590 Mr. A. B. Percival on Birds 



50. BucoRAX CAFFER Bociige ; Grant, Cat. B. Brit. ]\Ius. 

 xvii. p. 251 (1892). 



Not uncommon in small flocks of five or six, where 

 there is open bush country, particularly near rivers. It 

 is very noisy before rain, calling all night and uttering its 

 peculiar double booming cry. 



In Natal and Swaziland Bucorax cafer is called the 

 "Rain-bird.'' 



The bare skin of the head and neck is very noticeable 

 when the birds are seen even at a distance of one hundred 

 yards or more. I did not obtain a single specimen, as they 

 were so wild and wary. 



51. LopHocEROs MELANOLEUCUs (Licht.) ; Shelley, Ibis, 

 1897, p. 544. 



Not Tincoramon, and usually seen in small flocks. Very 

 noisy. I read in my note-book, August 15th. 1898: — 

 ''Crowned Hornbills .... are very numerous just now, in 

 flocks of six or eight; they are quite fearless, and allow me 

 to walk up to the tree on which they are sitting before 

 moving.'' 



52. LoPHocEKOS EPiRHiNus (Suuclcv.) ; Graiit, Cat. B. 

 Brit. Mus. xvii. p. 408 (1892). 



Very few seen. 



53. CoRYTHORNis CYANOSTIGMA (Riipp.) ; Sliclley, Ibis, 

 1897, p. 544. 



Very common on all the streams or rivers of the Chironio 

 district. 



54. Alcedo semitorquatus Swains. ; Shelley, Ibis, 1894, 

 p. 467. 



Not common on the Euo or the Shire. 



55. Ceryle RUDis (Linn.) ; Shelley, Ibis, 1897, p. 544. 



Extremely common on the Zambesi and the Shire, particu- 

 larly at Fort Herald, on the Shire, where I often saw parties 

 of seven or eight of these birds together. Commonest m 

 July and August. 



