52 Mr. II. T. Ussher on the 



never shot but one myself; and that was in the vieinity of 

 Accra, when returning from shooting one evening. I have 

 received it from Dcnkera and Assim, and it is by no means 

 rare. It is said to be good food, and is eaten by the natives. 



39. MusoPiiAGA vioLACEA (Iscrt) : Hartl. Orn. Westafr. 

 p. 159. 



This magnificent Plantain-eater exists in all the forests of 

 the Gold Coast, but is very rare and difficult to obtain, I 

 have occasionally had them brought to me in confinement for 

 sale ; but they seem to pine, and do not take so kindly to cap- 

 tivity as the commoner Green Touraco {Corythaix persa). 

 I once had a fine opportunity of shooting at a small flock of 

 them, about eight in number, near Cape Coast, but, most un- 

 fortunately, had only a small pea-rifle with me at the time, 

 which was useless. From the above circumstance I am dis- 

 posed to think that they are sociable, although perhaps not 

 strictly gregarious. Their appearance in the forest is very 

 fine, their gorgeous colouring contrasting powerfully with 

 the-deep-toned monotonous green of the tropical vegetation. 



40. ScHizoRHis AFRicANA (Lath.): Sharpe, p. 11. 



I have not observed this Plantain-eater in Fantee or the 

 western portions of the Gold Coast ; but in the open plains of 

 Accra and the eastern Volta-district it seems to be very com- 

 mon. In fact the sportsman or collector cannot fail to be 

 attracted by it as it flies from bush to bush, though generally 

 keeping at a respectful distance from the gun. As the natives 

 assert that it is palatable food, and seem glad to obtain it, 

 the bird has doubtless become more wary than most other 

 birds. 



41. CucuLUS CANORUs, L. : Sharpe, p. 12. 



The only specimen of the common Cuckoo obtained by me 

 in Fantee was shot on the 2nd of November, 1870, on Con- 

 nor's Hill. 



42. CoccYSTEs GLANDARius (L.) : Sharpe, p. 12. 



I have never observed this bird elsewhere than on Connor's 

 Hill, near Cape Coast. I have met with three specimens 



