296 Mr. C. F. M. Swynnerton on the 
leave home for a few days, it had to be captured, and when, 
after a long chase amongst the gum-trees, it took to the 
ground—cultivated but bare—it ran, apparently not thinking 
of flight, for a distance of more than two hundred yards before 
I myself and seven Kafirs, close on its heels from the start, 
could secure it; it was then considerably exhausted. This 
Touraco may frequently be seen running along the horizontal 
branches of large trees, but its speed on this occasion and 
the distance covered were a revelation to me. The natives 
believe that, should a Touraco fly across the road and call, 
it indicates that they will find a buck or a beer-drink on 
ahead; its crimson wing-quills are greatly prized by them, 
and in former times used to be reserved for the king. 
132. ScuizorHis concotor. Grey Touraco. 
The ‘‘ Go-away ” Bird does not occur, so far as am aware, 
on the highlands, but it is said to be common in the Sabi 
Valley. It is good eating, and I well remember an excellent 
meal made off these birds in June 1899, on the Odzi, where 
they were common in the bush bordering the river. My 
companion at first refused to touch them, but, doubtless 
persuaded thereto by my evident enjoyment, and by the 
fact that we had no other meat, he finally made the attempt 
and was quite converted by the first mouthful. Strange to 
say, our Kafirs, a Matabele and a Mashona, refused to 
touch the meat, though they had eagerly devoured Hawks a 
few days before. I have found the flesh of Turacus living- 
stonti to be also excellent. I was once informed by a native 
that the people regard the “ Umdhluwe ” as a spy, believing 
that it will inform of any crime or wrong action which it 
may witness, and are consequently careful of their behaviour 
in its presence: should this be at all generally believed, a 
tame “ Go-away ” would be a most desirable acquisition 
in the house! Its nest, they state, resembles that of the 
preceding species. 
133. Pamocrrnatts Rosustus. Le Vaillant’s Parrot. 
This is the common Parrot of Chirinda and of the high- 
lands in general; I also found it in Gunye’s country, low 
