336 GLAEEOLIDaS GALACTOCHBYSBA 



Genus II. GALACTOCHRYSEA. 



Type. 



Galachrysea, Bp. Gompt. Rend, xliii, p. 419 (1856) G. lactea. 



Galactochrysea, Heine and Beichw. Nomencl. Mus. 



Hein. p. 338 (1890) G. lactea. 



The members of this genus resemble Glareola, except that the 

 tail is not forked but very nearly square, the outer feather only 

 slightly exceeding tiie middle one in length. 



This genus ranges all over Africa and the Indian Peninsula ; out 

 of six recognised species only one has been obtained just within our 

 limits on the Zambesi. 



712. Galactochysea emini. Emin's Pratincole. 



Glareola emini, Shelley, P. Z. 8. 1888, p. 49 ; Seehohm, Qeogr. Distr. 

 Charadr. p. 269 (1888) ; Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 195 (1896) ; Alexander, 

 Ibis, 1900, p. 458 ; Beichenow, Vog. Afr. i, p. 147 (1900). 



Galactochrysea emini, Sharjie, Cat. B. M. xxiv, p. 64, pi. 5, fig. 2 

 (1896). 



Description. Adult. — General colour above dark ashy with a 

 slight olive gloss ; a white collar round the hind neck ; quills 

 blackish-brown : secondaries without white at the base ; upper tail- 

 coverts white ; tail feathers blackish- white at the base ; throat and 

 breast dark ashy-grey, becoming quite white on the vent and under 

 tail-coverts ; axillaries greyish. 



Iris brown ; bill black ; base and gape coral-red ; legs and feet 

 coral-red. 



Length 8-0 ; wing 6-0.; tail 25 ; tarsus 0-7 ; culmen 0-55. 



Distribution.— This species was described by Shelley from an 

 example procured at Foda on the Nile by Emin Pasha in October, 

 1885 ; it has since been found in other parts of Central and West 

 Africa. It has been brought within our limits by Captain Alexander, 

 who procured four examples on the Zambesi at Mesanangue and 

 Zumbo in August and November. 



Habits. — Captain Alexander gives the following account : "This 

 species is distributed in small colonies along the river above Tete ; 

 small islands of sand interspersed with rock are favourite resorts ; 

 on the smooth portions of these rooks these graceful little birds were 

 to be observed throughout the day in squatting positions basking in 

 the heat of the sun. They evince little fear, and if driven from 



