RHINOPOMASTES CYANOMELAS. 139 
observes :—‘‘ These Hoopoes are very scarce in Natal, mostly fre- 
quenting the inland thorn-bushes, though occasionally found near 
the coast. They are always found either singly or in pairs, not in 
families like I. erythrorhynchus, and may be seen creeping about 
the thorn-trees, picking beetles and other insects from the crevices 
of the rough bark. The hen bird sent by me to London was busily 
engaged upon a swarm of white ants, which had worked their way 
up on the surface of a tree.” Mr. F. A. Barratt has a specimen 
from the Marico district. Dr. Exton met with the species at 
Kanye, and Mr. T. E. Buckley says it was fairly common through 
the Bamangwato and Matabili countries ; Dr. Kirk also gives a note 
on its occurrence in the Zambesi :—“ A noisy chattering bird, found 
in bush-country and forest, commonly near rivers. In its flight it is 
peculiar, rising suddenly, and again descending more slowly while 
it flies along. Occurs in flocks of about twelve, which, on settling 
in a bush, run quickly up the branches and round the stem in search 
of insects.” 
Mr. Andersson writes as follows :—“ This species is sparingly 
found throughout Damara and Great Namaqua Land, but more 
rarely in the latter than in the former country; it is also met with 
on the Okavango and Teoughe Rivers and about Lake N’gami. It 
partakes much of the habits of the true Creepers, attaching itself to 
trees and examining them in a similar manner, but sometimes with 
this difference, that, after settling on a tree or stump (which it gene- 
rally does about half-way up), it carefully examines it in a downward 
direction, and with its head downwards, thus seeking for its usual 
food, which consists of ants and other insects with their larve ; 
having reached the base of the tree or stump, it moves onwards to 
another, in a similar manner to that adopted by the preceding 
species. These birds are usually observed in pairs ; but occasionally 
a solitary individual may be seen perched on the topmost bough of 
a lofty tree, uttering peculiar and plaintive notes.” According to 
Mr. Monteiro it is not uncommon in Benguela. Senor Anchieta has 
forwarded it from the Cunene River and from Capangombe in 
Mossamedes. 
Adult male—Above dull glossy violet with slight steel-blue 
reflexions, the forehead inclining to green, the upper tail-coverts 
also slightly greenish; wing-coverts violet, with very little steel-blue, 
the inner primary-coverts pure white, forming an alar spot; quills 
