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LIBRARY

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THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY

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CONTRIBUTIONS

TO THE KNOWLEDGE

OF THE

EAST AFRICAN ORNITHOLOGY.

V

BIRDS COLLECTED BY THE SWEDISH
MOUNT ELGON EXPEDITION 1920

BY DUE PERMISSION OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY

OF LUND TO BE PUBLICLY DISCUSSED IN THE ZOOLOGICAL

AUDITORY, MAY 25'h, 1923, AT 11 o'CLOCK A. M.

FOR THE DEGREE OF DOC I'OR

OF PHILOSOPHY.

BY

HUGO GRANVIK

LUND 1923

CARL BLOMS BOKTRYCKERI

I I'l!,/ ,1 r

CONTRIBUTIONS

TO THE KNOWLEDGE

OF THE

EAST AFRICAN ORMTflOLOGY.

BIEDS COLLECTED BY THE SWEDISH
MOUNT ELGON EXPEDITION 1920

BY

HUGO GRANVIK.

Issued February 15, 1923.

Contents.

Introduction pp. 1—2

A. General Part ,, 3-27

Itinerary of the Expedition , p. 3

System and Nomenclature pp. 3—7

Description of the route „ 7—16

A short description of the ornithology of the eastern
slopes of Mount Elgon and some remarks on the

mountain and its nature ,, 16—17

The grass-plain „ 17 — 18

The dense forests „ 18—20

Eastern slopes of Elgon up to about 12.000 feet . „ 20—22

The alpine region and the highest plateau of Elgon ,, 22—23

The zoogeographical relations of Mount Elgon . , „ 23—24

At Victoria Nyanza „ 25—27

B. Systematic part „ 28-258

List of works referred to „ 259—270

Subject index „ 271—274

Explanation of plates „ 275—276

Introduction.

The Swedish Mount Elgon Expedition, which left Sweden
at the end of February 1920 under the leadership of Director
S. A. Loven, Stockholm, as the name itself implies, had as its
chief field of activity in B. E. A. (Kenia Colony) the exploration
of the giant old volcano, Mount Elgon, on the boundary between
Uganda and Kenia Colony.

The leader of the expedition, who was keenly interested in
entomology, had undertaken the collection of insects, and the
writer — the only zoologist in the expedition — was responsible
for the other zoological work. Still I was greatly assisted by
Mr. Loven in the collection of birds during the first period of
the expedition, and Dr. C Lindblom and Mrs. Ingeborg
Lindblom have also procured a few items to the collections,
but the great majority of specimens was collected and prepared
by myself.

I wish to express here my gratitude to all those who have
in various ways supported and assisted me and contributed so
that this work now appears. In the first place I wish to address
myself to my esteemed tutor Prof. Dr. H. Wallengren, to
whom I am most deeply indebted, for it was on his recommen-
dation that I was appointed to accompany the expedition. With
extraordinary kindness and great interest he has always followed
my studies and has constantly given me advice and guidance,
which have always proved to be of the best. For all the benefits
I have enjoyed at the Zoological Institution of Lund I beg to
tender him my respectful and sincere thanks.

In the next place I wish to express my thanks to Director
S. A. Loven, Stockholm, for having chosen me as the zoological
member of the expedition.

I also wish to tender my expression of grateful thanks to
Professor Dr. Einar Lonnberg, Stockholm, under whose gui-
dance I first commenced the study of African birds.

I am also gratefully indebted to Prof. 0. Neumann and
Geh, Regierungsrat Prof. Dr. Anton Reichenow, Berlin,
two of the greatest experts in the African bird-life. During my
studies at the Berlin Museum they supported and assisted me
in the most devoted and amiable manner, and the instruction

1

- 2 -

and advice I have had the pleasure to receive from them, makes
it not only an obligation on ray part but also a pleasure to
tender them my sincere thanks.

Further, my thanks are due to my friend Dr. Erwin
Stresemann, chief of ornithological department of the Berlin
Museum, for all his amiability and assistance during my stay in
Berlin. 1 am also indebted to the erudite and expert scholar in
African birds, Mr. H. Grote, Berlin, who has in many ways aided
my work.i)

But not least do I feel my indebtedness to Dr. V. G. L.
van Someren, Nairobi, B. E. A., who has always assisted
me with his exceptionally great experience and knowledge of
African Avi-fauna, and who saved me so much trouble and hard
work by naming on the spot a great number of birds procured
by the expedition.

Last, but not least, I wish to express my feeling of grati-
tude, to all those who furnished me with personal equipment, such
as was necessary in the Tropics. Without their generous support
this journey would certainly have been impossible for me to
undertake: Governor, Count R. D e 1 a G a r d i e , Ph. D., Malmo,
Consul IvarP:son Henning, Helsingborg, Consul Hugo
P e r s s 0 n , Landskrona, Consul VV i 1 h e 1 m W e s t r u p , Lund,
Director J. Tranchell, Landskrona, Assuranstjanstemannnen
Ivar Qui ding, Malmo, Grossh. C. We s t r e 1 1 , Malmo, Stads-
fiskal A. A s c h a n , Malmo, Disponent Wilhelm Piasmussen,
Malmo, Avdelningschef August Pehrsson, Malmo, Grossh.
Mats P e i 1 , Malmo.

Lund, Zool. Inst, Februar 1922.

Hugo Granvik.

1) For generous assistance I also desire to express my great in-
debtedness to Dr. Ernst Hartert, Tring.

A. General Part.

Itinerary of the Expedition.

The following is a dated itinerary, showing the various
localities at which birds were collected, all of which will be found
in the map.

April 10—18, 1920 — Nairobi, 5450 ft. and its environs.

9)

21-

-23

Lake Naiwasha, 6.200 It.

»J

24

Kikuyu, 6.700 ft.

?)

26-

-30

Mombasa,

May

2

Kapitiplains, 5,300 ft.

»»

3

Kikuyu, 6.700 ft.

1)

4

Molo 7.940 ft.

11

4-

-6

Londiani, 7410 ft.

J)

6-

-11

Londiani— Eldoret (on Safari).

51

12

Eldoret

11

13-

-15

Eldoret — Soy (on Safari).

1)

15-

-19

Soy— Elgon „

11

19-

-July 24

Mount Elgon.

Aug.

12-

-14

Lurabwa 6.220 ft.

11

18-

-20

Kisumu 3.756 ft.

11

21-

-24

Kendu (Victoria Nyanza).

11

25-

-26

Kisumu.

Sept.

19

Nairobi (Kiambu).

11

24

Mombasa.

System and Nomenclature.

From our expedition in Africa 1517 birds are brought home,
which belong to 330 different kinds, 10 of which are described for
the first time by me, and from what I have found after careful
examinations, are good and distinct. Although I am convinced
that in the collections from Mount Elgon there are several other
new forms I have yet refrained from describing anew such as 1
have not been able to establish fully as differing because of the
insufficiency of the series from other parts of Africa. In every
such special case I have mentioned this under the birds in

— 4 —

questiou, and it is thus possible and indeed probable that in-
vestigations of the bird-kingdom on the eastern slopes of Mount
Elgon will include under another name such birds as I, owing
to want of material, have been obliged to place under forms at
present known.

The main object of ornithology is by no means to describe
new species and forms, though this task can be a grateful and
pleasant one, but a department which is at least quite as im-
portant for the knowledge of the "form circles" and their distri-
bution is that concerned in the critical examination of the
numerous forms already described. In conjunction herewith
one is liable to be lead at times into the difficult and com-
plicated question of latitude of variation — if I may call it
so — of the various forms, and one can then be in a position
to establish how forms, which have been considered good, are
only different variations of one and the same form. In order
that something like a good result in matters of this kind be
attained, it is, however a condition sine qua non that there is
an extensive material for comparison at one's disposal — which
has so often been emphasised — , and that one is quite familiar
with the rich and ample litterature of later years. On this basis
it is possible to contribute in a greater or lesser degree to the
solution of some of the problems of ornithology and modern
systematisation: form circles and their extent, the affinity of the
various groups of birds, etc. even if this should sometimes happen
in a manner which demands the abandonment and rejection of
previously approved forms or the description of new ones. This
task on account of our uncertain knowledge of the conception of
species and forms from a genetic point of view, is however very
difficult and it therefore often seems as if the labour expended
and the result attained, does not stand in reasonable proportion
to each other.

It does not come within the scope of this work to analyse
all the different opinions concerning forms, variations or races,
therefore I will only give a few of the latest. J o r d a n s has
(Die Vogelfauna Mallorcas, 1914, p. 34) expressed the opinion
that the natural species is the total sum of all forms. The latter,
sometimes called subspecies, or races, severally form geographical
units and now as the forms, belonging to one and the same
„form circle" are among themselves more closely related to each
other than to those belonging to an allied circle, the circle of
forms make a natural genealogical circle. — Stuart Baker
(Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1920 p. 80) has defined the con-
ception of subspecies in the following manner: „A subspecies is
a geographical race or variation, differing in some respect from
the form first described as a species, yet linked with it by other
intermediate forms found in intervening areas. It is essential
however, that the variation before it is named shall be proved

— 5 —

to be stable within a certain definite area", and he considers
"that a subspecies becomes a full species when Nature, in the
course of evolution, has eliminated the intervening forms."

Hartert (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1920, p. 87)
objected to make supposed intergradation between two forms the
criterion in the subspecies", and he thinks that "there are
numerous instances, in which no intergradation could be traced,

— in fact, we seldom found it to exist". As subspecies he con-
siders forms which agreed in their main characters, while they
differed in details (either of colour, markings or dimensions) and
represented each other geographically — or that subspecific
characters where "differences combined with geographical separa-
tion", agreement in structure and general features, of course,
being established.

B 0 n h 0 t e considers "that a subspecies is a form of species
that differs from the same species in another locality owing to
its environment, e. g. its geographical position" (Bull. Brit. Orn.
Club, vol. XL, 1920, p. 89). He also considers that when two
closely allied forms were found breeding in the same locality
they must be considered true species (that is, belonging to diffe-
rent "form circles".) The German ornithologist Gengler (Die
Balkanvogel, 1920, p. 16) sums up his opinion in the following
sentence: "There is no'species and no subspecies. There are only
"form circles", which are composed of separate, geographical
forms. All these geographical forms are equivalent and none
can be made superior or subordinate to the other", and in this
way the talk of species and subspecies is done away with.

In modern Ornithology the various theories of "form- circles",
so meritoriously worked out by Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen,
Hartert, Kleinschmidt and many other eminent investi-
gators, differ however on one or two points. As already pointed
out, Hartert considers that "intermediates between two or
several forms by no means always exist", and Stresemann
(Journ. f. Orn., 1919, p. 296) also expresses the same opinion,
pointing out that mountain ranges often form well-defined divi-
ding-walls between two closely related forms. Further, connec-
ting-links between islandforms and those on the adjacent main-
land are almost always missing. But in those cases where
such intermediate forms are really found one can be in a doubt
as to how these forms are to be named. As S t r e s e m a n n (op.
cit.) has pointed out, it is possible to express by means of figures

— almost as in chemical formulae — the degree of the position
of an intermediate form in relation to the forms between which
the connecting line in question is situated. Such a proceeding,
however, seems to me to be arbitrary and too subjective on the
whole to have any scientific value, and without careful genetic
investigations the affinity between the forms cannot, I suppose,
be found by means of a more or less superficial morphological

examination. Without any doubt it is necessary in such a case
first to establish — if possible — once and for all by means of
careful studies in heredity whether this or that form is constant.
By this I do not mean, whether the form in question always
occurs in the type -locality with these or those distinguishing
features, but whether the qualities which characterise the form
from all others persist under other external conditions.

Investigators have, as the reader is aware, also tried to
establish by experiment what factors can influence the formation
of forms and to what degree this influence takes place. But the
results arrived at will generally be, for various reasons, more or
less misleading. On this point I share Dahl's opinion (Grund-
lagen einer okologischen Tiergeographie, Jena 1921, p. 3) when
he says:

"Noch unsicherer wird es, wenn man mit Tieren in der
Gefangenschaft experimentiert. um die Wirkung der einzelnen
okologischen Faktoren, die fur das Vorkommen in der Natur
mafsgebend sein konnen, festzustelleu, wenn man z. B., um fest-
zustellen, welche Temperaturschwankungen eine Tierart vertragt,
diese in der Gefangenschaft verschiedenen Temperaturen aussetzt.
Schon die Gefangenschaft an sich iindert namlich die Lebens-
bedingungen von Grund aus, so dafs man immer im Unklaren
bleibeu wird, wie weit das sich ergebende Resultat auf die ver-
anderte Temperatur zuriickzufiihren ist, wie weit das Experiment
also fiir das Vorkommen in der Natur Giiltigkeit besitzt."

Banner man (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. 35, 1915, p, 136)
quotes a letter from Prof. Punnet, in which this great exponent
of Mendelism writes: "This problem of local races and adaptation
is one of the nuts left for us to crack — if we can — . The first
thing to be settled is whether the variation is genetic or whether
it is merely a direct response to a change in the environment
and only endures as long as the change in the environment
endures."

Before this is experimentally established the majority of
speculations and conjectures about the affinity and constancy of
the forms can scarcely be looked upon as anything else but
"beating the air".

The question of heredity and variation is not solved by
means of morphological comparisons, however accurate they may
be. Thus I share Stresemann's opinion (p. 293) that as long
as it is impossible to represent in figures the relation of the sub-
tile forms to closely allied forms, it is better to employ the old

signs: > and < and to use ^ instead of = for a bird which

evidently stands between two others.

As regards the systematical order I have followed Reiche-
now's system in "Vogel Afrikas". Many writers have other

— 7 —

systems which, for various reasons, are considered to be better.
But as we know very little at present about the genealogical
relationship between the larger divisions of the bird kingdom
and as it is not clear for the present which is the highest —
from a phylogcnetic point of view — (compare J o r d a n s : Die
Vogelfauna Mallorcas) I have, for practical reasons, followed
Reichenow's system. The references and synonymy have
been cut down as much as possible. References to the original
descriptions of the species have been given so often before that
in many cases I have merely referred to Reichenow's "Vogel
Africas".

It also interested me, as often as this was possible, to find
out the names given by the natives to a number of the birds.
In doing so I have not been content with information from only
one quarter but have, as a rule, consulted the opinions of two
or more other persons. My "personal boy", Juraa bin Masudi,
who could write and speak English in addition to several negro-
dialects, was of great assistance in interpreting and spelling the
native-names of the birds. 0 k o t h , the head of the Kavirondo
tribe at Kendu, has himself written the kavirondo-names of the
birds on a slip of paper, which I checked later on by consulting
other members of the tribe.

The new birds described in this work are the following:

Streptopelia semitorquata elgonensis,

Streptopelia fulvopectoralis,

Centropus senegalensis incertus^

Ploceus insignis ornatus,

Othyphantes reichenowi nigrofemporalis,

Ureginthus hengalus loveni,

Cisticola tinniens suhrufescens^

Apalis cinerea minor,

Apalis melanocephala nigrodorsalis,

lurdinus pyrrhopterus elgonensis.

Description of the route.

In the brief description given in the following pages of
the districts in which we stayed for a shorter or longer time
either to study or collect specimens, I consider it best, although
the chronological order was not the same, to commence down
at Mombasa in the tropical coast-land and then continue to the
west or northwest, staying in geographical order at the places
where we halted.

When we arrived in Africa, disembarking at Mombasa on
the 30 th March, the rains of the short rain-period had already
begun to fall. According to Cranworth (Profit and Sport in
British East Africa, 1919, p. 477) the average monthly rainfall

_ 8 ~

in Mombasa for a period of ten years is: March 2.96 ins., April
11.88 ins., May 17.08 ins., June 5.32 ins., etc. The same figures
are given in "The Red Booli", 1919, p. 132, for a period of six
years. The total rainfall amounts to 58.71 ins. per annum.

We stayed at Mombasa four days and made some short
excursions in the environs of the Gulf of Kilindini but were
unable to make any collections as our outfit, with all the taxi-
(ierniic parajjhanclia, had not yet arrived, neither could such be
procured in Mombasa. On the 25th April we returned, however,
to the coast-land and now spent several days collecting birds,
and a rather tine collection of 109 si)ecimens was i)rocured.

In the interior of the town itself, in the parks and in the
trees growing around the Metropol Hotel Xantopkilus bojeri was
breeding everywhere. Indeed, this species was one of the very
commonest. In the stony surroundings of the cultivated land we
frequently saw Vpupa africana, and Corvus albus (=:: scapulatus)
appeared in single specimens or small flocks round the refuse
heaps, in the market places or in the dwelling quarters of the
Suaheii negroes. Milvus migrans parasifus also occurred in fair
numbers, even within the town itself and was very numerous on
the Kilindini Gulf, where they swarmed in large flocks round
the steamers lying at anchor. It kept company with the gulls,
and like them, deftly snatched u[) various edible things from the
surface of the water. When I crossed the gulf in a rowing-boat
they sometimes flew so near that I could strike th.em with the
oar and they were not frigthened off when I shot a few specimens,
which fell into the water. The bird-life in the vicinity of Kilin-
dini Gulf, where we stayed for the most part, was very rich. In
the small groves found here, which consisted mainly of cocoanut
palms with various smaller trees and bushes here and there
Eyphantornis nigriceps bred in exceedingly large colonies, some-
times numbering several hundred nests in the same tree. Most
of the birds we collected during our excursions in the coast-land
were at this time of the year busy pairing and building their
nests. Some had already assumed their new dresses, but the
majority, however, were in a more or less advanced phase of
moulting.

A very common bird in these districts was Dicrurus adsi-
milis divaricatus, as also was Boicephalus fusicapillus, although
rather difficult to get within range. In the same kinds of lo-
cality as that frequented by these birds, that is to say, among
the palms and large trees, Oriolus auratus and 0. notatus,
Bhinopomastus cyanomelas schalowi, Campeihera caillauti call-
lauti, Irrisor erythrorhynchus marwitzi and Accipiter tninullus
tropicalis etc. occurred, and from the tops of the Mango trees
was heard the beautiful song of Farus albiventris. On the
outskirts of the forests — towards the sea — where trees and bushes
grew solitary and sparse Lyhius melanopterus, Lyhius torquatus

- 9 —

irroratus, Fogoniulus pusilliis affinis ocuired sparingly. Among
the nnost interestinu discoveries from these areas was Tchitrea
perspicillata plumheiceps, which was not previously known from
East Africa, and the little, pale Ureginthus hengalus loveni that
1 have described from here.

Both here and in the shrub on the shores of Kilindini Gulf
there were found various Nectariniidae, among which may be
mentioned Anthrepies collaris zamhesiana, Chalcomiira senega-
lensis inaesfimatu, Chalcomitra amethystinus JcirJci, Cinnyris
mariquensis macrorhpnclms, Cyanomitra obscura neglecta etc.,
and other birds which often showed themselves were: Fyro-
melana nigriventris, flying in large swarms from bush to bush
and Melittophagus pusillus cyanodidus^ which either singly or
in pairs sat perched on the extreme tips of the slender
branches.

In the brushwood and thickets in the interior of the
forests there was also a rich bird-life. Almost everywhere Cen-
tropus superciliosus superciliosus was heard uttering its charac-
teristic cry, Xantliophilus hojeri was always seen here in the
dense confusion of the low bushes, where Sperniestes nigriceps
nigriceps and Lagonostida jamesoni tariiensis lived their secluded
lives. Bradornis palUdus suhalaris hopped about on the ground,
and under the protection of the dense folioge of the branches
Halcyon alhiventris erlangeri, Argya rubiginosa hetiglini, and
Pycnonotus tricolor micrus^ tried to escape discovery, while
Callus striatus mombassicus clinibed about in small flocks, scre-
aming among the branches. In the tops of the trees Chalcopelia
cJialcospilos chalcospilos and Streptopelia semitorquata semitor-
quata cooed in some secluded nook among the leaves and twigs.

During our journeyiugs in these districts I was able to
ascertain the presence of only one of our Scandinavian winter
guests in Africa: Lonius collurio collurio.

While the train halted in the grass plains at Kapiti Plains
Station at about 5.300 feet, on the journey up from Mombasa
to Nairobi, three specimens of Corvus capensis kordofanensis were
shot out of a large flock found close to the railway track.

At Nairobi — the capital of Kenia Colony — about 5.450
feet above sea-level, we stayed a few weeks and made collections
in the Kiambu forests north of the town, at Ngong southwest of
Nairobi and in other places situated in the vicinity, resulting in
the acquisition of 215 specimens.

Tbe climate here is a Highland climate, for the Lowland
climate includes the whole country below an altitude of about
4.500 to 4.800 feet. Both of these differ locally according to
altitude and topographical conditions. At Nairobi, which is just
inside the Highlands, the nights are always cool and blankets
are necessary at mid-summer. At higher elevations it may be
very cold, but frost is slight and rare. Though situated so close

— 10 —

to the Equator, the Highlands are some distance south of the
termal equator, hence there is a winter period, though slight.
There are two lainy seasons, the short rains usually falling bet-
ween October and November and the long rains between March
and June. In a tropical country the effect of heat is so depen-
dent on the presence or absence of moisture, and generally
speaking, the fall decreases on the coast from South to North
and increases with the elevation and towards the interior, the
fall in certain parts of the Highlands amounting to 150 inches
per annum. — The coolest months are from June to August
(compare Brown, 1919, p. 522).

The average monthly rainfall for a period of six (ten) years
in Nairobi (according to "The Red Book", 1919) is: March 4.32
ins., April 9.00 ins., May 5.10 ins., June 1.04 ins., and for Oc-
tober 2.88 ins., November 5.53 ins., December 3.02 ins. etc. The
total rainfall per annum is 36.41 ins.

The bird-life here in Nairobi and the surrounding districts
having been so closely and carefully studied and so worthily
treated by L o u n b e r g (Birds coll. Swed. Zool. Exp. to B. E. A.,
1911) and van Some re n (Ibis, 1916) and others, there is no
reason for me in this connection to enter into a further description
thereof. Among the interesting bird discoveries from these lo-
calities I will only mention a few. By a little brook outside
Nairobi, Chloropeta natoXensis massaica occurred in numerous
variations, and on the fringes of the forests, Melittophagus la-
fresnmjei oreobaies was observed a few times on the sparsely
wooded slopes at Kiambu. From these districts I have also
described Floceus insignis ornatus, Apalis cinerea minor and
Apalis melanocephala nigrodorsalis, of northern migratory birds,
Muscicapa striata striata and Lanius collurio collurio were
shot here.

Owing to a mishap we were obliged to stay for a short
time at Kikuyu, 15 miles west of Nairobi, 6.700 feet above sea-
level, during which time we added to our collections in the small
wooded groves situated in the neighbourhood of the rail-road.
The surroundings here are cultivated in all directions. During
our short stay here we procured Elanus coeruleus coeruleus,
which frequented the tall trees in the areas under cultivation,
Sireptopdia semitorquata semitorquata, which was very common
and busy building its nest. In the brushwood Cossypha caffra
iolaema, Turdus deckeni elgonensis, Centropus s. superciliosus,
and many others had their habitations. Serinus striolatus affinis,
Nectarinia kilimensis and Saxicola iorquata salax were found
in great numbers. Here too Chrysococcyx Maasi and Cisticola
prinoides occurred, although rather sparingly. The commonest
Weaver bird was Hyphantornis nigriceps. Among the gallina-
ceous birds shot was I'ternides leucoscepus infuscatus.

— 11 —

At Lake Naiwasha, at an altitude of 6.290 feet, we stayed
some days in order to study the extremely rich bird-life of the
lake. The flat, grassy land in this neighbourhood is taken up
by many farms and until the commencement of the 20th century,
the grass was kept down by immense herds of Grant's Gazelle,
now very rarely seen here.

The average monthly rainfall for a period of six (ten) year
at Naiwasha is: March 3.42 ins., April 6.85 ins., Mai 3.65 ins,
June 4.98 ins. and for Oct 2.70 ins., Nov. 3.31 ins., Dec. 2.13 ins.
The total rainfall per annum is 37.75 ins.

Lake Naiwasha, some 50 miles in circumference, reposes in
a setting of mountains. The acacia-plains reach in some places
right down to the shores of the lake, which on the eastern side
are very flat and the water very shallow.

In the grass-country around the shores of the lake, where
the acacias grew wide apart, quite a number of new birds were
met with. One of the commonest among Accipitres was Buteo
augur, which was found, as a rule, where there were small
wooded groves. Spreo superbus was very common here too and
Oriolus larvatus rolleil together with Lamprocolius chalyhaeus
chalyhaeus and Streptopelia capicola tropica flew about everywhere
in the acacias. Among the pigeons occurring here may be men-
tioned Stigmatopelia senegalensis aequatorialis. Rather common
too were Granatina iafdhinog aster montana, Melittophagtis hul-
locJcoides and Bicrurus adsimilis divaricatus. A rare bird in
these districts — judging from my observations — was Serimts
angolensis reichenoivi and even Jtjnx ruficoUis cocensi occurred
rather sparingly. One of the commonest birds here — as in
other places — was Macronyx croceus.

The thickets and bushes, which here and there skirted the
swampy shores were frequented by Centropus superciliosus super-
ciliosus, Serinus siilphuratus sharpei, Crater opus melanops cla-
mosus, Tricholoema diademata massaica, Laniarius aethiopicus
major, Fiscus collaris humeralis, Nedarinia Jcilimensis, Cinnyris
venustus falkensteini and many others. Only once did I meet
Cossypha heuglini. Sometimes I met in these districts Dioptrornis
fischeri, Euplectes capensis xanthomelas, Fycnonotus tricolor fayi,
Colius striatus ugandensis and others, which are not strictly
confined to any special locality — even if they appear in general
to prefer now this, now that — but are found a little every-
where. In the end of the branches of the small acacias and
bushes Othyphanies reicJienowi reichenowi had their nests and
Hyphanturgus ocularius suahelicus was observed now and then.
Very common too was J^rinia mistacea immutahilis.

On the open, grass-covered shores flocks of Ibis aethiopica
walked about in the company of the extremely common JBu-
bulcus ibis, and Eoplopterus speciosus flew in swarms everywhere.
Among the stones and knolls on the water's edge ran Erolia

— 12 —

minuta minuta, Trivga hypoleucos, Tringa glareola glareola^
Tringa stagnaiilis, Charadrius varius and Charadrhis hiaticula
hiaticula while the Ions-legged, beautiful Himantopus h. hitnan-
topus walked here and there on the bare, muddy patches looking
for food. Here also Anthus rnfulus raalteni and Calandrella
civerca saturatior occurred in small flocks, while Anthus ni-
cholsoni longirostris and Mctacilla vidua were found less com-
monly.

As far as the eye could see, the surface of the water was
covered with large, blue water-lilies and here and there impene-
trable papyrus groves rose up on the lake. On the large sur-
face of the leaves of the lilies Adophilus africanus graciously
skipped about, among numerous Waders, that had also found
their way out there to search for water-insects. Thousands of
FuUca crisiata swam about in the carpet of flowers and when
a shot resounded across the lake they all rose with a noise and
splashing of water, only to disappear among the screening reed-
tufts and into the cover of the papyrus bush. The little Limno-
corax niger, which almost unnoticed darted away among the
leaves and flowers, was just building its nest in some reed-clump,
and Ardea purpurea, Buhulcus ibis and other Herons wandered
around in company with Flutalea alba and Balearica rcgulorum
gibbericeps' on the small islands while Chenalopex aegyptiacus
and various species of ducks slowly waddled about on the out-
skirts of the treacherous quagmire. Gulls and Terns circled in
short and sudden turns above the lake, while high above them
all Eagles and Vultures hovered on almost motionless wings.

In the papyrus groves there was a splendid bird-life, but
owing to the short time we were able to stay at Lake Naiwasha I
was not in a position to get more acquainted with the birds
inhabiting the papyrus kingdom. Various kinds of Weaver birds
hopped about on the rushes and Corythornis crisiata galerita
sat listless in the blazing sun, gazing into the water, while the
rare Calamocichla leptorhyncha parva restlessly climbed up and
down the stalks, or high above the reed-clumps tried to drown
the croaking of the frogs and the grating cry of the coots with
its agreeable song. Different kinds of Sunbirds were common
here and Lanius collaris humeralis had, by mistake, gone astray
out among the reeds.

In the grass -plain on the eastern side Cisticola robusta
ambigua was very common, as also was Cisticola subruficapilla
aequatorialis.

In the high grass we found, among other birds, Otis melano-
gaster, Francolinus hildebrandti altumi, Francolinus uluensis and
other francoline species.

While the train stopped at Molo Railway Station, 7.940
feet, a specimen of Nectarinia tacazze and another of Pycnonoius
tricolor fayi were shot.

- 13 -

Our next stop was at Londiani, 7.410 feet above sea-level
We stayed here a few days to make our final preparations for
the safari to Mount Elgon, while I spent the time in making
further collections of birds.

Londiani is an important agricultural centre, of which
Cran worth (Profit and Sport in B. E. A. 1919, p. 269) says
that "it is a prosperous little centre, nestling among the cedars,
whence the main and much abused road branches off to the
Uasin Guishu plateau. There is a township here, planned with
an almost incredible want of skill in the centre of a swamp,
while all around the ground rises into ideal sites". "The Red
Book", 1919, p. 109 gives the average yearly rainfall to almost
45 inches.

A few kilometres outside the township there are rather
extensive, dense woods, on the fringes of which and on the bush-
clad slopes Nectarjnia kilimensis, Cyanomitra verticalis viridi-
splendens, Cossypha caffra iolaema and Saxicola iorquata salax
were fairly common. Esirilda astrild nyansae and Estrilda
nonnula also occurred in fairly large numbers in the bushes,
where Colius striatus ugandensis was met with in small flocks.
Dioptrornis fisheri and Euplecies capensis xanthomelas, Bails
■molitor puella and Lanius cuUaris humeralis were also seen al-
most everywhere.

