326 Dr. J. Kirk on the Birds of the Zambesi Region. 



being shy, feeding on the ground in the open plains or in 

 forest. Occurs singly, but more frequently in pairs or in flocks 

 of five or six. A specimen is in Dr. Dickinson's collection. 



78. BucEROs cRisTATUs. Native name, " Kakomira." 



A local bird, not known to the natives from the interior; 

 frequent on the river Shire. Year after year it returns to the 

 same roosting-places, living in large flocks. During the breed- 

 ing-season, or after the rains have set in, these become scattered 

 in the forest, where the natives say the female hatches the eggs 

 in a hole under ground, in which she is plastered up by the male. 

 The vessel being at anchor near one of the roosting-places, we 

 had an opportunity of seeing their habits. Towards sunset, in 

 the months of August and September, they came in from different 

 quarters in pairs; the male always known by his large bill. 

 On perching, they uttered a loud cry heard far off, and hopped 

 from one branch to another, always keeping in pairs. As night 

 set in they became quiet, and roosted on the branches of the 

 large trees. Early in the morning they were off again, an 

 hour before sunrise, not to return until the evening. The 

 affection of these birds for one another seemed remarkable. On 

 one occasion, as a large male passed suddenly, I fired and missed ; 

 but the bird fell from fear, and before it had fairly got on the 

 wing again, was secured and taken to the ship. It began to 

 get tame, and rather unwillingly took food ; but the female 

 came every morning, when the others had gone to the forest, 

 and remained hovering about until 9 a.m., calling to its mate 

 which it saw on the deck to follow : at last she went off, but 

 came back in the evening to repeat the invitation. After five 

 days the male became sulky, would eat nothing, and died. No 

 injury was found, and, but for the female, there seemed no reason 

 why it should not have lived. 



79. BucEROs BUCCINATOR. Native name, " Kakomira e 

 nono." 



Rather common both in the mountains and plains, frequenting 

 the forests, and living in small flocks. It returns every night to 

 the same roosting-place, leaving in the day in search of fruits. It 

 is very fond of a drupaceous species of Strychnos (resembling the 



