tail; the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth quill feathers of equal length and
longest, the second rather shorter, the first rudimentary, or at least short as
compared with the second. Tail short and even, or very slightly rounded.
Legs and toes rather strong, the latter anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire,
the claws of the toes directed forwards, short, flatfish, slightly curved, and
blunt at the point, the claw of the hinder toe long, straight, pointed, and
directed obliquely backwards and upwards. Bill moderately strong and
slightly arched, the curvature greatest towards the point. Nostrils small,
circular, bare, and superiorly edged with membrane.
DIMENSION'S.
Inches. Lines.
Length from the point of the bill to the
base of the tail..................... 6 i
of the bill to the angle of the
mouth.......................... ..... 1
of the tail .......... .................. 2 J
wings when folded ....... 3 l
Inches. Lines.
Length of the tarsus........................... i1 h
outer toe..................... 0 3£
middle toe ................. 0 5-J
inner toe................. 0 3-^
hinder toe .................. 0
hinder claw................. 0 8 J
The colours of the female are not quite so bright as those of the male; in
other respects, she differs but little in external appearances.
This species inhabits the northern parts of the colony* is very noisy, and generally found in
small flocks. It moves rapidly, and when at rest is found either on the ground, or perched on
ant-heaps or small shrubs. It constructs its nest in a hole or excavation in the ground;
the foundation is small twigs, the inner parts grass and hair. It lays four or five eggs of an
olive colour, with darker spots of olive-brown. In cases in which the nest cannot be placed
sufficiently deep in the ground to ensure it protection from the winds and rains which prevails
principally from the north, the bird raises a rude fabric on the north side to possess what cannot
otherwise be secured.
CERTHILAUDA SEMITORQUATA.ff Sm ith .
Aves.— P late CVI. F ig . 2.
C. capite superne dorsoque rufis, lineis longitudinalibus brunneis variegatis; cervice subgriseo-semitorquata ;
guttere albo brunneo-variegatis; pectore abdomineque pallide rufis, pectore maculis longitudinalibus
brunneis notatis; rectricibus rubro-brunneis, rubro-auranteo-marginatis; rostro leviter curvato;
tarsis brevibus, validis.
Certhilatjda semitorquata, Smith. Proceedings South African Institution, 1833.
Certhilauda rufo-palliata, Lafresnaye Magaz. de Zoolog. 1836, Ois. PI. 68.
C olour.—The upper surface of the head, the ear coverts, the interscapulars,
the back, the rump, the upper tail coverts, the outer edges of all the
tail feathers, and also the inner edges of the two middle ones, intermediate
between chestnut-brown and reddish orange (ferruginous). The shafts of the
feathers of the head and a portion of the vanes adjoining them, brownish
red, constituting dark variegations. Sides and upper surface of neck,
between occiput and interscapulars, pale ash-grey, variegated with short,
brownish stripes directed longitudinally. Eyebrows, feathers in front of eyes,
chin, and throat, white; the latter streaked with umber-brown. Breast,
belly, vent, and under tail coverts, rusty white; the sides of the breast,
flanks, and thighs with a strong ferruginous tint. Shoulder and lesser wing
feathers the colour of the back ; primary and secondary quill coverts reddish
brown, fading externally into sienna-yellow, the edges rusty white. Primary
quill feathers intermediate between broccoli and reddish brown, the outer
vanes and tips edged narrowly with dull rusty white; the secondaries the
colour of the primaries, but, like the tertiaries, edged with a colour similar to
that of the back ; the tertiaries are umber-brown. Tail feathers brownish
red, and, as already stated, edged with a ferruginous colour. Bill pale
sienna-yellow, tinged with flesh-red, the upper mandible towards its base,
and its point, shaded with pale reddish brown ; eyes brown; legs and toes
pale sienna-yellow, tinted with flesh-red; claws brownish red.
F orm, &c.— Figure slender; head rather long, narrow anteriorly, moderately
wide posteriorly. Bill long, slender, and slightly curved, especially
towards the point, the upper mandible considerably longer than the lower;