














422 Mr. T. Ayres on Birds observed 
384. Pua@nicopTervs roseEus, Pall.; Severtzoff, p. 70. 
Horizontal range. Occurs as a straggler on passage in dis- 
tricts III. and IV. | 
Vertical range. Occurs on passage as astraggler in districts 
1 and 2. 
XLII.— Notes on Birds collected and observed in the Lyden- 
burg District of the Republic of Transvaal. By THomas 
Ayres. (Communicated by J. H. Gurney.) 
Tue portion of the Drakenbergen where I collected the under- 
mentioned birds is in lat. 25° S. and long. 31° E., or there- 
abouts, and is that part of Transvaal known as the Lyden- 
burg Gold-fields. It is on the eastern slope of the mountains, 
amongst very romantic scenery, precipices and ravines abound- 
ing, the latter often well wooded with timber and scrub. Clear 
crystal streams are found running in all directions, the alti- 
tude of the country being about 6000 to 8000 feet. The prin- 
cipal rocks are limestones, sandstones, shales, and trap. The 
climate is decidedly wet and ungenial, which is chiefly to be 
attributed to the mountains being so frequently enveloped in 
misty clouds, causing the climate to be raw and damp in com- 
parison with most other parts of South Africa. 
This part of the Transvaal is exceedingly rich in ferns and 
orchids, which are well suited by the climate and soil; and 
many of the shady ravines are made lovely by the feathery 
foliage of the ferns ; one cannot, however, help being disap- 
pointed at the paucity of birds and insects, though the ento- 
mologist may nevertheless get many a prize not to be found 
in other and warmer parts of the country. 
1*, ACCIPITER RUFIVENTRIS, Smith. African Rufous- 
breasted Hawk. ; 
Male adult. Iris bright golden yellow; bill blue, dusky at 
base ; cere and eyelids greenish yellow; tarsi and feet light 
yellow. 
* [The species numbered are those which were included in the collec- 
tion made and sent to me by Mr. Ayres.—J. H. G.] 7 


