106 Mr. B. Alexander —An Ornithological 
wing and when in flock, is a series of notes rapidly repeated 
and in sound far-reaching and mellow. The specimens 
that we obtained near Zumbo in November are in splendid 
plumage, and are all males ; and though we tried hard to get 
females, w e found the parties of these birds consisting entirely 
of the male sex. 
This bird has a strong and straight flight, and it seldom, if 
ever, alights on the ground. 
Adult S (Zumbo). Total length (measured in flesh) 1T6 
inches, wing 3'64, tail 8'6. Iris hazel ; bill black, base of 
upper mandible pink; soft parts coral-red ; legs and feet 
pinkish red. 
154. Gallirex chlorochlamys (Shelley). 
A scarce bird along the Zambesi, which is the southern¬ 
most range of this species. Two females were met with on 
October 28 below Zumbo. 
155. Schizorhis concolor (Smith). 
Common. During a day's trek through more or less open 
country, a party of four or five individuals may always be 
observed travelling from one belt of trees to another with a 
lazy, lackadaisical flight. The Grey Plantain-eater is a tire¬ 
some bird. The hunter often has occasion to curse it freely, 
since he stands little chance of approaching game should 
one of these birds be in the vicinity of his path. From the 
top of some tall tree it will utter in a most persistent manner 
its alarm-cry, which is gruff and wheezy and much drawled 
out, and might be likened to the words “Oh, why? ” “ Oh, why 
disturb me?" it seems to say. The bird also has a peculiar 
call-note, a groaning grunt, just as if it was going to suffer 
from an acute attack of illness. 
Holes in the baobab-trees are generally chosen as nesting- 
sites. On November 10 we shot a young bird which was 
just able to fly. 
156. Centropus natalensis (Shelley). 
Found near Tete. On the higher reaches of the river 
C. superciliosus takes its place. 
