2 3 2 . S a x í c o l a s h e l l e y i , Sharpe. Shelley’s Wheat-ear.
This species, which we consider to be new to science, was contained
in the same collection as Pinaromis plumo sus, viz. from the
Victoria Falls. It has a totally black tail like Saxícola amotti, but
it differs in having the primary-eoverts white, with only a narrow
black tip, as well as the wing-coverts. We have already stated our
belief that S. amotti has in its full plumage a white cap, and our
opinion is justified by the presence of a pure white crown in the
present species, its near ally.
The following is a brief description of S. shelleyi:—Entirely black
including the wings and tail; crown of head pure white; outer
scapulars white at base; all the wing-coverts white, the primary
and greater coverts with a narrow apical bar of black. Total
length, 7’3 inches; culmen, 0‘7 ; wing, 4T5 ; tail, 3T5; tarsus,
1‘15. The bird described is probably the male, as accompanying it
was another skin, rather browner in colour, and having the cheeks,
throat, fore-neck, and sides of neck white, here and there varied
with brown tips to the feathers. This may possibly be the female,
but in the absence of any correct dissection it is impossible to tell.
This bird is named after our friend Mr. Edward Shelley, of
Avington, one of the earliest of modern explorers in the Zambesi,
and an old comrade of Livingstone’s.
2 3 3 . S a x í c o l a m o n t í c o l a . Mountain Wheat-ear.
Le Vaillant found this bird inhabiting the mountains of Namaqua
Land, and never descending into the plains, except compelled by
great drought. He describes them as very shy and difficult of
approach, hiding themselves in holes or inaccessible precipices.
We have received a few specimens from Kuruman, and from Mr.
Atmore, who procured them about Traka; and we also found it
ourselves at Nel’s Poort. Le Vaillant’s account of their habits is
substantially correct. We only found them among the rocky
mountain sides, breeding in the holes and crevices. Mr. H. Jackson
writes to us:—“ Among th e ,eggs I now send are fourteen of
S. montícola, all from the same pair of birds, our old friends of last
year. This makes thirty-four of this sort, all or nearly all from one
pair of birds: They build in my kraal walls, and no sooner are their
eggs taken than they set to work to make a new nest in a fresh
place, finish it, and lay their eggs in a very short time.” Eggs of
this species are light bluish green, rather closely speckled with red-
brown, chiefly at the obtuse end.' Axis, 12"; diam. 8"'. Mr.
Ayres observes:—“ This bird I shot in the Free State of Transvaal,
but I also saw one on the banks of a small stream near the Tugela
in Natal. It appears to be solitary in its habits, frequenting the
steep banks of rivers, and is very shy and scarce. The stomach of
the one I obtained was well filled with insects.” Later he writes :—
“ The3e Chats are to be found in many localities in the open
country of the Transvaal, frequenting rocky situations. Their nests
are generally placed in crevices within a few feet of the ground;
but at some of the farmhouses they may be seen having taken
possession of an unfinished Swallow’s nest under the eaves, where,
if not interfered with, they become exceedingly tame. Though
sombre in colour, they immediately attract the sight by frequently
spreading the tail, and showing its snow-white feathers. They are
also frequently to be found amongst the ant-hills which are so
abundant in the Transvaal.” Mr. T. E. Buckley found them very
common in the “ High Veldt” portion of the Transvaal.
As we have been unable to distinguish the sequence of plumages
in this species, we copy the full description of the male given by
Messrs. Blanford and Dresser:—“ Adult male. Shoulders, rump,
abdomen, lower breast, upper tail-coverts, and the basal portion of
all rectrices, except the central pair, white; a narrow streak from
the base of the bill to above the eye grey, or mixed white and
black; remainder of plumage black; quills and greater coverts
brownish black, and the thigh-coverts the same, and some black is
mixed with the white of the under tail-coverts. On the pair of
rectrices next to the central pair the white extends about half-way
from the bases ; on the other rectrices only the tip is black, but this
colour extends on the outermost pair some distance up the outer
web. Oulmen, 0-9 ; wing, 4‘25; tail, 2‘85; tarsus, 1*25.
Fig. Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. pi. 184, fig. 2.
234. S axicola l e u c om e l en a . Burchell’s Wheat-ear.
Mr. Andersson writes concerning this species: — “ This fine