THE BIRDS OF THE TRANSVAAL: NOTES MADE
AT WATERVAL ONDER.[1]
By F.J. Ellemore.
The following observations were made between Nov. 6th and 14th, 1897:—
Halcyon orientalis (Peters' Kingfisher).—Not uncommon. Procured six specimens (five males and one female). Discovered nest in a hole in the river-bank containing three fledglings.
Two Cuckoos—one, a male, corresponding with the description of Coccystes jacobinus (Layard and Sharpe's 'Birds of South Africa,' p. 158), with the exception that the eyes are olive; the other a female, which in every particular corresponds with the male of C. serratus (ibid. p. 161). Ovaries very well developed; one egg almost full size, but wanting shell; quite the size and shape of the egg of the Golden Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus). Both these birds were in company, and the only Cuckoos seen in the district during a stay of eight days. In my excitement I shot badly, but this gave me a better opportunity of observing them. Each time when shot at, they flew to separate trees, but were soon together again; when the male was shot, the female did not fly off when approached, and so was easily procured.
Pogonorhynchus torquatus (Black-collared Barbet).—These birds were always to be found on the topmost branches of the wild fig-trees early in the morning, and were easily approached when feeding. Not common.
Batis molitor (White-flanked Flycatcher).—Uncommon; saw only two pairs, which were procured. Discovered nest in the fork of a bush five feet from the ground. The nest was a neat
- ↑ Waterval Onder is on the railway line between Pretoria and Delagoa Bay. It represents the sudden descent of the line from the high veld to the warmer lowlands. Several of the birds enumerated by Mr. Ellemore as found at this spot were never seen by myself when collecting near Pretoria, on and off, during a period of four years.—Ed.
