slight indications of scutæ in front, towards the toes ; claws strong and much
curved, particularly those of the middle and hinder toes.
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.
Length from the point of the bill to Length of the tarsus ......................... 1 3
the tip of the tail.................... 9 6 of the outer toe .................... 0 8
Length of the bill from the gape.... . 1 0£ of the middles toe.................... 0 ioi
of the wings when folded ... 5 2 of the inner toe— ................... 0 6 |
of the tail................................ 4 6 of the hinder to e .................... 0 42
The colours are the same in both sexes, only those of the fem a le are of a
duller tint.
The metropolis of this species is probably on the east coast towards Delagoa Bay, at least the
few specimens we obtained were found in that direction. It is a solitary bird, inhabiting
damp secluded thickets and brushwood skirting the banks of rivers, and is generally seen in
such localities actively employed in displacing the decayed vegetation which occurs- upon the
surface of the soil, and which covers the insects and worms upon which it feeds.