Ornitholoyy of the Gold Coast. 49 



to be similar to those of the Rollers in general. It is not so 

 shy as E. gularis, and perhaps not so common. 



25. EuRYSTOMUS GULARIS (V.) : Sharpe^ p. 5. 



In the breaks and clearings of the Fantee forests, in corn- 

 fields, and in sweet-potato patches, the Blue-throated Roller 

 is generally a prominent object. Perched in solitude upon a 

 naked twig, in the centre of a clear space, if possible, he will 

 sit for hours, only quitting his post for an instant to capture 

 some passing prey. His movements at times resemble those 

 of a Hawk, as he will occasionally remain suspended in the 

 air for a short period, hovering about from one bush to 

 another, but invariably returning to his original post after a 

 time. He is by no means so handsome a bird as E. afer, 

 and is much more difficult of approach. He is generally alone, 

 whereas E. afer appear to be usually in pairs. 



26. Ceryle Rums (L.) : Sharpe, p. 6. 



This widely distributed species is very common in Fantee 

 and on the Gold Coast generally. Wherever there is water, 

 fresh or salt, this industrous bird may be seen hovering at a 

 short distance above the water and making occasional rapid 

 dashes on its prey. I have frequently watched a pair from 

 Government House at Accra, hawking over the surf, and pick- 

 ing up waifs and strays brought in by the rollers, or now and 

 then pouncing on an unwary fish. In the river Volta they 

 literally swarm, flying in batches out of the bushes as they 

 become startled. Although not apparently gregarious, they 

 are generally in such large quantities (in suitable localities) 

 as to produce the impression of a small flock. I have occa- 

 sionally, but rarely, met with a straggler at some distance 

 from water ; but, as a rule, they are not seen far from a river 

 or pond of some kind. 



27. Ceryle maxima (Pall.) : Sharpe, p. 6. 



This bird is met with on most of the rivers of the Gold 

 Coast, and, indeed, of the Guinea coast generally, nearly al- 

 ways in pairs. Their movements are very rapid for so heavy 

 a bird. I have never seen them far from water, indeed 

 never away from the overhanging bushes of the river-bank, 



SER. III. — VOL. IV. E 



