160 THE ODYSSEY OF AN ANIMAL COLLECTOR 
There are other snags in trying to trap rare tree-top birds. One 
is that the fruit- or berry-bearing trees may be so plentiful that it is 
sheer luck if these birds visit any particular tree. Secondly, having 
spent hours climbing a tree and arranging nets or traps, one has 
hardly descended to the ground before the common unwanted 
birds arrive in flocks and get caught immediately. Then begins the 
long climb up to release them and re-arrange the nets and reset 
the traps. This may go on and on until one is worn out with 
fatigue without catching anything worth while. If one is patient 
and persistent enough success usually comes in the end, though it 
may mean changing tactics or locality a number of times. 
Of the many species of birds collected that had never been in 
captivity in Europe before, perhaps the most curious were some 
Black Hornbills. These are large arboreal birds with powerful 
voices. Their large bills are adorned with a cylindrical-shaped 
casque, which serves no purpose except that of ornamentation, 
and their throats are adorned with blue wattles. In flight their 
wings make a loud rushing noise like the sound of a distant train. 
Altogether they have a grotesque appearance which is accentuated 
by their short legs; nevertheless they are very intelligent and make 
the most amusing pets. Their huge clumsy-looking beaks are, in 
practice, very mobile and sensitive weapons. They are adepts at 
catching any food thrown to them, even if done so with some 
force, and they rarely miss if it is within their reach. 
In walking through the forests, I frequently found it easier to 
follow the beds of shallow streams, wearing old shoes for the 
purpose. This was quicker, less tiring than scrambling through 
the undergrowth, and also served as a guide for the return home. 
One of the familiar noises of these forests is the call of the 
Tinker-bird. The call is a monotonous tong, tong, tong, tong, 
which goes on all day. Tinker-birds are miniature barbets, and 
are usually black and yellow with white or yellow stripes on the 
head, according to species, and some have a moustachial streak 
which gives them a quaint appearance. They nest in small holes 
in trees or rotten stumps, and the entrance hole is no larger than 
one’s middle finger. 
Occasionally I got a glimpse of a dwarf kingfisher as it sped 
