11 
in the Lake-regions, and is also pretty common in Damaraland, where, however, I imagine that it 
must be partially migratory, as during the dry season comparatively few individuals are seen. It is 
more shy and difficult of approach than Coracias pilosus, which it otherwise resembles as to food 
and habits/’ To this Mr. J. H. Gurney adds that Layard’s note as to the occurrence of Coracias 
ahyssinicus in Namaqualand is not borne out by Andersson’s MSS., and there can be little doubt that 
the bird obtained was really Coracias caudatus. 
On the eastern side of the African continent it was obtained by Speke in the interior at Uzinzi 
and Uzaramo, near the junction of the Kurgeh and Mgeta rivers; and Emin Pasha has recently 
sent specimens from Ussagara, Tubugue, Mpapwa, and Tura, Uniamuesi. Von Heuglin saw a Eoller 
in the lowlands south-west of the Gazelle river which he believed to be this species; but he did not 
obtain it, and it seems to me that it was in all probability Coracias lorti and certainly not C. caudatus. 
It has been recorded from Dar-es-Salaam, Pagani, Usambara Mountains, and various other parts 
of the Zanzibar country. Sir John Kirk says that it is very common in the open woods and bush- 
country near the Zambesi. Verreaux records it as having been obtained at Kurrichane. Mr. E. Moffat, 
jun., obtained it in the Kuruman country; it has been sent by Fornasini from South Mozambique. 
Ayres procured it at Buffalo Kraal in the Transvaal in May 1885, and states that it is plentiful 
throughout the Transvaal, Matabeli, and Mashona countries. Oates met with it between the 
Pantamalenka river and .the Zambesi; and according to Ayres it is fairly plentiful on the upper 
portions of the Limpopo river above Vlei Poort, and also occurs in Natal. In the interior Boehm 
thinks that he saw it on the west shore of the Tanganyika, but that further west it is replaced by 
Coracias s^atulatus ; and according to Pruen {Jide Tristram, 1. c.) it is found at Kikombo in Central 
Africa. 
In its habits the present species is said to resemble Coracias garrulus, but it is extremely wild 
and shy. It inhabits wooded localities, affecting hilly districts, and apparently preferring some hillsides 
to others, and high trees to low bushes, but Sir John Kirk met with it on the Zambesi in open 
woods and the bush-country near rivers. Dr. Fischer states that it affects sparsely wooded districts, 
where it perches on a dead tree or tree-stump on the watch for insects, which it catches on 
the wing, or else picks up from the ground, and large grasshoppers are a favourite food with it. 
Dr. Boehm says {1. c.) that he met with it “chiefly on singly standing cocoa-palms, and is there so shy 
that I could not kill one; as soon as the bird observes anyone that appears to him to be suspicious 
he flies off uttering a loud scolding note, and takes refuge in the denser parts of the Schamba. 
Like the other Eollers, this bird is of an uneasy and quarrelsome temperament and frequently 
attacks other birds. I observed it attack M. forsJcali, uttering at the same time a loud chattering 
cry. At Muin-Sagare it was common, and not rare around Kakuma.” 
Mr. Barratt, who remarks on its shyness, writes :—“The first specimen I shot was flying from 
tree to tree, uttering a harsh note and throwing its head about in perfect confidence. On my 
wounding it and attempting to pick it up, it screamed and furiously attacked my hand. I have often 
chased one for hours unsuccessfully, sometimes having to cross water up to my waist, so shy and 
wary are these birds. They generally frequent large trees near running brooks.” Mr. T. E, Buckley 
also remarks that this Eoller is extremely shy and it was difficult to procure specimens. Just before 
the breeding-season they fly high up in the air, rolling about from side to side, and uttering a harsh 
note all the time, settling afterwards on the very top of the nearest high tree. In the Matabeli 
country this is a royal bird, and no one except the king is allowed to wear its feathers. In 
confirmation of this Dr. Exton writes (‘ Ibis,’ 1869, p. 364)“ From Sechele’s northwards C. caudatus 
is commonly known as ‘ Mozilikatze’s bird,’ its liveliness and pugnacity having perhaps given rise to 
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