200 WANDERINGS AND MEMORIES 



fisher (Corythornis cyanostigma) passing by; Lilac- 

 breasted Roller (C. caudatus) ; two species of Bee- 

 eater; a flock of Colies (Colius); Touraco (Turacus 

 hartlaubi) ; a small Woodpecker (probably Thripias 

 schoensis); Flycatchers; two species of Shrike; 

 Sun-birds, perhaps the most gorgeous of all the 

 little birds of Africa, and Barbets. Out in the 

 open, park-like forest from the Mau to the old 

 German border, Hornbills, Bycanistes buccinator, 

 B. cristatus, L. melanoleucus, and Lophoceros fas- 

 ciatus, are very common, and their long, undulating 

 flight is very noticeable. We often, too, heard the 

 Great Ground Hornbill in the early morning, and 

 I surprised a party of these great birds feeding 

 out in a small " open " one morning. The long 

 tail is very conspicuous in flight, and they are always 

 very shy. 



But perhaps the most lovely bird of the open 

 country is the Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracius 

 caudatus), 1 a wonderful harmony of exquisite colours, 

 and when he falls to ground from a high tree to 

 seize a beetle all the colours of the prism are 

 displayed. 



Another charming bird of the bush country is 

 the Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus musicus), one 

 of the Wood-Shrikes who often bursts into a sweet 

 little song as you come near. From the Kedong 

 southwards through all the open country four 

 species of Bustard were very common, especially 

 the large Kori, which were seen in Kedong in 

 hundreds in November. This Bustard often lies 



1 I noticed a big migration of these birds between Simba 

 and Makindu in December. With them were a few of the 

 Common Roller (C. garrulus). 



