302 
BIRDS OF THE ZAMBESI. 
head, and did his best to warn animals to flee from the approaching 
danger. Another member of the same family is appropriately called 
Hetala-tsipi, or hammering-iron, from the metallic ring of his alarm- 
note — "tinc-tinc-tinc." The sharp spur on his shoulder resembles that 
on the heel of a cock, but is scarcely half an inch long. Possessed of a 
knowledge of his power, this bird does not hesitate to attack and 
pursue the large white-necked raven. He is celebrated for the friendly 
terms on which he lives with the crocodile of the Nile, and Mr. St 
John affirms that he performs the function of toothpicker to the reptile. 
Frequently he is seen on the same sand-banks as the alligator, and to 
a passer-by will seem to be perched on the animal itself Mr. A. C, 
Smith speaks of him as par excellence the "bird of the Nile;" the well- 
known zic-zac of the Arabs, and probably the true " crocodile-bird," or 
trochilus, of Herodotus. He is very common, he says, and his loud 
sharp note is constantly heard ; moreover, he is a fine bold species, of 
symmetrical shape, and erect carriage when on the alert ; though, when 
in repose on the river-bank he has the appearance of a man shrugging 
his shoulders, so shortened is the neck, and so close does the head lie 
upon the breast. 
Livincfstone observed several new birds among the forest-trees 
which fringe the rocky banks of the Zambesi. Some were musical, 
and to ears weary of the harsh voice of African parrots their songs 
were very pleasant. Jet-black weaver-birds were numerous; francolins 
and guinea-fowl abounded; and on every stump and rock the web- 
footed Flotus, darter, or snake-bird, was perched, either sunning over 
the stream, or, with extended wings, standing erect. " Occasionally 
he may be seen fishing, with his body so much submerged that 
hardly anything but the neck appears above the water. His time of 
feeding is by night, and as the sun declines he may be seen flying in 
flocks to the fishing-grounds. He is a most difficult bird to catch, even 
when disabled, in consequence of his expertness in diving; he goes 
down so adroitly, and comes up again in such unlikely places, that the 
most skilful boatmen rarely secure him. The rump of the dai-ter 
is remarkably prolonged, and serves both as a rudder in swimming 
and as a lever to lift the bird out of the water when he wishes to fly." 
