18 On the Black-faced Lore-Bird. 



The following are the measurements in the flesh taken by 

 Mr. C. Wilde, the collector :— 



(? : 1. 147-150 mm. ; wing 90-95 mm. ; tail 47-55 mm. 



? : 1. 150-154 mm.; wing 93-95 mm. ; tail 52-55 mm. 



Imm. : 1. 140-142 mm. ; wing 90-91 mm. ; tail 50-53 mm. 



[Soft parts : " Iris brown ; eyelids white ; nose white ; 

 feet grey ; bill red, near nose w^hite." — C VV'.] 



The skin-measurements of some specimens not measured in 

 the flesh are : — 



(S S '• w. 94-96 mm. ; tail 47-48 nnn. ; tarsus 10 mm. ; 

 middle toe with claw 20 mm. ; bill 15 mm. 



? ? : w. 94 mm. ; tail 43 mm. ; bill 14*5 mm. 



Habitat. — The majority of these specimens were collected in 

 the Barotse Country, north of the Zambesi, but three are 

 from the Caprivi-corner of German South-west Africa, 

 between the Chobi and Zambesi Rivers, which brings the 

 species well within the geographical boundary of South 

 Africa. 



Habits. — Mr. Wilde informs me that he has seen these 

 birds in large flocks, and that they live chiefly on seeds and 

 berries (in season). 



The birds in the Gardens here are in a very healthy con- 

 dition and live on bird-seed, soaked bread, pumpkin-pips, and 

 sunflower-seeds. They climb like parrots and are fond of 

 gnawing at the branches of their tree-perches. They may 

 also often be seen billing one another. The cry is a shrill 

 grating chirrup. 



[Since writing the above I have received the October 

 number of the ' Avicultural Magazine,^ containing a coloured 

 plate of this species, and notes by Messrs. Astley and Phillipps. 

 Amongst other details Mr. Astley tries to show a difference 

 between the two sexes. In a series of nearly 1000 of these 

 birds, just brought down from Rhodesia, I can find no sexual 

 differences whatever, and of the 1000 only about 2 ^/q have 

 light-coloured iridcs.] 



