148



Dr. E. Hopkinson,



Others are the Pied Crested Cuckoo* and other species of the genus

Goccystes. The Golden Cuckoof is found in the more wooded parts

during the rains, but is a very rare bird, which used to he much

sought after by the native skin hunters, as they could get a large

price for a stuffed specimen. Eecently, however, this species has

been put on the list of protected birds, and this perhaps may lead to

an increase in its numbers, but I do not think it likely, for we have

but little country really suited to a bird of its habits, and, anyhow,

protection in this little strip of territory, to which it is only a visitor,

can have but little effect on a species which ranges so widely in

adjacent parts of Africa. Since 1914, too, the war has stopped the

demand for skins, and, as a consequence, all skin-hunting, so that if

our protection (aided as it has been in this unexpected way) has been

of any use to this bird, we ought to shortly notice a distinct increase

in its numbers.


The last Cuckoo needing mention is the “ Coucal,” J a large,

clumsy-looking, brown and buff bird, which is absolutely devoid of

fear, and is seen everywhere hopping or flying heavily from bush to

bush.


Bar bets and Woodpeckers, of which several species are

common, will lead us to the Kingfishers. Of these the black and

white Pied Kingfisher § is the most numerous, and can be seen

everywhere from the sea-coast right up the river and on every patch

or pool of water of any size elsewhere. Two large blue and black

red-billed Kingfishers are also conspicuous birds of the river banks,

while a small, blue-winged, grey-breasted bird of the same genus, |j

the striped Kingfisher, takes their place in drier localities.


Lastly comes that lovely little gem, the Tiny Kingfisher,*! a

crested bird only about half the size of the English species, w'hose

chief colours are cobalt, rufous, and black.


The Hornbills are represented by three residents: the large

Ground Hornbill ** and two much smaller arboreal species, one black

and white, the other brown.



* Coccystesjcicobinus.



| Centropus senegalensis.

|| Halcyon.



'* Bucorax.



t Chrysococcyx.


§ Ceryle rudis.


If Ispidina picta.



