104 Birds ol Gambia. 



Range. West Africa, S'enegambia to Gal)oo;i, Xoith East Af- 

 rica to Egypt. {H.L } 



This Thickknee, so noticeable with its l)ull-liead and big 

 yellow eye, diffei's only from its European relative, the "Norfolk 

 Plover " in having one instead of two white wing-bars, and is com- 

 mon throughout the Gambia. They are found singly, iu pairs or 

 .small parties of about half a do/en, usually on fairly dry ground; 

 they are particularly fond of bush -covered uplands where there is 

 little or no grass and the bush is sparse, but also haunt the edges 

 of the river, especially in its upper parts where the banks are sandy 

 and comparatively high. They are usually easily shot and provide 

 quite a palatable dish. The Mandigo name is Kuiiag-kuling. 

 GLAEEOLID.E. 



Glareula pratincola. PltATINCULA. 



R(inyc. Soulli Eurojie to C'ential Asia and India, in Africa 

 in winter. (H.L ) 



G. mela.wptera. NOKDMANN S PKATINCOLE. 



Range. South East Europe, Africa in winter. (H.L). 



Pratincoles are often seen in immense numbers on the swamps 

 during the dry season, but tliey are most erratic in thei'r movements, 

 here to-day and gone to-morrow. One year (1907) it i-eally seemed 

 as if they had come after locusts, as G. melanoptera does in South 

 Africa, but in other years there has appeared no connection, as they 

 have been very numerous when no locusts have been about. 



The diagnostic point between the two species is that iu 

 piatiucula the axillaries are chestuul, in Dwltuioptcrd black. Nearly 

 all our birds are the first named, but i am practically certain lliat 1 

 have seen melanuptera here. 



Budgett found G. pratincola in large flocks at Kwinella in 

 March, while my notes are as follow : — 



1902. March. ' Very common on the Soma swamp " (Piyce). 



1904. January. '' A large flock of Pratincoles on the Karawan 

 swamp." (Pryce). 



1907. February. Thousands on the marsh at Misera. There 

 have been a good many locusts this year. These birds probably come 

 after them. I do not think I have ever seen them here before. 



iy07. June 20. Aljamadu. A dozen or more Pratincoles 

 hawking over the swamp; often alighted on the ground and slowly 

 fanned their wings over their backs. Shot one for identification, ( = 

 pratincola, axillaries rufous). 



1909. May 5. Silfor. Hundreds of Piatincoles round the pools 

 on the swamp. 



1909. May 0. Not one to-day, where there were hundreds 

 yesterday. 



1909. May 9. A few back again in the same place. 



1912. April 9. Large numbers of Pratincoles on the Kaialf 

 swamp . 



FINIS, 



