32 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM TOL. 73 



Two of these birds were brought in early in May and contrary to 

 expectations survived on a diet of boiled rice and chopped meat. 

 One was little more than a fledghng, having been taken at Kiva 

 Mtango on May 15, 1926, and still had all its neck feathers. (Do- 

 doma, 31. viii. 26.) 



* ARDEA MELANOCEPHALA Vieors and Child 



BLACK-HEADED HERON 



Strange to ^ay, this was the only heron of any kind brought in 

 during the whole trip. (Dodoma, 10. viii. 26.) 



ANASTOMGS LAMELLIGERUS LAMELLIGERUS Tenuninck 



AFRICAN OPENBILL 



A fledgling was brought in from Mtangalala near Dodoma May 13, 

 1926, but it only survived a few days, though offered chopped meat 

 in water. Common at Nzingi and Bahi. 



• CHARADRIUS VENUSTA VENUSTA Fischer and Reichenow 



PLOVER 



A plover, kept in a cage with black rails, did well on boiled rice 

 and minced meat. (Dodoma, vii. 26.) 



STEPHANIBYX CORONATUS (Boddaert) 



CROWNED LAPWING 



The crowned plover is very common at Dodoma in May and June 

 but appears to leave the vicinity as desiccation proceeds. Their 

 cries at night were a considerable item of the nocturnal disturbances 

 in May. Three birds survived in the bush-fowl run, apparently sub- 

 sisting entirely on minced meat. The first birds brought in all died, 

 either as a result of being snared by the leg or being confined in a 

 box cage. (Dodoma, vi, 26.) 



LIMNOCORAX FLAVIROSTRA (Swainson) 



BLACK RAIL 



About half the number caught survived when supplied with raw 

 chopped meat and boiled rice, but whether they actually ate the rice 

 I can not say. (Mbulu, vii. 26.) 



SAROTHRURA 7 species 

 RAIL 



Three rails were brought in, one of which succumbed within a day 

 or two; the others remained fit and well on a diet of rice and papaw, 

 which they were never seen to take, as they apparently fed at night. 

 They were active and stood captivity well, their plumage always 

 immaculate. (Dodoma, vi. 26.) 



