IRRISOR ERYTHRORHYNCHUS. 137 
125. IrrisoR ERYTHRORHYNCHUS. Red-billed Wood-Hoopoe. 
This bird inhabits the forests of the Knysna, in which locality it 
was noticed by Victorin from July to November. It was found by 
Mr. Atmore on the head waters of the Gamtoos River in mimosa 
thickets, and it is abundant in the forest-clad eastern districts, being 
common at Port Elizabeth and Hast London, according to Mr. 
Rickard. Numerous specimens were forwarded to us from Eland’s 
Post by Mr. Atmore, who records it as plentiful in that locality. It 
is generally seen in small flocks of from six to eight individuals, 
frequenting high trees, about the topmost branches of which it 
hunts unceasingly for insects. Its voice is harsh and resounding, 
and has acquired for it the name of “ Kackela”? among the Dutch, 
which signifies the “ chatterer.” 
It is a difficult bird to shoot, being very shy and wary, and for 
ever whisking round on its perch, taking special care, however, of 
its long tail, by lifting it over the branches: its motions at these 
times reminded us very much of the habits of the Pheasant-Cuckoos 
(Centropus). We never saw or heard of one of these birds being 
observed on the ground. The residents'in the Knysna district 
informed us that they bred in hollow trees, and that their eggs were 
pure white and round. Mr. Ortlepp confirms this, and states that 
their nests have the same offensive smell as those of the Hoopoes. 
In Natal, Captain Shelley says it is migratory, but appears to be 
tolerably common about Durban some years. Mr. Ayres writes 
respecting its habits in the same country :—“ The food of these birds 
consists almost entirely of a species of cockroach, which they take 
from the crevices of rough-barked trees, and in search of which they 
ereep about the trunk and branches somewhat similarly to the 
Woodpeckers: in this manner their tail-feathers frequently become 
much worn. From four to eight of these birds are generally toge- 
ther, and frequent bushy country: they have a loud chattering note, 
and are extremely restless in their habits: they have a peculiarly 
powerful and disagreeable smell.” We have seen a specimen in 
Mr. F. Barratt’s collection, which he shot at Oliphants Nek on the 
Megalies Mountains. In the Zambesi country, writes Dr. Kirk, “ it 
is more local than I. cyanomelas, which it resembles in habits: near 
the head of the Lower Shire Valley we found it particularly abun- 
dant.” Mr. Andersson writes as follows :—‘‘ This species is not 
