192 AGAPORNIS ROSEICOLLIS. 
dirty-white; each feather with a dark-brown line down the shaft ; 
under tail-coverts rufous; iris ashy-hazel. Length, 6” 6’’’; wing, 
3”’ 6’”’; tail, 2” 3”. 
Fig. Gray and Mitch. Gen. B. pl. 112. 
Fam. PSITTACIDZ. 
173. AGAPORNIS ROSEICOLLIS. Rosy-faced Lovebird. 
This little Parrot is not known to occur within the limits of the 
colony, but it was found to be very plentiful on the Limpopo by Mr, 
Ortlepp, who says that they are great favourites with the Boers, who 
keep them as pets along with the little Nacht-apie (Galago moholi). 
It also probably occurs in the Zambesi region, as Dr. Kirk observes 
that a smaller species of Parrot, which he believes to be the present 
one, was found “‘in one spot, limited to about twenty miles, on the 
Shire, between Nyassa and the rapids. It was never seen elsewhere, ‘ 
but was found there on two occasions. It is gregarious.” Sir J, 
Alexander procured it in Namaqua Land, and{Mr. Andersson gives” 
the following good account of its habits in South-Western Africa :— | 
“This pretty little species is very generally distributed over _ 
Damara and Great Namaqua Land, and is also found on the 
Okayago and at Lake N’gami. It is always observed in small flocks, 
and seldom far from water, to which it resorts at least once in the day, 
and is consequently not a bad guide to a thirsty traveller; though if 
he be inexperienced, it would hardly avail him much, as it frequently 
happens that the drinking-places resorted to by this and other 
water-loving birds, are of but small compass and strangely situated. 
This species is very swift of flight, and the little flocks in which it 
is observed, seem to flash upon the sight as they change their 
feeding-grounds or pass to or from thei drinking-places; their 
flight, however, is only for a comparatively short distance at a time, 
They utter rapid and shrill notes when on the wing, or when 
suddenly disturbed or alarmed. Their food consists of berries and 
large berry-like seeds. This bird does not make any nest of its 
own, but takes possession of nests belonging to other birds, 
especially Phileterus socius and Plocepasser mahali. I cannot say 
whether it forcibly ejects the rightful owners of these nests, or 
