36 On the South African Species of Centropns. 



are somewhat smaller than a fowl's egg and have a very hard 

 shell, dull white in colour. The nesting period is during 

 spring. I have seen a hybrid with the common fowl, which 

 was black with purplish lobes, feathers about the leg very 

 fluffy ; these are said to be hardy and good layer*. 



IV. — On the South African Species q/" Centropus. 

 By Dr. J. W. B. Gunning and Alwin Haagner. 



Dr. Reichenow, in his standard work on the ' Birds of 

 Africa,' mentions that he has no satisfactory proof for the 

 inclusion of South Africa in the habitat of Centropus super- 

 ciliosus or C. senegcdensis. 



After a careful study of the series of skins in the Transvaal 

 Museum, which is fortunately fairly large, we have come to 

 the conclusion that besides C.flecki (recorded from Nocana 

 on the Okavango near Lake Ngami by Dr. E. Fleck) we 

 must include the two, considered as doubtful by Reiclienow, 

 in the Avifauna of South Africa. These aie : Centi'opus 

 senegalen&is and Centropus superciliosus. 



Owing to some confusion in the correct identification of the 

 species, Mr. W. L. Sclater was at a loss to know how to allocate 

 the records of tlie geographical distribution to the two closely 

 allied species C. burchelli and C. superciliosus, although he 

 includes the latter, as well as C. senegalensis, in the South 

 African list. The last has been recorded from Bechuanaland 

 by Buckley. 



The following lists of specimens in the Museum, with 

 collector, locality, and date, will throw considerable light on 

 subject. 



1. Centropus senegalensis. (Senegal Coucal.) 



Head dark brown, glossed ; rump and upper tail-coverts 

 plain, not barred. 



a. S • Matabeleland, "Wilde, September. 



b. ? . Zambesi, Wilde, September. 



2. Centropus burchelli. (South African Coucal.) 

 Head deep blue-black with steely reflections ; little or no 



