107 
Expedition to the Zambesi River. 
157. Centkopus supekciliosus (Hempr. & Elir.). 
Common where there are tracts of tall grass and reed- 
beds, but less plentiful on the higher reaches of the river. 
It appears to be a greedy bird; tlie stomachs of several 
obtained were much distended with food, which consisted 
chiefly of locusts. 
This bird puzzled us considerably at first. Its rich bubbling 
notes, ventriloquial and capable of being heard at a great 
distance, kept mocking us on many occasions, and it was not 
till we had made an ambush in a reed-bed one evening 
that we discovered the utterer of these remarkable sounds. 
The bird seldom makes use of flight except to wing its way 
from one thick retreat to another. Then it flies in a clumsy 
manner, flopping above the tall reed-heads, the next minute 
to drop in an ungainly way into the bottom-growth, conveying 
to the observer the idea of much effort, as if to overtop the 
reeds was all that the bird could manage. 
It is seldom seen throughout the day, closeting itself in a 
thick portion of reed-growth, generally in the vicinity of 
water, whence it gives out at times its chord of bubbling 
notes. The best time to observe this Lark-heeled Cuckoo 
is when sunset is just closing in, and from an ambush near 
to water you will be able to watch it almost as closely as 
you like. Troops of Doves come down to the pool and take 
their last drink, and batches of Weavers pitch into the 
reeds with rustling flight for the night. Then comes a brief 
stillness, to be broken shortly by some creepy noise in mid¬ 
reed-bed, a tussling noise as of roots and thick growth being 
pulled aside. It is the Lark-heeled Cuckoo, which has begun 
its evening forage and is gradually approaching the open 
spot, wending its way in rodent fashion and with great 
agility through the columns of the reeds. On emerging 
into the open it does not neglect to reconnoitre, and accord¬ 
ingly creeps cautiously up one of the stoutest fish-canes 
overhanging the pool, till it bends under its weight; but 
there is nothing to cause it alarm, merely a lonely Sand¬ 
piper running along the pool's edge and a nimble Black 
Waterhen (Limnocorax niger ) treading the soft carpet of 
