Ornithology of the Gold Coast . 63 
and pretty cry. Water-pools attract them much in this 
sparsely watered district. Their flight is powerful and grace¬ 
ful beyond that of other Swallows. 
The natives hold them in some veneration, and call them 
“ God's children/' and appeared scandalized at my shooting 
them, although they were satisfied when I explained the pur¬ 
pose for which I was collecting their skins, and that I was 
not impelled to do so from any wanton or inhumane motive. 
104. Hirundo gordoni, Jard.: Sharpe, p. 46. 
Tolerably common in the eastern or Accra-district of the 
Gold Coast, and now and then met with in the Fantee dis¬ 
tricts. This is a bold handsome bird, fond of building about 
houses, and much resembling H. rustica in its habits, especially 
in its low swooping flights over level open ground. It is fre¬ 
quently to be found basking in the open roads and rolling 
itself in the dust, or as the natives express it, “ washing itself." 
105. Hirundo puella, Temm.: Sharpe p. 47. 
This, the prettiest of all the West-African Swallows, is 
tolerably common in and about Cape Coast at certain seasons 
of the year. I did not observe it until February or March, 
but cannot positively assert that it is a regular migrant. A 
pair frequented the grounds of Government House at Cape 
Coast during the spring of 1871, building in a large stone 
arched tank at the far end of the lawn. They appeared, in 
common with many African species, to be fond of sitting on 
the grass or gravel in the early morning. I have generally 
observed them in pairs, sometimes singly, but never in flocks. 
106. Dryoscopus major, Hartl.: Sharpe, p. 47. 
Commonly observed in the bushes about the settlements. 
It is a powerful bird for its size, and appears to be dreaded 
by other small birds. 
107. Chaunonotus sabinei (Gray): Sharpe, p. 48. 
Once very common near the settlements, but now not often 
to be seen. Its habits resemble those of Lanius smithi; but 
it is not so fond of open spaces as the latter, and keeps more 
to the thick forest. 
