713 
by Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa. 
[This species has been observed in Natal, Zululand, and 
the Eastern and Northern Transvaal. In the Portuguese 
country to the east and north its place is taken by 
H. orientalis , though specimens from Inhambane and Legogot 
(E. Transvaal) intergraduate between the two. Therefore, 
where these species meet they interbreed, and specimens from 
such localities would shew characters of both. 
This bird is fond of well-wooded country, and is usually 
observed perched on the lowest branches of trees, often 
along shaded rivers and dry dongas. It feeds principally on 
insects and probably on freshwater Crustacea, but I have 
never seen it take fishes. It has a loud harsh cry, the 
alarm-note being different from the call; the flight is fast and 
straight, the alarm-note being uttered as it leaves its perch. 
The soft parts of an adult are :—Irides brown; bill, legs 
and toes red. In the young the bill is reddish-brown, 
more brown than red, and the legs and toes dark brown 
tinged with pale red.] 
419. Halcyon albiyentris orientalis, 
P. Masambeti, Oct., Nov. (2-4 nestlings) ; Beira, Jan. 
(i). 
[Only in the Beira district of Portuguese East Africa 
have I observed this species. In cry and general habits it 
exactly resembles H. albiventris , It breeds during the wet 
season, and I found the nest at Masambeti, near Beira, at 
the end of October. The nesting-hole was situated in the 
bank of the Masambeti stream under an overhanging bough, 
and ran in about four feet with a slight upward tendency ; 
from a cavity at the end I took four young birds: both the 
adults were caught with a grass noose at the entrance. 
The soft parts of the adult are similar to those of 
H. albiventris .] 
420. Halcyon chelicuti. 
Z. Ntambana Hills, Aug, (1) ; Tv. Legogot, Apl. (1) ; 
P. Coguno, Aug., Sept. (4) ; Masambeti, Nov. (1) ; Beira, 
Dec. (1) ; Tambarara, June (1); Tete, Sept. (1). 
[“ Nongwosoya 99 of the Zulus. 
