becomes stronger on the flanks and vent; centre tail-feathers all
dark-brown, the basal half of the rest white. Length, 6" 9'"; tail,
2" 10"'.
Fig. Le Yaill. Ois. d’Afr. pi. 181.
226. S axicola bifasoiata. Buff-streaked Chat.
The range of this bird is rather restricted, and it appears to be
peculiar to South Africa. Mr. Ortlepp has procured it at Colesberg,
and Captain Bulger at Windvogelberg, while our friend Mrs. Barber,
as noted below, says that they are plentiful in high situations all
over the eastern province. Mr. T. C. Atmore forwarded us a nice
series of specimens from the neighbourhood of Eland's Post and
Queenstown, and we ourselves shot some near Grahamstown, Mr.
Buckley writes :—“ I saw several of these birds near the foot of the
Drakenberg, where they were breeding. Their habits and haunts
are like those of our Stonechat, as far as I had the opportunity of
observing them." Mr. Ayres states that he obtained this species
near the Upper Mooi river in Natal, but found them more plentiful
on the Drakenberg in the Transvaal Republic, frequenting rocky
hills and feeding on insects. Mr. P. A. Barratt observes :—“ I procured
a male on a journey from Potchefstroom to Lydenburg; it
was flitting about the stones on a hill-side near Wittewater Rand.
I have since seen it between Potchefstroom and the Orange Free
State, always on elevations, and never on the plains.”
In a letter dated “ June 22nd, 1865,” Mrs. Barber sends us the
following account of the habits of this fine Chat:—“ These birds are
dwellers amongst rocks, and frequent rocky mountains and hills,
old stone-kraals, &c. They build their nest under shelving rocks,
near or upon the ground, and sheltered by spreading ferns or long
grass; and their eggs are usually three in number. The male is
fond of placing himself on some high projecting rock, and of making
himself conspicuous by chirping away in a cheerful voice, either to
annoy a rival or amuse his mate: he is also fond of opening and
shutting his wings, 'bowing and scraping/ &c., and L have no
doubt ‘ thinks no end of himself/ The female is a very quiet,
retiring little body. These birds (the males) possess the power of
mocking other birds and animals. When we were living in the
district of Graaf-Reinet, I had a beautiful spotted Merecat, a tame
one: it was very fond of me, and was my companion in all my
walks. These little animals have a peculiar bark, and produce a
great variety of sounds with their pretty little voices: and these
mocking-birds, would imitate all the sounds that my pet made very
accurately. I have also heard them mocking robins and sugar-birds,
but they seldom use this power. We will get you some more specimens.
I was surprised to hear that they were new—very much so, for they
are common all over the-Eastern Province, excepting near the coast.
They prefer high situations. There are always five or six of them
here : they sit upon the garden wall and upon the top of our house.
A few days ago there was one sitting upon the gable-end of our
stable, making a terrible row : a quiet old rock-thrush that belongs to
the place, feeling disgusted with his noise, went up to him, and
gave him a smart peck, which sent him flying ! ! We never shoot
birds that take up their abode with us, so we see all their odd ways.”
A nest sent by Mrs. Barber, taken from a hole in a Kraal, is a
loose untidy structure of fine rootlets and hair. The eggs (four) are
pale creamy-white rather profusely speckled, especially at the
extreme obtuse end, with small elongated reddish-brown specks.
Axis, 11"'; Diam. 8" '.
Male.—Top of head dark brown, mottled with black; back and
neck reddish-brown, mottled with black; rump clear yellowish-
brown : the same colour prevails over the whole of the lower parts,
except the throat, and a little way on the. chest, where is a rich
black patch extending to the head, and including the eye and ear;
a yellowish-brown stripe passes from the nape of the neck on the
one side, over the eyes and nostrils, to the nape of the neck on
the other side; tail and secondary wing-feathers black; quill-feathers
brown. Length, 7"; wing, 3" 6'"; tail, 2" 6'". Irides black.
Female.—Wants the black markings, and is altogether less
brilliant, the yellows being rufous, and the tail and wings dull-
brown.
The species may be told by its black wings and by haying the
feathers on the interscapulary region intermixed black and rufescent
(Cf. Blanf. and Dresser, I. c. p. 217).
Fig. Temm. PI. Col. 472.