ANASTOMUS LAMELLIGERUS. 733 
thence by Mr. Chapman. We have not seen it from this side of the 
Tropic; but we believe it has been found in Kaffraria. Hartlaub 
also gives it as an inhabitant of South Africa. Mr. J. Verreaux also 
informed us that he obtained it both at the Berg River and on the 
Orange River. Major Feilden records an example from Ladysmith 
in Natal, killed on the 8th of March by Capt. Thackeray. Its 
enormous gaping bill, and the curious structure of its plumage, at 
once distinguish it from all our other Storks. 
In forwarding a specimen from Potchefstroom in the Transvaal, 
Mr. Ayres says that it is scarce there, and again in 1871 he writes: 
“‘This curious bird was shot by my brother on the 6th February, 
1869, in a swamp within a mile of Potchefstroom. It was a solitary 
bird, and before it was shot had been observed several days feeding 
in the swamp, and alighting on the neighbouring trees ; its stomach 
contained all the soft parts of crabs well broken up. A few days 
after it was shot, five others were seen to fly over the town at a great 
height. This species only occurs as a visitor in this part of the 
country.” Dr. Bradshaw informed us that it was extremely common 
on the Zambesi, and that the young birds were not bad to eat. Sir 
John Kirk states that it was frequent on the Zambesi and Shiré, in 
marshy localities, and breeding on trees. ‘This singular-looking 
bird,” writes Mr. Andersson, “ is not uncommon in the Lake regions, 
and it is also common in Ondonga, where it is found throughout the 
year. It roosts on trees, and is sometimes found solitary, but more 
often in large flocks. It feeds on fish, frogs, shells, &c. ; and I have 
often found its crop and stomach crammed full of the bodies of shells 
in the driest time of the year; where does it get them? It may be 
seen poking about on perfectly arid spots; but neither there nor in 
moister places have I been able to obtain a single shell by the closest 
observation, or even by digging.” 
A large number of specimens have been sent by Senor Anchieta 
from Gambos and Humbe, where it is very common. 
General colour black, shining green and purple, with the feathers 
of the lower part of the neck, chest, belly, and thighs, lamellated at 
their tips, and along the shafts : those on the back of the neck and 
chest, deep-brown ; those on the body black ; bill very large and 
gaping. Length, 2’ 9’; wing, 1’ 4”; tail, 9”. 
Fig. Temm. Pl. Col. 236. 
