34 STURNID^E LAMPKOCOLIUS 



from Huilla, to the north of the River Cunene, and obtained three 

 from a German collector, Herr Smidt, killed on the south bank of 

 that river. 



Genus V. LAMPROCOLIUS. 



Type. 

 Lamprocolius, Sund. (Efv. K. Vet.-Akad. 



Fork. Stockh. 1836, p. 104 L. phoenicopterus. 



Bill moderate, more or less slender, the culmen curved to the 

 tip, which is emarginated, the sides compressed, the gonys long 

 and slightly ascending. Nostrils basal, lateral, exposed and oval, 

 the feathers approaching but not concealing the opening. Wings 

 moderately long and pointed, the first quill short, the second rather 

 shorter than the third, fourth, or fifth, which are about equal and 

 longest. Tail equal to, but generally shorter than the wing, nearly 

 square, slightly rounded, or graduated. Tarsi about as long as the 

 middle toe, robust, scutellated anteriorly ; toes rather long, strong 

 and scutellated, the outer longer than the inner, the hind toe long 

 and strong ; claws strong, short and slightly curved. Sexes alike. 

 Plumage very glossy and metallic, with reflections of green, blue, 

 violet and purple. 



The genus Lamprocolius contains fifteen species of Glossy 

 Starlings : its range is strictly Ethiopian. They are very social 

 in their habits and feed in flocks, on berries and small fruits which 

 they obtain from bushes and trees, and on various insects which 

 they search for on the ground. They are somewhat noisy birds, 

 with usually loud and harsh notes. They build in holes of trees, 

 occasionally in buildings, and lay four or five eggs of a pale bluish- 

 green colour, sparingly spotted with reddish-brown. 



Key to the Species. 

 a. Tail much graduated. 



a. 1 Larger ; wing 6-80 7'50 ; tail 5'75 6'70 ; irides 



hazel L. australis, p. 35. 



6. 1 Smaller; wing 5'00 ; tail 4'45 5'00; irides 



yellow L. acuticaudus, p. 37. 



6. Tail square or slightly rounded. 

 Irides orange or yellow. 

 c. 1 Tail deep oil-green. 



a? Breast, abdomen and flanks deep oil-green. 

 Wing-spot copper-colour glossed with purple 

 and violet. 



