N. Rhodesia and Katanga District of Cuuyoland. 113 



133. M EROPS API ASTER. 



M crops a piaster (L.j ; Neave, loc. cit. p. 38. 



Tbis bird is very noticeable and occurs in considerable 

 numbers every year in September and October when on its 

 journey farther south. 



L34. Merops natalensis. 



Mcraps natalensis ( Reich.); Neave, loc. cit. p. 39. 



This gorgeous species is common in large colonies on the 

 Luangwa R. and on the lower ground on the Lualaba R., 

 but I never saw it elsewhere. 



135. Aerops boehmi. 



Aerops boehmi Reich, loc. cit. vol. ii. p. 319. 



No. 647. ? . Lofu R., L. Tanganyika, 4000 ft., Aug. 8, 

 1908. 



Bill black : feet dusky ; iris crimson. 



Nos. 666, 607, 668. ? <J tf • Lower Lofu R., 3500 ft 

 Aug. 15, 1908. 



Bill black ; feet dusky; iris crimson. 



I only met with this rare Bee-eater in the Lofu Valley, 

 south of Lake Tanganyika. It has the habits of a Mtlitto- 

 phagus rather than of a Merops, making short flights and 

 constantly returning to the same perch. It haunts the edges 

 of dense forests. I never saw it hawking high in the air as do 

 M. (/piaster and M. natalensis. It is not at all shy. 



Fam. Caprimulgid.e. 



136. COSMETORNIS VEX1LLARIUS. 



Cosmetornis vexillarius (Gould) ; Neave, loc. cit. p. 39. 



No. 410. $ . Lufupa R., 4000 ft., Oct. 25, 1907. 



Bill pinkish horn-coloured, tipped with dusky ; feet pale 

 brownish ; iris dark brown. 



No. 424. cJ . Lufupa R., 4000 ft, Oct. 30, 1907. 



Bill brownish, tipped with dusky ; feet pinkish grey, toes 

 darker ; iris dark brown. 



No. 702. S, breeding. Kalungwisi R., Sept. 8, 1908. 



Bill brownish horn-coloured ; feet dark brown ; iris dark 

 brown. 



SER. ix. — VOL. IV. , I 



