226 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



tail same as wings, and broadly tipped with white, with the 

 exception of the two centre feathers ; under side, with the 

 exception of the throat and chin, dull white ; bill Urge, 

 slightly casqued, red, with a narrow yellow band along the 

 base ; eye-lashes very stiff, and projecting. Total length, 

 including bill, 22"; bill, 3"; tail, 11"; wing, 10" 6"'. 



This Hornbill has a wide range, extending from the Knysna along 

 the East Coast as far as Kisiludini, 5° south of the Line. How much 

 farther I do not know ; but at this place I found it very abundant, 

 flying in small flocks or families, and feeding on berries and fruits. 

 At the Knysna it is also common. Le Vaillant states that the nest is 

 made in a large hole in a tree ; and that the eggs, four in number, are 

 white. 



My friend Mrs. Barber thus writes of the singular habit which this 

 bird exhibits, in common with other species of the genus, of blocking 

 up the sitting female in her nest : — " By the bye, do you know that 

 our hornbills build their nests of mud and sticks in old broken and 

 hollow trees, or between the crowded stems of the tall Euphorbia in 

 our forests ; and while the process of incubation is going on the 

 <5 bird builds the p into the nest, closing up the entrance in such a 

 manner that it is impossible for her to escape, leaving only a small 

 hole for the purpose of feeding her during her long imprisonment. I 

 do not know how long she is kept in durance vile ; but we have some- 

 times taken them out, and found them so cramped and weak that they 

 were unable to fly. This peculiar habit may be a precautionary mea- 

 sure to protect the p during the season of incubation ; for it may be 

 that during that time she is too weak and dull to fly away from any 

 approaching danger. Depend upon it, that it is not done in vain, and 

 that there is a sufficient reason for this strange and curious habit. We 

 self-willed and presumptuous human beings often act without reason 

 or reflection ; but the ' birds of the air ' and the ' lilies of the field ' 

 are guided by a higher Power! And if we do not understand the 

 wisdom of all their ways, it is because we have not studied them 

 sufficiently." 



454. Buceros Buccinator, Tem., pi. Coi. 284. ; 



Cuv., Vol. 2, PI. 416. 



" Green above ; belly and vent white ; tail tipped with 

 white ; prominence on bill, trumpet-shaped." 



Procured by Mr. Ayres at Natal, and also included in Yictorin's 

 list. It has been forwarded to me by Mr. Henry Bowker, who pro- • 

 cured it in the Transkei country. His sister, Mrs. Barber, informs 

 me that it " is a very wild and shy bird, and very difficult to shoot.'' 



455. Buceros Psecilorhynchus ; Tokus Pced- 



lorhynchus, Lafren., Rev. Zool., 18.59, p. 257; Hart, 

 0. W. Af., p. 164. 



Above, pale brown ; wing-coverts with pale margins ; tail- 

 feathers brown, with the exception of the tips, which are 



