33 Mr. L. Beresford Mouritz on 



turning north eventually flows into Lake Moero (alt. 972 

 metres). Hammerheads {Scopus umhretta) — '^ masalutaka" 

 — became more plentiful; but it is a widely distributed 

 species, and I found it in most localities suited to its habits. 

 As is the case south of the Zambesi, the natives regard 

 this bird with superstition, as well as the larger Striges, 

 Returning from hunting one evening I saw a pair of Fishing 

 Owls {Scotopelia peli) flying along the river-bank at sunset, 

 but did not meet with the species later. The Green Ibis 

 [Theristicus hagedasJi) was found, but only in twos and 

 threes. Guineafowl {Numida sp. incog.) were numerous 

 here as elsewhere, but were extremely wary — this being 

 probably due to the approach of the breeding-season. The 

 native name is " kanga.'^ These birds seemed to closely 

 resemble N. mitrata, agreeing in the shape of the helmet, 

 but I found the soft parts to be : irides deep brown ; helmet 

 deep orange-yellow; naked skin on the face and neck blue ; 

 wattles blue with scarlet tips ; bill brownish- horn ; legs and 

 feet varying from dark greyish-brown to blackish. Common 

 Sandpipers [Tringoides hypoleucus) occurred in several places, 

 but I did not notice them after the rains had set iu properly. 

 A few red-legged Plovers [Stephanibyx coronatiis) were 

 observed, but 1 found them very local. The White-rumped 

 Swift {Apus cajfer) occurred on our approach to Kalonga, 

 but was not seen anywhere else; whilst the Black-collared 

 Barbet [Lyb'ms tnrquatus) was seen here and there, but 

 was not a plentiful species. On the ant-hill studded flats 

 along the Luapula, which carry numbers of puku and reed- 

 buck, I noticed several different kinds of Larks and Pipits, 

 but could not be sure of identification. One species, however, 

 I think was referable to tlie Grey-backed Lark [Pyrrhuhuda 

 verlicalis). Entering timbered country again, the Black- 

 headed Oriole {Oriulus larvatus) became quite common, and I 

 also came across one or two Andersson's Orioles (0. notatus). 

 Along the streams Weaver-birds were nesting in November 

 and December. I found eggs of the Black-headed Weaver 

 {Ploceus nigriceps), but the commoner Smithes Weaver 

 [Sitagra ocularia), although present in larger numbers, did 



