Expedition to the Zambesi Biver. 449 



again by a tremulous whistle towards nightfall, and kept up 

 long after the evening had closed in. 



The Zambesi natives look upon this bird with a certain 

 amount of superstition. Nothing would induce them to eat 

 it, and they told us that its flesh was poisonous. The 

 native name for this species is " Inkankatori,'' that of the 

 Helmeted bird ^'Inkanka." 



Adult S (sexual organs in breeding condition: Jan. 1, 

 1899). Iris red ; naked skin on head, chin, throat, and neck 

 bluish slate-colour; fold of naked skin at back of neck dirty 

 yellowish white ; bill greenish horn-colour ; legs and feet 

 slaty horn-colour. 



This description was taken directly after the bird had been 

 shot, and there was no sign of red on the throat as described 

 by Mr. Elliot in his Natal specimens (Elliot, Mouogr. Plias. 

 ii*. pi. 44, 1872). 



242. Pterocles bicinctus Temm. 



Of local distribution,, but in the favoured localities the 

 flocks are large. VV'e first came across this Sand -Grouse just 

 above Tete, beyond which it was fairly numerous, especially 

 at Chishomba. These birds frequent open spots in the woods 

 where the soil is loose and stony, and thp slopes of hilly 

 banks that are coated with dried grass. They are fond of 

 basking in the sun, remaining in a sleepy condition during 

 most of the day. When on the ground it is difficult to see 

 them, and one nearly treads upon tliem before they rise 

 up, startling one almost out of one^s wits with their flare 

 of wings and noisy '' chuk, chuk " notes, which are given 

 out simultaneously and with great zest. Out of the breeding- 

 season they go together in large batches, sometimes 30 or 40 

 in one flock. Each of these companies has its own particular 

 locality, from which the birds seldom stray far. In habits 

 they might almost be termed crepuscular. Every evening, 

 as regular as clockwork, and just as dusk is closing in, they 

 wing their way to their watering spots, while, should the 

 night be moonlight, they feed in the vicinity of the water. 

 At Chicowa we happened to pitch our tent in the direct 



