Mashonaland Birds. 265 



209. OxYECHUs TRicoLLAKis. (Treble- coUared Sand- 

 piper.) 



This species is common during the wet season, running 

 about the margins of pools and rivers either singly or in 

 pairs. It has a jerky gait, and will run rapidly for a shoi't 

 distance and then stop short and bob its head up and down. 

 Its flight is strong, but seldom long sustained, and when 

 flushed it will generally return in a short time to its favourite 

 pool. 



210. Tringoides hypoleucus. (Common Sandpiper.) 



A fairly common migrant in our summer; it is a solitary 

 bird, and resembles the preceding species in its general 

 habits. 



211. ToTANUs CANESCENS. (Grcetishauk.) 



The Greenshank reaches us from Europe about September, 

 and is to be found in small flocks along the river-beds, more 

 especially wherever there are any stretches of sand. It is a 

 somewhat wary bird and flies strongly, often at a considerable 

 elevation. 



2] 2. Gallinago nigripenms. (Black-quilled Snipe.) 

 In the earlier days Snipe used to be fairly plentiful in the 

 low-lying ground round Salisbury, and very respectable bags 

 have often been obtained ; but recently they appear to have 

 become a good deal scarcer, possibly owing to a succession 

 of several dry years. 



213. Rostratula capensis. (African Painted Snipe.) 

 Very much scarcer than the preceding. 



214. Ibis .ethiopica. (Sacred Ibis.) 



I have examined a single female specimen of this bird 

 which was shot on the Makabusi river, not far from 

 Salisbury. 



215. Herodias bubulcus. (Buff'-backed Egret.) 



A common species, though, like many other water-loving 

 birds, it has been decidedly less plentiful during the recent 

 drv summers. Flocks of 20 or 30 mav occasiouallv be seen 



