Expedition to the Zambesi River. 457 



The correct sexing of specimens in the case of these two 

 species will therefore be of vital importance. I am well 

 aware that there are two sexed females of R. chalcopterus 

 with white on the tail-feathers in the British Museum : — 

 c. Adult ? , Damaraland (C. /. Andersson), Feb. 3. (This 

 bird, as already pointed out, has quite as much white on 

 the wing-coverts as typical examples of R. albofasciatus.) 

 f. Adult ?, Lake Shirwa (Jan. 1, A. IVhyte). On the 

 other hand, it must not be forgotten that all the female 

 specimens of R. albofasciatus in the British Museum have 

 no white on the tails, which we have proved to be present 

 in the males. 



The breeding-season is in October, since there is an adult 

 specimen of R. chalcopterus obtained off the nest Oct. 28, 

 1895, at Henga, near Deep Bay, Nyasa. 



The two above-mentioned specimens from Damaraland 

 and Lake Shirwa were therefore obtained in the non-breeding 

 season. At that time ascertainment of the sex in many 

 cases is very difficult, and we have found by experience that 

 if the utmost care is not taken an error can easily be made. 



We obtained two specimens, a fully adult male and female, 

 near Senna, and practically in the same locality; these are 

 referred for the present to R. chalcopterus : — 



Adult ^ (near Senna, July 27, 1898). Upper parts clear 

 brown ; greater wing-coverts banded with white ; tail tipped 

 with white ; iris black ; eyelids red ; bill black, red at gape 

 and base of lower mandible; legs and feet brick-red. 



Adult ? (near Senna, Aug. 4, 1898). Wing-coverts banded 

 with wdiite; quills less bright than in male; tail uniform 

 brown. 



In the figures of R. chalcopterus and R. albofasciatus (Cat. 

 xxiv. pi. iv.) the chin and throat are given as white. In 

 fully adult birds the leathers of these parts are brown, varied 

 with black. 



257. Glareola pratincola (Linn.). 



Three adults obtained, the last specimen at Chishomba, 

 Oct. 29, 1898. This species resorted to the sandbanks in 



