Expedition to the Zambesi River. 431 



1S2. Agapornis LILIANS Shelley. 



This pretty Love-bird is decidedly rare, having a very 

 limited range along the river. 



We met with it first near Chicowa^ again at Chishomba, 

 some thirty miles further up the river, and lastly at Zumbo, 

 This Parrakeet frequented enclosed country overgrown with 

 mimosa-bush, in flocks which sometimes numbered as many 

 as twenty birds, the majority of which were males. 



At Zumbo this species was fairly numerous within a small 

 area of country, outside of which it was not to be found. 

 Throughout the day small flocks would continually visit the 

 water and travel back again, the same way as they had come, 

 to some thick retreat among the undergrowth of acacia, and in 

 their journey they were ever uttering their rounds of cries, 

 almost in unison, but so shrill that they almost set one^s 

 teeth on edge. 



A half-caste at Matacania, just below Zumbo, had a number 

 of these Love-birds in an aviary. They did not seem to 

 mind confinement. 



This species was described by Capt. Shelley (Ibis, 1894, 

 p. 466, pi. xii.) from specimens collected by Mr. Alexander 

 VVhyte at Fort Liwondi, Upper Shire river. Sir John Kirk 

 appears also to have met with the species, of which he 

 writes : — "■ Found in one spot, limited to about 20 miles, on 

 the Shire river, between Nyasa and the rapids. It was never 

 seen elsewhere, but was found there on two occasions. It 

 is gregarious" (Ibis, 1864, p. 329). It is closely allied to 

 Agapornis fincheri from the Victoria Nyanza ; the latter is 

 figured by Reichenow in the J. f. O, 1889, t. iv. f. 1. 



Agapornis liliana differs principally in having the crown 

 and occiput brick-red in place of dull olive-green ; the nape 

 greenish yellow, and not reddish yellow ; the upper tail- 

 coverts green, like the back, instead of ultramarine-blue ; 

 tips of the tail-feathers green, not blue. 



We obtained a good series, four males and two females. 



Adult c? (Zumbo, Nov. 9). Total length (measured in the 

 flesh) 5-2 inches, wing 3*45 (wing 2-7? Shelley, Ibis, 1894, 

 p. 466), culmen 06, tarsus 05. Bill rose-colour; base 