In the depths of the forests I saw Cinnyris mediocris, the
very rare Chlorophoneus ahbotti and small flocks of Lophoceros
melanoleucos suahelicus, which slowly and listlessly moved among
the branches of the trees. From the highest tops of the trees
the varying cries of Turacus hartlaubi medius were heard and
the skrill notes of Oriolus percivali echoed from different direc-
tions, while Fycnonotus tricolor fayi — one of the best song-
sters — was heard singing wherever we went. From the foliage
of the slender twigs Zosierops virens jachsoni was often heard
and Turdus deckeni elgonensis timidly flew about among the
brushwood.

On the 6 th May we left Londiani and started towards
Mount Elgon. At first our way passed through grass country,
and along the road Calandrella cinerea saturatior, Motacilla
vidua, Riparia cincta cincta, Euplectes capensis xantJiomelas and
others occurred quite commonly. In large flocks Drepanoplectes
jachsoni was seen passing across the expanse of grass and on one
occasion I shot out of a large flock 18 specimens with a single
shot. Many times did we see the pairing displays of the males.
At various places along the road there were pools of water or
swamps where Gallinago nigripennis was found in great numbers.
Cranworth says, however (op. cit. p. 414): "Londiani used to
have a very good reputation for snipe, but lately this has not
been sustained." Here, in the immediate vicinity of this little
township, it seemed to be still common however.

- u -

Londiani Mountain in the neighbourhood is 9.855 feet high
at its highest point and when we had fought our way over the
mountain ridge we met, for the first time, other birds who were
natives of this region. On both sides of the road there were
enormous forests, which were sometimes superseded by bamboo.
Among the birds shot here may be mentioned: Apalis porphyro-
laema, which in flocks of 4—6 in number searched for insects
high up among the branches, Buteo oreopJiikis, Buteo augur,
Alseonax minimus tnurinus, Irrisor bollei jacksoni and £oice-
phalus gulielmi massaicus.

About two days' march from Londiani, towards Eldoret,
when we encamped on the edge of a forest, about 9.000 feet
high, on a slope covered with trees and bushes we shot out of
a large flock sitting perched in the trees two specimens of
Ciconia ciconia ciconia, which had surely been detained here
but were now on their return to palaearctic regions. Vinago
calva salvadorii and Turacus hartlaiihi medius were very common
in the forests.

The last 25 miles of road before reaching Eldoret pass
through alternating acacia-plains and grass-plains, on the average
about 7.200 feet above sea-level. In the former, as elsewhere,
we met Macronyx croceus, Lamprocolius chalyhaeus chalybaeus,
Anthus leucophrys very often, and in the bush-plains, which at
certain places occupied small areas, Jynx ruficollis cocensi was
not uncommon.

In the grass-plains near the Uasin Gishu plateau I now
met Urobrachya pJioenicea phoenicea for the first time, which
was found here in flocks, but were, nevertheless most numerous
in places where there was any water. This bird was, in contra-
distinction to the majority of others bird occurring here, shy
and cautious and therefore very difficult to approach within
range. In the reed vegetation growing on the banks of a little
stream the bird I have described anew, Cisticola tinniens sub-
rufescens, was found rather commonly. This little bird was
extremely difficult to discover as it hopped about among the
reed-straws and it was still more difficult to find the birds shot.
Thus I only succeeded in procuring two specimens. Both here
and at the neighbouring locality, Eldoret, the rare and exceedingly
beautiful pipit Macronyx ameliae wintoni was found, but not
commonly, and everywhere I saw Myrmecocichla aethiops crypto-
leuca.

At Eldoret, about 75 miles' distance north-west of Londiani,
we stayed two days. This place is the centre of the Uasin Gishu
Plateau. This plateau is a fertile tract of grassy country a little
to the North of the Equator. It has an area of some 90 miles
long by 30 miles broad and an altitude of from 4.500 to 6.000
feet. The first South African settlers arrived in 1906 and now
there are approximately 20.000 acres under cultivation. The

— 15 -

average rainfall is about forty inches. The altitude varies con-
siderably. Eldoret itself is 6.842 feet, descending at the Nzola
River near the main bridge to 5.880 feet ("The Red Book", 1919).

Around the township — through which the insignificant
River Socian flows — there are extensive grassplains, having a
rich bird -life. Penthetria laticauda suahelica, Estrilda astrild
nyansae, Macronyx croceus and Cisticola robusta amhigua were
the commonest occurrences. In the bushes and vegetation bor-
dering the banks of the above-mentioned river Nectarinia hili-
mensis and Cossypha caffra iolaema were common, and among
those occurring more sparingly may be mentioned Ces^icoZa tinniens
suhrufescens, Nectarinia famosa cupreonitens.

The road from Eldoret to Soy passes through scrub-plains,
at about an average altitude of 6.200 feet and in these areas
we shot, among others, Lybius bidentatus acquatorialis, Strepio-
pelia capicola tropica, both of them quite common. Less common
were Lamprocolius splendidus, Cerchneis tinnunculus tinnunculus,
Bradornis pallidus murinus, and the bird newly described by
V. Someren, Serinus pseudobarbatus.

By the numerous small rivers which we had to cross there
were generally larger or smaller wooded-patches and in these 1
met Musophaga violacea rossae, Lophoceros melanoleucos suahe-
licus and others. A day's march before Soy there is a shallow
little lake in the plains. Round the shores of this sheet of water
there grows a dense and tall reed-vegetation, and in the imme-
diate vicinity of the lake trees and bushes have united to form
a kind of wood. One of the commonest birds in this little lake
was Fulica cristata, and among ducks, Thalassiornis leuconotus
and Nyroca capensis occurred in fairly large numbers. The dense
reeds were frequented by Ixobrychus minutus payesi and innu-
merable other birds, while in the swampy, grass - clad areas
nearest the shores I met Ortygometra pusilla obscura. In the
bushes and thickets Dryoscopus gambensis nyansae and Halcyon
chelicuti chelicuti hid themselves and Ureginthus bengalus ugan-
dae was common here too, while Poicephalus meyeri saturatus
was often seen in small flocks.

At Soy — about 35 miles from Eldoret, mid-way between that
place and Mount Elgon — Mirafra africana tropicalis was fairly
common and Corvultur albicoUis was found even in the town
itself. Here and there in the vicinity of human dwellings
Motacilla vidua also occurred and Cinnyris venustus falJcensteini
and Chalcomitra senegalensis aequaforialis appeared in the low
bushes along the small streams and rivers.

During the last few days' march before reaching Elgon our
route lay chiefly through bush -plains, where Eurystomus afer
rufobuccalis and Corvinella corvina af finis, Lamprocolius splendi-
dus^ L. purpureus amethystinus and L. chalybaeus chalybaeus
were common. In the small groves sometimes found around the

- 16 -

water -courses Vinago calva salvadorii, Oriolus larvatus rolleti
were the birds most frequently seen. Anthus rufuliis raalteni,
and Anthus leucophrys, Myrtnecocichla aethiops crt/ptoleuca and
Hiparia cincta cincta also occurred in large numbers.

A very interesting find was also made here in the neigh-
bourhood of Elgon, for it was here I shot a specimen of Irrisor
erythrorhynclius niloticus, whose real range lies considerably more
north. The find should thus show that the bird-life of the
Elgon regions includes also elements from other zoogeographical
areas, and later on in the description of the Ornis of Elgon 1
shall show how, from other faunistic provinces, additions to the
typical bird-kingdom are present. Farus niger purpurascens,
Icarus albiventris, Crateropiis melanops sharpei, Hirundo sene-
yalensis and numerous other birds belonging to the Elgon-
fauna already began to appear two days' march from the
mountain.

On the journey up to Elgon 214 birds were shot in all,
representing those mentioned above, as well as a number of
other species and forms.

A short description of the Ornithology of the Eastern Slopes
of Mount Elgon and some Remarks on the Mountain and

its Nature.

Mount Elgon i^ one of the largest extinct volcanoes in the
world (according to Purvis, p. 266, the largest volcano in
the world) and probably formed in the later tertiary period. It
lies north of the eastern part of Lake Viktoiia, intersected by
1° N. lat. The western part with the main crater lies in Uganda,
while the eastern slopes belong to Kenya Colony. The boun-
dary is drawn across the highest summit, 4.636 metres (14.140
feet) (S t i g 1 e r writes in "Rasscnphysiolog. Studien in Uganda",
p. 221, that the highest point is 4.382 metres and states that
the crater is 1 1 kilometres in diameter) and then follows the
Swam River northwards. The diameter of the mountain is about
70 kilometres and the main crater about 12 kilometres across
(Lindblom: Ymer, 1921, p. 140). The rainfall on Elgon
varies very much. Johnston (The Uganda Protectorate,
vol. I, p. 301) says that "rain is abundant, and although it is
heavier in some months than in others there is scarcely a month
of the year which is without rain. The heaviest rains generally
occur in January, February, March and April, October and No-
vember. I should say that the average rainfall in this Forest
llegion was 60 inches". The western slopes of the mountain
have the heaviest rainfall.

We pitched our camp at an altitude of about 6.800 feet,
on the outskirts of the forests and from this point excursions

— 1? -

and expeditions were made in all directions. Below our camping-
place the acacia-plain spread itself, broken here and there by
the so-called orchard-plain, which in its turn was continued by
the grass-plain.

In the acacia-country at the foot of Elgon there was a rich
bird-life. Neophron monachus was very common and at times
they congregated in small flocks around my tent, otherwise this
bird was seen, as a rule, in the company of Fseudogyps africanus
africanus a,ud CorvuUur albicoUis, both of which where found in fairly
large numbers almost everywhere. I found F. a. africanus breeding
commonly in the trees fringing the small rivers flowing through
the plains, but 1 also found its nest in the depths of the forests.
Two specimens of Gj/ps ruppelU erlangeri were shot, although
in these regions this bird was rarely found. Milvus migrans
aegyptius and Buteo augur also occurred here. 1 also saw Helo-
tarsus ecaudatus and Serpentarius serpentarius several times.
Though Lophoceros melanoleucos suahelicus was mostly met with
in the interior of the forests, it was nevertheless not an un-
common sight to see a little family of 3 or 4 hopping about on
the branches of the acacias.

Among the Weaver Birds occurring in this area, Euplectes
capensis xanthomelas, Fenthetria laticauda suahelica and Drepano-
plectes jacksoni were those most frequently seen. Neither were
Fhormopletces insignis insignis and Othyphantes reichenowi nigro-
temporalis, described anew by me from Elgon, rare. Only once
did I see Nigrita emiliae schistacea, and rather sparingly too did
Quelea sanguinirostris aethiopica occur.

Those found most commonly, however, were Macronyx cro-
ceus, Dioptrornis fisheri, Frinia mistacea immutabilis, Bradornis
paUidus murinus and Saxicola torquata salax, the last-named
mostly frequenting the small acacias. On the dry branches of
old trees Buphagus erythrorhynchus could be seen now and then,
and Eurystomus afer rufobuccalis, either singly in or small flocks,
kept company with Crateropus melanops sharpei. Rather common
too were Corvinella corvina offinis, Lamprocolius chalybaeus
chahjbaeus and L. purpureus amethystinus. In places where the
trees grew thickly and brushwood occurred Dryoscopus gambensis
nyansae, Fiscus collaris Jiumeralis^ Melittophagus lafresnayi oreo-
bates^ Colius striatus ugandensis and many others were found.

The Grrass-plain.

Below the acacia-plain, orchard-plains and all other trans-
itional forms between these floral areas of the eastern slopes
the great, wide-spread savanna begins. In the transition from
the plain to the typical savanna a few solitary trees of different
kinds may be seen here and there. The climatic conditions of
the various regions vary very much at different places, but accor-

2

— 18 —

ding to G r a b n e r (Lehrb. der Pflanzengeograpliie, p. 140) the
plain-districts have less than 150 cm. rain per annum. The more
the humidity decreases the lighter and shorter will be the vegetation
and the formation passes into a semi-desert, such as Vol kens
describes from the foot of Kilimandjaro. But if on the other
hand a mild climate with abundant or almost continuous rainfall
prevails (which is just the case in the Elgon districts) then sa-
vannas are formed. The long rainperiod, which in these localities
lasts from May to October, is thus conducive to the genesis of
plains. Real dry-weather prevails only from December to February.

In the low bushes, interspersed here and there in this area,
I met a number of birds that I had not seen elsewhere. Thus,
TrocJwcercus albonotatus albonotatus, Elminia longicauda teresita,
Anomalospiza imberbis and Eremoniela elegans elyonensis occurred,
the last-mentioned, according to my observations, less commonly.
Anomalospiza was found, as a rule, in small flocks but I always
saw the others in solitary specimens. A not uncommon bird here
too was Emberiza flavivetitris flaviventris, and at times I saw
Othyphantts reichenowi niyroiemporalis, whose nest I found, both
here and at other places, in the extreme tips of the slender
branches. The most interesting find from this locality was the
bird, Centropus seneyalensis incertus which I have described for
the first time. This bird was found breeding.

Further, Myrniecocichla aethiops cryptoleuca was met with
very frequently; Riparia cincta cinda circled everywhere and
Quelea cardinalis built its nest here and there in the giant reed-
straws. In large flocks TJrobrachya phoenicea phoenicea flew across
the plains in the company of Vidua serena. In the tall grass
and elsewhere Cisticola chubbi, C. robusta ambigua, C. strangei
Jiolubii were met not unfrequently and on some occasions even
C. brachyptera brachyptera was seen. Of francolines only the
rare Francolinus Jcilcuyuensis was met with in this locality.

The dense forests.

The vegetation on the western flanks of Elgon is very rich,
and quite West African in character, the birds also having West
African affinities. The eastern aspect of Elgon differs from the
other sides of the mountain in being much less rich in vegetation,
and in having a less abundant rainfall. There is forest in stream
valleys sometimes, but more often the water-courses plunge down
rocky gullies through a country which is strewn with immense
boulders and thinly covered with coarse grass and the usual
stunted trees of the East African wilderness (Johnston: The
Uganda Protectorate, vol. 1 pp. 58, 60, 61).

The dense forests on the eastern slopes of Elgon generally
commence at an altitude of about 7.000 feet and follow up the
slopes to about 10.000 or 11.000 feet above sea-level. In certain

- 19 --

places there is no sub-vegetation, and these parts strongly recall
our palaearctic woods. Other parts again — and these comprise
the largest area of the forests ~ have an almost impenetrable
sub-vegetation of thicket and liana, through which it is almost
impossible to force one's way. Here and there small mountain
streams rush along, on the banks of which huge ferns and creepers
form dense groves.

On the outskirts of the forests in the direction of the acacia-
country JBarus alhiventris, Serinus albifrons Icilimensis, Batis
moliior puella, Cinnyris reichenoivi, Anfhreptes coUaris ugandae,
Chalcomitra senegalensis aequatorialis, Cyanomitra verticalis vi-
ridisplendens and others were found abundantly. All these fre-
quented places where the trees stood solitary and separated by
smaller or larger bushes, i. e. in the sunlit and more open parts
of the forests. On the banks of the small streams, where they
plunged down the naked sides of the mountain, Motacilla longi-
cauda skipped about, and the bushes close to the water were
frequented by Ceryle maxima, while small flocks of Neisna quar-
tinia nyansae flew here and there.

The low trees in the open patches of the forest-glades were
inhabited by Earisoma lugens jacJcsoni, Campophaga quiscalina
martini, Apalis pulchella, Barbafula simplex leucomystax, Barhar
tula bilineaia. The first nest I found of Turacus hartlaubi medius
was situated in a thick bush on the fringe of the forest. Re-
markably enough, I also found Chrysococcyx hlaasi here a few
times and it was in this locality that the extremely beautiful
ChloropJioneus dohertyi was shot.

In the interior of the forests Turacus hartlaubi medius was
one of the commonest birds, but only a few times did I see Muso-
phaga violacea rossae. Another bird occurring quite as often was
Coracina caesia pura. The most frequently occurring pigeon was
Turturoena delagorguei sharpei, which was found almost every-
where. Next came Streptopelia lugens funebr a and Columba arqua-
trix. In the regions through which our expedition passed Vinago
calva salvadorii was less common.

In the tops of the Bodocarpus trees swarms of Boeocephalus
gulielmi massaicus were seen, sharing the fruits of the trees with
great numbers of Amydrus wallery elgonensis, Bholia sharpei and
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster verreauxi. Up and down the rugged
trunks of the aged forest-giants climbed Gymnobucco bonapartei
cinereiceps and in like manner Campothera taeniolaema and Ben-
dropicos lafresnayi lepidus were often seen. From the dense
foliage the notes of Oriolus percivali were heard, which bird was
found in large numbers, and Apaloderma narina narina tried to
hide its bright colouring among the kingdoms of the flowers and
the leaves, where also Zosterops virens jacksoni in small flocks
scrambled with hissing cries on the outer tips of the branches.
In flocks of 4 — 6 in number (sometimes more) Irrisor bollei

2*

— ^6 —

jacksoni flew laugh iug and boisterous fram tree to tree and an
opportunity was afforded me to get an insight into the home-life
of this bird. This Wood -Hoopoe was, for that matter, one of
the commonest birds, seen almost daily on our jourueyings in the
forests, whereas Ehinopomastus cyanomelas schalowi was less
common. Bycanistes suhcylindriciis frequently was both heard
and seen, but it was exceedingly difficult get near it, though I
was fortunate enough to disclose some interesting (perhaps non-
coincident) features in the life of this Hornbill. In the more
unapproachable and remote places in the depths of the forest I
found Turdinus pyrrhopterus elgonensis, described anew by me
from Elgon. Alcippe ahyssinica ahyssinica, Telophonus australis
emini, MelocicJda mentalis amauroura and several others. Where
bushes and thickets formed an almost impenetrable confusion
the finest songsters of the woods sang their various melodies:
Fycnonotus tricolor fayi, J^hyllastrephus tephrolaemus kikuyuensis,
I'll, cahanisi succosus, Andropadus gracilirostris chagwensis, An-
drop, latirostris eugenius. and higher up among the dry branches
Alseonax murinus murinus, Muscicapa infulata and Terpsiphone
perspicillata suahelica were catching insects.

Out of sight or seen only with difficulty the Honey-guides
flew from tree to tree, and from the forests of Elgon the follo-
wing were brought home: Indicator indicator, the commonest of
the representatives of this family, Indicator variegatus variegatus
and the very rare West-African Indicator conirostris conirostris.
In open patches in the forest, where the ground was covered
with bushes, or in glades I found among others, Apalis cinerea
cinerea, the rare Hyphanturgus stephanophorus , Cryptolopha
mackensiana^ Laniarius liihderi, Cossypha heuglini, C. caffra
iolaema and once a single specimen of Schoenicola apicalis.

In and below the forest-belt on the eastern slopes of Mount
Elgon, where the well-known caves are situated, long stretches
of the ground is often bare and covered with large and small
boulders. On and around these boulders Thamnolaea albisca-
pidata suhrufipennis occurred sparingly. On the walls and roofs
of the caves hung numerous nests with eggs of Hirundo ango-
lensis, seemingly rather common in such localities, though not
so common as Hirundo senegalensis, which occurred both here
and elsewhere. In the neighbourhood of such caves Lyhius
hidentatus aequatorialis, Cuculus solitarius and Coccystes cafer
were also shot.

Eastern slopes of Elgon up to about 13.000 feet.

It may be said of the eastern slopes of Elgon, that they
are forest-clad up to about 12.000 feet above sea-level. The dense
forests extend right up to about 10.000 and exhibit for the most
part the same picture as on a lower level and one also finds

— 21 -

the majority of the previously mentioned forest -birds up here.
Already at an height of about 8.400 feet one meets with small
mountain meadows, in which, among other birds, Anihus rufulus
raalteni is not rare. On this altitude I even found a rufous
form of Caprimulgus natalensis, which for the present I place
under C. c. chadensis. Here too Amydrus morio riippelU occurred
in large flocks. As far as the dense, continuous forests follow
the slopes Columha arquairix, Tiiracus hartlauhi medius, Dio-
ptrornis fischeri, Cinnyris reichenowi, FoeocepJialus gulielmi nias-
saicus, Cossypha ca/fra iolaema, Coracina caesia pura, Turdus
decJceni elgonensis, Indicator variegatus, occur in great numbers,
and Irrisor bollei jacksoni appeared in large flocks, numbering
as many as 20 individuals.

From an altitude of 8.500 feet one encounters numerous
mountain streams, which sometimes plunge down abrupt preci-
pices, the waters of which are beaten into fine, white foam before
they reach the bottom. The ground -vegetation now begin to
assume another character, pulpy, thick-leafed species of Semper-
vivum and Sedum becoming more and more abundant. With
reference to the frequenc occurrence of water-courses I may cite
Jackson's words (The Uganda protectorate, vol. 1, p. 60):
"With the aid of these cascades Elgon might (in addition to its
fertile soil, paucity of native inhabitants, and absolutely healthy
climate) some day become the seat of a most powerful commu-
nity of Europeans, who would be able here to generate electri-
city which could subserve half East Africa."

The higher one ascended, the thinner the forest became
and the sub - vegetation denser and taller. At an elevation of
9.000 feet some Serinus flavivertex flavivertex were shot out of
a large flock, while Serinus striolatus ugandae was here a very
common bird, frequenting the bushes. A specimen of Buteo
augur was also found on these wooded slopes and I saw this
Augur Buzzard right up to 12.000 feet. Further, in this zone
Apalis porphyrolaema^ Tarsiger orientalis elgonensis, Sradypterus
cinnamomeus and Zosterops virens jacksoni occurred, the last-
named was even found in the low Erica bushes at an altitude
of over 12.000 feet.

Before one reached the extreme outposts of the forest on
the summit, that is to say about 9.500 feet, the mountain meadows
commenced to get larger and more numerous and the gradually
thinning forest was interspersed here and there with larger or
smaller clumps of bamboo. These did not, however, form a con-
tinuous zone or region, though at times they appeared to do so,
but consisted mostly of isolated patches of powerful and dense
bamboo-trees, pressed in between the highest areas of the forest.
The temperature up here at 10 o' clock on the night of 27th June
was 49^ F. — The bird -life of the bamboos was rather poor.
In between the fallen canes, which with numerous entangling-

— 22 -

plants, covered the ground, Cryptospisa ocularis ran about and
the only other birds met here were Cryptolopha mackenziana,
Camaroptera griseoviridis griseigula and Zosterops virens jacksoni
and swarms of Irrisor hollei jacksoni.

Where the forests and bamboo terminated there was a
transition belt to the Erica zone and here bushes and small
trees occurred promiscuously, mingled with solitary heather-
bushes. This belt extended upwards to about nu elevation of
10.500 feet and here were found representatives, partly of the
pure alpine bird- life and partly of the regions below. The
Erica-ioreat is the vegetation colony which ascends highest up
the mountain and in general the twisted and weather-beaten
bushes and trees attain a height of about 4—6 metres, although
a few trees may be even as much as 15—20 metres. Such a
heather- giant measured 2 m. 28 cm. in circumference at breast
height.

Of the birds living in the Erica-ioie&t may be mentioned :
Saxlcola torquata salax, which was however rather rare at
this altitude. On the other hand neither ErancoUnus schutti
schiitti nor Cisticola prinioides prinioides were uncommon. Only
a few times did I see at 11.000 feet the rare Ghloropeta nata-
lensis similis^ which frequented the dry, dead branches of the
heather-bushes.

The boundary-line of trees on Elgou is marked by small,
scraggy bushes of the -EVica-forest, and before these are reached
one comes across small patches of snow. But when the last
JS'nca- plant is left behind one is then within the limits of
the alpine region.

The Alpine Region and the Highest Plateau of Elgon.

The vegetation in this region closely resembles the Alpine
flora of Kenya, Kilimandjaro and Ruwenzori. There are the
weird lobelias and the giant groundsels. Snow falls on these
highest points but does not lie long. (Johnston: The Uganda
Prot., vol. 1 p. 61).

Large and small boulders and stones here lie strewn among
the grass and plant vegetation or along the sides of the numerous
deep gullies, in the bottom of which, as a rule, a little river or
brook flows along. A few small, stunted bushes have also strayed
here, and in a few places where the streams run smoothly
along small clumps of shrubbery have been formed. Along the
banks of these streams grow tall Loheliae and giant Senecio
Johnsioni, which, remarkably enough however, attain their grea-
test size and most imposing dimensions on the highest plateau
of the mountain.

The characteristic plants of this region are bushy species
of white, red or yellow flowered Antenaria. Everywhere on the

— 23 — .

ground there are swarms of small, dark-brown rodents, whose
tunnels and holes open up between the tufts, and the heaps of
excrement bear witness that these animals are extremely numerous.
The only birds I saw here were Cisticola prinioides prinioldes,
Finarochrou sordida rudolphi and Nedarinia tacazse, all of which
were common.

Fig. 1.

The crater-lake on the highest plateaujof Mounts Elgon.

(The plants in the foreground are Seneeio Johustoni.)

Some hundred feet below the highest point of Elgon there
is in a lateral crater a plateau with a lake about a couple of
hundred metres long and some 150 metres wide, and in addition
to this lake there are a few other smaller bodies of water. The
shore on the side of the lake facing the highest summit of the
mountain rises abruptly and is covered right up to the ridge
with tall and vigorous Seneeio Johnstoni and other plants. Up
here, at an altitude of about 13. 800 feet, the three last-men-
tioned birds were also common, and here and there Amydrus
morio riippelli could also be seen flying about. Only one specimen
of this bird was shot. High above the summit soared a couple
of CorvuUur albicollis and in the icy water of the lake swam a

— 24 —

pair of Anas sparsa and out of the sedge-vegetation that skirted
the lake at certain points a GaUinago nigripennis rose into
the air.

The ornithological collections from Elgon contain in all
628 specimens.

The Zoo-geographical Relations of Mount Elgon.

Opinions may perhaps differ with respect to the zoo-geo-
graphical position of Mount Elgon. As already pointed out the
bird-kingdom on the eastern slopes towards Uganda is of a more
West-African character but with respect to the eastern slopes
which lie within Kenia Colony (British East Africa) one can
scarcely make such an assertion. Reich enow has named the
easternmost province of the West-African region the Central
Africa Lake-district, which includes the countries round Albert
Nyanza, Albert Edward Nyanza, Lake Kiwu and the northern
parts of Victoria Nyanza and so on. Now Elgon being situated
just north of Victoria Nyanza it is questionable whether it should
be reckoned to the Central African Lake-district or not. On the
map which R e i c Ji e n o w has appended in Vogelf. Mittelafr.
Seengeb. and on which he has given the extent of this province,
the boundary seems to run south and west of Elgon and the old
volcano should thus fall within the East- and South-African
steppe region (at least the eastern and north-eastern slopes).
Thus the Elgon neighbourhood should form an intermediate link
between the West-African forest region and the East -African
steppe region. And in respect to the bird-life this seems to be
the case.

During the months our expedition spent on Elgon we did not,
it is true, procure so many birds of West-African affinity. Still,
we shot Cryptospiza ocularis^ Turdinus p^jrrJwpterus elgonensis,
Miisosophaga violacea, Gymnohucco honapartei cinereiceps, all of
which are previously known from East Africa. On the other hand,
Indicator conirostris conirostris i\nd Centropus senegalensis incertus
have not been found before so for eastwards as Elgon or any-
where else in the eastern steppe regions. The former is a pure
forest-bird, the latter an inhabitant of the plains. The investi-
gations made during the last few years into the ornithology of
Central Africa have so often shown that quite a number of forest-
birds, previously only known from West Attica, even occur in
the forest round the high East African mountains (Elgon, Kenia,
Kilimandjaro and others) with closely related or similar birds,
but are not found in intervening regions. L o n n b e r g (K. Sv.
Vet. Akad., Arsbok, 1918, p. 260) explains such problems of
discontinuity by assuming that a more or less contiuous forest
once covered the whole of the area in which these animals now
live and that the scattered forests left are only the remains of

— 25 —

that once huge wooded area. Later, however, considerable cli-
matic changes took place, which most seriously effected the East-
and South African suhregion and the forest died out in certain
tracts. There arose then the steppe-regions which continued to
expand and the huge primeval forest was in this manner cut up
as it were, into larger or smaller formless blocks of forest which
continued to exist around the great mountains. Here in these
forest-islands the animals which had previously had a more uni-
form distribution over the whole of Central Africa were now
isolated and confined, almost in the same manner as the re-
presentatives of land-fauna on islands. And these forest ani-
mals — mammals and birds — are thus relicts in forests which
are the remains of the once huge continuous, primeval forest,
and this division of the forest has given rise to the formation
of races analogous to that existing on islands in the ocean.

This interpretation of Lonnberg of the presence of West-
African mammals and birds in East Africa is undoubtedly correct
and throws light on many different problems of discontinuity in
the Ethiopian fauna. The writer in question confirms his
opinion with a number of indisputable proofs, which I have no
occasion to repeat in this connection. Reich enow's opinion
(Vog. Afr. 1 p. LXXXIX) that the mountains of Atrica were
sticking up like islands during a period when the African con-
tinent was covered by the sea may, as Lonnberg (op. cit.)
points out, also be applied, but in a different manner.

But Elgon has not only relations with West Africa in
respect to the composition of the avi- fauna, but also with
South Africa, inasmuch as elements coming from the south
have here their northern boundary. Thus, from the eastern
slopes of Elgon, in the vicinity of Nai-Swamp, a specimen of
Lobivanellus senegallus lateralis, was brought home. P'urther,
Irrisor erythrorhynchus niloticus was shot on Elgon, which shows
that birds previously only known from North Africa also have
their southern boundary in these regions.

It would be rather a lucky chance if our expedition, during
the relatively short time we stayed on Elgon, had procured all
the different birds, which really belong to other zoo-geographical
sub-regions but, from some cause or other, are nevertheless
stationary in the locality. There are surely many others, which
future studies of the ornis of the mountain will establish. But
already from the few discoveries made one might certainly
assume that the bird - kingdom of Elgon includes elements of
very different origin, and that the avifauna, here therefore exhi-
bits a mixture of forms from many different zoo-geographical
regions, and consequently the number of the so-called subtile
forms will, of course, be unusually great.

