1865.] MR. J.J. MONTETRO CN THE BIRDS OF BENGUELA. 95 
52. Pocontas LEUCOMELAS (Bodd.). 
Benguela. Their stomachs contained different kinds of small 
seeds ; but their principal food appears to be the fibrous bark of some 
herbaceous plants, as in both these specimens, as well as several others 
that I have examined, the stomachs always contained masses of green 
bark. Its strong-toothed bill would appear to be adapted, therefore, 
more for the purpose of tearing or cutting its bark food than for 
crushing seeds, as might appear at first sight; for I never found 
their stomachs to contain the remains of the latter. 
53. LimNOCORAX FLAVIROSTRIS, Sw. 
Common on all the freshwaters of Angola. 
54. CHARADRIUS GEOFFROYI, Wagl. 
On sandy plains near the sea. 
55. CALIDRIS ARENARIA (Linn.). 
On the beach at Benguela. 
56. Cypseius apus (Linn.). 
Common in Benguela, building their nests very commonly under 
the eaves of houses. : 
57. Hirunpo strioxata, Ripp. 
Imperfect skin. Benguela; most common about Novo Redondo. 
58. SPOROPIPES LEPIDOPTERA, Sm. 
Gregarious, in small flocks. Only observed in the rocky barren 
districts to the south of Benguela. Upwards of a dozen were caught 
for me by the blacks, one night, in a hole in the straw thatch of a 
hut, where they are fond of roosting together; and I had them alive 
many months in a cage, feeding on grass- and other small seeds. 
59. PLATYSTEIRA SENEGALENSIS, L. 
Also only observed in the same locality, generally in pairs, twit- 
termg much, and feeding on insects, principally small spiders. 
60. Parus AFER. 
Benguela. 
61. BusERINUS ALBIGULARIS, Gm, 
Benguela. 
62. PyreLia ELEGANS, Gm. 
Loanda and Benguela. Called by the Portuguese ‘‘Maracachao,”’ 
and much esteemed as a cage-bird on account of its marvellously 
sweet song. 
63. Esrretpa asrritp (Linn.). 
Very abundant in Angola, particularly to the south ; gregarious, 
in flocks of hundreds of individuals. 
