from llie Amsferchou Dislrief. 35 



568. Plotus rufus. (Snake Bird.) 



(a) (J. 17.7.06. Swazieland. In stomach fish. 



(b) ? . 15.6.06. Indhlovudwalilie. Iris yellow. In 

 stomach fish. 



Fairly common along the banks of the Compies river. 



In three of these birds which I have skinned I have found 

 the whole throat and the upper part of the stomach covered 

 inside with countless numbers of worms : these parasites are 

 about an inch in length and very thin. It is most surprising 

 how these birds can live in such a state. In one specimen 

 I found the worms in great numbers at the back of the 

 mouth and under the tongue. They seem to be much more 

 easily approached in this district than in the Great Letaba 

 Valley in the Zoutpansberg, where I found them very shy. 

 When wounded, they immediately dive and are not seen 

 again ; probably they take shelter under the reeds by the 

 side of the river. 



584. Scopus umbretta. (Hammerkop.) 



(a) ? . 3.6.06. Indhlovudwalilie. 



Common. A very tame bird ; one was shot whilst feeding 

 in the water-furrow a few yards from the house. In 

 October 1906, I came across a nest, on a rock in the middle 

 of a small stream, without eggs, which was composed entirely 

 of mealie stalks. It was most surprising how a bird of 

 this size could carry such a load to its nest. Two pure 

 white ego-s were taken from a nest near Amsterdam on 

 September 9th. 



605. *Geronticus calvus. (Bald Ibis.) 



Plentiful, generally to be seen going about in small flocks 

 of from three to six. They breed regularly on a ledge of a 

 krantz overhanging the (Jompies river : they also breed near 

 Amersfoort on the High Veld. A flock when disturbed 

 usually rises in circle to a great height before making off. 



606. *Hagedashia hagedash. (Hadada.) 



Common. Far more easy to approach than the preceding 

 species, although at times they are very shy. Usually to be 

 found in swampy places. I did not preserve any. 



