68 



EINAR LÖNNBERG, BIRDS. 



alight in any position sometimes hanging vertically, sometimes sitting horizontally. They 

 are not shy so that it is easy to approach the bush in which they are, before they flutter 

 away one by one. 



It was also found to be common at Ju ja farm, Punda Melia, Embu borna, Meru 

 borna and other places. When we passed north from Meru borna this bird was found as 

 far as the shambas of the natives covered the country and were surrounded by bushes and 

 trees, but none was seen on the acacia-steppe. 



A female shot in bush round the shambas at Embu borna had the ovary swelled 

 25 /i 1911. 



Colius macrourus (L.). 



Rchw. II, p. 210. 



This species was not uncommon on the acacia-steppe south of Guaso Nyiri and in 

 the thornbush on the northern side of the river but, as a rule, not far from the river. It 

 occurred in small flocks counting half a dozen to a dozen. They were very shy, perching 

 in the tops of the acacias, usually with the tails held horizontally, and off they went as 

 soon as any attempt of approaching them was made. I could not obtain any specimens 

 but the bird is easy to recognize on its long and narrow tail, and its characteristic be- 

 haviour. When they were stalked they moved off, to begin with some few times only a 

 short way, but if still pursued they left for earnest, uttering a melancholy whistling note 

 which to some extent reminds about the call of some wading birds. 



Apaloderma narina (Steph.). 



Rchw. II, p. 212. 



This beautiful bird was not uncommon in dense forests round Nairobi as for instance 

 at Mc Naughtons farm, in the forest reserve near the Limuru road etc. In the male the 

 naked throat is sky-blue with a greenish tint; the naked patch at the base of the bill is 

 greenish yellow with narrow blue margin, the naked patch behind the eye is blue in front, 

 but shades into green, and finally into yellow behind. The margin of the eyelid is sky- 

 blue. In the female the colours are not so bright. The throat is dark greyish violet, the 

 naked patch at the base of the bill blue with green tint, the naked patch behind the eye is 

 blue in front shading into yellowish green behind. Iris dark brown. The ovary of a 

 female shot Dec. 31 was rather large, and the testidés of the male shot at the same time 

 were swelled. 



They occurred in pairs and were not shy. If one out of a pair was shot the other did 

 not move at all, or it only flew to another tree close by. They fly very softly and listlessly. 



Heterotrogon vittatum (Shell.). 

 Rchw. II, p. 215. 



This bird is rather common in the primeval forests on the eastern slopes of Kenia. 

 In the forests near Meru borna it was perhaps still more common. It was not shy at all. 

 If one bird was killed the other only moved to the next tree. 



