56 
BIRD-LIFE. 
sunset, during the rainy season, one takes the narrow 
footpath leading through luxuriant jungle, in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of Cape-coast Castle, one is charmed on all 
sides by the melodious and oft-repeated flute-like song 
of this bird.” Thompson, also, mentions the Oriole 
Babbler (Hypergems cttriceps ) as being possessed of notes 
agreeable as they are varied. “ At times,” he says, 
“ one can almost hear him catching up the burden of 
some native melody.” Among the African Thrushes, 
Chats and Fly-catchers, some very good performers are 
to be met with; and a few passable ones among the 
Finches (. Amadina ) and Widow-birds (Vidua). That all the 
gorgeous birds of Africa do not belong to the long list of 
screamers, is proved by the Angola Pitta (Pitta Ango- 
lensis), of the West Coast, which is held in such high 
estimation by the natives, that they seek to honour any 
aspirant to poetical fame by bestowing its name (Pulih) 
upon him. The pretty Sun-birds (Nectarinea), which are often 
held to represent the Humming-birds, also go to prove 
this, while the latter only give utterance to shrill stridulous 
notes. Like our Starling some members of the (Lam- 
protornis ) family also sing; and one species, which I 
have named the Rock Starling (Pilorhinus albirostris), 
surpasses it. We are told that several South African 
Drongo-shrikes possess powers of mimicry in a high 
degree. South Africa, in general, appears to be well 
provided with good songsters. 
The song birds of Asia are probably not in the least 
inferior to those of Europe; indeed, in the northern 
part, there are many species common to both regions ; 
but there are others, also, which can only be looked upon 
as occasional visitors to our quarter of the globe. Among 
the latter there is a Nightingale (Calliope camtschatcensis) 
