Le Traquet Fourmillier, Le Vaill. Ib. pi. 186 and 7. 
Saxicola leucoptera, Swainson. 
Saxicola monticola, Vieill. Le Traquet Montagnard, Le Vaill. Ib. pi. 183. 
Saxicola cinerea, Vieill. Le Traquet Tractrac, Le Vaill. lb. pi. 184. 
Saxicola Le Vaillantii, Smith. 
Saxicola nigra, Vieill. Le Traquet commandeur, Le Vaill. Ib. pi. 190. 
Saxicola cursona, Vieill. Le Traquet d calotte et queue blanche, Le Vaill. Ib. pi. 190 
Saxicola bifasciata, Temm. PI. col. 472, fig. 2. 
Saxicola Baroica, Smith. 
Eight of the above species have been well figured by Le Vaillant, and a representation of the 
last named will be given in the course of these illustrations. 
