106 Mr. B. Alexander — An Ornithological 



Ming and when in flock, is a series of notes rapidly repeated 

 and in sound far-reaching and mellow. The specimens 

 that wc obtained near Zumbo in November are in splendid 

 plumage, and are all males ; and though we tried hard to get 

 females, we found the parties of these birds consisting entirely 

 of the male sex. 



This bird has a strong and straight flight, and it seldom, if 

 ever, alights on the ground. 



Adult (^ (Zumbo). Total length (measured in flesh) 11 "6 

 inches, wing 3"G4', tail 8'6. Iris hazel ; bill black, base of 

 upper mandible pink; soft parts coral-red; legs and feet 

 pinkish red. 



154. Gallikex chlorochlamys (Shelley). 



A scarce bird along the Zambesi, which is the southern- 

 most range of this species. Two females were met with on 

 October 28 below Zumbo. 



155. ScHizoRHis coNcoLOR (Smith). 



Common. During a day^s trek through more or less open 

 country, a party of four or five individuals may always be 

 observed travelling from one belt of trees to another with a 

 lazy, lackadaisical flight. The Grey Plantain-eater is a tire- 

 some bird. The hunter often has occasion to curse it freely, 

 since he stands little chance of approaching game should 

 one of these birds be in the vicinity of his path. From the 

 top of some tall tree it will utter iu a most persistent manner 

 its alarm-cry, which is gruff" and wheezy and much drawled 

 out, and might be likened to the words ''Oh, why?" "Oh, why 

 disturb me?" it seems to say. The bird also has a peculiar 

 call-note, a groaning grunt, just as if it was going to suffer 

 from an acute attack of illness. 



Holes in the baobab-trees are generally chosen as nesting- 

 sites. On November 10 we shot a young bird which was 

 just able to fly. 



156. Centropus natalensis (Shelley). 



Found near Tete. On the higher reaches of the river 

 C. superciliosus takes its place. 



