Birds from British East Africa. 487 



3. BuPHAGA ERYTHRORHYNCHA. Red-billed Oxpecker. 

 Buphaga erythrorhyncha (Stanl.). 



Iris red^ eyelids yellow ; bill red ; legfs dark brown. 



The Red-billed Oxpecker seemed to abound wherever 

 there were cattle, and might always be seen running over 

 them to hunt for insects ; the cattle generally appeared to 

 enjoy being relieved of the pests which infested them. 



4. DiLOPHUs CARUNCULATUS. Wattled Starling. 

 Dilophus carunculatus Riipp. 



Iris hazel-brown ; bill light yellow ; feet flesh-coloured. 



The Wattled Starling did not appear to be very common 

 and was shy and difficult to approach, flying from bush to 

 bush as we got near. I saw it near the Athi River, 

 and in the tall trees near the Native Reserve at Kallima Theki 

 there were a few pairs. 



5. Spreo superbus. Spreo Starling. 

 Spreo superbus (Riipp.). 



Iris yellow ; bill and legs black. 



The Spreo Starling was seen in large flocks along the Athi 

 River ; at sunset the birds would fly noisily into the thorn- 

 bushes near our camp, and after a good deal of fuss and 

 quarrelling would settle down to roost for the night. A 

 pair were breeding in April in the fence surrounding one 

 of the ostrich-paddocks at Theki ; the nest was constructed 

 of grass and small sticks, with the hole at the side. There 

 were four eggs, very round in shape and of a beautiful clear 

 blue-green colour. 



6. Lamprocolius chalybeus. Common Glossy Starling. 

 Lamprocolius chalybeus (Ehr.). 



Iris yellow ; bill and legs black. 



This species was obtained at Naivasha, where it was 

 common, and might generally be seen in pairs walking about 

 the rough ground in front of the hotel, presumably hunting 

 for insects ; I have no notes of having observed it anywhere 

 else. . 



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