128 Mr. B. A. Masterson on 



Pied Starling (Spreo hicolor). — Very common. The 

 nest is built in a hole in the bank of a river or donga ; the 

 nest is composed of grass, weeds, bits of string, feathers, and 

 hair. This bird is very often the host of the Honey-guides. 



Breeding season August to Mai'ch. 



It lays from three to six dark green eggs. 



Red- WINGED Starling {Amydrus mono). — Very common. 

 It builds on a wall under the roof of a house, on the beams 

 of a house, in krantzes, and in trees. The nest is a very 

 untidy cup-shaped structure of grass, rags, bits of string, 

 dry cow and horse dung, and mud^ lined with feathers and 

 hair. 



Breeding season October to March. 



It lays from three to five green eggs, spotted and blotched 

 with brown. 



Glossy Starling (Lamprocolius phoenicopterus). — Very 

 common in certain parts of the district. It builds a nest of 

 grass, lined with feathers and hair, in a hole in the stump 

 of a tree or pole. 



Breeding season November to February. 



It lays from three to five green eggs spotted with brown. 



Wattled Starling {Creatophora carunculata) . — Very 

 common in some parts of the district. They are usually 

 found in the company of Spreo hicolor. I have not seen 

 their nests. 



Giant Kingfisher [Ceryle maxima). — Common along the 

 rivers. The eggs are laid in a hole about three or four feet 

 deep in the bank of a river ; it builds no nest. 



Breeding season September to November. 



It lays four to five white eggs. 



Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis). — Verj' common along 

 the rivers. It breeds in a hole about three feet deep in the 

 bank of a river. Like the preceding bird, it builds no nest. 



Breeding season September to January. 



It lays from five to nine pinkish-coloured eggs ; pure 

 white after they are blown. 



