320 Dr. J, Kirk on the Birds of the Zambesi Region. 



near the water, and alighting on the clay-banks, where they 

 were observed entering holes; but whether these had been 

 originally formed by Bee-eaters was not ascertained. 



37. HiRUNDO ABYSSINICA. 



During two successive seasons observed building in the house, 

 at Shupanga, on the Zambesi, in the months of December and 

 January ; not seen elsewhere, and absent during the dry season. 



38. HiRUNDO FiLiFERA, Stephens. 

 In Dr. Dickinson^s collection. 



39. COTYLE PALUDICOLA. 



Shot, flying round the ship, in the Elephant Marsh. 

 Fam. NECTARINIlDiE. 



40. NeCTARINIA FORMOSA. 



In Dr. Dickinson^s collection. I have seen this bird but 

 once, in a thick clump of trees near the river Shire, during the 

 rainy season. It is a rare bird in the region. 



41. Nectarina AMETHYSTiNiA. Native name, " Sungwc." 

 The Sun-birds are abundant in open ground covered with 



low flower-bearing bushes, such as Poivreas, Dalbergias, Acacias, 

 &c. ; and they frequent especially such plants as the Leonitis, 

 searching inside the corolla for insects, and probably sucking 

 the saccharine juices. Before the rains they lose the fine plumage, 

 and become of a dull mixed colour. December is the breeding- 

 season; nests have been observed among the grass, attached 

 to its stalks, and in the bushes. The young birds may be kept 

 for some time on honey or sugar and water, which they lick up 

 greedily from a straw or the corolla of a plant ; but the absence 

 of insect food probably causes them to die. 



42. Nectarinia bianconi. 



Shupanga ; common in the Zambesi valley. 



43. Nectarinia collaris. 



Zambesi and Shire valley. Found near Shupanga and Lena, 

 but not very common. Its nest has been seen suspended to 

 grass-stalks. 



