14 
Young {fide Schalow, J. f. O. 1883, p. 349).—Eesembles the adult, but the back, uropygium, 
tail, underparts, and scapulars are duller in colour, and the characteristic spatulation of the outer 
rectrices is wanting. 
Young (N. of Pantanatenka).—Much duller than the adult in coloration; throat and breast 
washed with pale buffy brown, much like the young of Coracias caudatus ; lateral tail-feathers not 
elongated, but showing a trace of spatulation. 
Ohs .—The plumage varies considerably in brilliancy according to the season of the year. 
According to Boehm the iris is brown, whereas Bradshaw says that it is yellowish brown, and 
Anchieta clear grey; the latter also says that the legs and feet are dull greenish, whereas Boehm says 
that they are greenish brown, and Jameson and Bradshaw greenish yellow. The young bird above 
described at the first glance much resembles the young of Coracias caudatus^ but it has the 
tail with the central feathers very much darker and the next in succession with the dark tips 
as in the adult bird. 
The present species was first discovered by Dr. Bradshaw in the Zambesi country, and is at present 
known to occur on the east side of the African continent from Kakoma and Lake Tanganyika down to 
the Zambesi country, and on the western side in Benguela. Dr. Bradshaw observed it only on two 
occasions far from the Zambesi river, when he found it at a distance of about eighty miles to the 
south. He obtained the type specimen on the western boundary of the Leshumo valley, through the 
whole length of which water only runs during heavy rains; and Jameson, who obtained specimens on 
the Umvuli river in August, says that he did not meet with it in any other locality. Boehm met 
with it in Equatorial Africa at Kakoma (5° 47' S. lat.), and Emin Pasha sent home specimens from 
Uniamuesi near Ugogo. On the western side of the continent it has been obtained by Anchieta at 
Caconda in the interior of Benguela, and there are, according to Dr. Schalow, specimens in the Berlin 
Museum obtained by von Mechow at Malanga in Angola. 
In habits. Dr. Boehm writes, this species “ closely resembles its congeners. In pairs or else 
singly they wander through the forest and plain, and it is one of the birds one is pretty sure to meet 
with in the interior of the forest. Like its congeners its note is a sharp chatter, but besides this it 
sometimes utters the most various sounds, which are at times quite diabolical. I have heard a pair 
uttering a note like that of a clucking hen, ‘ duk, dak, dak,' followed by a note ‘ d-a-d.' ” 
Anchieta remarks that in Benguela it inhabits shrubby places near water; but Dr. Bradshaw says 
that in the Zambesi country it “ chiefly frequents the so-called ‘ Sand-veldt,’ a tract of heavy sand- 
ridges, keeping about the tallest timber. In the winter months it makes its appearance in small 
companies of from four to ten or a dozen, but is out of plumage and very scarce during the rainy 
season, viz. from November to April. In flight and action these birds resemble the other Pollers, and 
are usually difficult to approach. They have a most peculiar harsh cry, which differs from that of the 
other species, and when once heard is easily recognized on repetition.” Jameson writes that 
Ronksly observed a party of them one day which were chasing each other about uttering loud harsh 
cries, some of the notes much resembling the yelping of puppies. 
Nothing has as yet been recorded respecting the nidification of this Poller, and its eggs are 