That Ardeola idae, which is otherwise an inhabitant of
Madagascar and South Africa, was shot in the vicinity of Elgon

— 26 —

must perhaps be considered as a mere chance. Frona any point
of view the find is none the less of some interest.

At Victoria Nyaiiza.

Before reaching Victoria Nyanza we stayed for a few days at
Lumbwa, a few miles west of Londiani, on the Uganda Railway.
This place lies 6.220 feet above sea-level, but the surroundings
are at some places 7.000 feet and over. Only a few birds were
shot in this locality: Lanms collaris Jmmeralis, Campephaga
iiiifra nigra, Lanuirius stdplmreipectus suahelicus and Telophonns
senegalus eryihroptertts all of which we found in the valleys co-
vered with acacias and brushwood.

Later on I stayed some time at Kisumu, formerly known
as Port Florence, the terminus of the Uganda railway. This
town lies at an elevation of about 3.760 feet at the eastern end
of the Kaviiondo Gulf, Victoria Nyanza, and has the most
rainy periods in December, February, March, Ai)ril with an
average monthly rainfall for a period of six years of 6 79, 5.02,
6.27, 6.88 ins. respectively, and a total of 47 39 ins. 1 arrived
here in the dry period, therefore a great number of the birds
shot are in moult.

In the innermost parts of the Kavirondo Gulf there are
extensive, alnsost impenetrable i)apyrus groves and inside these,
where the shore commences, is a narrow belt hlled with bushes
and brushwood. Actophilus africanus, Tringa hjpoleucos, Bu-
bulcus ibis, were very common in the reeds and along the shores,
and although it was in the end of the month of August a fe-
male specimen of the first-mentioned species had well developed
eggs in the ovary. In the brushwood Streptopelia decipiens per mistily
Chalcomitra senegalensis aequatorialis, Nectarinia enjthrocerca,
J^loceus melanocephalus dimidiatus, Alseonax infulatus, Serinus
dorsostriatus dorsostriatus and others occurred in great numbers.
Such an abundance of Honey Birds as was found here I never
saw anywhere else.

As my wanderings in the districts only lasted a few days
it goes without saying that I am not in a position to give any-
thing like a complete description of the bird-kingdom, but must
be content to mention the birds shot during my excursions. The
exceedingly beautiful Laniarius erythrogaster erythrogasier hopped
about in the dense brushwood and Columba guinea longipennis
was seen occasionally.

At certain points the steppe-country reaches down almost
to the lake itself and Small flocks of Oena capensis were seen
flying back and fore between the low bushes growing here. —
Sorella emini-bey, Amadina fasciata alcxandri, Anomalospiza
iniberbis. Halcyon leucocephala leucocephala and many others also
occurred here, though less commonly. Colius striatus ugandensis

— 27 —

and Spermestes cucuUata were seen almost everywhere, and in
the branches of the acacias Macronyx croceus was seen and
heard.

In large flocks Neophron monachus and Corvus alhus kept
company, both on the shores and in the acacia-country, I even
saw them very often in the streets and open places of the town
of Kisumu itself. Here and there Motacilla vidua tripped about
fearlessly and Passer griseus ugandae appeared both in the
scrub-country and on the shores of the lake.

Before leavinf:^ Victoria Nyanza I made a trip to Kendu on
the Kavirondo Gulf and stayed there for four days in order to
complete my bird-collections. On the whole, the natural and
climatic conditions at this place are the same as those at Kisumu,
and therefore there is no need of my touching upon them again.

Almost all the birds observed and shot at Kisumu were
also found here. But several others were shot as well. One of
the commonest species was Ceryle rudis rudis, which was found
in large flocks on the shores of the gulf, where also CorytJiornis
cristata galerita and Halcyon leucocepliala leucocephala were met
with. Very numerous were Thresh, aethiopica, Larus cirrocephalus,
Anhinga rufa rufa, Buhdcus ihis^ Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica,
Uydrochelidon leucoptera leucoptera and others. Limnocorax niger,
Balearica regulorum gihhericeps and Hagedashia hagedash nilotica
were not uncommon here. The waders too were numerously
represented by a great many species, among which may be men-
tioned Hoplopterus spinosus and GLareola ocidaris, which did
not however occur so abundantly as Tringa glareola glareola,
Erolia niinuta minuta and Tringa ochropus ochropus. The latter
were seen everywhere on the muddy shores, where, in the com-
pany of Oedicnemus oedicnemus vermiculatus it tripped about in
large flocks. Alopochen aegyptiacus was also very common. In
the reeds, which in some places were very dense and tall, swarms
of Pyromelana nigrifrons flew about and in the trees fringing
the shores I found Hypochera uUramarina purpurascens and
numerous pigeons, among which may be mentioned, Sireptopelia de-
cipiens perniista and Sireptopelia fulvopecioralis, the latter described
by me from this locality.

In the dry grass-plains were found Charadrius asiaticus asi-
aticus, Oenanthe pileata livingstonei, Scopus umbretta hannermani
and the bushes on the fringes were frequented by Passer griseus
ugandae, Ploceus melanocephalus dimidiatus, Vrohrachya phoenicea
phoenicea, Anomalospiza imherhis. Likewise, Anthus rufulus raal-
teni, Pyrrhulauda leucopareia and many others were common in the
grass-country. Among the Honeybirds Chalcomitra senegalensis
aequatorialis and Centropus super ciliosus, Ureginthus hengalus
ugandae, Dicrurus adsimilis divaricatus and Pycnonotus tricolor
fayi were often met with, and now and again Ploceus ahyssinicus
femininus.

B. Systematic Parts.

Struthionidae.

Struthio massaicus Neum. — Rchw. I. p. 10.
1 (5 ad. 20. 9.; 1 Q ad. 20. 9., Thika.

These two specimens were shot by Director L o v e n while
on a shooting trip in the Thika districts. Being unable to make
an examination on the spot I give Mr. Lovcn's brief description:
"The male: head, bill and legs milk-coloured with a bluish tint;
metatarsus and toes milk-coloured, somewhat pinkish in front.
The female: head and neck grey with a greenish hue, bill dark
grey, dark-coloured, darkest at the edges; legs and toes light
grey, scales brownish grey."

This Ostrich was common in the regions around Nairobi
and further southwards and I frequently saw them running about
the plains in large flocks. They were plentiful in the Game
Reservations.

L 0 V 6 u also brought home a number of the eggs of this
species, which he found on the same day as these individuals
were shot.

Larldae.

Larus cirrocephalus Vieill. — Rchw. I. p. 44.

Ongwaee . . . ki-kaviroudo. — Kanyange . . . ki-kamba.
1 (5 ad. 21. 8., Kendu.

This species was very common at Kendu, on the Gulf of
Kavirondo, and occurred in large flocks on the shore. This Gull
was also found in considerable numbers at Lake Naiwasha. The
specimen is in summer dress.

Wing 310 mm; tarsus 49 mm.

Irides not uniform pale yellow (Reichenow) but had
nearest the pupil a rather wide pale-yellow ring surrounded by
another of chocolate-brown colour; bill dark red; legs coral red.

- 2d -

Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica (Gm.). — Rchw. I. p. 51.

Ongwaee . . . ki-kavirondo. — Kanyange . . . ki-kamba.
1 $ ad. 23. 8., Kendu.

This bird was found in large numbers on the Gulf of
Kavirondo, both at Kisumu and Kendu. Three specimens shot
were all in winter plumage. Often seen in the company of
L. cirroceph.

The specimen is in winter dress with the crown and occiput
white, faintly washed with grey. Lores white.

Wing 290 mm ; tarsus 33 mm.

Irides dark brown; bill and legs black.

Hydrochelidon leucoptera leucopiera (Schinz). — Rchw. I. p. 71.

2 (5(5 ad. 23. 8.; 1 $ ad. 23. 8.-, Kendu.

Found at Kendu in large flocks in the company of other
terns and gulls. As soon as one of them was brought down, the
whole flock would as a rule stop; sometimes many of them would
fly in sudden turns down to the surface of the water as if to
bring assistance. All the birds shot were in winter dress.

Wing cTcT 199, 200 mm, 9 195 mm; tarsus 20 mm.

Irides dark brown; bill black; legs coral red.

Phalacrocoracidae.

Anhinga rufa rufa (Lacep.). — Rchw. I. 95.

Ousou . . . ki-kavirondo. — Godakodi . . . ki-kamba.
1 (5 ad. 22. 8, 3 QQ ad. 22. 8.; 1 Q juv. 21. 8.

The Darters were very common in the regions of Kendu,
where they could he seen in small flocks flying along the shores.
Sometimes they searched the primitive fishing devices erected by
the natives or Hindus, and it was a common sight to see a stolid
and noisy darter on a pole out in the water. They are, as a
rule, very shy and cautious and at the least sign of danger they
stretch their long necks straight up into the air and turn their
heads in different directions. They fly heavily and close to the
surface of the water.

In the evenings they collect together, along with Herons,
and settle in the trees growing in the water, when it is
possible to get very near them without their flying away.

Of the 5 specimens shot, at least.one d* is in full dress and
this, as well as the three females, agree in coloration with the
description given by Reichenow and others. All the four
adult specimens, however, have the inner web of the last secon-
dary supplied with a cross-fold, (like that on the outer-web of
the tail feathers).

— 30 --

As regards the plumage of the young bird the descriptions
of different writers must be taken so that the picture may be
something like complete. The young bird shot by me differs now
from this description, now from that, for, according to Heuglin
(Ornithologie Nordost-Afrikus Bd. II p. 2476), both the dark and
light stripe from the eye is missing. In ray specimen, however,
the white, glossy stripe running down the neck is found to the
length of 10 cm. Further, the chin is not pure white but has
a pale yellowish brown tint. 1) According to Reichenow (Bd. I.
p. 96) the under part of the body is brownish white. This spe-
cimen, howewer, has a greyish white, silky colour, and the lower
part of the neck is light rust-coloured. The rectrices are blackish
on the upper surface (without any transverse folds), on the lower
surface dark-brown with dark greyish-brown tips. The respective
measurements of these individuals are: wing 338 mm, culmen
80 mm, tarsus 40 mm, tail 260 mm.

On account of tlie whiteness of the under surface we might
be able to suspect that this specimen is A. r. novaehollandiae
(Gould.), the female of which has this colour, but Hartert (Vog.
Pal. Fauna, p. 1401) asks the question as to whether 9 ^^- also
has this character.

Even with reference to the colour of the iris, culmen and
legs there is a great difference of opinion. Reichenow, for
instance, states that the iris is red; Hartert that it is yellow,
v. Erlanger says (J. f. 0. 1905, p. 37) that in adult birds it
is grey with a yellow, then a red ring around the pupil etc., etc.
In the young bird the iris has innermost a narrow white ring,
then a narrow one of greyish yellow and outermost one of coffee-
colour. In the four older birds the iris consisted of a yellow
ring innermost, surrounded by a broader one of brown.

With reference to the length of the culmen Reichenow
states that it varies between 75 and 90 mm. The five Kendu-
specimens have the following measurements:

1. d* 66 mm, 2. 9 76 mm, 3. 9 72,5 mm, 4. 9 73,5 mm

1. juv. 9 80 mm.

Of these, the shortest one, 66 cm, belongs to an old male
bird in full dress and the longest, 80 mm, to a young bird. The
colour of the bill varies also somewhat with age. Thus, the
young bird has a light greyish green bill, while, the bill of old
birds, on the other hand, is light brownish-green.

Hartert states that the colour of the legs is white,
while Reichenow says that the legs are dull yellowish-brown.
In a young bird just shot, they are, according to my observations,

*) The shoulder-feathers are short, brown-greyish or brown-blackish
with lighter streaks along the shafts. The outerweb of the greater wing-
coverts, which in old birds is darkbrown, is in this specimen greyish
(sometimes with a faint tint of brown). No long lancetformod feathers.

- 3i -

light greyish green on the upper side, while the lower side is
dark grey. Old birds have the upper side of the feet light
brownish green and the lower side dark grey.

V. Erlanger writes (op. cit.) that adult male birds have
the whole of the back black with a green wash, females on the
other hand have the feathers of the upper part of the back tipped
with brown. This observation is, as far as I can find, quite
correct, but when the males get close to the moulting-seasou they
are, as regards the colour of the back, exactly like the females.
Neither is it so easy to distinguish them by the other character
adduced by this writer, viz., that the females lack the black stripes
along the upper part of the neck which the males have, because
of the three female specimens I have from Kendu only one (pro-
bably a young individual) is without them. The other two have
them almost as pronounced as the cf specimen.

In Cat. of Birds vol. XXVI p. 411 a character is given by
means of which it is easy to distinguish between d* ad. and 9 ad.,
i. e. that the former has "the black at the base of the fore-neck
and chest not divided from the base of the hind-neck and upper
back by a chestnut band, terminating at the shoulder" while the
latter has "the black at the base of the fore-neck and chest
divided on each side, etc."

I have myself determined the sex of my specimens and
know that there is no uncertainty or doubt about this matter.

Two of my specimens are in the moulting stage, the others —
except the young bird — are in full dress. But the reason why
we find this condition in these birds is due to the fact that in
Steganopodes, Lariformes the renewal of the big feathers and
the small feathers do not coincide with one another, the latter
taking place rather rapidly while the former may be going on the
whole year round, so that, strictly speaking, all individuals are
in moult. In such cases the characterisation of the plumage
must be based on the condition of the small feathers. (Strese-
mann: Avifauna Macedonica p. XV.)

Anatidae.

Thalassiornis leuconotus Eyt. — Rchw. p. I. p. 106.

Nthambai . . . M-kamba.
1 Q 27. 7. Soy.

10 miles north-west of Soy in the direction of Mount Elgon
at an elevation of about 6500 ft. there is a little lake, bordered
with a rich and vigorous reed vegetation and surrounded by
acacias. On the shores of and in this lake there was an abun-
dance of various kinds of birds.

Among the different species of ducks found here this species
was often seen on the edge of the reed-belt, where, in little

— 32 -

flocks of about 8 or 10 iudividuals, it tried to escape discovery
by getting in among the large root-stocks of the reeds projecting
above the surface of the water.

Wing 170 mm; tarsus 35 mm.

Irides dark brown; bill dark brownish grey with yellow
spots, legs dark grey.

Nyroca capensis [(Cuv.) Less.]. — Rchw. I. p. 108.
1 (5 ad. 27. 7. Soy.

This species was common in the little lake mentioned above.
Was often seen in large flocks flying across the water and, in
contradistinction to the preceding species, which was an in-
habitant of the dense reeds, it soared high.

Wing 220 m, tarsus 37 mm.

Irides bright red; bill bluish grey with dark nail; legs dark
grey with a faint yellow tint.

Anas sparsa (A. Sm.) Eyt. — Rchw. I. p. 115.
1 e ad. 29. 6. Mount Elgon, 13.800 ft.

The specimen brought home was shot by the icy-cold
crater-lake on the highest point of Mount Elgon, about 13.800
feet above sea-level. It is rather remarkable that the ver-
tical range of this water bird extends so high up into the
higher zones of the alpine regions, and with reference to this
species, which is really an inhabitant of the low-lying, stagnant
pools, where there is plenty of algae and water-plants etc.
(v. S 0 m e r e n has found the bird at Lakes Naiwasha and Na-
kuru) it is not known that it occurs and breeds in the snow-
regions.

Both the male and female of this species were seen on the
lake, but as soon as I approached the shores they flew away
startled. Although they seemed to be very shy they returned,
however, in a short while and I then succeed in shooting 9-

At one end of the lake, where the sedge grew in knolls,
I found a nest, which no doubt was or would possibly be the
home of the pair.

It was composed of dry straw and down. Bowker, accor-
ding to Reich enow once found a nest of this bird in a hole
in a tree 2 meters above the Avater, but as such a site cannot
be found up here, the pair was certainly compelled to accomo-
date themselves to the facilities of the locality.

A week before I visited the crater-lake Dr. G. Lindblom,
ethnographer in our expedition, who then made an ascent to the
summit of Elgon, had seen the two birds on the lake, and it is
possible that they had been staying there for some time and had
thus even selected and commenced to arrange the site for the
future nest.

- aa —

At the foot of Elgon — at an elevation of 6.800 ft — I saw
this species later on in the pools and mountain rivers found
there, but only two or three of them together.

The female, which was shot, had rather well developed eggs
in the ovary and was about to commence laying.

Wing 250 mm, tarsus 41 mm.

Irides cinnamon brown; bill lead-coloured with the middle
part and nail black, the tip and base yellowish red; legs greyish
green (the under side of the toes yellow), web black.

Alopochen aegyptiacus (L.). — Rchw. I. p. 131.

Alopochen aegyptiacus. — Grant: Ibis, 3915, p. 73. — Sclater-Mackworth Pread :
Ibis 1920, p. 788.

Atudo . . . ki-kavirondo. — Bata . . . ki-kamba.
2 QQ ad. 23. 8. Kendu.

Both specimens were shot at Kendu on the Gulf of Kavi-
rondo, where this goose is rather common. In flocks of from
10 to 15 in number they used to settle on the muddy shores of
the gulf and, in company with Thresh, aethiopica, flocks of Buhulcus
and other waders search for small animals in the mud.

The birds in this district are very shy and difficult to ap-
proach witbin range, as they are eagerly hunted by the neigh-
bouring Kavirondo Negroes, who, from what Okoth, the chief,
told me, consider them to be ''■nyama mzuri Sana" (= very
good meat).

Both specimens are in full dress. One has a large dark-
brown breast- patch and almost white undertail coverts (some
with a pale-yellow tint).

Wing 360, 370 mm, tarsus 70, 74 mm.

Irides yellowish brown; bill horn-grey with black nail; legs
pale flesh-coloured.

Charadriidae.

Glareola ocularis Verr. — Rchw. I. p. 147.

Odogo . . . ki-kavirondo.
1 (5 21. 8., 1 Q 22. 8. Kendu.

Occurred in large flocks, from 50 to 100 in number, along
the shores of the Gulf of Kavirondo, most often frequenting the
small, often reed-covered, islands out in the water.

Their flight is rapid but unsteady. In the company of
Hydrochelidon I. leucopiera they flew, now up now down, in
daring sudden turns and when a shot was fired they did not
alight but flew in wide circles around the visitor.

Both specimens are in full dress and the male has the fore-
neck greyish -brown, the throat muddy yellowish brown. The
upper part of the belly, and the flanks, are bright rust- coloured.

3

- 34 —

the female, on the other hand, has the throat and fore -neck
grey-coloured without any brownish wash. Besides, she has a
great number of white feathers in the lores, which in the male
are uniform black. Neither of the specimens, however, has the
middle of the throat whitish but agrees entirely in the coloration
of the throat with the picture of this species given by Pucheran,
which he names Glareola geoffroyi (Mag. de Zool., Paris, 1845,
pi. 57).

When compared With the specimens in the Berlin Museum,
collected by Fischer on the coast in Manibrui in British East-
Africa it appeared that my specimen agreed fairly well with these,
both as regards measurement and colour. The former had a
wing-measurement of 190—200 mm for cTcf and 182—192 for 99i
and even the length of the tarsi was the same as that of the
Kendu-birds.

V. Someren does not include the species in his "Check
list of the birds of East-Africa and Uganda",
1917, although it has long ago been known from East-Africa, but
Z e d 1 i tz (Journ. f. Orn., 1914, p. 622), gives the bird from the
coast of south Somali.

Wing, cf 180 mm, 9 190 mm, tarsus, cT 30 mm, 9 26 mm.

Irides dark brown; bill black with red flanges; legs black.

Bhinoptilus chalcopterus ohscurus Neum. —
Orn. Monatsber. 1911, p. 11.
1 c5 ad, 17. 4. Kiambu.
In the neighbourhood of Nairobi, at Kiambu, this Courser
occurred rather sparingly. It frequented the acacia-plains.

Neumann (op. cit.) distinguishes Eh. ch. chalcopterus
from Hh. ch. obscurus, occurring south of the equator to the
Cape, which has a brown olive-grey upper surface. The former
is said to have a lighter and more yellowish upper surface and
occurs only in Upper-Guinea (Senegal). My specimen is almost
uniform brown above.

Wing 177 mm, tarsus 78 mm.

Irides dark-brown (the edge of the eye-lids red); bill black
with red flanges; legs coral-red.

Charadrius asiaticus asiaticus Pall. — Rchw. I. p. 167.

Eupodoa asiatica (Pall.). — Grant: Ibis 1916, p. 57. — Ochtodroviics asiaticus
■ (Pall.). - Gurney: Ibis 1909, p. 531.

Ondhuedhuwa . . . ki-kavirondo.
1 (5 and 1 Q 21. 8., Kendu.

These two specimens, which were found at Kendu, were
both in winter dress. They were shot out of a flock of six which
were running about the open plains where the grass was short
and withered. Now and again they "squatted" on the ground
and then they offered a puzzling resemblance to the surroundings. —

— 35 —

van Someren (Ibis, 1916, p. 198) has come across this Plover*
by Lakes Nakuru and Elmenteita in January and April and has
found individuals both in full summer and full winterdress. It
certainly seems a little remarkable that these migratory birds are
found here already in the end of August, and in winter attire too.

The win^-measurements given by Reichenow vary bet-
ween 142 — 148 mm, those by Hartert between 150 — 155 mm.
In the specimens brought home from Kendu the measuremrents are:

cT 152 mm, 9 1^5 mm, tarsus 34 and 39 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs greyish green.

Charadrius varius Vieill. — Rchw. I. p. 171.
Charadrius pecuarius Tern. — v. Someren, Ibis, 1916, p. 198.
1 Q ad. 20. 4., Lake Naiwasha.
At Lake Naivasha (about 8000 ft. above sea -level) this
Ring-Dotteral was found in small flocks along the shingly shores.
The specimen is in rather worn dress.
Wing 99 mm, tarsus 30 mm.
Irides dark brown; bill black; legs dark-grey (almost black).

Charadrius hiaticula hiaticula L. — Rchw, I. p. 174.
1 (5 ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

1 had not expected to come across this Wader at Lake
Naivasha in the end of April, inasmuch as the race, as a rule,
migrates to Europe already in March, arriving in Sweden about
the end of that month.

Er I anger (J. f. 0. 1905 p. 63) found a pair of these
winter visitants on the 16. 5. 1901 at Wante (South Somaliland).

The specimen is in eclipse dress and the neck band not
yet complete. Rather common at the above-mentioned lake.

Charadrius tricoUaris Vieill. — Rchw. I. p. 176.

Afroxyechus tricoUaris. — Grant: Ibis 1915, p. 57. — Oxyechus tricoUaris
VieiU. — Gurney: Ibis 1909, p. 531.

1 (3 ad. and 1 Q ad. 11. 7. Mount Elgon 6.500 ft.

Both individuals were shot on the north-east side of Mount
Elgon, in the neighbourhood of Nai Swamp. They were found
by a little brook running down the slopes of the montain.

Wing cf 115 mm, 9 HO ^^i tarsus 25 mm.

Irides yellow; bill flesh-coloured with black tip; legs yel-
lowish grey.

Hoplopterus spinosus (L.). — Rchw. I. p. 186.

Orueeda . . . ki-kavirondo.
1 ^ ad. 21. 8. Kendu.

This Egyptian Spur-wicged Plover occurred fairly frequently
in pairs almost everywhere in the Kendu district. The specimen

3#

- 36 -

is in worn dress and has a wing-measurement of 205 mm, tarsus
70 mm.

Irides dark-red; bill and legs black.

Hoplopterus speciosus ([Lcht.] Wagl.). — Rchw. I. p. 188.
3 (5(5 ad. 20.— 22. 4.; 1 2 ad. 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

At Lake Naiwasha this bird was very common, large flocks
of this species and other Waders being found along the stony
and shallow shores of the lake.

The are very shy and cautious. The females, with well de-
veloped eggs in the ovary, differ from the males in the coloration
of the dress in having the outer web and tips of the primaries
and of the secondaries dark-brown. Besides, all the black feathers
of the breast are tipped with brown.

Wing d*cf 198, 203, 207 mm, 9 205 mm, tarsus 72—75 mm.

Irides dark-red; bill and legs black.

Lohivanellus senegallus lateralis (A. Sra.). — Rchw. I. p. 194.

1 (5 ad. 25. 5. Mount Elgon 6.500 ft.

By no means common in the Elgon country. Frequented
the strip of land between the plain and the grass steppe. No
water or marshes are found in the neighbourhood. Not very
shy and often flew over the heads of the hunters, uttering a
prolonged and shrill scream.

The specimen is in much abraded dress and has a slate-
coloured band right across the belly, but no white chin (R e i -
chenow op. cit.). In „V6g. Deutsch O.-Afr." p. 37 Reicheno w,
remarks, however, that it is only the female that has a white
chin.

Wing 224 mm, tarsus 81 mm.

Irides bright yellow; bill yellow with black tips; legs pale
lemon-yellow.

Oedicnemus oedicnemus vermiculatus Cab. — Rchw. I. p. 200.

Ogogra . . . ki-kavirondo.
1 Q ad. 22. 8. Kendu.

In Kavirondo Gulf, Lake Victoria Nyanza, this race was
rather common. They were always seen on the small islands
and among the reeds in the water.

Wing 205 mm, tarsus 80 mm.

Irides yellowish brown (the edges of the eye-lids yellow);
bill black with greyish green base; legs greenish-grey.

~ 37 —

Scolopacidae.

Himaniopus himaniopus himantopus (L.). — Rchw. I. p. 207.
1 <5 ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

Was not commou at Lake Naiwasha. Specimen in full
dress, although a few feathers on one side of the neck have
blackish points.

Wing 238 mm, tarsus 127 mm,

Irides red; bill black; legs coral-red.

Tringa stagnatilis (Bchst.). — Rchw. I. p. 220.

Totanus (Iliornis) st. stagnatilis Bchst. — Sclater and Mackword-Pread :
Ibis 1920, p. 810.

1 (5 ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

Small flocks of this Snipe were found at Lake Naiwasha.
They were often seen, like AciopMlus africanus, walking about
on the large water-lilies, looking for water insects. It was by
no means an easy matter to detect them as they roamed about
among the withered reed-stalks and plants.

The male is not in full dress.

Wing 140 mm, tarsus 50 mm.

Irides dark brown; bill and legs black.

Tringa hypoleucos (L). — Rchw. I. p. 224.

1 (5 ad. 10. 4. Nairobi, — 1 Q ad. 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 1. ^ juv.
19. 8. Kisumu.

Wherever there were streams, rivers or lakes this species
was common. At Lake Naiwasha, where the bird occurred in
great numbers, it was generally found in the company of Tringa
glareola and other waders.

At Nairobi where a 9 was shot, it was seen almost every-
where on the banks of the little stream flowing through the
country. According to v. S o m e r e n the bird breeds in British
East Africa (Ibis 1916, p. 201), and the same author in his work
"Bird-life in Uganda" gives an excellent photograph from Uganda
of a brooding hypoleucos.

The young bird, which was shot at the Gulf of Kavirondo
(at Kisumu) has a very worn dress and is uniform greyish brown
on the back; some of the feathers, however, have light edges.
Further, the dark and light transverse bands on the upper sur-
face of the body are lacking, and the sharply defined dark
patches along the shafts, which, according to Reichenow,
are found in the young of this bird, are also missing.

Wing 103 — 105 mm, tarsus 23 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs greyish green.

— 38 —

Tringa ochropus ochropus L. — Rchw. I. p. 222.
1 Q ad. 22. 8. Kendu.

Occurring in small flocks, together with Tringa glareola,
on the shores of the Gulf of Kavirondo.
Wing 141 mm, tarsus 36 mm.

Tringa glareola glareola L. — Rchw. I. p. 222.

Ehyacoi)hilus gl. glareola L. — Sclater and Mackworth-Pread : Ibis 1920, p. 810.

Salo . . . ki-kavirondo. — Ndoake . . . ki-kamba.

1 (5 ad. 21. 8. Kendu. — 1 Q ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

The female, which was shot by Lake Naiwasha, is changing
into the summer plumage, the male from Kendu (on the Gulf of
Kavirondo) is about to assume the winter dress.

In both localities this bird was common and flew in large
flocks along the coasts. In other places they were observed at
about the same time, i. e. the end of April and August, in single
pairs, and they could be found in all phases and dresses. Still,
it is not proved with certainty that the species breeds in East
Africa, even if a number of facts seem to speak for it.

Wing cT 122 mm, 9 121 mm, tarsus 38 and 34 mm.

hides dark-brown: bill black; legs greyish green.

Erolia minuta minuta (Leisl.). — Rchw. I. p. 233.

Pisobia minuta. — Grant: Ibis 1916, p. 59. — Tringa minuta Leisl.

Ndambei . . . ki-kamba.
2 (5(5 ad. 21. and 23. 8. Kendu. — 2 QQ ad. 20. and 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

This little Snipe was very common both at Lake Naiwasha
and at Kendu. At the latter place I saw flocks of 20 to 30 birds,
which frequented the muddy and slimy banks outside the shore-
line proper.

The males «till have the brown tint of thfe autumn dress
while the females are changing from the winter plumage.

Wing cfcf 91, 96 mm, 99 92, 97 mm, tarsus 19—22 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

GalUnago media (Lath.). — Rchw. L ]). 235.
1 (5 ad. 3. 5. Kikuyn.

The species was found in a little grove near Kikuyu (in
the neighbourhood of Nairobi) at an elevation of about 6.000 ft.
Only one specimen was seen.

Wing 137 mm, culmen 63 mm, tarsus 37 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill brown; legs greenish-grey.

— 39 —

Qallinago nigripennis Bpt. — Rchw. I. p. 236.

1 (5 ad. 6. 5. Loudiani. — 1 (5 ad. 30. 6. Mount Elgon.

This bird is undoubtedly more common than the precedin}^
species, at least in the regions I marched through and explored.

The first specimen was procured in a swamp, a few miles
north of Londiani, at about 8.500 ft. above sea-level.

