from the colony of Natal in South-eastern Africa. 235 
With a few exceptions, they have been forwarded to me by 
Mr. Thomas Ayres, of D’Urban, whom I have pleasure in 
recommending to the readers of ‘ The Ibis 9 as a zealous col¬ 
lector of specimens and of information, and who has the addi¬ 
tional merit of sending his skins over in excellent order and at 
very reasonable prices. 
Mr. Ayres has sent me notes respecting most of the birds in 
the following list. I have inserted the substance of his observa¬ 
tions, after the names of the species to which they refer. In 
some cases I have added a few remarks of my own, which are 
distinguished by brackets and initials. 
Catton Hall, Norwich, March 1859. 
1. Vultur occipitalis (Burch.). Occipital Vulture. 
Male. Bill blood-red, black at the tip and light blue at the 
base; skin round the eye and nostril light blue; eye light 
brown; skin of neck the colour of lilac. These birds are much 
more rare here than the other kinds of Vultures, only going in 
pairs, and generally coming to feed when the other kinds of 
Vultures are not present; they are exceedingly shy and wary. 
This is the only one we have been able to shoot. 
2. Otogyps auricularis (Daud.). Sociable Vulture. 
Male. Eye very dark brown ; skin of the neck, feet and legs 
pale or flesh-colour. Appears invariably with the large Grey 
Vulture ( Gyps fulvus ); he is more wary and difficult to get than 
the Grey. About a month ago, I saw Vultures congregating at a 
certain spot well-sheltered by bush, so I ran at once to get a shot; 
after creeping on my hands and knees, that I might not be seen 
by the birds, through a very thick bush, I got within thirty yards 
of them. I could see nothing of the beast they were devouring; 
there were so many of the Black and Grey Vultures {Otogyps 
auricularis and Gyps fulvus) , that they completely covered the 
poor beast, which was being torn to pieces by inches; but he 
appeared to be in the most fearful agony: the loud bellowings, 
deep breathings, and struggles of the poor ox to escape his 
tormentors, accompanied with the loud hisses and cacklings of 
the birds, were sickening to hear. I hastened to fire my first 
barrel, which brought down only one bird; and then hastily 
