i= 
188 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
uncommon in Damara Land, and the parts adjacent to the north and 
east, extending to Lake N’gami.” It lives in small flocks, probably 
consisting of entire families, which frequent trees, chiefly of the 
larger kinds, and examine them most assiduously in search of 
insects and their larve, which they extract from crevices in the 
wood and from beneath the bark. These birds climb like Wood- 
peckers ; and their long tails come into constant contact with the 
rough surface of the trees, by which the tail-feathers are much 
injured. When they have finished their examination of one tree— 
they move to the next convenient one, but not altogether, as a short 
interval generally elapses after the departure of each individual. 
The moment flight is decided on, they utter harsh discordant cries 
or chatterings, which are continued until they are all safely lodged 
in their new quarters. These harsh notes are also heard when they 
conceive themselves in danger from either man, beast, or bird; and 
they thus often betray their presence.” 
Senor Anchieta has forwarded this species from the Cunene River 
as well as from Huilla, Quillengues, and Capangombe in Mossamedes. 
Mr. Sala has also procured it on the Rio Dande in Angola, and it is 
found both in Western and North Eastern Africa. 
General colour black, glossed with green on the head, back, and 
under parts, and blue on the throat, purple on the wings and tail, 
and bronzed on the shoulders; tail lengthened and graduated; all — 
the feathers, except the two centre ones, spotted with white near the 
tips ; wings barred with white ; belly and vent dull black ; bill more 
or less curved, bright coral-red, as are also the legs; iris very dark 
brown. The bill differs in length and curvature with age and sex. 
Length to base of tail, 7 inches ; wing, 7°0; tail, 10-0. 
Fig. Levaill. Promer, pls. 1-3. 
126. RuropomasTes cyANoMELAS. Scimitar-billed Wood-Hoopoe. 
The present bird is not found within the Colony, but it was 
brought from Kuruman by Mr. R. Moffat, and from Colesberg by 
Mr. Ortlepp, who writes :—“ They are found in pairs or small flocks 
in wooded places. They float gracefully with expanded tail and 
wings from bush to bush in search of their insect prey. Should a 
small grasshopper be espied on the ground they descend rapidly, 
secure it, and fly up to the nearest bush to devour it.” Mr. T. C. 
Atmore procured it in Griqua-land in April, 1871. Mr. Ayres 