Wing 128 mm, culmen 71 mm, tarsus 35 mm.

At this place the species was rather common, and again at
Eldoret I saw some more individuals.

The other specimen brought home was shot on the eastern
slopes of Mount Elgon, about 13.000 ft. above sea -level. On
different occasions later on I observed the bird at other ele-
vations. Still, it seems beyond doubt that G. nigripennis is a
pronounced highland bird, which even occurs in the alpine region
where only a few icy -cold mountain streams can offer the bird
the required possibilities of existence.

Wing 130 mm, culmen 64 mm, tarsus 30 mm.

The measurements given above would seem to suggest that
the specimen in question belongs to G. media. The length of
the culmen expecially agrees more with that bird, but the indivi-
dual is a young bird, which in other respects is quite in agree-
ment with G. nigripennis., whence there is no doubt as to its
identity.

Otididae.

Otis melanog aster Riipp. — Rchw. I. p. 256.
1 cT ad. 7. 9. Mount Kenia. — 1 Q ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

At Lake Naiwasha — at about 8.000 ft. high — this bustard
was quite numerous.

It frequented the acacia- plains, which at some places
reaches down to the shores of the lake, where it ran about in
the tall grass and knew well how to lie concealed. It was
seldom seen to fly and when this happened at any time it would
soon settle again about 50 to 100 yards from the spot from
where it took wing.

The female, which was shot at Lake Naiwasha, has the
following measurements: wing 360 mm, tarsus 130 mm, culmen
40 mm, tail 160 mm.

According to H e u g 1 i n the length of the bare part of
the tibia in this species is 55 mm but in the closely related
Otis hartlaubi, it is 64 mm. It this 9 specimen the bare part
of the tibia is 67 mm. and in the male specimen, shot in the
neighbourhood of Mount Kenia (Tana river) it is only is
57 mm.

The male specimen exhibits the following measurements:
wing 340 mm, tarsus 133 mm, culmen 41 mm, tail 164 mm.

— 40 —

Irides brownish-yellow; bill light yellowish brown (blackish
above);,, legs brownish-yellow.

Gruidae.

Balearica reguloriim gibbericeps Rchw. — Rchw. I. p. 266.

2 (5(5 ad. 12. and 18. 7., 1 Q ad. 5. 7. Mount Elgon.

The Crowned Cranes were fairly common in the marshes
below the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon and here, as at every
other place where 1 came across them later on, they were not
shy, but would permit one to get close to them before they rose
with heavy, slow strokes of the wing. For the most part they
were seen in pairs, but once (in the middle of September) I
saw outside Nairobi a large flock, about 50 in number walk-
ing in the cultivated land, searching for insects. K o t h e (Z.
Erg. p. 329) relates that at Misama on Aug. 24th he saw several
hundreds together.

They were common everywhere at Kendu (on the Kavi-
rondo Gulf) and also at Lake Naiwasha.

The bill right from the tip to the base is provided with a
protuberance or list, widening a little towards the base, the
edges of which project more or less outwards.

Wing cillmen tarsus tail

600 mm. 64 mm. 210 mm. 275 mm. cf

605 mm.

64 mm.

215 mm.

280 mm. cf

565 mm.

53 mm.

210 mm.

270 mm. 9

Irides white; legs and culmen black.

Jacanidae.

Adophilus africanus (Gm.). — Rchw. I. p. 267.

1 (5 ad. 21. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 1 Q ad. 18. 8. Kisumu. — 1 e juv. 21. 4.
Lake Naiwasha. — 1 Q juv. 18. 8. Kisumu.

The two specimens that were shot in the month of April
are from Lake Naiwasha, the other two from Kisumu, in the
innermost corner of the Gulf of Kavirondo. In both these loca-
lities the bird was very common, frequenting the reed -belt,
where the leaves of the I^ymphaea covered the surface of the
water.

The young birds are not reddish brown on the black like
the adults, but have distinct greenish brown markings. Both
have the foreneck golden -yellow but not so deep as the adult.
The one from Naiwasha has the under parts of the body white,
but the flanks are reddish-brown, the one from Kisumu is more
reddish -brown with numerous white feathers here and there.

— 41 —

The frontal- patch is also considerably smaller. The length of
the culmen from the edge of the frontal-patch, of young and
old birds is as follows:

juv. ad.

9 47 mm. 56 mm. 9

9 45 rnm. 53 mm. cf

It seems also as if the length of the wing and tarsus in
the young bird should, as a rule, be greater than in adults. In
young birds the superciliary stripe is not always white but some-
times yellowish brown or straw-coloured, nearly the same colour
as that of the foreneck. This stripe then continues along the
dark portion of the head and neck as a lateral border to the
white patch of the throat.

The frontal patch, which becomes larger with age and in
old individuals, extends far behind the eyes, later on replacing
the superciliary stripe.

In the four individuals the respective measurements are as
follows:

wing tarsus wing tarsus

cf juv. 167 mm. 73 mm. cf ad. 153 mm. 64 mm.
9 juv. 173 mm. 68 mm. 9 ad. 160 mm. 68 mm.
The female specimen of the 8. 8. from Kisumu had a well-
developed ovary with large eggs.

Irides dark-brown; bill greyish blue or greyish green (in
the young bird with a lighter tip), frontal-plate lighter in the
young bird than in the full-grown; legs dark lead-coloured (in
the young bird light greyish green).

Rallidae.

Limnocorax niger (Gm.). — Rchw. I. p. 279.

Kudubiri . . . ki-kamba.
4 (5,5 ad. 22. 4., Lake Naiwasha. — 1 (5 ad. 22. 8., Kendu.

This bird was quite common at Lake Naiwasha. On the
22. 4. in a tussock among some tall rushes out in the water, I found
a nest, which then contained two eggs of a light yellowish brown
colour with small and large dark brownish spots.

Although the hen had already begun to lay her eggs both
the male and female were continually occupied in carry new
material to the nest. The noteworthy thing was, however, that
above the depression itself there was an arch or roof, consisting
of large and small dry rushes and stalks. Whether the birds
themselves had arranged this superstructure or whether it was
a temporary accumulation I am not in a position to say, as this
was the only nest I saw of this species.

Wing 96, 102, 103, 106 mm, tarsus 39—41 mm.

Irides blood-red; bill greenish yellow; legs coral- red.

— 42 —

Porzana pusilla ohscura (Neum.). — Rchw. I. p. 284.
1 (5 27. 7. Eldoret.

About 30 miles north of Eldoret about 6.500 feet above sea-
level there is in the acacia-plains a shallow, rush covered little lake,
surrounded for the most part by high banks. Only at one spot
does the shore slope downwards and here the lake passes into a
little swamp, where among other swamp and water-birds, this bird
was shot.

The bird is shy and cautious and mostly keeps to the ground,
where it darts in and out among the rushes. When one gets
too near it, it rises and flies, about ten or twenty yards, only to
drop to the ground as if hit by a shot.

Wing 85 mm.

Irides blood-red; bill greyish green with a somewhat darker
tip; legs greyish green.

Fulica cristata Gm. — Rchw. I. p. 296.

Nguku-yansi . . . ki-kamba.
1 (5 ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha. - 1 (5 ad. 27. 7. Eldoret.

This was the most common bird in Lake Naiwasha and was
observed, now in pairs, now in large flocks, swimming about in
the acquatic vegetation. R e i c h e n o w states (after Andersson)
that the species in question lies concealed during the day-time,
only coming out in the mornings in search of food. This was
not' the case here, but one could see them everywhere in the
lake at any time of the day. If a shot was fired at them hundreds
and sometimes many hundreds of them would rise with a scream
at the same time to seek protection in the papyrus groves.

Also in the lake just mentioned where Forz. pus. obsc. was
shot, this Crested Coot was the commonest of the birds.

Wing 213, 216 mm, tarsus 62, 67 mm.

Irides brownish red; bill yellowish with a grey tint; legs
dark lead-coloured (just above the tarsus the tibia is yellowish
green).

Pteroclidae.

Fterocles guUuralis saluratior Hart. — Rchw. I. p. 306.
1 Q ad. 15. 9. Kenia.

Was shot in the neighbourhood of Mount Kenia in its
southern environs. Occurred in the acacia- country, where it was
not rare.

Wing 215 mm; culmen 15 mm; tarsus 29 mm; tail 85 mm.

In this specimen the shafts of all the primaries are lighter,
almost dirty white, towards the base, while all the primaries,

— 43 -

except the three longest, are provided with a light edge to the
tips and for some distance up on the outer web.

Irides brown; bill bluish grey; legs dark brownish grey.

Ibididae.

Threskiornis aethiopica (Lath.). — Rchw. I. p. 321.

Threskiornis aethiopica. — Grant: Ibis 1915, p. 66.
Okok , . . ki-kavirondo.
1 (5 ad. 22. 8.; 2 ^^ juv. 22. .8.; 1 Q jur. 22. 8.; Kendu.

The sacred Ibis was very common on the shores of Lake
Naiwasha. In flocks of 10 to 20 in number I often saw them
walking in the short, dry grass on the acacia plains (in the
month of April) or, together with Buhulcus, following the cattle.
They were very shy in these parts and I did not succeed in
getting within range.

At the Gulf of Kavirondo in Victoria Nyauza, where they
were also numerous, they frequented the plains and here I had
an occasion to shoot 3 young birds and 1 adult.

During the hottest hours of the days they are mostly found
on the shores or on the sand-banks in or near the water, but
in the mornings and evenings they take to the grass-plains or
cultivated fields to look for food.

The full-grown male has a wing-measurement amounting to
385 mm, tarsus 110 mm, culmen 170 mm and is in full dress.
The outer-web and tips of a number of the large, outer wing-
coverts and the feathers of the flanks are light ochre-yellow.

One of the cf juvenile birds, which has almost the com-
plete adult dress, with secondaries and primaries of a steel-blue
and green glossy colour, the latter beginning to get abraded and
defused, still has the neck completely covered with small feathers.
On the throat these are quite white and worn at the edges, so
that often only the shaft and small fragments of the web are left.
The head, sides of the head and cheeks are thickly covered with
longer, unabraded black feathers, which become thinner towards
the back parts of the neck. Both on the head and the neck
there are numerous white feathers sprinkled among the black ones.

In the two somewhat younger birds the feathers of the crown
and back of the neck are not black but dark-brown and on
account of their age, larger and whole.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black. ^

Hagedashia hagedash nilotica Neum. — Ornis, vol. XIII, p. 193.

Nganga . . . ki-kavirondo.
1 (5 ad. 22. 8.; 1 p ad. 22. 8.; Kendu.

In the Gulf of Kavirondo this race was rather common,
frequenting the trees fringing the shores.

— 44 —

The male individual is in full dress, the female is in rather
worn dress and has just commenced moulting, the lower parts
of the body being predominantly brown, while in the male they
shade into grey, and a number of the feathers are bordered (at
the points) with a yellowish-brown seam.

Neumann has (op. cit. pp. 190 — 196), separated four forms,
which are mainly distinguished by the length of the culmen, for
the characters ''light grey", "darker grey", "still darker grey",
etc. are not conclusive in such cases. R e i c h e n o w (Mitt. Zool.
Mus. Berlin, 1910—11 p. 74) considers that these four forms are
difficult to limit because they pass into each other and the length
of the culmen varies with age and sex. For, the male specimen
before me is dark grey, the female light greyish brown and yet
they were shot on the same day. Apparently the grey colour
varies in depth both with age and season.

Wing tarsus culmen

d* 375 mm. 75 mm. 163 mm.
9 355 mm. 68 mm. 153 mm.

Irides white (with a narrow dark-brown inner edge); bill
black (upper mandible red at the base); lower half of the front
side of the tarsi and the upper side of the toes red (otherwise
blackish).

Flatalea alba Scop. ~ Rchw. I. p. 331.
1 (5 juv, 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

At Lake Naiwasha the Spoon-bill occurred in small flocks
or in single specimens. It was mostly seen on the edge of the
papyrus groves out in the water, where it would stand motion-
less for a long time, steadfastly staring into the water.

This specimen has the top of the head white (not streaked
with black: Reichenow op. cit). The tips of the four outer
primaries and the whole of the outer web are brown, with black-
brown shafts. The feathering of the throat is like plate 207
Ilartert: Vog. d. Palaearkt Fauna p. 1218. The naked patch
around the eyes and on the forehead is yellowish red or pale
rose-coloured.

Wing 380 mm; tarsus 144 mm; culmen 205 mm.

In the young bird the iris is greyish yellow in colour and
the culmen glossy grey with a narrow rose-coloured baud all
round, the base being also rose-coloured; legs black.

Ciconiidae.

Ciconia ciconia ciconia (L.). — Rchw. I. p. 345.

1 (5 and 1 Q 9. 5. between Londiani and Eldoret.

One evening when camping at a spot — about 42 miles
north of Londiani in the direction of Eldoret — at an elevation

— 45 —

oi about 8,000 feet we observed a large flock of storks, about
30 to 40 in number, which had alighted in some acacias to roost.

As a rule the storks have already migrated from Africa and
arrived in Europe by this time and it is therefore noteworthy
that as late as the 9 th of May they had not left East-Africa.
On the 16 th April I saw a few in the neighbourhood of Nairobi
and, at the end of the same month, at Naiwasha.

K 0 1 h e mentions (Zool. Erg. d. Exp, d. Herrn Hauptm.
Fromm 1908/09 nach D. 0. Afr. p. 314) that in the middle of
March at Msamvia (between Tanganjika and Rukwa Lakes) he
found all the trees thickly occupied by storks which had con-
gregated to migrate back to their homes, and Kothe's state-
ment that the plumage of the specimens shot was very abraded
was confirmed by observations of my own.

Scopidae.

Scopus umhrefta bannermani C. Grant. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club,
XXXV, 1914, p. 27.

Anam . . . ki-kavirondo. — Nguni . . . ki-kamba.

1 (5 ad. 13. 4. Nairobi. — 1 (5 ad. 17. 4. Kiambu. — 1 (5 ad. 4. 6. Mount

Elgon. — 1 (5 ad. 22. 8. Kendu. — 1 g ad. 25. 7. Mount Elgon.

The Greater Hammer-head is rather common, and I saw
it at all the large and small waterways I passed. At Kendu it
happened one day that a Hammer-head alighted in a brook only

2 yards from me and went on picking in the mud without being
disturbed in the least by my presence. Now and again it stop-
ped suddenly, turned its head to look at me, and then went on
quite undisturbed

Grant points out (op. cit.) that the true S. u. umhretta
from Senegal is a small bird, with a wing measurement of
248—256 mm., but that specimens from other parts of Africa
are larger and have a wing -measurement amounting to 300—
330 mm. The latter he herefore styles S. u. bannermani.

Reichenow states (Journ. f. Orn. 1921, p. 265) that
11 specimens from Togo have a wing-measurement of 295 — 315
ram: and he considers that the type-form should be limited to
the Gold Coast.

Wing

culmen

tarsus

cf Nairobi

315 mm.

82 mm.

75 mm.

cf Kiambu

335 mm.

82 mm.

74 ram.

d* Elgon

325 ram.

83 ram.

71 mm.

9 Elgon

305 ram.

85 ram.

71 mra.

(J Kendu

320 mm.

82 mm.

72 mra.

Irides dark-brown ; bill and legs black.

- 46 -

Ardeidae.

Ixohrychus minutus payesi (Verr.). — Rchw. I. p. 367.

Ardetta payesi Reichenow: op. cit.

1 c5 ad. 14. 5. Soy.

A male, in full dress, of this beautiful Heron was shot at
the lake just mentioned, 10 miles northwest of Soy in the direc-
tion of Elgon. When I sent the natives into the reeds, which
everywhere grew to a great height and were difficult to pene-
trate, it flew along the surface of the water some 10 metres
and then dropped into the shallow water on the beach.

The dark -red -brown feathers of the neck are sprinkled
with a few dark, blackish ones, but otherwise the dress approa-
ches the description of that of the Sansibar-specimen given by
Reichenow.

Reichenow doubts whether we are entitled to establish
geographical sub-species of this species. If only colour diagnoses
were the foundation of such a division it would perhaps be
audacious in the present case, but as the various measurements
and a number of the other characters vary there are probably
more well-founded reasons than in some cases where a far-
reaching division has been made on account of very small —
mostly purely subjective — differences.

Wing total length tarsus tail culmen

147 mm. 325 mm. 45 mm. 56 mm. 46 mm.

In this individual the irides are dark, egg -yoke yellow
(thus yellow-red); bill yellowish brown with a black tip and the
legs saffron-coloured.

Ardeola idae Hartl. — Catal. of Birds in the Brit. Mus.
vol. XXVI. p. 206.

Kalyan-zuka . . . ki-kamba (for all small Herons).
1 <5 ad. 24. 7. Mount Elgon.

Of this interesting species of Heron, whose real home is
Madagascar, a cT specimen was shot below the eastern slopes
of Mount Elgon, at about 7.000 feet above sea-level. It was
found on an open plain near a little brook, where the natives
had recently burnt all the vegetation, looking for food among
the charred remains of grass and bushes. Only this one was seen.

No doubt it must be regarded as a mere accident that
this species had strayed so far from its real native country and
the fact of its having found its way as far up as the Elgon terri-
tory is not easy to explain.

In comparing this specimen with the specimens in the
Berlin Museum it was seen that the specimens found there are
more grey on the upper surface and not quite so rusty-brown
on the neck.

— 47 -=-

Total length wing culmen tarsus tail

380 mm. 210 mm. 59 mm. 58 mm. 52 mm.

Irides citron-coloured; bill dark-brown and green at the
base; legs dark greyish green.

Bubulcus ibis (L.). — Rchw. I. p. 381.

Ardeola ibis L. — Sclater and Mackworth-Pread : Ibis 1920, p. 791.

Okogeratjar . . . ki-kavirondo. — Kanyange . . . ki-kamba.

1 (5 ad. 25. 8. Kisumu. — 1 ^ juv. 22. 8. Kendu. - 1 Q juv. 18. 8.

Kisumu. — 1 Q ad. 23. 8. Kendu.

Everywhere on the shores of the Gulf of Kavirondo this
Heron was very common. A 9 Jiiv-» shot at Kisumu on the 18th
August, has an entirely white dress, except a few elongated crest-
feathers, which are pale rusty yellow.

Total length wing tarsus culmen tail

430 mm. 250 mm. 75 mm. 57 mm. 78 mm.

What distinguishes this individual from the other three,
however, is the colour of the legs, for, in this case the tarsi
and toes are black, but the lower part of the tibia is saffron-
yellow.

The other three specimens were shot in Kendu on the Gulf
of Kavirondo and all of them have the tarsi yellowish grey, the
toes, however are of a darker grey, almost blackish colour.
Two of them have the elongated brownish feathers of the occi-
put well developed.

In the mornings I saw these herons by the hundreds sit-
ting in the tops of tall trees far from the water. Stomachs
contained only locusts.

Irides citron-yellow; bill yellow; legs greyish-yellow (black).

Columbidae. *

Vinago calva salvadorii Dubois. — Rchw. I. p. 396.

Juyu . . . ki-kikamba.

1 6 ad. 9. 5. Londiani. — 5 (5(5 ad. 16. 5.-26. 7., 1 (J juv. ad. 30. 5.

Mount Elgon. — 1 g ad. 9. 5. Londiani. — 1 2 ad. 15. 5. Soy.

This dove was met with at various places: Eldoret, Soy
and the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon at an elevation of 6,500
and 8,000 feet above sea -level. One specimen was shot in the
arboreal vegetation bordering the banks of a little brook — in
the vicinity of Elgon — flowing through the acacia steppe.

Two of the specimens, from the 15th and 26th May in the
neighbourhood of Mount Elgon, had only a slight tint of the
grey band on the back and the colour of the legs was a dirty
red, whereas, on the other hand, in all the others it was a
beautiful coral-red.

— 48 —

The bird was common on Elgon and occurred both in the
forests and in the small vegetation colonies, which as a rule,
follow the small or large waterways in the acacia steppe. They
were frequently seen in large flocks.

Quite considerable differences occur in this dove. Some
have the back and the whole of the upper surface of the body
behind the grey neck- band (even the upper tailcoverts included)
yellowish olive-green, others greyish green. In some the grey
neck-band is pale and inconspicuous, but in the majority it is
pronounced. In a few specimens the rectrices are bordered with
green, but in the majority this border is lacking. Even the
yellowish green colour of the under surface varies much in in-
tensity.

Wing tarsus

165—175 mm. 25—26 mm. cfcf

170 mm. 24-25 mm. 99

The irides have outermost a red, lilac, ring, within this
another of clear blue. Culmen, bluish grey with coral-red cere.
Legs coral-red.

Columha guinea longipennis Rchw. — Rchw. I. p. 402.
1 2 ad. 25. 8. Eisumu.

In the regions of Kisumu (on the Gulf of Kavirondo, Lake
Nyanza) this dove was rarely met with. It frequented the scrub
and bush vegetation near the shores of the lake.

This specimen might almost be taken as an intermediate
between C. g. guinea and C. g. longipennis, the rump being
whitish grey as in the former, but the lower surface of the body
darker grey as in the latter.

Wing 230 mm; tarsus 28 mm.

Columha arquairix arquatrix Tern. — Rchw. I. p. 403.

2 S6 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. — 2 (55 ad. 27. 6. aud 24. 7.;
3 QQ ad. 3. 6. — 5. 7.; 1 2 juv. 6. 6.; Mount Elgon.

This dove was found quite commonly almost everywhere.
In the dense forests around Nairobi large flocks were seen in
the middle of April. On Mount Elgon I met with this species
as far up as 9.000 feet above sea-level. It frequents the dark
and moss-clad trees, where it will remain quite still until one
gets right up to it.

Congreve says of this bird (Journ. East. Afr. and Ug.
N. H. Soc, vol. Ill, No. 6, 1913 p. 47) that it is the commonest
pigeon in the Mau forests and probably in the other forests of
British East Africa.

The 6 Elgon specimens are rather diflerent from each other
in colour. Erl anger has (J. f. 0. 1915, p. 115) already remarked

— 49 —

that the various tones of colour of the under surface is due to
individual variations, which is probably true, for I have in the
same month shot birds with a dark, brown-violet under surface,
others with a light greyish red belly etc. Some have the crown
and neck bright light-grey (the commonest state), others have these
parts dark greyish-blue (almost the same colour as the young bird).

In the specimens from Elgon the wing -measurement for
cfcT is 235—236 mm., for 99 213—227 mm. In those from
the Nairobi regions the measurement for cfcf is 210 — 227 mm.
In spite of this difference in size between cfd^ I do not consider
that I am entitled to separate the Elgon specimens from the Kikuyu.

Lonnberg has already shown (Birds coll. Swed. Zool.
Exp. B. E. A. 1911, p. 44-45) that C. a. arquatricula, — which
according to Oberholser should be the one occurring in
Central Africa — cannot be regarded as a form varying from
arquatrix, and a number of my specimens both from the Nairobi
regions and Elgon prove one thing, that the difference in size is
not a constant occurrence, whence Lonnberg's opinion is un-
doubtedly correct.

A young 9 bird from Elgon, shot on the 6. 7., agrees rather
closely with the description of such a bird given by Lonnberg
(Arch. f. Zool. Band 9, No. 14, 1915, p. 3). Still the chin and
the feathered part of the mandible of the specimen in question
are quite rusty-brown and all the feathers of the throat are
bordered with rusty-brown. The length of the wing is 127 mm.

Irides yellow-yellowish grey, bill and legs citron-yellow.

Stigmatopelia senegalensis aequatorialis Erl. — Journ. f. Ornithol.

1905, p. 118.

Akuru . . . ki-kavirondo.
1 § ad. 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 1 2 ad. 22. 8. Kisumu (Victoria Nyanza).

This pigeon was very common around the shores of Lake
Naiwasha. The specimen from here has the following mea-
surements: Wing 132 mm. Tarsus 19 mm.

Irides cofll'ee-coloured.

Even at Kisumu the bird was one of the most common,
and I frequently saw it on the outskirts of the town, where it
ran about the roads looking for food.

Wing 137 mm. Tarsus 19 mm.

Irides dark-brown; culmen black; legs pale coral-red.

Streptopelia semitorquata erythrophrys Sw. ?

2 (5(5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong (near Nairobi) 7,000 feet. — 1 (5 juv., 1 (5 ad.,
1 S ad. 22. 4. Kikuyu. — 2 <5(5 ad. 26. 4. Mombasa.

In the coast-land at Mombasa this pigeon was one of the
commonest and was frequently seen in the cocoanut groves and
on the outskirts of the forests, fringing the open fields.

4

— 50 -

In one specimen the chin is distinctly white, whereas in the
others it is a beautiful, pale wine-colour. Further, the occiput,
fore-neck and breast are light wine-coloured, while, on the con-
trary, these parts in the Kikuyu and Ngong specimens are darker,
distinctly shading into rusty-brown. They were all shot in April
and were in about the same stage (except one juv.).

The specimens from the Nairobi district (Kikuyu, Ngong)
are very different from one another. Of those from the latter
place, one (in moult) has the back and sides of the head almost
brownish red and the upper tail-coverts greyish-brown, the
same colour as the back, while the other (also in moult) has
the back and sides of the head wine coloured, and upper tail-
coverts bluish grey.

In the Mombasa specimens the iris was bright reddish-yellow,
but in those from Ngong and Kikuyu it was dark-brown with a
red ring nearest the pupil. The bill almost black in all.

Wing culmen tarsus

175, 175 mm. 19, 18 mm. 24, 27 mm. Mombasa.

190, 186, 178 mm. 18, 18.5, 18 mm. 25 — 26 mm. Ngong, Kikuyu.
178, 160 mm. 16 mm. Elgon.

In the Mombasa specimens the lower rump and undertail-
coverts are deep-blue, but in those from Kikuyu and Ngong they
are considerably darker, while in the Elgon specimen they are
almost of the same dark-grey colour as that of the under wing-
coverts. The difference between the Mombasa and the Elgon
specimens is so pronounced that even this character alone should
be enough to establish a special Elgon sub-species.

The same thing is noticeable with respect to the wine-red
colour of the neck, crop and breast, i. e. considerably darker in
those shot inside the country; and in the Elgon-form the rusty-
brown feathers are more numerous than the pale wine-coloured ones.

In the Elgon specimen, again, the crown is dark grey and
not pale grey as in those from the coast or the Kikuyu country.

The lesser wing-coverts, which in the Elgon specimen are
all predominantly brown, are greyish in the other specimens.

Reichenow states, p. 410, that the young bird has rust-
coloured edges to the feathers of the head, throat etc. This is
also in agreement with the juv. specimen I have, but all the
primaries are rust-coloured in the points and also along the edge
of the outer-web as well, whereas these parts are greyish-white
in a full-grown individual.

Grote (Journ. f. Ornith., 1921, p. 423) names specimens
from Ukerewe-Island erythrophrys Sw. According to Grant
(Ibis 1916, p. 42) this bird is known from West Africa and Fernando
Po, but probably Grote bases his opinion on statements made
by Zedlitz (Journ. f. Orn., 1914, p. 644 and 1916, p. 113),
who gives the range of erythrophrys as extending from S. Abyssinia,
Central, East, West to South Africa. The true Streptopelia s.

— 51 —

semitorquata from Abyssioia would, according to a statement made
by Prof. 0. Neumann, as a rule, have a winglength of almost
always over 190 mm. (maximum about 198 mm.), but the East-
African bird is smaller and thus not the typical semitorquUta. —
It agrees rather well with the Seaegambia-bird erythrophrys, and
I therefore think, that Z e d I i t z and G r o t e are right, when
calling their East-African specimens erythrophrys.

Therefore, on the strength of the above-mentioned facts
concerning the differences between Streptopelia semitorquata semi-
torquata Riipp. from the coast-land and the Kikuyu region and
the Elgon form I think 1 am fully entitled to determine this form
as a new one, which I name:

Streptopelia semitorquata elgonensis Granvik.

1 Q ad. 18. 7. Eastern slopes of Mount Elgon 7,000 feet.

Differs from Streptopelia semitorquata semitorquata Rupp. in
the following respects:

1. The crown is dark grey, shading backwards into a rust
colour (with pale wine-coloured mixture).

2. The belly, lower rump and lower tail-coverts dark grey.

3. Neck, fore- neck and breast dark wine-coloured with rust-
crown tinge.

4. Only a few of the wing -coverts have a pale, sometimes
scarcely discernible, shade of grey.

wing: 190 mm. total-length: 310 mm. culmen: 18 mm.
tail: 138 mm. tarsus: 25 mm.

This pigeon lived on the edge of the forest where the
expanse of the acacia steppe began. Another specimen of this
bird was shot which corresponded perfectly in colour and design
with the individual broivght home.

Irides reddish yellow. Bill dark- brown (almost black).
The colour of the legs dark-reddish blue.

When looking over the large collection of S. semitorquata
at the Museum in Berlin, 1 found, it is true, a specimen from
Bukoba 12. 12. 1920 which has character 2 above, but the neck
is wine-coloured. Not a single individual, however, had a grey
breast and grey belly. Every true S. s. semitorquata, in full
dress has a dark wine-coloured belly.

Stigmatopelia lugens funehrea v. Someren. — Bull. Brit. Orn.
Club 1919, vol. XL, p. 21,

Ndutula . . . ki-kamba. — Njwa . . . ki-suahili.
2 5^ ad. 18. 7. and 24. 7. Mount Elgon, 7,000 feet.

Found in the interior of the dense forests together with
Turturoena delagorguei sharpei and always frequented the foliage
and the upper branches of the trees where its dark colour

4.*

— 52 —

harmonzietl with that of the branches. Often remained quite
still until one got to within a few meters of it.

