Expedition to the Zambesi River . 71 
73. Crateropus kirki (Sharpe). 
Well distributed along the river, especially in more or less 
open country dotted over with small thickets and clumps. 
Always observed in parties of from five to six birds, and never 
very far distant from water, while the reed-beds bordering 
the river became their roosting-places for the night. 
The note of this bird is peculiar, like that of the Magpie, 
at first very harsh, then becoming soft and mellow. When 
several get together they are very noisy and quarrelsome, 
causing the little valleys to ring with a chorus of cries 
which closely resemble those made by a party of Jackdaws. 
A female shot at the end of October had the sexual organs 
in a breeding condition. 
In immature birds the feathers of the mantle and lesser 
wing-coverts are tipped with whitish brown, while the 
whole of the underparts are washed with a light ochre, 
becoming more distinct on the flanks, belly, and under 
tail-coverts. 
Adult A (near Tete). Wing 372 inches, culmen 073, tail 
4*2. Iris pearl-colour, legs and feet lead-colour. 
Adult $ (near Zumbo). Wing 4 inches, culmen 08, tail 
4*2. Iris orange-red, legs and feet lead-colour. 
74. Pycnonotus layardi (Gurney). 
Very common. Open ground and the outskirts of villages 
are chiefly frequented, while during excessive heat the bird 
will haunt belts of large shady trees that overhang the river, 
or some small watercourse thickly covered in with trees. 
The song of this Bulbul consists of two portions : the first is 
given out with deliberation, and the last with rapid execution, 
the rendering of which might well be described as being 
“ gobbled” off. At sunset this bird will mount to some 
high tree and pour out its somewhat monotonous song, and 
keep on uttering it until the light has quite vanished. In 
the pairing-season its singing becomes more varied, a few 
rather sweet whistling notes being introduced. Further¬ 
more, a portion of the song is often uttered when on the 
wing. During the greater part of the year this bird is 
gregarious. While at Durban, in June, we observed numbers 
