FEB. 1897. EAST AFRICAN COLLECTION OF BIRDS ELLIOT. 31 



happened to be there. In the small flock that appeared at Gelalo 

 there was one female, recognized by the absence of wattles, but 

 we were not able to secure her. The individuals busied them- 

 selves upon the ground apparently searching for seeds and 

 insects, probably chiefly the latter, and on being approached, 

 flew rapidly for a short distance and alighted on the ground, or 

 in one of the thorn trees near our tents. The wattles were very 

 conspicuous at all times, the two pendant from the throat flap- 

 ping about as the birds moved their heads, while the two on top 



of the crown stood upright. 



\ 



FAM. EULABETID.E. 



4. Cosmopsarus regius. 



Cosmopsarus regius Shelley, Ibis, p. 411 (1885). 



$ 9 Adadleh. 



$ juv. The Haud. 



9 9 Dagahbur. 



This beautiful creature known to us as the Satin Bird, was not 

 uncommon at various localities in both Cuban, near the Golis 

 range, and in Ogo. I first met with it in the forest at Mandera, 

 and it became more plentiful as we proceeded south of the moun- 

 tains. It was always a most conspicuous object among the 

 trees, its brilliant plumage flashing in the rays of the sun. One 

 peculiar effect I often noticed was that when flying the rich yellow 

 underparts appeared red, and I would think I had a second spe- 

 cies until I took the specimen in my hand. I never could account 

 for this optical illusion, for although specimens vary greatly in 

 the depth of the coloring on breast and lower parts generally, 

 there is certainly no red anywhere on the bird's plumage, the 

 nearest approach to it being the metallic purple hue beneath the 

 throat. The species was wilder than most of the birds met with, 

 and it was not always easy to approach very near. When flying 

 it was a graceful object as it floated in the air with the long tail 

 spread out to its fullest extent, and contrasting strongly in the 

 brilliant sunlight in its pale bronze hue with the metallic blues 

 and greens of the wings and back. Altogether it is probably the 

 most beautiful bird as yet known to inhabit Somali-land. 



5. Amydrus blythii. 



Amydrus blythii. Hartl. , Jour. f. Orn., p. 32(1859). Sharpe, 

 Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Vol. XIII, p. 164 (1890). 

 9 Jerato Pass. Golis Range. 



