54 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ORNITHOLOGY, VOL. i. 



Upupa somalensis. Salv, Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Vol, XVI, p. 13, 

 pi. i (1892). 

 $ Hullier. 



o? Haud. Iris brown. 



This bird, the bearer of good news, according to native belief, 

 was frequently seen. It was rather shy in comparison to other 

 birds, and in its flight and general habits resembled the common 

 Hoopoo found in Egypt, India and Europe. 



86. Irrisor erythrorhynchus. 



Promerops erythrorhynchus. Rtipp, Syst. Uebers., p. 28 



(1845)- 



Irrisor erythrorhynchus. Salv, Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Vol. XVI, 

 p. 19 (1892). 



9 Le Gud. Bill carmine. 

 $ Hullier. 



9999 Hullier. Bill orange. Iris black. 



This is a gregarious species frequently met with, going in 

 flocks of perhaps as many as a dozen. When flying from tree 

 to tree they are usually silent, but chatter vociferously as soon 

 as they alight. They climb about the branches seeking for food, 

 insects chiefly I imagine, and it appears they are quite indifferent 

 whether the head is up or down, or whether the back or belly is 

 presented to the sky. They are very active and industrious in 

 the tree tops, and assume singular positions at times when chat- 

 tering loudly. 



87. Rhinopomastus minor. 



Promerops minor. Riipp, Syst. Uebers, p. 28 (1845). 



Rhinopomastus minor. Salv, Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Vol. XVI, 

 p. 26 (1892). 



$ $ Marodijeh. 



$ Hullier. 

 9 9 Hullier. 



This handsome and graceful bird is the noisiest creature 

 among the feathered tribes of Somali-land. The volume of 

 sound and the variety of notes a flock can produce is something 

 extraordinary, and makes one at times doubtful if it all comes 

 from a bird's throat. Occasionally there is a rolling intonation 

 almost impossible to describe, and again it will sound like a 

 watchman's rattle. This species goes in flocks of from six to a 

 dozen individuals, and the noise they can make when they set 



