334 Mr. J. J. Monteiro on Birds collected in Angola. 



builds its own nest, but that other and different species do so 

 for it ; and that a person bathing in a pool of water where these 

 birds are in the habit of washing and pluming themselves is 

 quickly affected with a cutaneous disorder similar to the itch. 

 I mention both these curious reports (which I had not an op- 

 portunity of personally investigating) because they are so posi- 

 tively asserted by the natives of Cambambe. This bird is said 

 to be abundant on the river Quanza, towards the interior. Its 

 stomach is long, and full of a muddy pulp, evidently the remains 

 of worms, &c. 



4. MOTACILLA CAPENSIS. 



Jerks its tail and body exactly in the manner of a Water 

 Wagtail ; is common in the river Quanza and in the marshy places 

 of the interior at Cambambe. 



5. Merops erythropterus. Native name, " Canguema-a- 

 fele." 



Seen generally in the high grass and about flowers, which it 

 searches for insects or honey; has a very agreeable chirping 

 song. Stomach contained remains of a small beetle. Locality, 

 Massangano. 



6. Merops savignii. Native name, " Canguema-a-nene." 

 Generally seen on the tops of trees, from which it darts out 



and sweeps slowly in the air in the manner of a Swallow, return- 

 ing to rest on the tree, where it utters a very peculiar and mourn- 

 ful cry ; stomach contained remains of insects ; said to build its 

 nest on trees, lining it with wild cotton or the beautiful silky 

 cotton or fibre enveloping the seeds of the N'borotuto {Cochlo- 

 spermum angolense, Welw.). Locality, Massangano. 



7. Irrisor ERYTHRORHYNCHUS. Native name, " Quiquengo." 

 Fly generally in threes and fours, and slow, in the thick bush, 



chattering discordantly. Stomach contained remains of caterpil- 

 lars and small beetles ; legs and whole bill of a splendid light- 

 red colour. Locality, Massangano. 



8. Macronyx croceus. Native name, " Dibagueia." 

 Common in Cambambe ; stomach contained insects. 



