Coraciidse of the Ethiopian Ret/ion. 197 



its range along the eastern coast, and to be found within the 

 limits of the Abyssinian subregion. 



Dr. von. Heuglin (/. c.) remarks : — " Speke collected this beau- 

 tiful bird in Bogue in Uzinza ; and I believe I have often seen it 

 in the lowlands, south-west of the Gazelle river, where a Roller, 

 unknown to me, inhabited the low bushes, generally in pairs." 



Dr. Kirk (Ibis, 1864, p. 324) says it is a very common bird 

 in the open woods and bush country near the Zambesi and other 

 rivers, that the cry is harsh, and that the plumage varies con- 

 siderably, being much less brilliant during the cold and dry 



Mr. Layard (Ibis, /. c.) gives the following note from the pen 

 of Dr. Exton : — " From Sechele^s northwards C. caudata is com- 

 monly known as ' Mosilikatze's bird,' its liveliness and pugnacity 

 perhaps having given rise to the old warrior's interest in it. In 

 his earlier career Mosilikatze claimed its feathers solely for royal 

 use and adornment, and in his milder moods has been known to 

 give an ox to the youth who had captured and presented him 

 with one of these birds. It delights to perch on the topmost 

 branch of a leafless tree, from which it gives forth its note of 

 challenge ; and should a Crow or Hawk approach, it will make 

 rapid darts at the intruder, and with sharp pecks and harsh 

 screams drive off birds greatly its superior in size and strength. 

 Bechuana name, ' Le Cler-cler ;' Matibili, ' Fe-fe."' 



Mr. Ayres says : — " This species, like the preceding one, is 

 found in Natal, and also on the river Limpopo." 



In Angola, writes Mr. Monteiro, " it is very common on the 

 coast, but not met with inland beyond twenty or thirty miles. 

 Seen flying about, with irregular flight, all through the day, 

 chattering much, and feeding on Orthoptera. One kept five 

 months in captivity subsisted on raw beef. Native name, 

 ' Tacamantaea.' " 



My descriptions are taken from specimens in my collection, 

 obtained by Audersson at Otjimbinque, in Damara Land. 



4. CORACIAS ABYSSINICA. 



Rollie)^ d'ahjssinie, Buff. PI. Enl. 626. 

 Rollier du Senegal, Buff. PI. Enl. 326. 



