250 
Birds of Gambia. 
its relations in being- a plainly coloured bird, though in general shajie 
and actions it resembles them. 
The crown is brown, the nape feathers elongated to form 
a crest, the feathers of which are narrowly bordered with white; 
the upper parts are brownish grey, streaked with dai'ker ; ((uills 
black with a concealed white wing-patch. The tail has ihe two 
central feathers brown at the bases and black towards the ends, 
the others entirely black barred with brown; the under surfaces 
of all are black. Throat reddish brown, remainder of under parts 
dirty white streaked with brown; under surface of wings black 
with a central white patch. Iris brown; beak yellow, legs dark 
brown. Length 17 inches. 
The "Kowkow" is one of the birds which one sees practically 
every day in any part of the Protectorate. They spend most of 
their time and get most of their food (wild fruits and berries as well 
as insects) among the upper branches of the trees. They go about 
in pairs and ai)pear to remain matcid all through the year and I 
think keep to the same nest, (a flat structure of sticks in a tall 
tree) from year to year, merely adding to and repairing it when 
necessary. About May, when the breeding season is imminent, the 
courtship of a pair is a frequent evening sight. The two are perched 
on the highest branch of some bare tree preening and fondling one 
another; suddenly the cock takes a short flight upwards and hovei-.s — 
looking when in the air exactly like one of those Chinese bird- 
kites — over his mate, who sits entranced with outspread wings and 
tail gazing up at him, till he suddenly closes his wings and drops on 
to the branch beside her to continue his caresses, and then after 
a short interval to repeat the performance, hovering over her and 
returning again and again till the sudden dai-kness of the Tropics 
comes on, or any disturbing element occurs. 
As additions to the pot they are regarded iiuitc highly by 
the natives, and indeed, in default of anything better, are by no 
means unpalatable, though their flesh is rather dry and uninteresting, 
and only suitable for soups or stews. 
In March this year a slightly-winged "Kowkow" was given 
to me, which I brought home on my return and which is jiow 
in the Zoo. 
To he continued. 
A Holiday in the West Indies. 
By A. SUTCLIFFB. 
( continued from paye 214.) 
Since penning the last instalment, I reg-ret to say I 
have lost the cock Blue Tanager; he commenced to fail almost 
