Ornithology of the Gambia. 223 



suckers, it has a habit of squatting on the road, from which 

 it (Iocs not get up until one's horse has got within a few 

 yards of it, and then only to rc-scttle on the road further 

 ahead. 



SCOTORNIS LONGICAUDA. 



Less frequent. 



Macrodipteryx loxgipennis. 



This remurkal)le bird I only know of certainly from 

 Combo. The Goatsuckers that [ shot on the delta all be- 

 longed to the two preceding species, though I often shot 

 them hoping I should find the two long feathers of Ma- 

 crodipteryx. It was so dark when they appeared that it w;is 

 quite im|)ossiblc to discriminate accurately before firing. 



Dendropicus punctatus. 



Found where there were suitable trees. 



Mesopicus goertan. 

 Occasionally seen. 



Irrisor senegalensis. 

 On the mainland at B.irra. 



Irrisor erytiirorhynchus. 



Upupa epops. 



Solitary specimens were at times noticed. 



Merops persicus. 



These birds were often seen above the mangrove-swamps 

 at high water, hawking for insects in graceful circles, and 

 settling occasionally on the higher bushes, 



Merops pusillus. 



coracias aryssinica. 

 Only two obtained. 



CORACIAS PILOSA. 

 CORACIAS GARRULA. 



The favourite food of this bird appears to l)e lizards, and 



