50 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The Brom-vogel is found in the eastern half of Cape Colony, 

 especially in the partially wooded and thorn country below the 

 mountain ranges in Natal, in the low country of the Transvaal 

 and Rhodesia, and along the Zambesi Valley as far as Northern 

 Damaraland and Angola, and northwards throughout Nyasaland 

 and German East Africa. It is generally known as the " Turkey 

 Buzzard," or "Wild Turkey," among the English colonists; the 

 " Brom-vogel" among the Dutch ; and the "Intsingizi" among 

 the Kafirs and Zulus. 



Its' appearance is sufficiently remarkable. Its plumage is 

 black throughout, except the primary feathers of the wings, 

 which are white, but which are not seen, as a rule, when the bird 

 is at rest or walking. The naked skin round the eyes and the 

 wattle on the throat are a vermilion-red, and this no doubt has 

 gained for it its familiar name of " Wild Turkey." 



These curious birds move about the country in small troops 

 of from six to eight individuals ; they feed entirely on the ground, 

 and are more generally seen in the open, though sometimes to be 

 found in the bush. Unlike other Hornbills, they walk, and do 

 not hop, and, when pressed at all, can run at a very good pace. 

 Occasionally, when flushed, they take to flight, but seldom for 

 farther than half a mile or so, when they generally take refuge 

 in cover, sometimes perching on the branch of a tree. At night 

 also they roost in trees. A favourite resort is a patch of burnt 

 ground ; there, with their long beaks, they turn up the sods in 

 search of insects or grubs. Having found a dainty morsel, they 

 take it between the tips of their mandibles, and toss it up in the 

 air, catching it again, and swallowing it immediately. They also 

 kill and eat Snakes, Frogs, Lizards, Tortoises, Rats, and Mice. 

 I have not seen them kill a snake in the dramatic fashion 

 described by Mr. Ayres, but at all times, when they have secured 

 a choice morsel, they will stretch out their wings, jump up in the 

 air, and give vent to their " bromming " sound. Mr. Ayres' oft- 

 quoted account is as follows : — " On discovering a snake, three 

 or four of the birds will advance sideways towards it, with their 

 wings stretched out, and, with their quills, flap at and irritate the 

 snake till he seizes them by their wing-feathers, when they im- 

 mediately all close round, and give him violent pecks with their 

 long and sharp bills, quickly withdrawing again when the snake 



