COSSYPHA NATALENSIS. 
dible slightly notched near the tip, its sides convex, the culmen obtuse but 
distinct ; the apex of lower mandible recurved within the sides of the upper 
one. Wings short and rounded, the fourth quill feathers the longest, the 
third and fifth equal and slightly shorter, the second and seventh equal and 
half an inch shorter, the first about half the length of the fifth. Tail slightly 
rounded. Tarsi long and moderately strong, distinctly scutellated anteriorly 
towards the toes ; the outer, inner and hinder toes nearly of equal length, 
the latter thickest. Claws long, slender, pointed, and moderately curved. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
the tip of the tail 7 6 
of the bill from the angle of the 
mouth o 8J 
of the wings when folded 3 6 
of the tail 3 3 
The colours of the female not known 
Inches. Lines. 
Length of the tarsi 1 2^ 
of the outer toe 0 4£ 
of the middle toe 0 7 
of the inner toe 0 4| 
of the hinder toe 0 4 
The specimen, which has furnished us with the characters of this species, was procured in the 
neighbourhood of Port Natal, and as only it was obtained, though the woods were well hunted 
by my party, I am disposed to consider the species as rare even in that district. It was shot 
close to the edge of an extensive forest, and the natives, who saw it after it was killed, gave us 
to understand it was a shy bird, and that though it often sought its food upon the ground, it 
was more generally observed upon trees. Its food consists of insects, and, from our infor- 
mants, we learned it to have many of the habits of Cossipha vocifera, a bird not uncommon 
within the limits of the Cape Colony. Like the latter it frequently descends to the ground 
under or about its retreat, and there feeds with activity until disturbed, when it instantly be- 
takes itself to some tree, upon which it remains at rest until the object which causes the alarm 
shall have passed away. 
