Leadenham Avianj Notes, 1012. 75 



tvitcr (cf) struck up a great friendship during the summer 

 and I have seen them sitting- together and "kissing" like 

 love-birds! 



Failukks: The^e inclu le Cutthroats {Anmdina fasciala), 

 Z('l)ra Doves {Gcopclia striata), Avadavats {S. am.adava), 

 IMai'k-eheeked Lovebirds {Agapornis nigrigenis), and Cordon 

 Bleus {Estrilda phoenicotis), all of which had eggs, also St. He- 

 lena Waxbills (Esfri'daasrildi) and Red-billed Weavers (Quelca 

 qtielea), who built. Biu-h Bronze-wing Pigeons (Phaps ele- 

 gans) have been nesting and sitting ever since they were given 

 to me in July! Have had many infertile eggs, but some have 

 been ready to hatch, which failed from one cause or another; 

 these birds are very fond of wo/ms, also lettuce. A pair of 

 Painted Quails {Excal,'acloi in chlnoisis) which had been in 

 the aviary for three years never attempted to nest! Both 

 have died during the year. 



I possess at the present moment just under one liun- 

 dreil birds, and hope these few not^s re their doings may be of 

 interest to readers of "B.N." 



-■■- 



Birds of Gambia. 



By E. Hoi'KiNSi.N D.S.O., M.A., M.B. 

 Conlinucd from page 40. 

 PAllKIDJE. 

 Phyllopezus africana. AFRICAN J AC AN A. 

 Range. Africa. {R.L.). 



This bird, the Jito-suseo (= water-chicken) of the Maadingos, 

 is extremely common everywhere on the swamps, where one may 

 often see hundreds on or round a single pool. Their general coluiu' 

 is chestnut brown, darker on back, wings and tail; the head and 

 neck are white with a leaden-blue frontal shield, blaclc eye-streak 

 and yellowish throat patch bordered with black. Tlieir chief char- 

 acteristic is the enormous length of the toes, which enables them to 

 move easily over the matted grass and other vegetation of their 

 favourite haunts. Lengtli 10 inches. Bill and legs leal-blue. 

 CHARADRIID^. 

 In the Gambia we have three common Plovers. 



(1) our "Brown Plover " with big yellow face-wattles and 

 short strong wing-spurs — 



Lobivavellus scnc(jalensis. SENEGAL WATTLED LAPWING 

 Range. West antl North-east Africa. {H.L). 



(2) and (3^ both black and white. 



