[FROM THE REPORT OF THE EXPEDITION FOR EXPLORING 
CENTRAL AFRICA, 1836.1] 
BIRDS. 
Genus Fatco. Bechst. 
Falco simitorquata. Above ashy blue; rump, and a narrow half 
collar in front of interscapulars, white ; beneath silky white, 
quills and tail brown, with transverse bands of white spots ; 
tip of tail feathers white. Length 7} inches. Female.— 
Back a rich clear reddish brown. Inhabits the country near 
old Latakoo, 
Genus Metaconorus. Sw. 
Melaconotus similis, Neck and head bluish grey; back a 
bright yellowish green; beneath yellow, the breast tinted with 
orange; greater wing coverts tipt with yellow; quills brown, 
outer vanes yellowish green; tail olive green, tips and edges of 
inner vanes of feathers yellow. Length 7 inches. Inhabits 
the country beyond Kurrichaine. 
Melaconotus australis. Top of head brown; eyebrows white ; 
edged above and below with black ; neck and back grey brown ; 
chin whitish ; throat, breast, and belly, pale rusty buff ; wing 
coverts bright chesnut, outer vanes of most of the quills the 
same ; inner vanes blackish, edged towards bases with buff ; 
tail black, all the feathers tipt with white, and the outer vane 
of the outermost one of each side the same colour till near 
quill. Length 7} inches. Inhabits the country north of 
Kurrichaine. 
This, and the last described species, will certainly not belong 
to the same group, and are now only classed together till an opportu- 
nity occurs of comparing them with the various forms of the 
Thamnophiline, &c. a step I have adopted with some satisfaction, from 
finding representatives of both united, by Swainson, in the Genus.* 
The first species has its representative (though on a larger scale) in the 
Melaconotus Blanchotii, and the last, in Lanius erythropterus. The 
general character of the plumage, and the habits of these four birds, 
are however very different. The two first are nearly alike, both 
seek their food upon trees in exposed situations, and do not readily 
leave one for another, nor endeavour to conceal themselves. The 
two last, on the other hand, generally resort to dense thickets, 
and keep almost constantly advancing nearly in straight lines, unless 
obstructed. 
* Griflith’s Translation of the Animal Kingdom, vol. 8, page 678. 
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