126 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
plains, frequenting the forests, and living in small flocks. It returns 
every night to the same roosting-place, leaving in the day in search 
of fruits. It is very fond of a drupaceous species of Strychnos, 
(resembling the S. potatorwm of India,) the fruit of which is said to 
be poisonous to man. Its cry is loud and harsh.” 
Mr. D. G. Elliot who has given the best diagnoses of these large 
African Hornbills, characterizes the present species as follows :— 
“Crest slightly spotted ; secondaries black tipped with white; tail 
feathers, except the median ones, also white for about an inch and a 
half from the tip ; casque high and broadened on the ridge.” Total 
length, 25 inches; wing, 11°5; tail, 9°5 ; tarsus, 1°75. 
Fig. Temm. Pl. Col. 284. 
118. Bucrros cristratus. Crested Hornbill. 
This large species is an inhabitant of North Eastern Africa, and 
only claims a place in the present work from its occurrence in the 
Zambesi Region, where it was collected by Dr. Kirk during the 
Livingstone Expedition. We quote his account as follows:— 
‘Native name, Kakomira, a local bird, not known to the natives 
from the interior ; frequent on the River Shiré. Year after year it 
returns to the same roosting-places, living in large flocks. During 
the breeding season, or after the rains have set in, these become 
scattered in the forest, where the natives say the female hatches the 
eggs in a hole under ground, in which she is plastered up by the male. 
The vessel being at anchor near one of the roosting-places, we had 
an opportunity of seeing their habits. Towards sunset, in the months 
of August and September, they come in from different quarters in 
pairs, the male always known by his large bill. On perching, they 
uttered a loud cry, heard far off, and hopped from one branch to 
another, always keeping in pairs. As night set in they became quiet, 
and roosted on the branches of the large trees. Early in the morning 
they were off again, an hour before sunrise, not to return until the 
evening. ‘The affection of these birds for one another seemed re- 
markable. On one occasion, as a large male passed suddenly, I fired 
and missed: but the bird fell from fear, and before it had fairly got 
on the wing again, was secured and taken to the ship. It began to 
get tame, and rather unwillingly took food; but the female came 
every morning, when the others had gone to the forest, and remained 
hovering about until 9 a.m., calling to its mate, which it saw on the 
