327 
from the Colony of Natal . 
good dog it is sometimes a difficult matter to flush it. From 
the frequently worn appearance of their claws, I fancy they par¬ 
tially obtain their food by scratching the earth, after the manner 
of the Rasores . 
If undisturbed when rising, their flight is generally fluttering 
and noisy; they also sometimes (but not always) utter a few 
short notes as they rise. They are fond of sunning themselves 
on the top of any convenient low bush, fluttering their wings 
every few seconds, and making a sort of rattling sound. 
[In reference to this species, Dr. Hartlaub remarks, “ This 
Megalophonus is very nearly allied to M. planicola of Lichten¬ 
stein, and to my M. occidentalism but differs by the uncommonly 
lengthened beak, and by the wings and tarsi being much 
shorter. I cannot find a name for it, and think it must be 
undescribed. 
The accompanying figure represents a male specimen of this 
Megalophonus , to which Dr. Hartlaub has given the specific 
name of “ rostratus. }} 
Dr. Hartlaub has also favoured me with the following defini¬ 
tion of the specific peculiarities of this species 
" Supra fulvo-brunnescens nigricante maculatus, nucha pallidius 
rufescente, maculis nigris substriata; pileo rufo, nigro macu- 
latim striato : subtus fulvus, juguli maculis longitudinalibus 
nigris: mento albido, immaculato: subalaribus lsete rufis, 
primariis omnibus in dimidio majore basali rufis, secundariis 
minus rufis, rectricibus fuscis,harumextern8e pogonioexterno 
albido: pedibus magnis, rubentibus: rostro fusco-nigricante, 
mandibula basali pallidiore.—Long. 6^. Rostr. a fr. 8 W . 
Al. 3i". Caud. 2" 3'". Tarsi 12^'". 
Affinis M. planicola et M. occidentali, sed rostri longitudine 
et forma aliterque diversus.”—J. H. G.] 
203. Anthus brachyurus, Sundev. Short-tailed Pipit. 
Male and female . Iris dark hazel; upper mandible of bill 
dark brown; under mandible pale ashy colour; nostrils linear; 
tarsi and feet pale. 
This species is only plentiful during the summer months; it 
is quite a terrestrial bird, never, to my knowledge, alighting on 
any twig or stem of grass, but always on the ground. The birds 
generally rise from the grass close to one^s feet; and it is no easy 
