Expedition to the Zambesi River. 455 



251. ToTANUs GLAREOLA (Linn.). 



First observed on Aug. 24, becoming more numerous in 

 November. When walking this species has the same habit 

 of flirting its tail up and down as the Common Sandpiper. 



Adult. Iris brown ; legs and feet brownish green. 



On Sept. 13 we obtained a specimen iu worn breeding- 

 plumage. 



252. Tkixgoides hypoleucus (Linn.). 

 Common. First obtained on August 24. 



253. NUMENIUS ARQUATA (LiuU.). 



The well-known whistle of the Curlew was heard on 

 October 3. 



254. RhyncHvEa CAPENsis (Linn.). 



By no means common, frequenting the muddy portions of 

 the pools near the river. It is not a shy bird, flying low 

 over the ground to alight a few paces further ahead, where 

 it commences to flirt its tail up and down, after the manner 

 of the Sandpipers. It feeds chiefly at dusk. 



Adult (J (Dec. 1, 1898). Organs in breeding-condition. 

 Iris brown ; bill brown ; legs and feet greenish. 



Our three specimens are all males. 



255. HiMANTOPUs CANDiDUs Bouuat. 



The Black-winged Stilt was occasionally observed in pairs 

 on sandspits in the river. 



256. Rhinoptilus chalcopterus (Temm.). 



It is somewhat difficult, when examining the series of this 

 species and of its near ally, R. albofascintus (Sharpe), to decide 

 as to the validity of the latter species. From the increased 

 material now at hand it certainly may be questioned. The 

 peculiar characteristics of R. albofasciatus are — (1) the 

 white bar down the wing, formed by the broad white margins 

 of the greater wing-coverts; (2) the dull bronzy green, 

 scarcely purple, ends of the quills ; (3) the absence of the 

 white band at the tip of the tail-feathers. (Sharpe, Cat. B. 

 Brit. Mus. xxiv. p. 50.) Among the series of R. albofasciatus 



2 I 2 