One of these two specimens was a full-grown male with
swollen testes. The other was a younger individual, the tips of
the grey feathers on its belly being pale rust- coloured. The grey
colour of the crown and the sides of the head is also lighter
in the latter than in the fully developed male. Otherwise it
agrees in every respect with the one in full dress.
The following measurement are to be recorded:
wing, culmen, tarsus, tail,

176 mm. 16 mm. 22 mm. 120 mm. ad.
176 mm. 18 mm. 23 mm. 112 mm. jun.
Irides reddish yellow; bill dark-grey (almost black), in the
young bird bluish grey; legs dark-reddish lilac.

Streptopelia decipiens permista Rchw. — Rchw. Ill, p. 808.

22 (5(5 ad. 18. 8.; 12 juv. 18. 8. Kisumu (Victoria Nyanza). —
1 (5 ad. 22. 8. Kendu.

Around the shores of Victoria Nyanza this pigeon was
common everywhere. In large flocks it frequented the low trees
and bushes growing at the water's edge or out in the water.

Z e d 1 i t z (J. f. 0. 1914, p. 644- 654) discusses the family
Turtur very minutely and distinguishes 7 forms belonging to
the decipiens group. My specimens all belong to the above-
named.

Reich enow states (op. cit. p. 808) that permista has
the white parts of the lower part of the body widely distended.
One of my specimens agrees with tbis, but another has a
predominantly pale greyish brown tint on the lower part of
the body.

The young bird strongly puts one in mind of the young of
S. capicola tropica, but has all the feathers of the head and
neck and those of the fore-neck and breast bordered with brown
ish grey. The flanks in the former are greyish blue, but in
the latter they are yellowish white or of a pale wine-coloured
shade. The outer-web of the extreme tail-coverts are, however,
as in old birds, predominantly black, whereas, the young bird
of S. c, trop.^ on the other hand, has the outer -web generally
white.

The measurement figures for the length of wing in my
specimens do not exactly coincide with Erlanger's (cfcf
160—165, 99 153— 155 mm): they are for the 3 cTcf 155—157
mm. (the young bird, 145 mm).

Irides citron -yellow; bill black; legs pale blue lilac-dark
coral-red.

— 53 —

Streptopelia capicola tropica Rchw. — Orn. Monatsber. 1902,

p. 139.

Ivui . . . ki-kamba.

3 (5(5 ad. 20.-22. 4.-, 1 ^ juv. 20. 4.; 1 2 ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. —

1 <S ad. 10. 5.; 2 QQ ad. 10. 5. Londiani. _ 1 (5 ad. 13. 5. Eldoret. - 1 (5 ad.

25. 7. ; 2 ee ad, 16. 5. Soy. - S 66 ad. C. 6. and 24. 7.; 2 QQ ad. 10. 7.

and 24. 7. Mount Elgon.

This pigeon was very common at every place through
which our expedition passed. Asa rule they were met with, in
pairs or in small flocks, in the brier- bush on the edge of the
forests.

In the series of 17 skins brought home from ditferent
regions there are rather great variations in the colours of the
dress, and it seems as if the Elgon -specimens are, as a rule,
somewhat darker than those from regions farther south, e. g.
from Lake Naiwasha.

The five specimens from the latter place show a rather
clear greyish blue tint on the belly and all of them have a con-
siderably lighter greyish blue -coloured head than those from
Elgon and the neighbouring regions, and this greyish blue part
extends rather far back on the neck, which is not the case in
this race. Compare Zedlitz (J. f. 0. 1914, p. 649).

The outer- web of the extreme rectrix in all full-grown
birds is entirely white, whereas the young bird, on the other
hand, has a narrow, blackish border along the shaft.
Wing in cTcf is 155 — 158 mm.
„ „ 9 „ 161 mm.
„ „ d* juv. is 145 mm.

The three specimens from the Londiani regions are already
somewhat darker than the preceding, and with these three the
description given by Zedlitz (op. cit.) agrees very well. But
all of them have a brownish tone on the belly, which is, how-
ever, the same phenomenon as that encountered in so many birds
that live on laterite soil, where they thus become coloured by
the red-brown clay.

Wing: d* 155 mm.

99 148 and 155 mm.

A specimen from Eldoret (about 65 miles northwest of
Londiani) differs only in size, the wing -measurement of this
specimen being 162 mm.

From Soy (in the vicinity of Elgon) I have two specimens
having a wing-length of 147 and 148 mm respectively.

The remaining six specimens from the Elgon regions differ
Very much from one another in the shade of colour on the belly,
that is to say, I have both light and dark ones. One specimen
is, however, of special interest, inasmuch as all the feathers of
the lower body are provided with — as it would seem — a

— 54 —

darker, transversal band. If one examines such a feather under
magnifying power it will be seen that these bands have arisen
because of the fact that the radii ramorum have partially disappea-
red curvedly across the feathers. Each feather, as a rule, has
3 such curved bands, which, when the feather is held up to the
light, appear of course lighter, but when lying along the surface
of the lower body give an impression of a darker band (as the
coloured vexillum of the underlying feathers shines through).

Only two individuals out of the 12 latter have a narrow
black band along the shaft of the extreme rectrices, all the
others have these feathers entirely white and all have the black
bar or patch in front of the eye, mentioned by Z e d 1 i t z
(op. cit.).

The length of the wing in these 6 birds is as follow:
cTcf 149—154 mm, 99 148-151 mm.

Irides in all dark brown; bill black; legs dirty coral-red-
pale blue lilac.

Streptopelia fulvopedoralis Granvik.

Plate No. 2.

Akuru . . . ki-kavirondo.
1 Q ad. 22. 8. Kendu.

Of this new species I brought home only one specimen
from Victoria Nyanza. When I went through the collection at the
Berlin Museum, I did not find a single specimen closely resem-
bling mine. Both Prof. A. Reich enow and Prof. 0. Neumann
acknowledged that I was right in maintaining that this specimen be-
longed to an unknown species which could not be referred to
any of the "form circles" known at present.

The forehead is light grey-brown, the crown and occiput
dark grey-brown. The sides of the neck light yellow-brown,
cheeks grey, throat white. An indistinct black occipital band
bordered at the top by a wide yellowish brown band, fringing
the dark grey-brown occiput. Back, scapulars, wing-coverts
upper-tail-coverts and the two median rectrices earthy-brown,
the latter being dark greyish blue at the base. The primaries
dark-brown, the coverts of the secondaries and primaries black.
The throat, the fore- neck and breast yellowish brown, like the
flanks. The belly and the undertail coverts white. Lower wing-
coverts brown, with dark patches here and there. The rectrices,
except the two median ones, earthy-brown with dark-grey base
and grey wash, tipped with white.

Bill black, irides citron-yellow. Around the eyes there are
naked parts with small, red wart-like formations. Feet pale
red lilac.

Wing 144 mm, tarsus 22 mm (middle toe without claw 23 mm),
total length 250 mm, culmeu 18,5 mm, tail 40 mm.

- 55 —

The bird lived in the dense bush and copse vegetation
bordering the shores of Victoria Nyanza in the Kavirondo
country.

Turturoena delagorguei sharpei Salvad. — Rchw. I. p. 418.

5 (5(5 23. 5., 28. 5., 3. 6., 4. 7; 9 gp 19. 5., 23. 5., 28. 5., 30. 5., 5. 6., 13. 6.,
15. 6., 23. 7. Mount Elgon.

This Turturoena was very common in the forests on the
eastern slopes of Elgon. During the day it remained for the
most part inactive and was then seldom seen but in the mor-
nings it was astir and one could hear its "cooing" everywhere
in the dense foliage.

The bird is met with as high up as 8,000 feet above sea-
level. As the various measurements of my specimens differ very
much from those given by other authors 1 append the following table.

Wing, tot, length tarsus, culmen, tail,
179 mm. 280 mm. 23 mm. 16 mm. 120 mm. cf 23. 5. 6,500 ft.
177 mm. 275 mm. 24 mm. 16 mm. 116 mm. cT 28. 5. 8,000 „
182 mm. 278 mm. 23 mm. 18 mm. 115 mm. cf 28. 5. 6,500 „
177 mm. 280 mm. 22 mm. 17 mm. 120 mm. d 3. 6. 6,500 „
177 mm. 275 mm. 23 mm. 16 mm. 118 mm. cf 4.7. „ „
160 mm. 265 mm. 22 mm. 16 mm. 112 mm. 9 14.5. „ „
170 mm. 255 mm. 21mm. 18 mm. 108 mm. 9juv. 23.5. „ „
173 mm. 265 mm. 22 mm. 15 mm. 120 mm. 9 28. 5. „ „
168 mm. 278 mm. 22 mm. 15 mm. 116 mm. 9 28.5. „ „
171mm. 275 mm. 22 mm. 15.5mm. 1 18 mm. 9 30.5. „ „
173 mm. 276 mm. 22 mm. 16 mm. 115 mm. 9 3.6. „ „
173 mm. 270 mm. 21.5mm. 15 mm. 115 mm. 9 13- 6- » ^
166 mm. 270 mm. 22 mm. 15 mm. 112 mm. 9 15.6. „ „
162 mm. 265 mm. 22 mm. 15 mm. 114 mm. 9 23.7. „ „

V. Someren (Nov. Zool. XXV p. 264) gives 160-165 mm
as the wing measurements for his specimens from West Elgon
and 175 mm for those from Nairobi.

From the table it appears, however, that the average for
cfcf is 177 mm
and 99 about 170 mm ' , ■

in birds from the eastern slopes of Elgon,

Further, it seems as if the culmen and tarsus of 99 ^i"6
in general smaller than those of cfcf.

With reference to the colour of the back of cfcf, in older
individuals it is predominantly very dark slate-coloured without
any dark reddish brown tint, whereas, in younger birds the latter
colour on the other hand is very conspicuous and especially
pronounced on the scapulars.

Even in other respects there are different characters in the
coloration of old and young males. Thus for instance the grey

— 56 —

colour of the throat and lower part of the body is dark bluish
grey in old birds, but light grey in young ones, and the light
reddish grfiy of the fore-neck in young birds shades in older
birds into an almost dark rust-coloured tint.

Reichenow states (op. cit.) that the light T. delagorguei
has the fore-neck and occipit copper-red with a violet-red gloss,
but T. d. sharpei a metallic green gloss. Three of my specimens
should, according to this description, be true T. d. sharpei and
two T. delagorguei^ inasmuch as the latter are clearly violet and
copper-coloured.

Rothschild says, with reference to T. d. sharpei (Nov.
Zool. 1894, p. 41), that it has "head, hind-neck and sides of neck
bright metallic green, with a violet gloss in some light".

1 therefore consider that this character with various me-
tallic glosses is not characteristic of any of these sub-species,
but that the variations in this respect are due to the difference
in age, as I find both the above shades of colour in individuals
shot on the same day.

Irides of both males and females are reddish yellow (colour
of the yoke of an egg) in young birds, but in old ones it as-
sumes a red-lilac colour.

Legs in both sexes pale flesh-coloured.

The female is dark slate-coloured on the back. The crown
and back of the head are cinnamon-brown, occasionally with a
red lilac or green copper gloss, forehead greyish brown. In
young females the fore-neck and the whole under-surface of the
body are dirty yellowish brown with a pale grey mottling, and
the undertail coverts which in old females are dark slate-coloured,
are yellowish brown.

The Elgon specimens of this dove are quite different from
those from Kilima-Ndjaro. When comparing my specimens from
Elgon with the latter (in the Berlin Museum) I found that they
had the chin reddish brown and that almost the whole of the
lower part of the body was of the same colour.

The young bird (9) has the tips of the wing-coverts, as
well as the fore-neck and all the feathers of the lower part of
the body, rust-coloured, The lower tail-coverts are, moreover,
uniform rusty-brown. The fore-neck and occipit are dark slate-
coloured without any shade of cinnamon-brown or other brown-
ish tint whatever. Hind neck green glossy.

Tympanistra tympanistra Tern. — Rchw. I. p. 424.
1 (5 17. 4. Kiambu.

This pigeon was rather common in the small cocoanut groves
in the vicinity of Mombasa.

It also occurred quite commonly in the environs of Nairobi.

— 57 —

Chalcopelia chalcospilos chalcospilos Wagl. — Rchw. III. p. 811.

1 (5 ad. 27. 4.; 1 e ad. 29. 4. Mombasa. - 1 $ ad. 19. 9. Kiambu.

Both in the country round Mombasa and round Nairobi
this bird was seen quite commonly. As a rule this beautiful
little pif^eon was observed on the ground in the ploughed fields
of the natives picking the seeds. In the day-time it remained
well concealed among the foliage of the trees, but in the after-
noons it came out into the open places in search of food.

The Mombasa specimens are of a brighter wine-colour than
those from the Nairobi regions, the colour of the under surface
of the latter being a shade of pale rust-brown or ochre-yellow.
Wing, tarsus,

cf 103, 9 103 mm. 18, 19 mm. Mombasa.

102 mm. 18 mm. Kiambu.

Irides dark-brown, dark lilac (almost black); legs dark
roseate.

Oena capensis L. — Rchw. I. p. 429.
2 (3^ 19. 8. and 25. 8. ; 1 Q 19. 8. Kisumu.

Frequently occurred in the regions of Kisumu on the Gulf
of Kavirondo, Victoria Nyanza, where it was mostly observed in
pairs, but also in small flocks of from 4 to 5 in number.

The male and female were shot at the same time, both of
which are in full dress, and in the lower part of the female's
oviduct there was an almost fully developed egg.

The other male specimen is in advanced phase of moult and the
curious thing is that the new rectrices have already grown to
2/3 of their future length while the old rectrices are still left.
One might almost say that the bird has two tails, which are,
moreover, separated from each other by a interstice, so that one
can easily discern the old one and the new one. This appears also
in the bird just shot.

These two specimens prove that while some individuals of
a certain species are entering upon the breeding stage, and have
already changed dress, others are in moult. This of course does
not signify that the latter are from the breeding-time, for the
circumstances may very well be the same as in Centropus sene-
galensis incertus, where the brooding male was in a rather ad-
vanced phase of moulting.

Wing, tarsus,

99,98 mm. 14 mm. cfcf

100 mm. 15 mm. 9

Irides dark -brown; bill in cf dark lilac -coloured (almost
purple) and yellow tip, in 9 black; legs dark purple.

— 58 —

Phasianidae.

Numida coronata ansorgei Hart. — Under the African Sun,

1899, p. 331.
Numida ansorgei, op. cit.

1 (5 ad. 25. 8. Kenia district.

A single specimen of this form was shot in the vicinity of
Kenia. It exhibits such great differences from other Numida-
races described so far that I am inclined to consider it as a new
form. But as the greatest agreements are found with N. ansorgei
I have however, in spite of the differences present, hesitatingly
referred it to that race. The question is first: where "does N.
ansorgei belong to? Reichenow (Vog. Afr. 1, p. 437) has made
it synonymous with iV. reichenowi, but in the same work, p. 400,
he thinks it possible that it is a synonym of N. intermedia.
If mine is a true ansorgei (as Prof. 0. Neumann thinks) then
the latter should surely most closely belong to the coronata-
group, at least judging from the size and shape of the casque.
If, on the other hand, ansorgei is identical with any of the pre-
viously known Numida, a revision of the genus is certainly
necessary. A number of German ornithologists (Grote, Neu-
mann) incline towards the opinion that all races and forms
described, or previously considered as species, are only forms
belonging to a single "form-circle".

My bird resemble reichenowi very closely, but differs from
it in the wattle at the gape not beins red, but blue at the base.
Further, the casque is not so high and extended as in reichenowi
(in my specimen only 34 cm, counting from the spot on the
forehead where the casque begins). Further, my specimen is
more finely and densely spotted below, {reichenowi having larger
and fewer spots,) and the lower neck of my bird is furnished
with broad undulating bands, which are narrow in reichenowi.

Although my specimen exhibits great resemblances to rei-
chenowi there is no doubt that it cannot be referred to that
race, owing to the above-mentioned reasons. But with respect
to the form of the casque it agrees with Reichenow's plate
of coronata (op. cit. p. 436) and therefore I have placed it under
this group for the present.

My specimen has certain resemblances to ansorgei both
with respect to measurements and other characters. Thus, it
has the broad, not narrow and hair-like feathers, on the back
of the neck, and this bunch of broad -pointed black -feathers
seems to point upwards, etc., etc.

Hartert (op. cit.) gives the following measurements for
the type - specimen : wing 282 mm, tarsus 75 mm, middle toe
without claw 35 mm., casque in a straight line from the bottom
34 mm, bill 24 mm.

— 59 —

The specimen before me has:
wing 305 mm., tarsus 85 mm, middle toe without claw 56 mm,
casque 34 mm, bill 25.5 mm.

Irides brown; bill reddish grey with greyish yellow tip;
legs, dark-brown.

IHernistes leucoscepns wfuscatus Cab. — Rchw. I, p. 455.
1 (5 24. 4. Kikuyu.

This specimen, which is in moult, was shot in the tall grass
on the edge of a little grove.

Wing tarsus culmen tail

212 mm. 64 mm. 30 mm. 85 mm.

Irides dark-brown; culmen black; legs dark-brown.

Francolinus squamatus maranensis Mearns. — Rchw. I, p. 468.

FrancoUnus schiltti Cab. — Lonnberg: Ark. f. ZooL, Bd. 9, No. 14, 1915.
Francolinus schuetti schuetti Cab. — Grant: Ibis 1915, p. 18.
Francolinus squamatus maranensis Mearns. — M.-Pread : Ibis 1922, p. 133.

1 (5 ad. 16. 5. Soy, 8,00 feet. - 1 e ad. 25. 5. (6.500 feet); 1 ^ ad. 1. 7.
(11.500 feet); 1 ^ ad. 26. 6. (6.500 feet). Mount Elgon.

This Francolin is divided by Mearns into five different
races, and there is no doubt that the 4 specimens before me
belong to the above race.

Lonnberg (Arkiv. for Zool., Band 9, No. 14, 1915) has
made a very critical examination of the forms maranensis,
Tcapitensis and Jceniensis advanced by Mearns, and has come
to the conclusion that we can hardly approve of a single one
of them and Claude Grant has (Ibis 1915, p. 18) come to
the decision that of this "form-circle" we have at present only
two races (This opinion is also shared by S c 1 a t e r and M a c k-
worth-Pread: Ibis 1920, p. 847).

In the same paper the last-mentioned authors say, that they are
by no means certain that F. schuetti is any thing but a race of
F. squamatus Cassin of Gaboon and that thus this group is a
well-defined one ranging throughout tropical Africa.

M ack worth -Pre ad has later (Ibis 1922, pp. 129-132)
dealt with the group squamatus and separated 8 races, three of
which are to be found in Kenia Colony: F. s. dowashanus Mad.
F. s. suhsp. 3, F. s. maranensis Mearns. The distribution of
dowashanus is Kenia Colony— Tanganyika Territory boundary,
south of the Loita Plains, and of subsp. 2 Mau, Ravine, Laikipia
etc. and of maranensis Kilimanjaro, Kikuyu, Fort Hall, Aberdare
Mts. Kenia, Solai etc. — Thus, according to M.-Pread the, four
specimens before me should probably belong to suhsp. 2, of
which the author says: "apparently confined to high ground".
But this subspecies has a wing -measurement of 192—198 mm

— 60 —

(cf) and is then considerably larger than the Soy or Elgon birds,
and therefore 1 cannot place them under that race. —

There remains then maranensis, occurring, for instance at
Solai and on the Aberdare mountains, close up to the range for
siibs^). -2, and in spite of small differences (mentioned below) I
n?me my birds maranensis. —

If dowashanus is a good race, occurring south of Loita
plains, then Grant's birds from the Amala River certainly belong
to this subspecies.

The female specimen from Mount Elgon exhibits, however,
a number of colour- characters not present in the three males.
The whole of the lower surface has a predominant brownish
yellow tint and the lower tail-coverts are not, as in the others,
light on the edges but are furnished with 2 dirty-yellow patches
situated close to each another.

Another specimen is in the moulting stage and the feathers
of the body are in parts much abraded. In the fresh dress the
feathers of the back, the wings and the tail are furnished with
close, wavy lines, but when the dress gets worn-out or when
the bird is in moult these feathers are of a uniform dark brown.
The dark middle part of the feathers disappears also.

One of the males has two spurs on the right foot but only
one on the left, another bird has two on each foot.

This Fraucolin is common in the Elgon region, occurring
now in small flocks, now in single individuals, from an altitude
of 6,500 feet above sea-level up to 13,500 feet. It almost always
lives in the vicinity of water, and at the rivers and streams near
Elgon 1 observed as many as 10 or 12 individuals together.

Percival limits the range of this Francolin to "the edge
of Kikuyu forest, edge of Mau forest" (Journ. East Afr. and Ug.
N. H. Soc, vol. IV, No. 8, 1914 p. 151).

Wing, culmen, tarsus, tail.

176

mm.

27

mm.

51

mm.

72

mm.

cT

16.

5.

168

mm.

24

mm.

44

mm.

71

mm.

9

23.

5.

180

mm.

25

mm.

52

mm.

81

mm.

cT

1.

7.

183

mm.

24

mm.

51

mm.

82

mm.

cT

30.

6.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs reddish yellow.

Francolinus hildehrandii altumi Fisch. and Rchw. —
) Rchw. I. p. 477.

1 (5 ad. 20. 4.; 1 Q juv. 20. 4.; Lake Naiwasha.

The female specimen is not in full dress. Breast and lower
part of body pale rusty red. Most of the feathers of the belly
have dark, blackish patches at the shafts. Further, the chin is
more greyish white than in old individuals. The male specimen
has the feathers of the belly entirely rusty-brown.

— 61 —

The range of Francolinus hildehrandti is fixed by P e r c i -
val (Journ. East Afr. and Ug. N. H. Soc. vol. IV, No. 6, 1914,
p. 151) to the Rift Valley, northern Enso-Nyrio.
Wing tarsus culmen tail

185 mm. 47 mm. 26 mm. 102 mm. cf-
166 mm. 47 mm. 23 mm. 104 mm. 9-
Irides dark brown; bill dark-grey, upper mandible yellow-
red; legs yellow-red.

Francolinus uj,uensis Grant. — Rchw. 1. p. 487.
1 (5 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

This single specimen was shot on the acacia plains at Lake
Naiwasha.

The species occurs, according to Percival (Journ. East
Afr. and Ug. N. H. Soc, vol. IV, No. 8, 1914, p. 151) on "the
Athi plains, Loita and Lemek valley, north of Kenia".
Wing tarsus culmen tail

165 mm. 41 mm. 30 mm. 76 ram.
Irides dark-brown; upper mandible yellow at the base; legs
dirty yellow.

Francolinus JciJcuyuensis Grant. — Rchw. I. p. 491.

1 S 25. 5. Mount Elgon.

A specimen of this rare Francolin was shot on the edge
of the plain, where only a few solitary acacias and small bushes
grew. It frequented, together with some Francolinus schuetti,
the tall grass bordering a little river.

Percival (Journ. East Afr. and Ug. N. H. Soc. vol. IV
No. 8 1914 p. 151) assigns the occurrence of this species to
Uasingishu plateau, Sotik.

The specimen is in worn dress and in the beginning of
the moult.

Wing tarsus culmen tail

170 mm. 51 mm. 30 mm. 65 mm.

Irides brownish red; bill dark-grey, upper mandible yellow
at the base; legs yellowish brown.

Coturnix delagorguei Delag. — Rchw. I. p, 507.
1 (5 17. 5. Mount Elgon.

This species was seen on several occasions near the rivers
and streams flowing through the plain, about a day's march
from the Eastern slopes of Elgon. The male shot is in full
dress and the testes were large and swollen.
Wing, tarsus,

96 mm. 24 mm.

Irides brown; bill dark-brown (blackish); legs yellow-brown.

- 62 —

Vulturidae.

Lophogyps occipitalis Burch. — Rchw. I. p. 514.

1 c5 ad. 14. 7. Mount Elgon.

This vulture occurs very rarely at Elgon. The front part
of the neck, down to the fore-neck is furnished with 5 rows of
small, yellowish brown, warty formations.

Wing, tarsus,

630 mm. 120 fnm.

Irides brown; bill orange with greyish blue cere; legs
dirty pink.

Gyps riippelli erlangeri Salvad. — Rchw, I. p. 518.
1 Q ad. 12. 7.; 1 Q juv. 12. 7. Mount Elgon 6,500 feet above sea-level.

tot. length wing tarsas culmen from height of tail

the cere calmea

1010 mm. 680 mm. 1 10 mm. 50 mm. 35 mm. 285 mm. 9 a^l-
1005 mm. 665 mm. 100 mm. 53 mm. 35 mm. 277 mm. 9 Juv.

Irides yellow; bill yellowish (in the young one with a lilac
tint) legs greyish yellow.

On the acacia plains below the eastern slopes of Elgon
this vulture was very rare. It was frequently seen in small
groves bordering the rivers and when flying or resting on a
branch it is hard to distinguish from Fseudogyps.

Professor 0. Neumann thinks that the bird from Kenia
Colony must be named Gyps riippelli erlangeri Salvad., figured
as G. fulvus riippelli by Erlanger (Journ. f. Orn., 1904, Taf. II),
and I think he is right, because G. riippelli riippelli Bp. is dis-
tributed from Senegal to Chartum and White Nile only.

In true ruppelli the dark parts of the feathers of the
under surface are practically black and in strong contrast to
the lighter tips.

Fseudogyps africanus africanus Salvad. — Rchw. I. p. 519.

2 QQ 16. 6.; 1 (5 17. 6. (6,500 feet); 1 Q 17. 6. (6,500 feet);
1 (5 15. 7. (7000 feet) ; Mount Elgon.

The measurements between the wing -tips amount to
1980—2240 m.

Tot. length, wing, tarsus, culm, from cere, height of culm, tail,

800 mm. 625 mm. 86 mm. 47 mm. 32 mm. 250 mm 9-

830 mm. 620 mm. 101mm. 47 mm. 30 mm. 250 mm 9.

900 mm. 635 mm. 98 mm. 48 mm. 31 mm. 250 mm c?.

910 mm. 640 mm. 96 mm. 46 mm. 31mm. 260 mm 9.

950 mm. 635 mm. 100 mm. 49 mm. 34 mm. 255 mm cJ.

— 63 — .

In the series of 5 skins which I have from Elgon there
are 3 different dresses.

1. The whole under surface of the body light ochre-yellow or
light yellowish-brown and all feathers lack the white streak
along the shaft, which is otherwise a character of this vul-
ture. The greater secondary coverts light brownish yellow.
The fore-neck brown. Tail dark-brown.

2. The whole under surface of the body brown, the feathers
with a distinct white streak along the shaft. Wing coverts
brown. Tail dark-brown.

3. The whole under surface of the body dark-brown, feathers
with a prominant streak along the shaft. The fore-neck
dark-brown. Tail black.

Erlanger has divided this species (Journ. f, Orn. 1904,
p. 150) into 3 forms, differing in the colour of the dress.
Without the least hesitation I might well refer my specimens to
the forms described by him. But already in 1915 Grant (Ibis
p. 237) remarks "I should not be surprised if a larger series will
show F. a, schillingsi and P. a. fiilleborni to be synonyms of
F. a. africanus . . ."

My three birds are, however, all shot by the nests and
thus stationary in one and the same small area. It therefore
seems to me very improbable that three constant forms should
breed within a tew miles distance from one another (for the
different nests were found at a distance of 2 or 3 miles from
each other) It would be quite different if they had been shot
from a large flock, for it is quite possible that a certain local-
form living in a certain area can make excursions to other
neighbourhoods.

In the present case the latter suggestion is scarcely possible,
inasmuch as they were all resident on the eastern slopes of Elgon.
I therefore share Grant's opinion, that the forms described by
Erlanger are probably synonyms of P. a. africanus and that
the variations in the designs of the dress thus occurring and
described by him are not characters at all but only variations
owing to difference in age.

It is a well-known fact that young birds, as a rule, build
less carefully than the old ones, and the light, pale female, which
I refer to the above-mentioned group 1, had — in comparison
with other vulture nests — a small and badly built nest. Even
for this reason we might assume that the female brooding in
this nest was a rather young individual, and indeed the dress
indicates it.

Reichenow says that in young birds the dress is darker,
the down-covering of the throat grey, and the fore-neck black-
brown.

The first nest of this bird I found was situated in the top
of a gigantic Fodocarpus, about 120 feet high, in the depth of

— 64 -

the forest. For several days I studied this nest and the birds
and found that both sexes incubated and that the female fre-
quently brought food to the male, which was, in this instance,
the more diligent in sitting. One of the pair — the one which
used to bring food — had the primaries of the right wing
broken, from which it was thus always easy to ascertain which
of the pair did most of the sitting. "When 1 then shot the latter,
it turned out to be the male.

In the same tree in which this pair had their nest, there
was another nest (about a meter below) of the same size and
appearance, but this was unoccupied. Whether the same pair in
past years had used this or whether they had driven away the
pair, that had built it, is not certain. However, as the larger
birds of prey, as a rule, year after year utilize the same nest,
it is probable that they had driven away the pair, that had
once occupied this nest, but had later on built a new one for
themselves.

On the 16 th July I made an excursion into the acacia steppe
below the slopes of Elgou. On both sides of a little river, running
past a native village, there was very dense forest, and in a tall
tree in the immediate vicinity of the Chief's hut a pair of P. a.
afrieamis had built their nest. Before sending a native up to
the nest I frightened the sitting bird away and it was proved
that here too it was the male that incubated.

In the nest there was a young bird which was, at most,
not more than 2—3 days old.

About 5 minutes' walk from this nest the natives pointed
out a large tree, in the top branches of which there were two
more vulture nests. Remarkably enough both nests were occu-
pied. I climbed up to one of them myself in order to get a
closer view of it.

The exterior arrangement consisted of large and small
dry twigs which were securely and well plaited together.
The external size of the nest was 1.55 meter and the height
60 cm. The nest, as well as the whole top of the tree, was
whitewashed by the calciferous excrement of the birds, which
had even got in between the materials of the nest, joining them
into a firm and in some places into a compact mass. The whole
of the upper part of the tree and especially the nest itself emit-
ted a foul smell.

