during a journey to the Matabili Country . 371 
Common throughout the colony of Natal as well as the 
Transvaal, sitting about on the small ant-heaps. It resembles 
Saxicola monticola in its habits. 
Saxicola monticola, Y. 
a , $ . Natal, May 21, 1873. 
Bill and feet black. 
b, $. Transvaal, June 16th, 1873. 
Bill and feet black ; iris light brown. 
Very common throughout the “High Veldt” portion of 
the Transvaal. They sit in pairs on the small ant-hills, and 
have a habit, the male more especially, of soaring a short dis¬ 
tance and then dropping quite suddenly, sometimes on to 
the ground, at others to within a short distance, and then 
skimming along a considerable way. During the breeding- 
season, as well as during summer or winter, the pair were 
generally to be seen sitting together. 
Saxicola leucomel^ena, Burch. 
a, $. Natal, May 22nd, 1873. 
Beak black; legs black; iris dark hazel. 
Saxicola familiaris, Steph. 
<J. Natal, May 22nd, 1873. 
I believe I observed this bird in the Matabili country, 
hopping about our cattle-kraal like a Robin. 
Saxicola pileata (Gm.). 
Newcastle, Natal, June 5th, 1873. 
Beak and legs black; iris dark hazel. 
I found a good number of these birds one day, but those I 
procured were all males. They have a very pretty song. 
Saxicola bifasciata, Temm. 
$. Natal, December 20th, 1873. 
Beak and legs black; iris dark hazel. 
I saw several pairs of these birds near the foot of the 
Drakenberg, where they were breeding. Their habits and 
haunts are like our Stonechat, as far as I had the opportunity 
of observing them. 
2 n 2 
