LAMPROTORNIS CHALYB.EUS 75 



Museum from Senegambia and Accra. It has been recorded 

 from Eastern Camaroons (Carnap) and Gaboon (Verreaux), 

 but it meets with the closely-alhed L. chalcurus from Senegal 

 to the White Nile. 



Further south in West Africa the present species has been 

 procured in Mossamedes only, so it has possibly wandered 

 into that country from the east. In Mossamedes Anchieta 

 obtained specimens at Huilla, Gambos and Humbe, and 

 records it as being very common. These are known to the 

 natives of the Humbe district as the " Quire," and Kellen has 

 also met with it near Hampata. 



It has not been found in Western South Africa, but has 

 been recorded by Holub from Betuanaland and the Vaal 

 River, otherwise I find no mention of it from further south 

 than the Limpopo, where, according to Mr. T. Ayres, it is 

 plentiful during the winter months. He also writes : " They 

 are found in Mashonaland in small flocks, generally frequent- 

 ing high trees ; and those which we procured had been feeding 

 upon small insects, apparently black ants." He also remarks 

 that its note differs from its nearest South African ally, 

 although it is just as harsh. Mr. Marshall writes from 

 Mashonaland : " Abundant at all seasons, often congregating 

 in considerable flocks. They live almost entirely on fruit and 

 berries, but may occasionally be seen feeding on the ground, 

 apparently picking up insects." Along the Zambesi, from 

 Tete westward, Mr. Boyd Alexander found the species 

 generally in small flocks until " the end of December, when 

 some large flights of old and young were observed in the game 

 country near the Kafue Eiver, often in company with Lampro- 

 tornis mevesi and also Onychognathus viorio. The males emit 

 chattering notes, by no means unpleasant, which are uttered 

 from the topmost twigs of tall trees. The call-note is a clear 

 musical whistle." Sir John Kirk writes: "In large flocks 



