Expedition to tkt Zambesi River. 441 



standing, all hunched uu, on bushes overhanging the water, 

 and so close that we could have knocked them over with 

 sticks, but they took no notice of us. 



217. Ardetta sturmi (Wagl.). 



Rare. A pair obtained close to Kafue river on Jan. 7 , 

 with sexual organs in breeding condition. 



Adult cJ . Total length (measured in the flesh) 17*4 inches, 

 wing 6'8. Iris red; soft parts bluish ilesh-colour ; legs 

 yellowish ; feet brown. 



Adult ? . Total length (measured in the flesh) 15"15 inches^ 

 wing 5 '9. Coloration as in male. 



218. Scopus umbretta Gm. 



An adult male, Chicowa, Sept. 15. Contents of stomach, 

 tadpoles. 



219. CicoNiA NIGRA (Linn,). 



Large parties observed on the sandbanks from time to 

 time, especially in December. Wlien feeding, their move- 

 ments are extremely slow. No order is kept in the flock, 

 and close formation is soon lost, each bird going its own 

 way. 



2'20. MyCTERIA SENEGALENSIS ShaW. 



Single birds (adults) now and again seen, especially on 

 the lower reaches of the river. 



221. Phalacrocorax, sp. inc. 



A Cormorant observed on the Kafue river was generally 

 glossy black and of larger size than P. africana; it was 

 probably P. capensis. 



222. Phalacrocorax africana (Gm.). 



Well distributed. All our specimens, killed in November 

 and December, are in the non-breeding plumage. Out of 

 the breeding-season these birds are generally to be observed 

 in large parties, numbering sometimes as many as fifteen. 

 This Cormorant swims very low in the water, its back being 

 hardly seen; only a long neck is visible, giving one the idea 

 of some water-snake rather than a bird, and as it travels 

 down with the stream, the thin Darter-like neck is continually 