The interior arrangement of the almost flat nest was com-
posed of small twigs, autilope hair and feathers, and in the cen-
tre there was a little hollow, in which the solitary egg lay.
Around the edges of the nest there were also lying the putre-
fying remains of some carcass.

The egg measured and weighed:

88,4 mm X 66.4 mm. . . . 1830 eg.

- 65 —

One of the natives now climbed up to the other nest, which
was situated at about 110 feet from the ground. This nest was
not built likej the former, that is to say, on the outer ends of
the branches but lay considerably nearer the trunk of the tree.

The powerful branches, on which the nest was built, were
entirely stripped of their leaves and some of them stuck out in
the same plane as the nest (extending far beyond it) others
straight up into the air. While the native was climbing the
tree some twenty vultures wheeled high above us, but just as he
reached the nest one of them pitched on one of the branches
supporting the nest and with outspread wings and open mouth
rushed to attack the intruder and 1 therefore shot it. Even
this time it was the male that was sacrificed.

The nest contained one egg, measuring 87 X 63.2 mm. which
was in such an advanced stage of incubation that it could not be
blown out and therefore the almost fully developed embryo was pre-
served and fixed for histological investigations. The eggs vary
very much in pattern. The ground is white and the shell is
provided all over the surface with large or small greyish yellow
blotches, which sometimes shade without any well defined borders
into the whitish tone of the ground. Here and there are also
large conspicuous blotches of a blood-coloured tone. One of the
eggs, very beautifully marked, had, at the pointed end, rusty
brown and lilac-coloured streaks and small blotches. In form
they are ovate and the shell is highly granulous and with large pores.

In the nestling the iris is grey (with a pale brown tint),
bill and legs black.

Heuglin says of this vulture that it seldom perches in tall,
dry tree-tops but on the lower, stronger and more shaded
branches. As the bird is one of the commonest on Elgon
I have daily had opportunities to study it and my observations
prove that when the bird is seen resting in a tree it always
sits in the highest tops of the trees.

It is, as a rule, shy and cautious and not so easy to get with
in range except at the nest, where it is very daring and
courageous.

Neophron monachus (Tern.). — Rchw. I. p. 522.

1 Q 26. 5.; 1 Q 6. 6. (6.500 feet); 1 ^ 17. 6. (7.500 feet); 1 ^ 14. 7.
(7.500 feet) ; Mount Elgon. - 2 (5(5 18. 8. Kisumu.

A very common bird in the brier-bushes and on the acacia
steppe. It was frequently met with even on the edges of the
forest, where it stayed in company with Corvultur. At times
it appeared in great swarms of from 40 to 50 in number and
it sometimes happened that a few of them were attracted to
our camp, alighting in the trees behind my tent, when it was
possible to steal right up to them without their flying away.

5

— 66 :—

In the collection of skins lying before me there are 3 different
dresses.

1. Young bird with the whole of the head (forehead, crown
and occipit) and neck covered with woolly dark-brown down.
Throat and sides of the head sparsely beset with black
hairs. The fore-neck as well as the inside of the thigh
dark-brown.

2. Young bird with the whole of the head (forehead, crown
and occipit) covered with dark-brown, woolly down. The
neck covered with light-brown down. Throat and sides of
the head thickly overgrown with black hairs and down. The
fore- neck light brownish grey. Inside of thigh covered
with brown-grey down. Wing-coverts dark-brown, all with
light tips.

3. Older birds with naked head. The neck covered with light
brownish grey, woolly down. The fore-neck distinctly white
(not pale brown or brownish white). The insides of the
thighs set with dark brown and white down.

Wing,

culmen,

tarsus,

490 mm.

58 mm.

82 mm.

cT Kisumu

530 mm.

59 mm.

84 mm.

cf „

525 mm.

62.5 mm.

83 mm.

cT Mount Elgon

540 mm.

57 mm.

80 mm.

cf „ „

530 mm.

59.5 mm.

85 mm.

V 55 U

535 mm.

57 mm.

84 mm.

V M 1>

Irides brown; bill yellowish grey-brownish grey; legs light
bluish green.

Sagittarius serpentarius (Miller). — Rchw. I. p. 258.

The secretary-bird is very rare in the Elgon regions. I
only saw it twice in the plain below the eastern slopes of Elgon
and on one of the occasions the bird was shot but it fell into
the tall grass, and in spite of a careful search 1 did not succeed
in finding it.

Astur tachiro nyansae Neum. — Orn. Monatsber. 1902, p. 138.

1 (5 18. 4. Eiambu.

This hawk, which was found in the interior of the dense
forests, was shot in the neighborhood of Nairobi.
Wing, tarsus, tail,

207 mm. 65 mm. 180 mm.

Irides yellowish red; legs citron yellow. The cere yello-
wish green. The specimen is an old male in full dress with the
flanks bright rusty-red, the chin almost yellowish-white.

Accipiier minullus tropicalis Rchw. — Rchw. I. p. 562.
1 (5 juv. 27. 4. Mombasa.

In a grove of cocoa-trees by the Gulf of Kilindiui this bird
occurred sparingly. Iris citron-yellow. The cere yellow, legs
yellow.

When comparing the specimens of this bird in the Berlin
Museum I found that they (young birds) have large, wide spots
on the breast and along the sides of the body, and are more
yell wish brown on the under-surface.

The present specimen has extended, stilliform spots and is
purely white on the breast.

The Berlin specimens are, moreover, larger. This specimen has
a wing length of 134 mm. and
tarsus „ „ 41 mm.

I agree with Zedlitz (J. f. 0. 1914, p. 667) that tropi-
calis is a coast bird and that the one Lonoberg brought home
from the interior of the country — from Nairobi — is inter-
medius Erl.

Lophoaetus occipitalis (Daud.). — Rchw. I. p. 582.
1 cT juv. 10. 9. Mount Kenia.

This specimen was shot in the acacia steppe below Mount
Kenia.

Irides yellowish red; wing 400 mm.; tarsus 96 mm.; total
length 560 mm.

Buteo augur Riipp. — Rchw. I. p. 592.

1 ,5 ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — Id Juv. 8. 5. 2 days march from
Londiani towards Eldoret.

The first time I saw this beautiful buzzard was in the
forests around Kiambu, in the neighbourhood of Nairobi, where,
on the edge of a forest, a pair had their large nest, built of
strong branches. For several days 1 saw one of the birds sitting
in the nest while the other, as a rule, kept in the vicinity — it
was in the middle of April — and I therefore supposed that by
this time they had laid the clutch. I therefore shot one of the
pair and sent a native up to examine the nest. It did not, how-
ever, contain any eggs.

At Lake Naiwasha the species occurred quite commonly,
and I also observed it here and there on the journey to
Elgon. At Eldoret and Soy, for instance, I sometimes saw 3 or
4 together and I procured a young bird a few days' march from
Londiani, in the direction of Eldoret.

According to Congreve (Journ. East Afr. and Ug. N. H.
Soc, vol. Ill No. 6, 1813, p. 45) "one of the common sights of
B. E. A."

- 68 —

This single ad. has the following measurement figures:
wing, tarsus, culmen from cere, tail,

435 mm. 86 mm. 25 mm. 235 mm.

Irides are dirty-white, culmen the same colour as in adultus,
i. e. black with a bluish base and yellow cere, legs yellow.
The dress is very nearly in agreement with that described by
Reichenow. However, nearly all the wing coverts are furnish-
ed with rusty-brown tips. Reichenow says that the wing-
feathers of the young bird are the same colour and design as
those of the old bird, but in this specimen the secondaries are
dark-brown with wide, blackish transverse bands, whereas the
old bird has them pale lead- grey -(almost greyish white) with
narrow b.lack transverse bands.

On the eastern slopes of Elgou the bird was common and
I frequently saw it sitting in the top of some withered tree for
several hours quite motionless. It frequents both the interior
and outskirts of the forest and the acacia steppe and I saw it
even on the highest summit of Elgon (14,000 feet).

Buteo oreophilus Hart, and Neum. — Orn. Monatsber. 1914, p. 31.
1 Q ad. 8. 5. 2 days march from LondiaDi towards Eldoret.

One evening when we encamped on the edge of the forest —
on our way towards Eldoret — at an altitude of 9,000 feet
above sea level I saw in the gloom on the middle branches of
a large tree a small buzzard. It remained still until I approached
to about 10 meters, when I shot it. It then proved to be an
old female of B. oreophilus.

tot. length, wing, tarsus, bill from cere, tail,

450 mm. 370 mm. 69 mm. 24 mm. 190 mm.

The unfeathered portion of the tarsus 35 cm. long. Iris
light brown; bill greyish blue with yellow cere; feet yellow.

The second primary is in this specimen 14 cm. long and
considerably shorter than the 6 th primary, which measures 25 mm.

Helotarsus ecaudatus (Daud.). — Rchw. I. p. 598.

Kibungu . . . ki-kamba. — Mweu . . . ki-suahili.
1 (5 juv. 26. 7. Mount Elgon.

Below the slopes of xMount Elgou this species was not rare.
I often saw it out on the plain perched high up on an acacia
growing in such a position as to give the bird a clear view in
all directions. As a rule very viligent, it always took flight with
heavy, slow strokes of the wings, before one got within range.
On one occasion 1 observed two young birds wheeling in wide
circles round a small native village, and when one of them
swooped down on the remains of some dead animal — close to
a negro hut — I succeeding in shooting it.

— 69 —

It was in an entirely dark-brown dress.

Wing, tarsus, bill, tail,

520 mm. 80 mm. 25 mm. 125 mm.

Milvus migrans aegyptms (Gm.). — Rchw. I. p. 609.

Milviis migrans aegypthts . . . Nicoll: Ibis 1909, p. 629, 1912 p. 434. —
Sclater and M. Praed : Ibis 1919, p. 690. — Milvus aegyptius . . . Seth-
Smith: Ibis 1913, p. 506.

1 $ 31. 5. Mount Elgon 6.800 feet above sea-level.

A single individual stayed for several days around our
camp on Elgon and sometimes came right up to the tent to
snatch away some animal remains lying there.

It is very likely that this specimen, which had strayed as far
as Elgon, is in all probability a casual visitor from the country to
the north, around the Nile and other waters. Comparing the
measurement figures of this bird with those of the Mombasa
specimens (following bird) we find that, with the exception of
the tarsus, they are all higher. Further, it is light rusty- brown
all over the belly, while M. migrans parasitus, on the other
hand, is generally very dark-brown-alraost dark grey-brown.

Even the colour tone of the head and back is light brown,
whereas that of the sub-species is dark grey-brown.

Hartert says also (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, 1913, p. 89— 90j
that "the true M. aegyptius ranged southwards, sometimes per-
haps in in winter only, to South Arabia and Somaliland. A bird
from Mount Kenia appeared to be intermediate, like some of
those from Somaliland."

Tot. length, wing, bill from cere, tarsus, tail,

575 mm. 452 mm. 26 mm. 53 mm. 280 mm.

Irides cinnamon-brown, bill and cere yellow, legs citron-
yellow.

With regard to the coloration of the bill, Nicoll has shown
that it varies considerably with age and season and he considers
"that perfectly conditioned birds have the yellow bill and young
birds assume the yellow bill at their first moult."

Milvus migrans parasitus Daud.

Falco parasitus Daud. — Traite vol. II 1880, p. 150. — Milvus aegyptius
piarasiticus Daud. — Grote: J. f. 0. 1919, p. 299. — Milvus migrans
parasitus (Daud.). — Hartert: Nov. Zool., XXII, 1915, p. 251. — Sclater
andM.Pread: Ibis 1919, p. 690,

2 (3(5 ad. 26. 4,, 29. 4.; 1 Q ad. 29. 4.; Mombasa.

Very common in Mombasa both down at the coast and in
the negro villages and market-places of the town itself. 10 or
12 of them daily hovered about the vessels lying in the Gulf of

— 70 —

Kilindini and, like the gulls, snapped up everything edible thrown
into the water from the ships.

All observations of this kite prove that it is extreme-
ly daring and audacious, for when I rowed over the gulf to
study and procure collections in the palm-groves on the shore
opposite Mombasa it occasionally happened that the birds
approached to within a few meters of the boat even.
Tot. lenght, wing, height of bill, '^^s^* "J^J;" tarsus, tail,

530 mm. 410 mw. 17 mm. 25 mm. 57 mm. 250 mm. d*
540 mm. 420 mm. 17 mm. 24 mm. 53 mm. 255 mm. d*
550 mm. 440 mm. 17 mm. 25.5 mm. 57 mm. 270 mm. 9
I have gone through the large series of this species found
among the collections in the Berlin Museum and append below
some of the wing-measurements exhibited by these individuals.

Mombasa cf ad. 430 mm.

Magogoni cf ad. 438 mm.

Mahenge d* ad. 410 mm.

Langenburg 9 ^d- 430 mm.

Gonda 410 mm.

Kisikri d* ad. 440 mm.

Misa 9 ^^- 420 mm.

It appeared that the measurements are always lower for
South African and Central African specimens, but the dark or
the light brown dress is not characteristic for these, for there
are nearly as many light individuals as dark ones, shot at about
the same time of the year.

Grant (Ibis 1915, p. 248) and Banner man (Ibis 1915,
p. 231) have separated this sub-species from the true 31. aegyp-
tins Gm. because they had found that specimens from Southern
Africa are darker and smaller. All my specimens from Mombasa
undoubtedly belong to this M. aeg. parasitus, partly on account
of the darker colour of the dress, partly on account of the low
value of the various measurements. Besides, as they were shot
in Mombasa it might be more correct to assume that, unless
they were born or had lived all their life in these regions, they
had come along the coast from the south. Of course, it is not
impossible that they should have come from the north, but the
distance they would then have to cover is considerably longer
than the former and as the native birds of Africa are not good
fliers, their powers of flight not being highly developed by means
of migrations and exercise in flying long distances, but are more
or less stationary or in any case confined to certain districts,
it seems to me much more probable that they should have come
from the south.

All of them had brown irides, yellow bill andl yellow cere,
legs citron-yellow, thus difi'ering from the preceding true M.
aegyptius both in colour and measurement.

— 71 —

Elanus coeruleus coeruleus (Desf.). — Rchw. I, p. 615.

1 (5 juv. 10. 4. Nairobi. — 1 (J ad. 24. 4. Kikuyu.

Was always met with in small groves where, for the most
part, it frequented the tops of the tall trees. If frightened it
tiew only about 10 meters to an adjacent tree where it would
settle down again.

Wing tarsus

257 mm. 33 mm. cf ad.

268 mm. 34 mm. cf juv.

Irides in juv. yellowish red, in ad. light red; bill black with
yellow cere; legs citron-yellow.

Cerchneis Hnnunculus tinnunculus (L.). — Rchw. I. p. 641.
1 Q ad. 13. 5. Eldoret.

From Eldoret in the direction of Elgon the road at first
passes through the acacia steppe. Close to the road a little
falcon sat perched on a telegraph wire, which on closer in-
spection turned out to be the above-mentioned.

In the collections of the Zoological Institution at the Uni-
versity of Lund there are two specimens from the slopes of the
Himalaya and in comparing my specimen with these I found that
it was exactly like them.

The colour of the whole of the back is considerably paler
than in typical T. t. tinnunculus. The head is brown with fine,
black shaft lines. The dark, blackish patches of the back form
transverse folds. The tail is brown with 10 transverse-bands.

Tot. length wing tarsus heigh of biU '^^^^^ ^J.f * tail

325 mm. 252 mm. 42 mm. 10 mm. 14 mm. 170 mm.

Irides brown; bill dark-blue, darker at the point; legs
yellow.

At first I thought was that this specimen, owing to the pale
colours of the plumage, was C. t. saturatus, and li a r t e r t in
his work „Die Vogel der pal. Fauna", p. 1086, says with reference
to this falcon that „Genaue Verbreitung noch festzustellen".
Bannerman (Ibis 1910 p. 322) has reported this bird from
North Somaliland on the 18 th July — 25 th August. — My specimen
from the 13 th May is just in the moulting stage.

Nevertheless, I am now convinced, after comparing it with the
specimens at the Berlin Museum, that it is only a very pale
specimen of C. t. tinnunculus.

— 72 — ■

Psittacidae.

Foicephalus gulielmi massaicus (Fschr. & llchw.). — Rchw. II. p. 10.

Ngwei . . . ki-kamba.

1 ^ ad. 9. 5. Eldorot 8.000 feet. - 3 ^^ ad. 12. 6., 13. 6., 22. 7.;

Mount Elgon. — 1 Q ad. 9. 5. Eldoret. - 3 og ad. 3. 6.,

11. C, 22. 7.; 1 Q juv. 24. 7. Mount Elgon.

I secured the first specimen of this parrot 3 days' march from
Londiani, in the direction of Eldoret, when we camped on the edge
of the forest at an altitude of about 8.000 fest above sea-level.

On the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon this parrot was very
common, and the only member of the family seen there. Every
morning shortly after sunrise they came singly or in small flocks
from the acacia plains and flew whistling and screaming into
the forest on the slopes of the mountain, and regularly every
evening they were heard noisily returning to the plains
again. Judging from my observations they do not spend the
nights in the forests, although at times this would appear to be
so, for it happened a few times that just before night-fall I saw
one or two pairs resting for a while in some tall tree on the
edge of the forest. But they soon took to flight again and con-
tinued on their way down to the acacias on the plains.

During the day they were seldom seen or heard, but in the
early morning — while the dew still remained ~ they were always
on the move and the forests resounded with their harsh, whist-
ling cries. Then they sat pair and pair or 3 to 4 of them to-
gether in the highest tops of the giant Podocarpus trees eating
of its fruits. They were not afraid nor did they try to hide
themselves, and if the first shot missed they were not frightened
away but calmly remained sitting, and on one occasion when I
aimed at a pair tenderly sitting close to each other in the top
of a tall tree, it troubled them very little, although the twigs
all around fell, but they continued undisturbed their "tete-a-tete"
until another shot put an end to it for ever.

I have come across this parrot as far up as 9.500 feet,
that is, as high up as the Podocarpus trees follow the slopes
of the mountain, for the chief food of these birds consists of the
fruit of this Conifer. All the 9 specimens contained in the
collection had nothing but the fruit of this tree in their stomachs.

With regard to the measurements of the wing, tarsus etc.
and the coloration of the dress there are some small differences.
In these specimens the length of the wing varies
for cTcf ad. 207—210 mm.

„ 99 ad. 192—210 mm,

„ 9 juv. 195 mm.
total length 280-310 mm.

length of tarsus 19—21.5 mm.
length of bill from cere 28—31 mm.

— 73 —

The extent of the red on the forehead varies very much
in different individuals. As a rule it does not extend farther
back than to a line with the front edge of the eye. Still, this
red patch in some of them is considerably larger and sometimes
stretches a good bit behind the farther edge of the eye. "Whether
this is connected with the age of the birds or not 1 am not in
a position to decide.

The young bird lacks this red patch on the forehead, wings
and the tibia (Reich enow) but has the crown and neck
purely green, without any mixture of either brown or cobolt-blue,
found in the old birds. Further, the lower wing coverts are
not uniform green as in old birds but are furnished with a
prominent gold-yellow border, ihen again the feathers of the tail
both on the upper and lower surface are brownish red at the tips,
inside these, greenish brown a d then the same colour as in
the old birds.

I have not found any differences in size between male and
female, but I have males which in the various measurements
are larger than the females and vice-versa.

Irides in adults; nearest the pupilis a narrow yellow ring,
which in its turn is encircled by another of red; in juv. dirty
yellow; bill yellowish with dark ridge and point, upper mandible
dark-grey, (sometimes black); legs greyish yellow or citron-yel-
low with under-surface of the toes black, in juv. grey.

I^oicephalus meyeri saturatus Sharpe. — Bull. Brit. Orn. CI.
vol. XI, 1901, p. 67.

3 (5(5 ad. 24. 7., 26. 7., 27. 7,; 3 QQ ad. 17. 5., 24. 7., 26. 7.
Mount Elgon 7.000 feet.

To this sub-species of F. meyeri Grant (Ibis 1915, p. 260)
and Someren (Nov. Zool. 1918, p. 267) refer JP. m. virescens
Rchw. and F. m. nyansae Neum. But Someren says in op.
cit. p. 266 "So much variation occurs in these birds that it is
almost impossible to correctly place any one specimen unless
the locality is given."

I agree with Someren that these birds vary very consi-
derably and that it is therefore difficult to fix the sub-species,
especially if the characters, which should be characteristic for
the sub-species in question, are not constant but are probably
only individual variations, as in the present case. But I cannot
agree that the form always is fixed if the locality is given. Such a
procedure may lead to incorrect definitions and conclusions. It
should rather be so, that if the characters of the respective
forms are constant and good, and each one thus a good geogra-
phical sub-species, one might without much difficulty be able to
fix them and also, on that account, almost establish from what
zoo-geografical province they probably come. Just the fact that

9 ad.

17.

5.

c? ad.

24.

7.

cT ad.

26.

7.

9 ad.

26.

7.

cf ad.

27.

7.

9 ad.

24.

7.

— Ti-
the locality — in many cases — should be conclusive for the
determination of races and sub-species, should prove that many
of the forms put up are not constant but are purely subject forms.

From the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon, about 6.500 —
7.000 feet above sea -level, there are six individuals in the col-
lection. I place them all — in spite of small differences, as
appears from the following table — under the above — mentioned.
Wing, tarsus, length of bill from cere

142 mm. 18 mm. 19 mm.

154 mm. 16 mm. 22 mm.

154 mm. 17 mm. 21 mm.

145 mm. 15 mm. 19 mm.

156 mm. 17 mm. 21 mm.

148 mm. 15.5 mm. 18.5 mm.

Three of them have a yellow band on the crown, the
fourth, on the other hand, has only some of the feathers of the
crown yellow at the tips. A female Specimen has a number of
the feathers of the back and the wing -coverts at the tips di-
stinctly green, but the others are dark, without any green tinge.

If I compare my figures for the length of wing,
cfcf 154 — 156 mm.
99 142-148 mm.,
with Grant's (op. cit. p. 258), which for cf are 149 — 154 mm
and for 9 150 mm, they agree very well, and when I compared
them with the specimens in the Berlin Museum it was seen
that they agreed with the latter in every respect.

Among the 6 birds there are two which at first sight could
hardly be placed under P. m. saturatus for they most closely
agree with the sub-species Foicephalus meyeri naevei, described
by G r a n t , the feathers of the upper rump and breast in these
birds being distinctly blue, but in other respects they entirely
resemble the preceding sub-species.

Irides red, legs dark-grey (almost black) bill dark-grey.

But after comparing these two specimens with the large
series, found at the Berlin Museum, Prof. 0. Neumann, who
very kindly examined them closely, and myself came to the con-
clusion that they must undoubtedly be placed under F. m, sa-
turates. If one tries to place these two with the help of the
descriptions of the numerous subspecies the task would be very
difficult indieed, but knowing that they were shot in the same
locality and at the same time as the others the matter becomes
somewhat easier. Thus, it is also evident that the characters
"blue or green rump" are not sufficient to warrant the establi-
shing of new sub-species continually.

No doubt it is the same thing with this parrot as with a
number of species of Melittophagus, that is, these characters
vary partly with age, and partly also with the different dresses.

_ 75 —

Foicephahis fusdcapillus (Verr. & Des Murs). — Rchw. II. p. 16.

2 (5(5 ad. 27. 4., 29. 4. •, 2 §Q ad. 26. 4., 27. 4. Mombasa.

Iq the coast al districts round Mombasa this species was
common and inhabited the cocoa -plantations both in the town
and its surroundings. Sometimes seen in single specimens, some-
times in pairs, but never in small flocks like the preceding.

Both females are in moult, the two males have already
assumed the new dress.

wing, bill,

cTd' 151, 155 mm, 99150, 150 mm. cfcf 22, 23 mm, 99 22, 22 mm.

tarsus,
cfcf 17 mm, 99 16, 18 mm.
Irides pale yellow (almost white); bill dark greyish brown,
upper mandible yellowish brown; legs dark-grey-black.

Musophagidae.

Musophaga violacea rossae Gould. — Rchw. II. p. 29.

Korongo . . . ki-kamba, ki-suahili, etc.

1 (3 14. 5. Soy 7.500 feet. - 1 Q 19. 5. ; 1 2 24. 7. Mount Elgon 6.800 feet.

Already at Soy, 35 miles south -east of Elgon, the first
specimen of this very beautiful bird was shot. It was found in
the topmost- branches of the large trees in the dense forest-
vegetation growing on both sides of a little river.

This birdmay frequently be seen running along the branches
at a great speed, at the same time assisting its movements
by flapping its wings rapidly, and then the brilliantly purple-
coloured wings glitter from a distance, by means of which it is
not difficult to discover, in spite of the secluded and well hidden
abode. Sometimes — though less frequently — I have seen it
fly, but then only for short distances from one tree to another.
Sometimes it stops quite suddenly in the cover of some branch
and will then remain quite still for several minutes.

Someren has met the bird on the western slopes of
Elgon and says (Nov. Zool. 1918, p. 267) that it is rather common
there. On East Elgon it is, however, a rare creature and was
only observed twice, both times in the depths of the forest.

Someren states, further, that in one of the specim ens,
which was moulting, the old feathers were purplish blue, but
the new ones dark-blue. In one of my specimens, which is also
evidently in moult, a number of the feathers of the back — pro-
bably the new ones — are quite black at the tips.

In the stomachs of the individuals shot I only found the
hard-stones of different stone-fruits.

wing, bill, tarsus,

Cf 225 mm, 99 220, 222 mm. 40-42 mm. 43-44 mm.

— 76 —

Irides dark -brown; bill yellow, the base, as well as the
frontal part of the uj)per mandible, fed; legs black.

Turacus hartlauhi tnedius Mearns. ~ Smiths. ]\Iisc. Coll.
vol. 65, No. 13, 1915, p. 3.

1 ,5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. — 1 (5 ad. 14. 4. Kiambu. — 1 (J ad. 9. 5. Londiani. —

G (5(5 ad. 19. 5. — 21. 7. Mount^Elgon. — 1 Q ad. 11. 4. Ngong. —

1 Q ad. 9. 5. Londiani — 4 QQ ad. 20. 5. - 21. 7. Mount Elgon

In the large series of skins, which I procured of this "turaco"
there are specimens from the forests of Ngong and Kiambu, the
forests in the neighbourhood of Nairobi, the regions below
Elgon and, a great many, from Elgon and I agree with
Someren (Nov. Zool. 1918, p. 267) that there is no difference
at all between them.

On the eastern slopes of Elgon this was one of the most
abundant birds in the forests and was usually met with in the
dense brushwood and maze of under -growth, where it knows
well how to conceal itself. But 1 often saw it running about
in the branches of the tall trees.

In males shot in May — July, I have, as a rule, found the
testes swollen and developed and grey in colour.

On the 10th of July 1 found a nest of this turaco for the
first time. It was built in a very thick shrub, in an opening in
the forest, about 2 Y2 meters from the ground. It was not close
to the trunk but out on the edges of the outermost slender,
spiny branches, where the foliage was densest and where it
was also hidden by a great wealth of climbers. The nest
could only be seen by looking up between the branches
from below, for then one could espy in the gloom a very imper-
fect nest, which reminded one very strongly of the nest built by
Columha palumhus. It was quite flat and consisted exclusively
of dry twigs, which lay scattered around without any order and
were so few in number that the two eggs could be seen between
the materials of the nest.

In the literature on the subject it is generally stated that
the Musophagidae lay three eggs (R e i c h e n 0 w II. p. 26) and
I therefore waited some days to see if there would be another
egg before taking the clutch. But the clutch was not increased.
Then I took down the nest and eggs in order to study them
more closely.

The nest measured 36 X 28 cm. and was only a few cm.
high (at the highest point, 3 cm.) and so carelessly built that a
puff of wind would undoubtedly at first have blown the eggs off.
When I found this nest the female was sitting on the already
slightly incubated two eggs, but whether the nest contained 3 eggs
and one had been lost, is difficult to say. Later one I found
another nest of this bird containing two nestlings.

— ?7 -

The eggs had the following measurements and weight:

1. 38.2 X 30.9 mm. 1.07 gr.

2. 40.7 X 31 mm. 1.21 gr.

In form they are slightly ventricous and blunted at both
ends, thus closely corresponding to the ovate type. The shell
is hard and thick and not as, for instance, in dove-eggs, — which
they resemble very much — dimply and granulous but smooth
and dull without any gloss. In colour they are white.

In the stomachs of some individuals I found only fruits and
bits of plants, in others the remains of grasshoppers and various
insects.

This turaco occurs as high up as 11,000 feet and is thus
found beyond the forest. I have even observed it on various
occasions in the bamboo-woods.

Wing,
IGO, 160, 166, 167, 168, 170, 170, 171, 176 mm. cfd'.
160, 163, 166, 168, 170, 175 mm. 99.
Tarsus,
38—41 mm. cfcf.
38—41 mm. 99.
hides dark-brown; bill brownish red, green at the base;
legs dark-grey-black. ,

Cuculidae.

Centropus monachus monachus ^ occidentalis.
1 (5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

In the forests at Kiambu (near Nairobi) I saw this Cuckoo
a few times. It kept, as a rule, to the edge of the forest, where
the dense brushwood grows.

The specimen I procured is light-brown or ochraceous on
the whole of the under-surface, which colour, however, can easily
be washed away with a damp piece of cotton. Thus it is only
a staining caused by the reddish-brown laterite of the ground,
which has caused this colour.

This specimen ditfers from others in the Berlin Museum
collection, with which I have compared it. The back of this
individual is not uniformly chestnut-brown but almost of the
same colour as Centropus (monachus) fischeri Rchw., that is,
blackish brown. And yet it is undoubtedly near C. m. monachus^).

