Mashonaland Birds. 
265 
209. Oxyechus tricollaris. (Treble-collared Sand¬ 
piper.) 
This species is common daring the wet season, running 
about the margins of pools and rivers either singly or in 
pairs. It has a jerky gait, and will run rapidly for a short 
distance and then stop short and bob its head up and down. 
Its flight is strong, but seldom long sustained, and when 
flushed it will generally return in a short time to its favourite 
pool. 
210. Tringoides hypoleucus. (Common Sandpiper.) 
A fairly common migrant in our summer; it is a solitary 
bird, and resembles the preceding species in its general 
habits. 
211. Totanus canescens. (Greenshank.) 
The Greenshank reaches us from Europe about September, 
and is to be found in small flocks along the river-beds, more 
especially wherever there are any stretches of sand. It is a 
somewhat wary bird and flies strongly, often at a considerable 
elevation. 
212. Gallinago nigripenxis. (Black-quilled Snipe.) 
In the earlier days Snipe used to be fairly plentiful in the 
low-lying ground round Salisbury, and very respectable bags 
have often been obtained; but recently they appear to have 
become a good deal scarcer, possibly owing to a succession 
of several dry years. 
213. Bostratula capensis. (African Painted Snipe.) 
Very much scarcer than the preceding. 
214. Ibis ^ethiopica. (Sacred Ibis.) 
I have examined a single female specimen of this bird 
which was shot on the Makabusi river, not far from 
Salisbury. 
215. Herodias bubulcus. (Buff-backed Egret.) 
A common species, though, like many other water-loving 
birds, it has been decidedly less plentiful during the recent 
dry summers. Flocks of 20 or 30 may occasionally be seen 
