230 Mr. V. G. L. van Someren on Birds 



and remarkably indifferent to mankind. They are very 

 destructive to the e^gs and young of swamp-birds. Young 

 birds have been collected in March, eggs from March to 

 June and also in September. These birds feed largely on 

 frogs, lizards, and locusts, and eggs and young of small 

 birds. 



Reichenow describes the type as having a sandy loral spot 

 and eye-stripe, but these characters are signs of partial im- 

 maturity. Fully adult birds have a blackish-brown upper 

 surface, those with a brown or parti-coloured back are 

 immature or assuming the fully adult plumage. I have 

 examined a large series of these birds. The head and nape 

 of an adult in freshly moulted plumage are a dark blue, 

 which, when worn, becomes almost black. Reichenow's 

 C. nigrodorsalis, stated to be a variety or hybrid between 

 C. iischeri and C. occidentalis, is the fully adult C. fischeri. 



Localities. Kyetema and Dwimi River, in Uganda. 



Centropus monachus. 



These birds were found breeding in a swamp in the Nyeri, 

 Embu district, in June, where the nests and eggs were ob- 

 tained. They resemble those of other Coucals. These birds 

 are lazy and never exert themselves to any extent. I have 

 watched them sitting on the top of some reed^stem, perfectly 

 motionless, for some hours. 



Locality. Embu Road, British East Africa. 



Centropus superciliosus. 



cJ 1-3; imm. 1; & nestling 1. 21.vi. 12; 24. v. 12 ; 

 22.vii.06; 9.x. 10; 21.vi.l2. 



A very common species, found in swamps, on the out- 

 skirts of forests, and in the acacia scrub-country. Their call 

 is characteristic and not unpleasant ; Jackson likens it to 

 the sound produced by pouring water slowly from a height 

 into a narrow-necked earthenware jar. Nests and eggs were 

 taken in April and July, and in October and January ; 

 young birds in March, May, and June, and again in 

 October. 



