Exped'Uion to the Zambesi River* 93 



Adult. Total length (measured in flesh) 8'5 inches, wing 

 5*8. Iris hazel ; bill black ; legs and feet dark brown. 

 Our four specimens are all adults. 



123. Ch^tura stictil^ma (Reichen.). 



Only once observed, near Zumbo on November 8, when a 

 small party of six birds appeared and remained in the vicinity 

 for two days, leaving again on the third day. The flight is 

 remarkably powerful, while at the same time the white rump 

 is very conspicuous. 



Adult (Zumbo, November 8). Total length (measured 

 in flesb) 5*5 inches, wing 5*7, culmen 0"3. Iris black; bill, 

 legs, and feet black. 



124. Tachornis parva (Licht.). 



Found in colonies along the river, but not numerous. On 

 landing at a small Kaffir village near Senna, on July 22, 

 we found a colony of these Swifts had taken possession of 

 the palm-trees that grew close to the huts, around which 

 they flew^ incessantly. They were eA'idently building, for 

 numbers kept flying up into the cups of the palm-leaves^ the 

 next moment to dart away, and this w'ent on without ceasino-, 

 a continued string of birds flying up to and down from the 

 leaves of these tall coconut-trees. 



125. Caprimulgus fossii (Hartl.). 



Found in a variety of places. Waste land partially over- 

 grown with reeds near the river, localities covered with thick 

 long grass, and open stony portions of ground in the thick 

 woods were common to the Nightjar, Avhicli we frequently 

 flushed during the daytime. 



Senna, July 24. — Towards dusk a large number of Night- 

 jars came abroad and flitted to and fro over some low-lying 

 ground bordering the river. They would often alight on 

 the native paths in front of us and then start up at our feet 

 in a noiseless manner, only to pitch again a few yards ahead. 

 And numbers kept flying backwards and forwards over a bed 

 of thick fish-cane with a flower of a flufty nature that no doubt 

 attracted moths. The bottom of this cane-growth resounded 

 with the clear croak of innumerable bullfrogs, and when it 