1) Perhaps my bird is an unnamed new form of C. monachus,
but according to Grant (Ibis, 1915, p. 421) the true C. m. monachus
occurs southwards to Kikuyu. — But it resembles the Central Abyssinia
form (described by Neumann: Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXI, p. 77)

— 78 —

But I have observed in C. s. superciliosus, C. s. senegalensis,
Anomalospiza imherhis Q and other birds, in which brown enters
into the colour of the plumage, that this brown colour at the
period of moulting or' during moult — owing to the wear and
long use of the dress — is considerably darker than in the fresh
dress, exactly as in the case of the green plumage of a number
of species of Melittophagus, which changes into a more or less
cobalt-blue.

This individual is in the beginning of the moult, and that
is why the colour of the back is different from that of specimens
in fresh plumage.

Wing 205 mm. Tarsus 49 mm.

Irides blood-red, bill and legs black.

1 venture to point out here that if this subject of colour-
changing of the dress was paid more attention to by a number
of systematisers, and birds of certain families from one district
only were compared with others from other districts in the
same stage of plumage, many birds now described as doubtful
would probably not have been advanced as new species or sub-
species.

Centropus senegalensis incertus Granvik.
1 (5 6. 4. Mount Elgon.

Immediatly below the eastern slopes of Elgon, in the acacia-
country, I saw two specimens of this Cuckoo and as I wandered
about in the tall grass I was fortunate enough to find the pair's nest.

I hid in the vicinity and then noticed that one of the birds
flew into the nest and sat on the eggs. After a while I flushed
this bird and shot it. It then turned out to be the male.
Total length in flesh wing tarsus bill tail

370 mm. 165 mm. 42 mm. 30 mm. 200 mm.

Colour of irides, red; bill black; legs dark-grey; Grant
(Ibis 1915, p. 423) says "middle claw white", but in this specimen
all the claws are black.

At the Berlin Museum I examined 35 spec, of Centropus
senegalensis senegalensis from different parts of Africa, shot at
different periods of the year. All of them have a green wash
on the head and a still deeper one on the rectrices. In this
respect the Elgon form differs from all of them, because it is
entirely devoid of this wash both on the head and tail, but is dull
and soot-coloured instead. Hence it cannot be classed among
this sub-species, even if the respective measurements agree.

It reminds one somewhat of C. senegalensis ischadensis of
Reichenow (Journ. f. Orn. 1915, p. 124) but the latter has

occidentalis in the coloration, and as it seems to me, that the latter
is a good form (Grant, op. cit., makes it synonymous with monachus)
my bird might by termed as above.

— 79 —

the typical wash on the head, which mine lacks. I have com-
pared mine with the type-specimen in Berlin.

In the colours of the dress it agrees entirely with Centropus
s. aegyptius Gm. inasmuch as "the mantle and inner secondaries
are olive-brown and the flight feathers chestnut".

Grant says, however, (op. cit. p. 123) that this form is
much larger than C. s. senegalensis, which my measurements
though do not prove. A specimen found in the Berlin Museum
from Fuah (Egypt) has a wing-length of 165 mm., tail 225 mm.
Another (9 juv.) has a wing-length of 155 mm., tail 205 mm.
Both are, however, considerably darker than the Elgon specimen.

Grant says, further, that the distribution of C. s. senega-
lensis ranges from Senegal to the mouth of the Congo River,
eastwards across the Niger, upper Nile, upper Congo and Uganda
to Somaliland, but that C. s. aegyptius occurs only in Egypt.
The discovery of the bird on Elgon thus establishes that the dis-
tribution of the bird towards the east ranges into British Eeast
Africa. According to Chubb., senegalensis was found by him
in South Rhodesia (Ibis 1909, p. 141, 153) but already in 1874
the bird was kown from Bamangvato, Bechuanaland.

My specimen is in moult and the feathers are much worn
(which is in itself noteworthy as the bird has already began to
brood) and it is therefore probable that when the new feathers
had grown to their full lenght, the measurement of the wing
would have been greater.

Reichenow, who has also examined my specimen, is of
the same opinion as myself that it cannot be referred to any of
the forms of senegalensis at present known, and therefore owing to
the most striking differences — although only one specimen was
procured — I have given this bird a new name. It is possible
that further specimens from these districts will show that this
new form is a synonym of some of those already described and
that mine is thus only an aberrant. P'or the present at any
rate, I shall name it C. senegalensis incertus.

The nest was built in a dry, little acacia shrub, growing
almost concealed in the grass, more than a man's height, and
was situated 30 cm. above the ground in the fork of the two
largest thorny branches of the shrub. It was 45 cm. high by
26 cm. wide and oblong in shape, provided with a roof and
side entrance. The nest-materials were composed only of long
blades of grass, both fresh and dry, which were plaited together
into an extremely loose and weak structure, the walls of which
were so thin that one could see through them. The bottom of
the nest itself was, however, stronger and about 5 — 6 cm. thick
and lined with the fresh, thick leaves of a bush common on
the steppe.

— 80 —

There were four newly laid eggs in the nest.

1. 30.5 X 26 mm. 775 mg.

2. 32.5 X 26.4 mm. 780 mg.

3. 31.7 X 26.8 mm. 775 mg.

4. 30 X 24 mm. 675 mg.

The eggs are bright white in colour. Two of them, however,
have large and small brownish red spots here and there, but
these spots are caused by the brown laterite clay which the
sitting bird has had on its feathers. No doubt these brown-
spotted eggs are the ones first laid, as those laid later are
quite white. When I blew out the eggs I found — at least
quite plainly in one of them — that they were in different
stages of incubation, for in the more heavily spotted egg the
embryo was much more developed than in the others. It is
therefore probable that incubation begins as soon as the first
egg is laid.

The shell is dull and smooth without any marked pores
and furnished with a layer of lime, which can be scraped off.
In this layer there are ripples and scratches.

This bird is very shy and viligent and knows very well
how to hide itself on the ground in the tall grass. I seldom
saw it perch on any of the rare bushes, and it happened a few
times while I was studying the nest at a distance that the bird
quite suddenly be sitting in the nest without my having noticed
when or how it got there. When it was flushed it usually disap-
peared in the grass and would then rise some hundred yards
from the spot where it disappeared.

The stomach was full of hairy, large, green larvae and
grasshoppers.

Ceniropus superciliosus superciliosus Hempr. & Ehr. —
Rchw. II. p. 65.

Tutu . . . ki-kavirondo. — Butabutelia . . . ki-kamba. —

Tutuma . . . ki-suahili.

1 (5 ad. 13. 4. Nairobi. — 2 S6 ad. 14. 4., 18. 4. Kiambu. - 1 ^ ad. 6. 6.

Mount Elgon. — 1 (J ad. 22. 8. Kendu. — 1 Q ad. 21. 4. Lake Naiwasha. —

1 Q ad. 24. 4. Kikuyu. — 1 S ad. 26. 4. Mombasa. — IQ juv. 10. 4. Nairobi. —

1 (5 juv. 23. 8. Kendu.

When we look at this series of 10 skins from difi'erent
parts of East Africa — right from Mombasa up to Victoria
Nyanza — we at once notice the great differences they present.

The specimens from the coast and from the Nairobi regions
agree entirely with each other in the markings, although the
respective mesurements for the tarsns and wing vary somewhat.
On the other hand the two from Kendu (Victoria Nyanza) are
difi'erent from all the others in that the head, nape and inter-
scapular region are considerably darker in the latter. These parts
are almost blackish brown. This is true of the young bird as

— 81 -

well as of the old. Whether this character is sufficient to name a
special local form of the C. superciliosus living at Victoria Nyanza
I am not able to decide at present.

Grant has (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXXV, 1914, p. 54)
described a new form of C. superciliosus, named C. s. loandae,
and judging from the description the Rendu specimen should, I
suppose, belong to this race. Not having seen any specimens
belonging to this formv however I dare not exp ressany positive
opinion on the matter.

According to Grant the distribution of this form is from
Angola to the north of Congo River, eastwards to eastern Bel-
gian Congo and north-eastern Rhodesia. But the same writer
also points out that intermediate specimens of this race and C.
s. superciliosus are found in German East Africa, British East
Africa and in Uganda- and therefore the Kendu birds may be
such intermediates.

The newly described C. s. intermedius by v. Someren
(Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XLI, 1921, p. 125) which „differs
from the typical South-Arabian bird in being darker above and
smaller. Wings 140—155 mm" can scarcely be considered as a
good form, but is, I dare say, only a subtile form between
superciliosus and loandae (vide Grant). Among the Kikuyu spe-
cimens some are fairly light above and others darker and the
variations in the measurements of the length of the wing can
be seen in the table below.

V. Someren does not give the distribution of inter-
medius (terra typica: Mombasa) but if the author considers this
new form only as a new coastal bird, it is possible that the
description agrees with respect to the wing- measurement. My
specimen from Mombasa belongs to the light forms, but in spite
of the fact that the wing-measurement falls within the 140 — 155
mm given by v. Someren I cannot support his new form,
which is probably nothing but a casual individual variation.
In C. €. superciliosus the wing is 140 — 150 mm.

The two most interesting individuals were shot in the en-
virons of Nairobi. They are a beautiful brownish -red all over
the under-surface of the body; the head and interscapular region
being of the same colour. But this beautiful colour disappears
at once if a damp piece of cotton -wool is drawn across the
leathers, and is thus only a superficial wash caused by the
discoloration of the ground.

In the young bird the rectrices are more glossy green
than in old birds and tapering at the tips (in the old they are
rounded) and are furnished with 3—4 narrow, white transverse
bands. The young bird from Kendu (Victoria Nyanza) is also
unlike the one from the Nairobi regions in that the feathers of
the back and sides of the neck, in addition to the rusty-brown
streak nearest the shaft, have a triangular yellowish-brown spot

6

— 82 -

on the tips and a larger one of the same colour higher up.
The upper mandible is dark -grey, the lower mandible for the
most part yellowish browu. Irides yellowish-brown.
Wing, tarsus,

145, 152 mm. 36, 38 mm. cfcT Nairobi, Kiambu.
152 mm. 39 mm. cT Kendu.

152 mm, 42 mm. 9 Mombasa.

162, 162 mm. 41, 39 mm. 99 Kikuyu, Naiwasha.
162, 158 mm. 37, 40 mm. cr9 juv. Nairobi, Kendu.
Irides blood-red; bill black; legs greyish green.

Clamator cafer (A. Leht.). — Rchw. II. p. 76.
1 (5 ad. 18. 7. Mount Elgon 6.500 feet.

This specimen was shot on the out-skirts of the forest on
the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon. This was the only time that
this bird was seen here and it is probable that it is rare in
these regions.

The specimen is not yet in full dress, for the rectrices
lack the white tips. Among the glossy green feathers of the
back there are still some brownish ones from the young bird's
plumage.

Wing 165 mm. tarsus 32 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs lead-grey.

Clamator jacohinus pica (Hempr. & Ehr,). — Rchw. II. p. 78.

Clamator jacohinus jacohinus Bodd.-Zedlitz : Journ. f. Orn. 1915, p. 6. —
Coccystes jacohinus Bodd.-ReicheDOw: op. cit. — Clamator jacohinus
pica (Hempr.-Ehr.) : Hartert: Nov. Zool. XXII, 1915, p. 253.
1 (5 juv. 10. 5. Eldoret 9.000 feet.

The first specimen of this cuckoo was procured in Mom-
basa, where the bird was not rare. It appeared singly or in
pairs in the cocoa plantations situated near the town.

A day's march from Eldoret (on the way towards Elgon)
a male, in the transition from the immature to the adult plumage,
was shot in the acacia-country, close by a little water-way.

The forehead and crown are dark-brown, the long feathers
of the head blackish brown. The innermost secondaries black
with a green gloss. Most of the secondaries with greyish white
tips. Some of the rectrices a beautiful glossy green. In other
respects it is like the one R e i c h e n o w (p. 79) describes,
wing, culmen, tarsus, tail,

145 mm. 25 mm. 30 mm. 175 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark-greyish green.

Hartert has (Nov. Zool. XXII, 1915, p. 253-254) dealt
with the different forms of this species, especially those occurring
in tropical Africa under the name of C. j. pica.

- 83 -

Cuculus solitarius (Steph.)- — Rchw. II. p. 87.
2 (5(5 ad. 2. 6., 3. 6. ; 1 (5 juv. 10. 7. Mount Elgon 7.000 feet.

Was sparingly met with here and there on the eastern
slopes of Mount Elgon, always in the interior of the dense
forests.

One of the specimens (ad.) has the throat grey and the red-
dish brown patch on the fore-neck is rather narrow only 19 cm.
wide. All the undertail coverts have black transverse bands.

Wing 170 mm, bill 24 mm, tarsus 20 mm.

The other adult specimen has all the feathers of the throat
tipped with brownish red, and the reddish brown patch on the
fore-neck in this bird is 27 cm. wide, and more distinctly marked.
Only some of the undertail coverts are furnished with black
transverse bands.

Wing 170 mm, bill 23 mm, tarsus 19 mm.

In both birds the irides are dark-brown, bill dark-grey (almost
black), base of upper mandible greyish yellow, legs citron-yellow.

Stomach full of the same large, hairy larvae found in
Bycanistes suhcylindricus.

The young bird agrees with the description Reichenow
(op. cit. p. 89) has given of a young C. gabonensis but is without
the white transverse baud on the back of the head.

Irides brown; bill black; legs citron-yellow.

Chrysocotcyx hlaasi (Steph.). — Rchw. II. p. 98.

Kalyan-zuki . . . ki-kamba.
(5 juv. 24. 4. Kikuyu. — Q ad. 3. 6.; Q juv. 24. 7. Mount Elgon 7.000 feet.

In a little clump of trees near Kikuyu this species was com-
mon. It generally frequented the dark under-growth, where, in
spite of its beautiful, bright colours, it was difficult to discover.
In the acacia- country below the eastern slopes of Mount
Elgon it was also met with very frequently, but always singly.
Wing, tarsus,

cT juv., 9 ad. and juv. 75 mm. 15 mm.

Irides brown or brownish yellow; bill black; legs dark-
greyish green or bluish green.

Indicatoridae.

■Indicator indicator (Gm.). — Rchw. II. p. 104.

2 (5^ juv. 17. 5., 28. 5. Mount Elgon 6.500 feet. - 2 (5(5 ad. 28. 5., 6. 6.
Mount Elgon 7.000—8.000 feet. — 1 Q ad. 17. 6. Mount Elgon 7.000 feet.

On the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon, as well as in the
forest by the rivulets in the vicinity of the mountain, this species

6*

. — 84 —

was rather common. Generally it dwelt in the highest tree-tops
in the depths of the forests, where it was often difficult to discover.
Both the two young hirds (gTcT) have dark olive -green
backs and yellow under-surface. One of them is only pale yellow
on the throat, while the other is a bright and beautiful yellow.
Irides brown; bill blackish; legs dark-grey.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

109, 110 mm. 17.5, 16 mm. 14, 14 mm.

In the two mature males the back is dark- greyish brown,
the throat black and the rest of the under-surface of the body,
grey. Both of them have a yellow spot on the shoulder. The
bill is greyish brown-dark grey with a lighter tips, irides brown.
In the male from the 28. 5. the testes were swollen and large.
Wing, tarsus, culmen,

109, 115 mm. 16, 17 mm. 14, 17 mm.

The female has the sides of the back light greyish brown,
grey chin and the whole under-surface grey.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

114 mm. 16 mm. 13 mm.

' Irides yellow; bill dark greyish brown; legs dark-grey. In
the stomachs of these birds I found gravel, pebbles and the
remains of insects.

When I asked the Kaniba negroes whether these so-called
Honey Guides used to mark the spots where there was honey,
they replied that, on the contrary, they guided them to where
there was no honey at all.

Indicator variegatus variegatus Less. — Rchw. II. p. 108.
1 (5 ad. 2. 7.; 1 2 ad. 30. 5. Mount Elgon 7.000 feet.

Only twice did I see this bird on Elgon and it appeared
in the same localities as 1. indicator.

Wing, total length in flesh, tarsus, culmen,
109 ram. 182 mm. 17 mm. 13 mm. cT.

105 mm. 170 mm. 16 mm. 11.5 mm. 9-

Z e d I i t z has (Journ. f. Orn. 1915, p. 8 — 10) made a close
study of this "form-circle" and all its forms and with reference
to the form cited here, he characterises cT in the following
manner: "typical variegatus cf differs from 9 by a more diffused
and darker spotting on the under-surface". The male specimen
before me also has dark spots along the flanks, which the female
has not.

Irides brownish grey — greyish green ; bill dark greyish brown
and upper mandible lighter at the base; legs greyish green.

In other respects the different sexes are distinguished from
one another, the female — as appears from the measurements —

— 85 —

being smaller than the male. (Compare Z e d 1 i t z : Journ. f.
Orn. 1915, p. 9.)

Indicator minor conirostris Cass. — Rchw. II. p. III.

Indicator conirostris conirostris Bass. — Bates: Ibis 1911, p. 503. — Grant:
Ibis 1915, p. 434. - Bannerman: Ibis 1921 p. 84.

1 Q ad. 25. 5. Mount Elgon 7.000 feet.

Of this interesting Honey Guide I have only one specimen,
which was shot in the forest.

Wing, total legth in flesh, tarsus, culmen, tail,
90 mm. 155 mm. 15 mm. 12 mm 57 mm.

The whole under — surface is a very dark-grey, the under-
tail-coverts and tibia-feathers with a yellowish green wash on
the edges.

Bill entirely black, irides brown, legs dark lead-grey.

I have compared my specimen with all the Indicator spe-
cimens in the Berlin Museum, and Prof. Neumann has also
examined it, coming to the same conclusion as myself, that my
bird is undoubtedly 1. m. conirostris. It agrees in every respect
with the 3 specimens of this bird found in Berlin.

E r 1 a n g e r (J. f. 0. 1905, p. 464) and Z e d 1 i t z (J. f. 0.
1915, p. 11 — 14) have established that of the little Honey Guides
we have two "form-circles": minor and exilis, and that those found
in East and North East Africa (of both groups) are a uniform
olive-green on the under -parts while the West African have
blackish brown longitudinal streaks on an olive green ground.
Bannerman (Ibis 1921, p. 84) gives the wing -length for
d'cf 88—92 mm. for 99 79, 85, 85 mm.

My specimen belongs to the last-mentioned group and is
thus a representative for the West African birds, found in East
Africa. According to Reichenow (op. cit.) the bird is met
with in the Gold-coast and its distribution is fixed, by Zedlitz
(op. cit.) to lower Guinea, by Grant (Ibis 1915, p. 434) to
Gaboon north of Ogowe River and Cameroon, by Erlanger
(op. cit.) to West Africa piercing eastwards to Albert and Albert
Edward Lakes. As v. S o m e r e n (Journ. E Afr. Ug. N. H. Soc,
1921 No. 16 p. 32) says that he is not satisfied with the identi-
fication of his specimens of 1, minor teitensis from Moroto,
W. Lake Rudolph, and gives 93 mm. as the wing-length of one
specimen, which judging from the brief description and the mea-
surement of the wing, is propably not a teitensis at all. I am
inclined to believe that even his birds are possibly specimens
of conirostris.

In proportion as different discoveries determine that species
hitherto considered to be solely westafrican also occur in East
Africa the problems of their distribution must to some extent

- 86 -

be changed, and every student who has dealt with the Indicator
family, as a rule, arrives at the same conclusion that our present
knowledge of these birds is still rather confused.

It seems to me to be rather doubtful wether we can maintain
1. m. riggenbachi Z e d 1 i t z as a good sub-species and when com-
pared with I. m. conirosiris the difference between the two appears
extremely slight (and only the sexual difference) and its geographical
presence does not by any means speak for its further existence.

Further discoveries must, however, bring light on this point.

Capitonidae. ^

Lyhius hidentatus aequatorialis (Shell). — Uchw. II. p. 119.

3 (5(5 ad. 14. 5.; 1 Q juv. 14. 5. Soy 7,500 feet. -
1 Q juv. 26. 5. Mount Elgon 7000 feet.

Some miles north-east of Soy on the way to Elgon we halted
in the acacia-country by a shallow little lake, and in the low
trees growing on its shores this bird was a common occurrence.
Only once was this Barbet observed on the eastern slopes of
Mount Elgon.

The five specimens exhibit the following measurements:
wing, tarsus,

106 mm, 25 mm.
105 mm. 26 mm.

107 mm. 26 mm.

103 mm. 25.5 mm.

104 mm. 25 mm.
In the three mature cTcf the upper surface has a dark-blue

metallic lustre, the bill is whitish yellow, irides are dark-brown.
The plates on the front and back of the tarsus are dark horn-
brown, while the middle part, i. e. the sides, is yellowish white.

The young birds have the upper surface black with a more
or less blue wash and one of them has the crown furnished with
numerous red feathers like a full-dressed adult.

The white spot always found in the middle of the back is
greenish in one of the specimens, the feathers forming this spot
having a light-green border both on the edges and the tips.

The bill of the young birds is whitish-yellow with a reddish
grey wash. Irides and legs of the same colour as in the old bird.

Lyhius melanopterus melanopterus Ptrs. — Rchw. II. p. 121.

2 ^(5 29. 4. Mombasa.

In the coast-land at Mombasa, where solitary palms and
small bushes formed a thin and open wood, this bird was met
with in fair numbers.

culmen,

29 mm.

cf ad.

28.5 mm.

d* ad.

28 mm.

cf ad.

23 mm.

9 juv.

25.5 mm.

9 juv.

— 87 —

Both individuals are in moult and have not yet assumed
the full dress and one of them has the brown colour of the
breast extending far down on the belly, so that this brown patch
forms 36 cm. wide band on the lower surface while that of the
other is 23 cm. wide. One of them has two teeth on either side
of the bill, while the other has two on the left side, and one
not very distinct, on the right.

Wing 89,90 mm.; tarsus 22 mm.

Irides brownish red, bill greyish green, legs dark lead-grey.

Lybius leucocephalus usukumae Neum. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club,

XXI, p. 46.

Chongirio . . . ki-kavirondo.
3 56 ad. 21. 8., 22. 8.; 2 SQ ad. 21. 8.; Kendu.

This Barbet was not uncommon in Kendu on the Gulf of
Kavirondo, Victoria Nyanza. But on an open field close to the
native village there stood a tall expansive, dense tree in which
4 or 5 of these birds regularly took their meal of fruits in the
mornings. The birds were slow and not very shy, and when
one of them was shot the other birds did not fly away but con-
tinued their meal undisturbed. Their cry is a shrill screech which
can be heard at a long distance.

Wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,

92—98 mm. 25—26 mm. 27—29 mm. 60—63 mm.

Two of the specimens have two teeth on the left side of
the bill, but only one on the right side. The other three have
two teeth on either side, the front one being the more powerful.

The females are somewhat lighter on the back than the
males, but in other respects there is no differences between the
sexes.

Irides dark brown; bill and legs black.

Lyhius senex (Rchw.). — Rchw. II. p. 123.
1 (5 ad. 14. 4.; 1 6 juv. 19. 9. Kiambu. I

Both of these birds where shot in the Kiambu forests in
the vicinity of Nairobi. I have never seen this species in the
interior of the forests but always on the outskirts, where they
are bounded by the open field. On one occasion when I observed
the bird, it frequented the small, scraggy trees growing on the
banks of a little brook running past a large garden. But on
another occasion it was flying about in a field of maize.
Wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,
96 mm. 26 mm. 27 mm. 57 mm. cf ad.
95 mm. 24 mm. 27 mm. 52 mm. cT juv.
The young bird has only one tooth on either side of the
bill, but the adult has — like L. leuc. usuJc. — two. Further,

— 88 -

the young one is uot blackish brown on the lower back, like the
adult, but predominantly white with a few brownish feathers here
and there.

Undoubtedly the plate given by Lonnberg in his work
(Birds coll. by the Swed. Zool. Exp., to B. E. A., 1911) is a
picture of a young bird changing to the full dress, because in
my example the white band on the shoulder extends right across
and blends, without any noticeable termination, into the lower
white part of the back. As the bird gets older this band gra-
dually disappears, and in the full grown — in full dress —
there is no trace of this band at all.

Irides brown; bill and logs black.

Lyhius torquatus irroratus (Cab.). — Rchw. II. p. 26,
2 S6 ad. 27. 4., 29. 4. Mombasa.

Occurred in the thinly wooded coastal regions at Mombasa.
Id the evenings it sat perched on the outermost tips of the
branches of the small trees, making the wood resound with its
shrill cries.

Perhaps the greyish green colour of the legs is a juvenile
character. Both individuals had not yet completely assumed the
uniform red colour, on the crown and throat of the full-grown
bird; it being less completedly marked, and in one of thee spe-
cimens this red patch extends down into the middle of the black
setting of the fore-neck.

Wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,

83 mm. 22 mm. 24 mm. 55 mm.
77 mm. 22 mm. 23 mm. 49 mm.

Irides brownish red, bill black, legs dark greyish green (not
black as Keichenow II. p. 127 states).

TricJiolaema diademata massaica (Rchw.). — Rchw. II. p. 136.
1 (5 ad. 22. 4.; 1 Q ad. 22. 4. Lake Naiwaslia.

In the dense, almost impenetrable, brush-wood, which here
and there borders the shores of Lake Naiwasha a pair of these
birds was found together. From branch to branch they kept
together and in the rich verdure found here it was difficult to
follow them. They were lively and swift, and continually in
motion.

Both specimens are in full dress and both sexes are

exactly alike.

Wing,

tarsus,

culmen,

tail,

85 mm.

20 mm.

20 mm.

48^ mm.

cf

81 mm.

18 mm.

20 mm.

52 mm.

9

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs greyish black.

— 89 —

Gymnobucco bonapartei cinereiceps Sharpe. ~ Ibis 1891, p. 122.

4 (5(5 ad. 21. 5., 26. 5., 6. 6., 23. 7.\ 3 QQ ad. 21. 5., 11. 6., 23. 7.;
1 (5 juv. 22. 5.; 1 Q juv. 23. 5. Mount Elgon.

In certain places on the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon this
bird was met with in fair numbers. It generally frequented the
heart of the forests and was almost always seen high up in the
branches of the dry trees. It runs up the trunks of the trees
with great alacrity and skill — like the woodpecker — con-
tinually turning and "jerking" its head and pecking into the
decayed tree-trunks and branches, thereby producing a sound
similar to the drumraings of the woodpecker.

It flies swiftly and well and descends in long curves bet-
ween the short, few strokes of the wings. They are met with
always singly or in pairs and at times are only seen with diffi-
culty, owing to their darkbrown coloration unless, the loud blows
of their bills against the trees proclaim and betray their where-
abouts.

In the stomachs of the 9 individuals examined I found
remains of insects and stone-fruits. — I have seen the bird up
to an altitude of 8.500 feet.

Wing,

tarsus.

culmen.

tail,

103 mm.

24.2 mm.

19 mm.

56 mm.

d* ad.

96 mm.

23 mm.

19 mm.

55 mm.

(f ad.

101 mm.

24 mm.

20 mm.

60 mm.

a* ad.

101 mm.

24.5 mm.

20 mm.

58 mm.

cf ad.

99 mm.

23 mm.

20 mm.

60 mm.

9 ad.

98 mm.

24 mm.

20 mm.

58 mm.

9 ad.

97 mm.

24 mm.

19 mm.

57 mm.

9 ad.

100 mm.

23 mm.

195 mm.

60 mm.

cf juv.

100 mm.

24 mm.

20 mm.

58 mm.

9 juv.

Irides yellowish white, bill dark lead-grey, legs dark greyish
brown. In one or two there are a few brown streaks on the
upper mandible, and the lower mandible is considerably lighter
at the base than at the tip.

The old bird has the nasal tufts yellowish brown and the
forehead yellow -speckled, but the tuft of the young bird is
dark-brown and black at the tips. Besides, it has not the straw-
coloured feathers on the forehead. The laack is uniform dark-
brown and not as in the adult, where the feathers of the back
and part of the shoulders have a white streak along the shaft.
The underparts are dark earth-brown and the light edges are
not very conspicuous.

The tail is usually brownish black. Still, there are in my
series two specimens having a dark olive-green gloss and rusty
brown tips. These two have, besides, both the outer-web of the
wing-feathers and all the feathers of the underparts olive-green
at the tips.

— 90 -

This is the newly assumed plumage. When it has been
in use for a time and begins to abrade the olive-green colour on
the wings, the tail and the under surface fades, the feathers of
the underparts being tipped with brownish white. When the
dress has been in longer use the light tips, as a rule, get worn
off and the underparts become more uniformly dark-brown.

Barhatula simplex leucomystax Sharpe. — Rchw. II. p. 146.

Viridibucco simplex leucomystax. — Oberholser: Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol.
XXVIII, 1905, p. 865. - Grant: Ibis, 1915 p. 447.

3 Qe ad. 23. 5., 27. 7. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

This little Barbet was quite common on the eastern slopes
of Elgon, where I saw it in small flocks of 4 or 5 in number
in the open spots, overgrown with bushes and low trees. It was
seen in the company of B. hilineata and therefore my skinner
believed and assured me with certainty that it was only "mtoto",
the young, of that bird.

Wing 52, 54, 54 mm. Tarsus 15 mm.

Irides darkbrown (almost black); bill blackish; legs dark
lead-grey.

Barhatula hilineata hilineata (Sund.). — Rchw. II. p. 147.

2 (5(5 ad. 23. 5. Mount Elgon, 6.800 ft.

The two individuals, which I procured from Elgon, should,
it seems to me, be placed under this subspecies. They were
both in full dress and the one shot on tbe 23. 5. also had large
and swollen testes.

In respect to the colours of the plumage they are good
B. hilineata^ the chin being white and the fore-neck light-grey.
The yellowish green edges on the wing- coverts and wing feathers
run more into green.

When compared with type-specimens from Kaffraria (in
the Berlin Museum) a very slight difference can be discerned
between tbe East African specimens and the South African, the
former being more sulphur-yellow, the latter more golden yellow
on the outer web of the wings.

