i6s 



THE BIRDS OF ETHIOPIAN AFRICA 



ative of its genus, and appears to be nearly related to the storks. This bird is 

 chiefly characterised by the much compressed beak, which has a strongly developed 

 ridge and sharp cutting-edges, the upper half being hooked and the lower half 

 rounded so that the tips do not close. In colour it is brown, with a heavy erectile 

 crest carried horizontally. In habits the hammer-head resembles both herons and 

 storks, but has several peculiarities of its own. Its range includes the whole of 

 Africa, as well as Madagascar and southern Arabia. This species, which frequents 

 the vicinity of water in woodland dis- 

 tricts, is seldom abroad during the day, , 

 but becomes active at twilight, when it 

 may be seen either in pairs or sometimes 

 in threes performing a peculiar kind of 



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THE HAMMER-HEAD. 



dance. The members of a pair appear to be associated for life, although they do 

 not always remain in each other's company. The nest is a most curious structure, 

 sometimes as much as a yard and a half in diameter, vaulted like a dome, and so 

 firmly made of sticks that a man can stand upon the roof without breaking 

 through. As a rule, it is placed in the fork of a tree near the ground, but 

 sometimes in the fissure of a rock, with an entrance on the side most concealed. 

 Internally it consists of three chambers, accessible only by a small hole large 

 enough to admit the bird, the upper compartment serving as a sleeping-chamber, 



