Mashonaliuid Birds. 245 



105. Rhinopomastescyanomelas. (Scimitar-billed Wood- 

 hoopoe.) 



Very much scarcer than the preceding, and differing 

 irom it in that it occurs only in pairs, and also it not 

 infrequently descends to the ground in pursuit of its prey, 

 whereas I have never seen Irrisor viridis on the ground. The 

 present species has also a much more graceful floating flight. 

 The stomachs contain diptera, reduviid bugs, and occasionally 

 cteniform spiders, and wasps. 



106. Cypselus apus. (Common Swift.) 



Mr. Ayres notes this species from the Umfuli in September 

 and October, which seems to be the usual time of their 

 arrival. Last season, however, I saw a few apparently 

 passing over in October, but observed no more till the end 

 of January, when a large flock arrived, remained for a few 

 days, and then disappeared. 



107. Cypselus gaffer. (African White-rumped Swift.) 

 Seen in Mashonaland in September and October by 



Mr. Ayres. 



108. Caprimulgus RUFiGENA. (Rufous-chccked Nightjar.) 

 A common species ; the stomach of one specimen con- 

 tained 14 examples of a coprophilous beetle — Onthophagus 

 gazella F. 



109. Caprimut.gus fossil (Foss's Nightjar.) 



Almost as common as the preceding, but more often 

 found among rocks and about the large termite-heaps. 

 An immature Nightjar in my collection may perhaps be 

 referable to C. pectoralis Cuv. 



110. CosMETORNis VEXiLLARius. (Staudard-wiugcd Niglit- 



jar.) 



This singular bird is fairly common in most parts of the 

 country, being especially partial to rocky wooded kopjes. 

 The male assumes his long wing-feathers as early as August, 

 generally losing them about December. The eggs, two in 

 number, are laid on the bare ground, and are pinkish white, 

 Mith rusty brown spots and blotches, which arc thicker at 



