Expedition to the Zambesi River . 441 
standing, all hunched up, on bushes overhanging the water, 
and so close that we could have knocked them over with 
sticks, but they took no notice of us. 
217. Ardetta sturmi (Wagl.). 
Rare. A pair obtained close to Kafue river on Jan. 7, 
with sexual organs in breeding condition. 
Adult $ . Total length (measured in the flesh) 17*4 inches, 
wing 6*8. Iris red; soft parts bluish flesh-colour; legs 
yellowish ; feet brown. 
Adult ? . Total length (measured in the flesh) 15*15 inches, 
wing 5*9. Coloration as in male. 
218. Scopus umbretta Gm. 
An adult male, Chicowa, Sept. 15. Contents of stomach, 
tadpoles. 
219. Cjconia nigra (Linn.). 
Large parties observed on the sandbanks from time to 
time, especially in December. When feeding, their move¬ 
ments are extremely slow. No order is kept in the flock, 
and close formation is soon lost, each bird going its own 
way. 
220. Mycteria senegalensis Shaw. 
Single birds (adults) now and again seen, especially on 
the lower reaches of the river. 
221. Phalacrocorax, sp. inc. 
A Cormorant observed on the Kafue river was generally 
glossy black and of larger size than P. africana ; it was 
probably P. capensis. 
222. Phalacrocorax africana (Gm.). 
Well distributed. All our specimens, killed in November 
and December, are in the non-breeding plumage. Out of 
the breeding-season these birds are generally to be observed 
in large parties, numbering sometimes as many as fifteen. 
This Cormorant swims very low in the water, its back being 
hardly seen; only a long neck is visible, giving one the idea 
of some water-snake rather than a bird, and as it travels 
down with the stream, the thin Darter-like neck is continually 
