90 Mr. G. L. Bates on the 



when I was going along a forest- path, I heard a variety of 

 strange noises in the tree-tops, and soon discovered a party 

 of half a dozen et Bobone " (as the natives call them) chasing- 

 each other, apparently in play. 



4. Bycanistes albotibialis Cab. et Reich. (Grant, Cat. 

 B. xxii. p. 420). 



This bird (the ' c Miam ") is the most common of the larger 

 Hornbills. Two or more are generally found together, in 

 the tops of the tall forest-trees which bear the fruits that they 

 eat. As the foliage generally hides them from view, they 

 are less often seen than heard. They have a loud clamorous 

 call, and besides make querulous cries while they feed ; 

 whenever they take flight the rushing sound of their wings 

 is quite startling. 



I have watched Hornbills feeding and pulling from the 

 trees fruits that cling tightly. They seemed to turn the head 

 in such a manner as to bring their great casque against the 

 twig and get a purchase, and so to wrench the fruit off, as a 

 man does in the case of an apple that sticks fast by turning 

 his hand and bringing the knuckles against the twig. 



5. Bycanistes sharpii (Ibis, 1904, p. 609). 



The " Zanga-miam/'' as this species is called, is very like 

 the larger " Miam " in habits., and often goes in company 

 Avith it. It is less noisy and has a different manner of 

 flight ; for while the " Miam " flies steadily aud heavily, the 

 " Zanga " progresses in long undulations and is quite light 

 and graceful for a Hornbill. 



6. SCOPTELUS BBUNNEICEPS (t. C. p. 610). 



The three specimens of this species obtained were shot on 

 two occasions. At both times the birds were seen in small 

 flocks of from three or four to half a dozen. They were 

 silently hunting for insects among the trees of old cleared 

 land, flitting from bough to bough and sometimes clinging 

 head downwards like a ' Sun-bird. The stomachs of my 

 specimens contained insects of various kinds and a spider, 

 while one had also some seeds in it. After killing the last 



