Dr. J. Kirk on the Birds of the Zambesi Region. 337 



Earn. PODICIPID.E. 



143. PoDiCEPS, sp. ? 



Very abuudaut in a lagoon near Mozambique, but not ob- 

 served on the Zambesi. Whether this is the same species as 

 that found in the hill-lake in Joanna Island is uncertain, 

 as specimens were not compared ; in size they resembled each 

 other, both being small. 



Fam. LARIDiE. 



144. Sterna caspica. 



In the month of January these birds were found breeding in 

 company with the following species, on the low sand-islands off 

 the mouth of the main stream of the Zambesi. There were 

 commonly two or three eggs in each nest. The eggs were of a 

 dirty grey, with black spots. The nests resembled those of the 

 other species. 



145. Sterna velox, Riippell. 



Found breeding on the low treeless sand-island off the Luabo 

 mouth of the Zambesi, in the month of January. The nests, 

 which were placed a few yards from the tide-mark, consisted 

 of slight hollows in the sand, with a few sticks gathered round. 

 They were quite open and exposed, or placed occasionally under 

 shelter of any log of wood cast up, but never in the centre of 

 the island. This place is well protected from visits of monkeys 

 by a wide extent of water. In former years these birds, and 

 also Pelicans, used to breed on a similar spot at the Kougane 

 mouth ; but since, by the filling up of one of the channels, 

 there has been communication with the mainland at low tide, 

 they have deserted it, and the young Avicennice springing up 

 harbour the small Monkey. 



146. Rhynchops flavirostris. 



In the upper parts of the Zambesi and Shire these birds may 

 be seen passing up and down, skimming the water, commonly 

 in flocks of ten or twenty. These singular birds are most 

 active in the afternoon. In none examined was any food ob- 

 served in the stomach. They are always extremely fat, and 

 troublesome to skin. 



