284 Capt. B. Alexander on the 



menta take place in the dry season, when food and water are 

 scarce in the open country. 



A glance at the map (p. 279) will shew what a network 

 of watercourses there is between Senegambia and the Nile. 



At the beginning of May, 1901, I left Gambaga and 

 trekked to Salaga, and thence on to the River Volta at 

 Yeji, where I took a canoe down to Pong. From this place 

 a two days' trek brought me to Accra. The Volta, which is 

 over 300 yards wide in places, is a beautiful river ; its 

 course is vei*y erratic, and the banks are clothed with belts 

 of trees, while here and there the water is broken by groups 

 of rocks, causing rapids, which add to the beauty of the 

 scenery. It is doubtful whether this fine river could ever be 

 utilized for steam-transport, on account of these rapids. 



The following is a list of the species of birds obtained 

 during my expedition, references being added to prior 

 observations on the birds of the Gold Coast and Togoland, 

 and usually to the B. M. Catalogue, with field-notes where 

 there is anything special to record. 



I have followed the arrangement of Capt. Shelley in the 

 first volume of his ' Birds of Africa.' My best thanks are 

 due to Mr. W. Ogilvie-Grant for much help in the identi- 

 fication of my birds. 



1. Hedydipna platura (Vieill.). 



Hedydipna platura Hartert, Nov. Zool. vi. p. 415 (1899) 

 (Gambaga) . 



Nectarinia platura Gadow, Cat. B. ix. p. 10 (1884). 



Observed in pairs at Gambaga. In December the males 

 of this species were in full breeding-plumage. 



2. Nectarinia pulchella (Linn.). 



Nectarinia ptdchella Gadow, Cat. B. ix. p. 7 (1884) ; 

 Hartert, Nov. Zool. vi. p. 415 (1899) (Gambaga) ; Shelley, 

 B. Afr. ii. p. 23 (1900). 



Gambaga, many specimens. In April and May adults in 

 breeding-plumage were abundant. 



3. CiNNYRis cupREUs (Shaw). 



Cinnyris cupreus Gadow, Cat. B. ix. p. 55 (1884) ; 



