Dr, J. Kirk on the Birds of tlie Zambesi Region. 333 



119. BUPHUS COMATUS. 



Commonly in pairs ; feeds in marshes and shallow water. 



120. Herodias calceolata (DuBus). 



Occurs singly or in pairs along the marshy parts of the river 

 Shire. Plumage dark slate-colour, almost black. 



121. Herodias BUBULCus. Native name, " Kakoe." 

 Follows herds of elephants and buffaloes, sitting on their 



backs, or flying near to them ; so that in long reeds the game 

 may be followed when nothing but the birds are visible. 



122. BuTORIDES ATRICAPILLUS. 



By no means common. A solitary bird, keeping to the river. 

 Flying close along under the banks, and perches on the bushes 

 which overhang, from which it watches for its prey. 



123. Nycticorax EUROP^us. Native name, " Zonzi." 

 Common in all marshes; roosting among the reeds on the 



islands. Flies in the dusk of evening. 



124. Leptoptilus crumeniferus, Cuv. Native name, 

 " Gote." 



The feathers under the tail are much valued, but never col- 

 lected in Eastern Africa. This bird feeds on fish, reptiles, and 

 carrion. It is readily tamed, and is then of use near a house. 



125. Mycteria senegalensis. 



Not uncommon on the Zambesi and Shire ; more frequent 

 on Lake Nyassa and the river Rovuma. Feeds on snakes, 

 frogs, and fish. On the Rovuma it was seen catching fish in 

 shallow water, by running forward rapidly, so as to make the 

 fish rush past it, when it caught them, keeping its bill all the 

 while in the water. They are commonly found in pairs, — never 

 in large flocks. 



126. Anastomus lamelligerus, Temra. 



Frequent on the Zambesi and Shire, in marshy localities. 

 Found usually in flocks, roosting together on the marsh-shrubs 

 or on neighbouring trees. Feeds on shell-fish. The nests are 

 placed in trees. 



, 127. Scopus umbretta. Native name, " Nyamchengwe." 

 Although seemingly a clean feeder, eating small fish, the 



