DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines. Inches.
Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus............... ........ 0
the tip of the tail.............. 9 0 of the outer toe ........ ........ 0
of the bill from the angle of the of the middle toe........ ........ 0
mouth ............................. 0 11 of the inner toe............ ........ 0
of the wings when folded...... 4 0 of the hinder toe ........ ........ 0
of the tail............................. 4 2
This bird is entirely confined to thickets, and I have never observed it leave them, nor
even resort to the ground they covered in quest of food. It moves with activity among the
branches of the brushwood or trees in which it resides, and while so occupied, appears to
be in search of insects. It is extremely shy, and if discovered in situations where the foliage
is scanty, it immediately retreats towards some spot with a denser covering; in that it remains
perfectly inactive until the object which excited its fears retires from its neighbourhood.
Specimens are readily to be obtained in the vicinity of Port Natal, and in the districts to the
East of it; but I never myself saw any to the Westward of that place, nor have I ever heard
of any having been found there by others. It is the only species which has yet been discovered
in Southern Africa.