1865.] MR. J.J. MONTEIRO ON THE BIRDS OF BENGUELA. 89 
3. Norrs on Brrps COLLECTED IN BENGUELA. 
By J. J. Monteiro. 
The following seventy species of birds were collected in 1862 and 
1863 in the littoral region of the province of Benguela, Angola 
(between 12° and 15°S. lat.). This region is, generally speaking, 
arid, barren, and rocky (gneiss, with a narrow belt of limestone and 
gypsum rocks, on the sea-shore). The vegetation becomes abundant 
or luxuriant only in the vicinity of the few rivers, and at a distance 
of twenty to thirty miles towards the interior. 
Dr. G. Hartlaub has kindly determined the names of the species 
for me. 
1. ARDEA ATRICOLLIS, Wagl. 
Very abundant on all the fresh-, salt-, and brackish-water lagoons 
and marshes along the whole coast of Angola. Often kept tame in 
the houses, and, though preferring fish, will eat almost all other 
kind of food. 
2. PLATALEA TENUIROSTRIS, Temm. 
Also very abundant in the brackish and salt muddy lagoons. 
38. PLoTus LEVAILLANTII, Temm. 
Shot at the “ Bimbas,” freshwater lakes about six miles to the 
interior of the town of Benguela. Fly in flocks at an astonishing 
height in the air, wheeling and circling over the water in the manner 
of birds of prey. When they descend, it is with arrow-like rapidity, 
dashing into the water with great force, and emerging-again to the 
surface, on which they swim with their bodies hardly visible above 
water, and wriggling their long snake-like necks. 
4. ARDEA GARZETTA, Linn. 
This beautiful bird is observed on all the stagnant fresh waters of 
the whole of Angola. The pure white of its plumage forms a lovely 
contrast, as it dazzles in the bright sunshine, to the green of the 
large-leaved species of duckweed and water-lilies on which it grace- 
fully stands, or to that of the tall stems and elegant feathery heads 
of the Papyrus fringing with the most vivid colour the still, shining 
waters. 
5. PHALACROCORAX AFRICANUS (Gm.). 
Very common on all the rivers and fresh waters of Angola. Its 
flesh is dark-coloured, but good eating. 
6. ERISMATURA LEUCONOTA. 
From the freshwater lakes of Benguela. There are several other 
species of Duck, and many other very beautiful aquatic birds, par- 
ticularly at Pinda, to the south of Mossamedes, 
7. OTIS RUFICRISTA, Sm. 
