432 Mr. T. Ayres on Birds observed 
Female. Total length 6J inches, bill T 9 g-, tarsns J, wing 3^, 
tail 2J. 
[The specimen sent appears to be the ordinary Cape form, 
and not the smaller race which occurs in Natal (conf. Ibis, 
1869, p. 295).—J. H. G.] 
38. Mirafra africana, Smith ( =planicola ) Licht.). Plain- 
loving Lark. 
Sparsely distributed in the Lydenburg district, where it is 
found singly or in pairs, frequenting the open grassy 
country. 
39. Corythaix musophaga (Dub.). White-crested Plan¬ 
tain-eater. 
These birds are common in all the forests of the mountains 
on the eastern slope; they are frequently so noisy that one 
cannot help finding them, but at other times so silent and 
quiet that I have often sat for an hour under a densely fo- 
liaged tree without being aware that they were close above 
me, till my attention was at last attracted by a small berry 
or two falling from the tree, or perhaps by the slightest rustle 
amongst the leaves overhead. On such occasions it is pretty 
easy, by keeping quiet, to get a shot. 
Male. Irides hazel; eyelids bright crimson; bill a darker 
crimson; tarsi and feet black. 
40. Mesopicus menstruus (Scop.). Olivaceous Wood¬ 
pecker. 
These Woodpeckers are not uncommon in the forests of 
the Gold-fields, and are invariably found in pairs; and if one 
is shot the other will not leave the spot, but for some days is 
to be found close by, still looking for its lost mate. 
41. Coccystes jacobinus (Bodd.). Black-and-white Cuckoo. 
During both the seasons when we were at the Gold-fields 
a few of these noisy Cuckoos appeared there in the spring, 
and were evidently breeding, though we could not find the 
nests in which they laid. 
Male. Iris dusky; bill black; tarsi and feet dusky ash- 
colour. Contents of stomach caterpillars and other insects. 
