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trees near the town. Kites and Vultures were the most

conspicuous; and everywhere a House-sparrow ( Passer

ntfido? salis) was in evidence. The start from Khartoum up the

White Nile was made on March 21st, the east bank only being

explored, the west being at that time regarded as unsafe.


Although Mr. Witherby’s book forms the narrative of a

naturalist’s expedition in search of birds (141 species being

observed, a list of which is appended) it is also a brightly

written record of a traveller’s experiences amongst the tribes of

the Soudan.


BIRD NOTES.


A short time ago. Professor Newton invited our members to try which

birds would eat mistletoe berries, but so far we have heard no further on

the subject. Apparently mistletoe berries are not very readily eaten bv an}'

wild birds, and it is not until severe weather sets in and other food becomes

scarce, that these berries are taken. Mr. F. Boyes, of Beverley, wrote thus

to the Field of March 1st, last:


The berries oil the mistletoe remained untouched until the spell of severe weather a

fortnight ago, when the ground became covered with snow, and the birds were driven

almost to starvation. Then it was, on the last day before the thaw, that everv berry in the

garden disappeared. I think, though I am not certain, it was the Redwings which got

them, for these birds were then remarkably tame through hunger, and they are always the

first to suffer during frost. The Mistletoe Thrushes are singing finely now the winter has

gone. They might have taken the berries, for they came about the garden during the frost.



The Zoologist for Feb. contains an interesting account of the South

African Ground Hornbill or Brom-vogel (Bucorax cajer) from the pen of Mr.

W. L. Sclater. This bird (of which an illustration is given) inhabits the

eastern half of Cape Colony, where it is known as the “ Turkey Buzzard”

or “Wild Turkey.” They move about the country in small flocks and feed

entirely on the ground, and, unlike other hornbills, they walk and do not

hop. All kinds of insects and grubs, snakes, frogs, lizards, tortoises, rats,

and mice, form the food of this species.


The South African Natives attach magical properties to the Brom-

vogel, chiefly in connection with the production of rain. “The Kaffirs of

the eastern portion of the Colony,” writes Mr. Sclater, “ during times of

severe drought, will kill one by order of the ‘ rain doctor.’ A stone is then

attached to its neck, and it is flung into a ‘ vlei,’ or sometimes into a river.

The idea is that the bird, having an offensive smell, will make the water

sick, and that, in order to remedy this state of things, rain will fall in great

quantities, which will flush out the ‘ vlei ’ or river.”



“In captivity,” Mr. Sclater proceeds, “this bird makes a charming

and delightful companion ; it is very sociable, and loves to come and squat

close to one to be petted. It is most useful in the garden, as it spends a

great deal of its time searching for caterpillars, snails, worms, and grubs of

all kinds; should, however, any young chickens or ducks be about, it is



