GOLD COAST 197 
In Ashanti the Twi natives have a legend concerning this un- 
friendly relationship between bulbuls and owls—the native name 
is the same for both except that a suffix is added for that of the 
bulbul. The legend runs: “In early times there was a bulbul who, 
being a hard-working fellow and careful with his money, ac- 
cumulated more wealth than he could conveniently manage, so he 
looked round to find someone capable of looking after his hard- 
earned savings. His choice fell on an owl, who was not only wise 
but was also big and strong. The owl agreed to take care of the 
money, but some time later when the bulbul required some of 
it, the owl made the excuse that he had none with him because 
he had hidden it away. Again and again the bulbul tried to get his 
money, but each time the owl made fresh excuses and finally 
admitted that he had squandered it all. This so incensed the bulbu' 
that he told all his friends, who gathered together and mobbed 
the ow] furiously. So, from that day, owls have always been afraid 
to come out in daylight, or if any dare do so they are immediately 
chased by bulbuls, who have never forgotten or forgiven a gross 
injustice to one of their forefathers.” 
Hawks were quite plentiful at Mampong, the most conspicuous 
being the African Harrier. These long-legged hawks, with bare 
yellow skin on the face, were often seen clinging to clumps of 
parasitic plants on the high trees, apparently searching for food— 
perhaps young birds or small arboreal mammals. Here, as in the 
Cameroons, they are also fond of palm-nuts. Another peculiarity 
is their flexibly jointed legs, which bend partly forward as well 
as backward. I obtained a fine specimen, which was fed for a time 
on palm-nuts and flesh and then on the latter only. It appeared to 
be perfectly healthy on a carnivorous diet, but there is no doubt 
about their fondness for palm-nuts when at large, for these har- 
riers are found only in districts where palm-nuts flourish. This, of 
course, applies only to the forest race. 
A rather rare hawk which I obtained was the African Little 
Sparrow-hawk. This, as its name implies, is very diminutive, but 
is nevertheless very handsome, with black head, slaty-black upper 
parts, whitish breast and chestnut flanks. Like all sparrow-hawks 
these birds are exceedingly quick, have incredibly sharp claws, 
and are adept at catching birds. Few aviculturists nowadays are 