My birds put one in mind of B. kandti Rchw. (Orn.
Monatsber., 1903, p. 23) but as this species is probably not a
good one but only a synonym of B. jacksoni (which even
Reich enow himself is inclined to think J. f. 0., 1918, p. 70)
in fixing these Barhatula races I have followed Neumann's
revision (J. f. 0., 1907, p. 345—346) and later on compared
the races with the specimens in the Berlin Museum.

The conclusions I then came to are different from Neumann's
(op. cit.).

- 91 —

B. h. Ulineata has the chin and throat white, B. h. jack-
soni Sharpe, on the contrary, greyish white. The edges of the
wing-coverts and wing-feathers are not always a darker sulphur
yellow in B. b. hilineata than in B. b. jacksoni but frequently
vice versa. My specimens of the former have considerably paler
sulphur-yellow edges than the latter. The richer or paler sulphur-
yellow colour on the edges of the wing-coverts and wing feathers
varies with the seasons and does not seem to me to be a deci-
sive character of any systematic value.

Reichenow (Orn. Monatsber., 1915, p. 91) has further
described another form from Tanganika, which is said to be
very similar to Jcandti but has the rump lighter citron-yellow:
urungensis.

The various measurements of my specimens, however
somewhat higher than those given by R e i c h e n o w for Bar-
batula b. bilineata.

Wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,

55 mm. 16 mm. 14 mm. 28 mm. cT 23. 5

58 mm. 16 mm. 14 mm. 30 mm. cT 5. 6.

Irides dark brown; bill black; legs dark lead-grey.

Barbatula bilineata jacksoni Sharpe. — Rchw. II. p. 148.

1 Q ad. 10. 4. Nairobi.

Only a single specimen was procured of this bird, which
is closely related to the preceding. It is grey on the throat and
the grey colour of the fore-neck is darker than in B. h. bilineata.
Further, the yellowish green edges of the wing-coverts and wing-
feathers in this subspecies run more into yellow and the flanks
have a darker brownish grey.

Wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,

54 mm. 16 mm. 14 mm. 32 mm.

The measurements, on the whole, agree with those of the
preceding, and therefore they cannot thus be a conclusive factor
in fixing these two birds.

Fogoniulus pusillus affinis Rchw. — Rchw. II. p. 152,

Barbatula pusilla affinis Rchw.: — Zedlitz: Journ. f. Orn., 1915, p. 15. —
Barbatula affinis Rchw.

2 (5(5 ad. 29. 4. Mombasa.

This race was met with on my excursions in the Mombasa
coastal regions. It was found on the open tracks of country
where only a few solitary trees and bushes stood at longer or
shorter distance from each other. It sat still for a long time
on some tree -top, from where might be heard the few shrill
notes of its song.

— 92 -

WiriR, culmen, tarsus, tail,

50, 53 mm. 12—13 mm. 14 mm. 28—30 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill aud legs black.

Picidae.

Jynx ruficollis cocensi C. Grant. — Bull. Brit. Oru. Club,
vol. XXXV, 1915, p. 102.

1 (5 ad., 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha, 7500 ft. - 1 (5 ad. 9. 5.; 1 Q ad. 9. 5.

40 miles from Londiani towards Eldoret 9000 ft. — 1 (J ad. 25. 7. ; 1 (5 juv.

16. 5; Mount Elgon, 7000 ft.

The first specimen of this Wryneck was procured at Lake
Naiwasha, and there, as in all subsequent spots where it was
shot, it was found on the outskirts of the acacia-plains, especially
such spots as are interspersed with other bushes and trees. For
the most part, it was seen in dry, old trees and always singly or
in pairs. In no locality through which I passed was it common.

Wing,

tarsus,

tail.

culmen,

98 mm.

22 mm.

80 mm.

20 mm.

d* ad.

Naiwasha

95 mm.

22 mm.

76 mm.

19 mm.

9 ad.

Londiani 9. 5

99 mm.

21 mm.

80 mm.

20 mm.

cT ad.

9. 5

98 mm.

22 mm.

74 mm.

19 mm.

cT ad.

Elgou 25. 7.

67 mm.

20 mm.

38 mm.

15 mm.

cf juv,

, „ 16. 5.

Of the four mature specimens — all in full plumage —
3 agree with the current description and Grant's supplement
(Ibis: 1915, p. 102). One individual, however, differs rather
much as regards the colour of the under tail-coverts, for, in
general, this is light rusty yellowish brown, but in this individual
the tail-coverts are dark-brown, nearly of the same colour as
the throat.

Irides are usually brownish red. Yet, in two specimens
I have found a yellow ring outermost with an inner one of
brown. Bill dark greyish brown. Legs yellowish brown — greyish
green.

The young bird is darker on the side of the back, and
some of the feathers, which become greyish brown later on, are
furnished with greyish white transverse bands. The rusty-brown
colour of the neck is also paler. The sides of the throat, which
in the old bird are black and white banded, are banded with
brown and black. The under surface is white with black longi-
tudinal streaks.

Irides dark-brown; bill dark-grey with a white spot on the
tip of upper mandible; legs greyish yellow.

- 93 —

Campothera taeniolema (Rchw. & Neum.). — Rchw. p. 172.

1 Q ad. 11. 4. Ngong. - 1 2 ad. 21. .5.-, 1 ^ ad. 2. 4.; 1 ^ ad. 13. 6.;
Mount Elgon 7000 ft.

This species was not rare on the eastern slopes of Mount
Elgon.

Wing,

tarsus,

culmen,

tail,

110 mm.

20 mm.

21 mm.

70 mm.

cT ad.

Elgon 2. 6.

105 mm.

18.5 mm.

21 mm.

64 mm.

9 ad.

„ 21. 5.

109 mm.

19 mm.

21 mm.

68 mm.

(^ ad.

„ 13. 6.

105 mm.

19 mm.

21 mm.

67 mm.

9 ad.

Ngong 11. 4.

All the specimens are in full dress and those from Elgon
agree with the description found on p. 172 R e i c h e n o w.

If C t. hausburgi Sharpe is a good species (which seems
very doubtful to me) and not an immature form I could al-
most place my specimen from Ngong under it, as the banding on
the flanks and underparts are distinctly narrower and paler than
in those from Elgon, but the measurements given for that sub-
species do not agree with mine. The wing is said to be 110 mm.
(my specimen is 105 mm.), bill 21 (my spec, the same), tarsus
15 mm. (mine 14 mm.).

In all four the irides were red, bill dark brownish-black
legs greyish green.

Campothera cailliautii cailliautii (Malh.). — Rchw. II. p. 172.

Dendromus malherhi (Cass.) J. Ac. Philad. 1863, p. 459. — Chrysopicos
malherbei Cass. — Proc. Acad. Philad. vol. XV, 1863, p. 198. — Chry-
sopicos caillauti Malh. — Rev. etMag. Zool. 1849, p. 540. — Gampethera
cailliauti cailliauti (Malh.). Ibis 1915, p. 454.

2 (5(5 ad. 27. 4. ; 5 gg ad. 26. 4., 27. 4., 29. 4. ; Mombasa.

Very common in the palm groves in the Mombasa coastal
regions. There is no difference between the five 9 specimens
except that in two of them the round, dark spots on the under sur-
face of the body are in general much larger than in the other 3.
In the latter the largest measure about 2—2.5 mm., while in the
former they attain 4 mm. and upwards.

The yellowish white back-patches vary also in size in
different individuals.

For the males the measurements are the following:

wing 96—98 mm.

tarsus 17 — 18 mm.

. • culmen 18 mm.

tail 60—68 mm.

while those for the females are:

wing 92, 93, 95, 95 mm.
tarsus 17 mm.

culmen 18 mm.

tail 68—70 mm.

- 94 —

Irides in all brownish red; bill dark blackish brown; legs
greyish green.

Dendropicos fuscescens massaicus Neum. — Journal f. Ornithol.,

1900, p. 206.

Dendropicos guinensis masaicus Neum. — Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 206.
1 Q ad. 26. 4. Mombasa.

This little woodpecker was met with in the same locality
as Campothera c. cailliauti. The specimen is in transitory dress.
The back is predominantly black and white with a pale yellow-
ish wash. The underparts are dirty- white with a pale yellow-
ish greenish tint longitudinally streaked with black. The fore-
head and crown brown, the nape black; sides of head white.
Total length in flesh, wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,

148 mm. 84 mm. 14 mm. 16 mm. 48 mm.

Dendropicos lafresnayi lepidus Cab. — Rchw. II. p. 195.

Dendropicos lafresnayi Malh. — Rev. Zool. 1849, p. 533. — Ipoctonus
lepidus Cab. & Heine. - Mus. Hein. vol. IV, 1863, p. 118.
1 (5 ad. 8. 5. Londiani 7.500 feet. - 1 (5 juv. 3. 6. Elgon 7.000 feet. -
1 S ad. 10. 5. Eldoret 7.500 feet.

R e i c h e n 0 w , in his op. cit p. 105 says: ''Ipoctonus lepidus''
Cab. Heine mit des Vaterlandsangabe Abbessinien ist gleichbe-
deutend mit D. lafresnayei, wie ich mich durch Untersuchung
des Typus uberzeugt habe". — Grant (Ibis 1915, p. 464) and
S 0 m e r e n (Nov. Zool. XXV, 1918, p. 271) have therefore called
it D. lafresnayi lepidus, in order to distinguish this sub-species
from allied forms.

I procured a male and a female of the race two days, march
north of Londiani (on the route to Eldoret).

As regards colour the male is as described by G r a n t (Ibis
1915, p. 464) but the female is dark -brown on the forehead
(the male, on the other hand, light brown) and the underparts
are darker than in the male.

wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,

85 mm. 16 mm. 18.5 mm. 43 mm. cT.

85 mm. 16.5 mm. 17 mm. 44 mm. 9-
On the eastern slopes of Mt. Elgon I noticed this Woodpecker
only on a single occasion, It was a young male. The intersca-
pular region in this bird is distinctly black and banded with
white. The olive-green colour of the wing-coverts, wing-feathers
and the back in this specimen is very dark. Besides, the fore-
head is dark-brown, nearly the same colour as in the female,
wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,

87 mm. 16 mm. 18 mm. 47 mm.

— ^5 —

irides in cf red, in 9 ^"d young birds reddish brown ;
bill dark greyish blue; legs greyish green,

Coliidae.

• Colius striatus Shell. — Rchw. II. p. 205.
Inywii . . . ki-kamba.
3 (5(5 27. 4.; 3 2Q 27. 4. Mombasa. — Q 66 14.-17. 4.; 2 QQ 18. 4. Kiambu
5.700 ft. — 2 66 23.4.; 1 Q 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha 7.000 ft. — \ 6 5. 5.;
2 ee 5. 5. Londiani 7.500 ft. — 2 66 ^- 5- Eldoret 8.000 ft. - 1 Q 18. 5. Soy
8.000 ft. - 5 5(5 21. 5.-24. 7.; 4 gQ 21. 5.- 24. l.\ \ 6 juv. 7. 6. Elgon
7.000 ft. - 1 (5 18. 8. Kisum.

Of this bird, very common everywhere, I have in all 34 skins,
from the coast right up to Victoria Nyanza and Mount Elgon.

Were I to divide these after the localities and give the
sub-special names which van Someren (Bull. Brit. Orn. CI.
Dec. 1919, p. 26—27) has given them, I should have 6 C. s.
mombassicus, 14 C. s. kikuyensis and 14 C. s. ugandensis.

However by carefully comparing my own specimens with
those found in Berlin Museum and in the Natural History
Museum at Stockholm, I have not been able to find the slightest
difference between C. s. kikuyuensis and C. s. ugandensis. As a
difference between these two Someren mentions, among other
things, that the latter resembles the former but has "crown and
mantle lighter above" and the "wings and tail greyish olive"
while in C. s. kikuyuensis they are "deep greyish olive". The
other characters, which should account for the existence of these
two sub-species, seem to me to be very weak and by no means
characteristic for birds from the localities given.

As regards the character given for C. s. ugandensis i. e.
"lighter above" than C. s. kikuyuensis, this does not agree at
all with my Elgon and Victoria Nyanza specimens, for a 1 1 of
them are considerably darker than C. s. kikuyuensis.

On the other hand there is a more distinct difference be-
tween C. s. mombassicus and all those from Kikuyuland and
farther east and north, and I can therefore only establish two
forms: one coastal form and one from the interior parts of the
country. The former I name C. s. mombassicus v. Som. while
C. s. ugandensis may stand for the latter. It might as well
perhaps have retained the third name, but as I consider this
only an intermediate form between the two given above 1 exclude
it altogether.

Colius striatus mombassicus van Som. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club.
No. CCXLV Dec. 1919, p. 26.

The six specimens I procured in the regions of Mombasa
are the same in colour as v. Someren has described them.

13 — 15

mm. Kiambu

13-15

„ Naiwasha

14—15

„ Londiani

14—15

„ Elgou

— 96 —

Irides in all dark-brown,' Legs coral-red. In the males
the lenght of the wing varies between 91 and 98 mm,, in the
females 90 and 94 mm. The tarsus is 20—24 mm,

Colius striatus ugandensis van Som. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club.
No, CCXLV, 1919, p, 26,

In the same manner as one of the three Colius striatus
forms by V a n S o m e r e n is excluded because, in my opinion,
it is not a good form 1 unite the two descriptions he has given
there and let these stand for the above mentioned.

In these individuals the irides are sometimes brown, some-
times yellow and all those I procured in the end of June and
the beginning of July had yellow irides.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

cTcf 99

95—98 mm, 96— 9» mm. 21—25 mm.
99—100 „ 102 „ 23—24 „

98—105 „ 98—102 „ 23-24 „
98—104 „ 97—99 „ 22-24 „

On Elgon this bird goes as high up as 7,500 ft.

Trogonidae.

»

Apdloderma narina narina (Steph.). — Rchw. II. p. 212.

2 f5^ ad. 17, 4., 28. 4.; \ $ juv. 17. 4.; 1 Q juv. 14. 4.; 1 Q ad. 17. 4.
Kiambu. — 1 2 ad. 3. 6. Elgon.

At Kiambu, near Nairobi, this bird was rather common in
the dense forests. Only one of the three males shot there is in
full dress. The other two still have some of the red feathers
of the belly tipped with grey.

The three males from Kiambu are all in different dresses
and show a very beautiful transition to the full dress. In the
youngest the lesser wing-coverts are blackish with a pale green
gloss, bordered with a bronze green seam, the median wing-
coverts are of the same colour but have in the posterior half
small, indistinct brown dots, the greater wing- coverts are dark
vyrithout any green seam but have numerous small, fine brownish
grey or brown spots. In the next stage the lesser wing-coverts
are as in the preceding but on the median the green edge has
disappeared, the spots being larger and arranged in indistinct
undulating lines, the spots on the greater wing-coverts whitish,
larger and also in undulating lines. In the adult bird the spots
on the median and greater wing-coverts are white, forming dis-
tinct undulating lines, the lesser wing-coverts as in the preceding.

In one of the young birds (cT) some of the undertail-coverts
are white, the others red.

— 97 —

Irides brownish red, — dark brown, bill yellowish green,
and the base yellow; legs yellowish brown — dirty lilac -cou-
loured.

wing, tarsus, culmen,

128, 134, 136 mm. 16-17 mm. 19 mm.

The females are rather like each other except in the red
tint of the underparts, which varies from pale roseate (in the
young bird) to rose-red. Two of the specimens have a predo-
minant green gloss on the rectrices but in the tird the tail-
feathers are steel-blue.

wing, tarsus, culmen,

130, 133, juv. 126 mm. 16—16.5 mm. 18 — 19 ram.
Irides dark -brown; bill as in male (young bird a darker
greenish); legs pale roseate-lilae-coloured.

Coraciidae.

Eurystomusf afer rufobuccalis Rchw. — Rchw. II. p, 231.

2 (5(5 ad. 16.-17. 5. Soy. - 1 ^ ad. 6. 6. Mount Elgon. — 1 e ad. 15. 5.;

1 Q juv. 16. 5. Soy.

On the way up towards Elgon — a day's march from Soy —
I came upon a little flock of this Roller out on the acacia-plains.
In the late hours of the day they flew screaming from tree to
tree — about 10 in number — and always perched on the highest,
dry branches of the acacias, where they could only be seen with
difficulty. They were not afraid, but would let one get very
near them before taking flight.

Excluding the young bird, whose plumage considerably
differs from that of the old birds, the other three from the Soy
district exhibit rather great differences in regard to the colours
of the rectrices and upper tail -coverts. And yet they are shot
out of one and the same flock, whence it must be considered
very likely that, in spite of the differences, they belong to the
same form.

One of them has the two middle rectrices a uniform brown
and the two median tail-coverts brown, which later character is,
as a matter of fact, found in all.

Another has a distinct light blue tinge in the form of a
narrow band along both sides of the shafts of the middle rectrices.

A third has a broad dark-blue tinge at the base and along
the shaft of the middle rectrices, and in the Elgon specimen
this blue field stands out more prominently.

Whether any one of these is to be referred to E. afer aethio-
picus is difficult to decide. The different measurements, however,
do not agree with those given byReichenow (Vogel Afrikas
II. p. 231) but rather with those of Neumann (Journ. f. Orn.
1905, p. 185) for the above mentioned form, where, e. g. the
wing-length amounts to 179—190 ram.

7

— 98 -

wing,

tarsus,

culmen,

190 mm.

20 mm.

28 mm.

cf Soy.

185 mm.

20 mm.

29 mm.

d Soy.

185 mm.

19 mm.

29 ram

9 Soy.

185 mm.

19 mm.

30 mm.

cT Elgon.

175 mm.

20 mm.

28 mm.

cf juv. Soy.

The cobalt-blue band close to the tips of the outer rectri-
ces is indistinct in two of the specimens but in another two it is
broader and attains its greatest breadth in the middle (missing
in the two black ones).

Iridescotfee-brown; bill yellow; legs greenish-grey — dirty green.

The young bird is brownish -black on the upper surface,
and all the feathers of the lower surface are tipped with light
blue. Of the other rectrices, some are brown, others blue, such
as Z e d 1 i tz (Journ. f. Orn. 1915, p. 23) gives for E. afer suahe-
licus Neum. The primaries are only dark cobalt- blue, almost
black, the edges of the outer-web and the cobalt-blue band close
to the black tips of the rectrices is very indistinct.

Bucerotidae.

Bycanisies suhcyUndricus (Scl.). — Rchw. II. p. 241.
1 (5 ad. 8. 7.; 1 g ad. 8. 7.; 3 Q9 juv. 21.— 23. 7. Mount Elgon.

This interesting hornbill was found in fairly large numbers
on the eastern slopes of Elgon, from an altitude of 6 800 ft. up
to 8.500 ft. During the day small flocks of from 4 to 6 in
number were continually seen flying across the tree-tops of the
forests with heavy, rumbling strokes of the wings, incessantly
uttering their shrill, dull, hollow cry, "go-ork, goork". Very seld-
om was I able to get within range, for they are among the
most viligant and cautious birds of the forest, which, as soon as
they have a presentiment of anything suspicious, at once get to
a place of safety. Whenever they were seen at rest they sat
out of range on the top -most branches of the tallest giants of
the forest.

But early one morning I stood concealed at the foot of a
forest tree waiting for monkeys, when all of a sudden three of
these large hornbills perched in my vicinity. Within a short
while others came and perched on the branches of the trees
close by and after a few minutes another flock arrived. At last
some twenty had gathered and now began such a clamour and
noise as can scarcely be described. Above me were two, screa-
ming their hoarse cries, and from all directions the forest
resounded with their dift'erent voices. The whole thing gave one
the impression of a "gossip" meeting, where each one endeavoured
to drown his neighbours voice.

What such a morning meeting really means is difficult to
decide, Later on, I had the pleasure of being present at these

— 99 —

meetings twice and they were always conducted in the same
manner. Always the birds sat perched, well hidden on one of
the middle branches close to the trunk of the tree or in the
shelter of the dense foliage. And when they let their cries
resound through the forest, they stretched out their heads so
that the neck formed an obtuse -angle to the longitudinal axis
of the body. They would, thus keep up their morning concerts
for hours, after which they dispersed in various directions above
the immense forest.

Cab an is mentions (Journ. f. Orn. 1880, p. 351) that the
negroes had informed him that the male walls up the nest,
leaving only a little opening, and that the female must stay in
this prison until the young are a few days old. But the author
does not mention whether the nest is built in a hollow tree-
trunk or in any other sort of cavity. Reich enow (Vogel Afrikas
II. p. 233) says, on the other hand, that the hornbills choose
a hollow tree for their nesting- place and this is probably the
case with the majority of the Bucerotidae. — van Someren
(Ibis 1916, p. 223) says "We have seen their nesting- holes on
several occasions, but have not taken the eggs". But the writer
does not state where and how these "nesting -holes" were
situated. Probably they were in trees, for otherwise the author would
have called attention to the irregularity, if such had been present.

During my stay on Elgon I asked the natives to look for
a nest of Bycanistes subcylmdricus and I was convinced before
hand that it should be sought for among the trees of the forest,
and therefore 1 commanded them to look in the forests. One
day one of the natives informed me that he had found such a
nest, not in the forest but among stones. Little thinking that
it was a hornbill's nest I nevertheless followed the native up
towards the heights of Elgon. Below Endebess — at about
8.000 ft. — on the eastern slopes, where large boulders and stones
had been blown up and lay scattered everywhere, he pointed
between two large blocks, saying that the nest was there.

1 had promised the negro 5 rupees if the nest contained
eggs and to convince himself on this matter, he had, on finding
the nest pulled down the greatest part of the wall which cut
off the space between the blocks from the outside. Still, the
lower part was left and proved to be very strong, in some places
even as much as 2 cm. in thickness.

In the nest, when the negro had examined it the day be-
fore, there was only one young bird, which according to his
statements should still be in the neighbourhood. I shot in this
spot a rather well developed young bird, but whether it was
the one that had inhabited the nest is doubtful. On the floor
of the nesting-hole lay many blackish-white feathers, which
undoubtedly belonged to the female that had once inhabited
his dwelling.

— 100 —

To try to establish, on the basis of the discovery of o n e
nest, what is the rule or the exception is certainly difficult.
Whether the nesting -place of this species was in the present
case only a deviation from the usual method or not, is difficult
to judge. The natives, 1 know, assert that this bird always
builds its nest among the stones — at least on Elgon — but
whether this is true or not later discoveries must decide.

C a b a n i s mentions further (op. cit.) that the contents of
the stomach consisted of berries which looked like beans. In
the five individuals I brought home (and in two more which
were destroyed) 1 have found large, hairy insects, grit and stones
but only in one of them small, hard fruits,
wing, total length, tarsus, tail, culmeu, casque,

360 mm. 740 mm. 52 mm. 290 mm. 168 mm. 105 mm. cTad.
375 mm. 790 mm. 58 mm. 305 mm. 190 mm. 135mm. 9ad.

Irides brown; bill blackish; the front one-third of the cas-
que black, the rest yellowish. Legs black.

The young birds, in a rather young stage are very unlike
the old; one, having the following measurements:
wing, total length, tarsus, tail, culmen,
315 mm. 640 mm. 48 mm. 260 mm. 100 mm. 9 j^v.
has not yet grown a distinct casque, but the culmen was swollen
only in the upper edge at the base and was yellowish white in
colour. The colour of the rest of the bill was dark plumbeous.
The feathers of the head, which even in fuligrown young (and
the old) are edged with grey at the tips, are in this case en-
tirely rusty- brown with a black streak, widening towards the
tips along the shaft. The feathers of the throat are grey, some
with a pale brown wash. In other respects it resembles the
full-grown birds, but the lower surface has not yet acquired such a
pronounced dark metallic green gloss.

Irides are greyish brown. Legs black. But neither in this
young bird nor in the other two are the two middle rectrices
tipped with white but are in all three of them entirely black
with a metallic gloss.

The two other birds have the following measurements:
wing, total length, tarsus, tail, culmen, casque,
325 mm. 685 mm. 48 mm. 290 mm. 140 mm. 28 mm. 9 juv.
320 mm. 690 mm. 48 mm. 280 mm. 142 mm. 30 mm. 9 juv.

In the colorations of the plumage they are exactly similar
to the full-grown, but their bill has quite another appea-
rance, in that the posterior end of the casque, which besides
being now black, has began to develop. The upper ridge of the
culmen is in these two wavy and rough and the bill is furnished
with dimpled depressions and ridges.

Sclater's plate (Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1871, p. 490)
of the head of this species shows the bill, with the elevated

— 101 —

casque, of a nearly full-grown bird. It marks a transition stage
between ray picture (a somewhat younger individual) and the
full-grown.

Fig. 2.
The development of the casque of Bycanistes subcylindricus Scl.

Foto : H. Graiivik.

1. A rather young bird with slight developed casque.

2. A young bird with the posterior part of the casque developed.

3. An adult male with well developed casque.

The region forming the casque is sharply sett of from the
rest of the culmen by means of a distinct border.
Irides brown; bill and legs as in the full-grown.

Lophoceros melanoleucos suahelicus Neum. —
Journ. f. Ornithol, 1905, p. 187.

2 <S(S 5. 5. ; 1 Q 5. 5. Londiani. - 6 QQ 16. 5. - 7. 6. ;
3 (5(5 23.5. - 7. 6. Elgon.

Very common at Londiani, where I first procured a spe-
cimen of this race. I always saw them in small flocks and they
were found quite as often in the forests as on the acacia-steppe.
They jump restlessly from bough to bough and do not leave the

— 102 —

tree on which they have perched until one gets very close to
them. Then they fly about 10 meters with heavy and slow move-
ments and perch in the foliage ol the nearest tree where they at
once begin to call to each other. Their note consists of four or
five consecutive, short cries.

On Elgon I mostly saw them in the vicinity of the water-
ways flowing through the forests.

Reichenow (Wissensch. Erg. d. Deutsch. Zentr. Afr. Exp.
1907—1908, p. 228) has in 1912 expressed the opinion that Lo-
phoceros melanoleucos suahelicus Neum. is not a good sub-species
but considers that the South African L. ikcI. is identical with
that occurring in Eest Africa, van Some r en, however, in-
cludes it as a geographical sub-species in his work of 1915 (Ibis,
1915, p. 243) and if this latter view proves to be correct, then
all my 12 specimens belong to L. niel. suahelicus Neum. The
same observation that Reichenow (op. cit.) made with refe-
rence to the brown or black colour of the upper surface, accor-
ding to the various stages of the moult, I have also made in the
12 birds in my collection. But in separating the East African
form from the South African Neumann gives the following
distinguishing character: the former has considerably broader
streaks on the sides of the head; the latter has a few fine white
streaks on the side of the head.

In the collections at the Berlin Museum, where I compared
specimens from South and East Africa, 1 was able to verify these
differences and therefore, like Zedlitz (J. f. 0. 1915, p. 24),
separate the two forms mentioned and let my specimens from
East Africa keep Neumann's name.

As Heuglin (Ornithol. Nordost Afr. Bd. I. p. 721) has
already pointed out, this bird varies considerably in respect
to size and colour. Thus, some have the secondaries edged with
dark brown, others with lightbrown-greyish and again others
with white.

The following table shows the
measurements:

culmen,

81 mm.

84 mm.
100 mm.

80 mm.
92 mm.
88 mm.
91 mm.

82 mm.

80 mm.

85 mm.
77 mm.

81 mm.

Wing,

tot. 1. in f.,

, tarsus,

256 mm.

510 mm.

33 mm.

257 mm.

520 mm.

36 mm.

255 mm.

520 mm.

34 mm.

245 mm.

470 mm.

35 mm.

260 mm.

520 mm.

35 mm.

250 mm.

480 mm.

36 mm.

251 mm.

510 mm.

32 mm.

238 mm.

480 mm.

34 mm.

242 mm.

470 mm.

34 mm.

247 mm.

500 mm.

34 mm.

252 mm.

510 mm.

34 mm.

245 mm.

480 mm.

35 mm.

variations in the different

tail,

260 mm.

(S 23. 5. Elgon.

260 mm.

Cf 3.6. „

245 mm.

cT 7.6. „

250 mm.

cT 5. 5. Londiani.

260 mm.

cT 5. 5. „

225 mm.

9 5.5.

250 mm.

9 16. 5. Elgon.

240 mm.

9 19.5. „

250 mm.

9 19.5. „

240 mm.

9 23. 5. „

255 mm.

9 23. 5. „

240 mm.

9 7.7. „

— 103 —

Reichenow (Vogel Afr. II. p. 250) gives, for instance
the wing as 225—250. The average length of wing for these
12 anaounts to 250 mm. One, however, reaches 260 mm. and
five to over 250 mm. The length of the bill varies between
77 and 100 mm. In two there is no indication of any ex-
crescence on the culmen, in others only a little border and so on.

Irides light yellow. Bill reddish yellow (Jackson, Ibis.
1906, p. 516. says that the bill is crimson). Legs dark-grey — black.

In the stomachs of all of them I found large, dark, hairy
larvae and, in two only, a few small stone-fruits.

Alcedinidae.

Halcyon cJielicuti chelicuti (Stanl.). — Rchw. II. p. 271.

Kililio . . . ki-kamba.

1 (5 ad. 14. 5. Soy, 7.500 ft. - 1 c5 ad. 27. 8. Soy, 7.500 ft. -

1 (5 juv. 26. 4. ; 1 e jav. 29. 4. Mombasa.

In the forests and palm-groves around Mombasa this bird
was plentiful.

The young birds from Mombasa are slightly different from
the full-grown from Soy, the breast of one of them being without
streaks, but having the dark tips of the feathers more sharply
defined than in the old On this account it looks as if the breast
was furnished with undulating transverse folds. In the other
the dark streaks along the flanks are present, but the transverse
streak of the breast feathers appear quite plainly. The blue
colour on the secondaries is indistinct and mixed with greyish
brown, but is clearer and brighter in the old birds. Besides, in
the young birds the upper mandible is red only at the base,
the remainder being blackish.

If we compare, without having regard to the different times
at which the abovespecimens were shot, the Mombasa specimen
with those from Soy, we shall find that the blue on the rump
and the upper tail-coverts in the former is very light, shading
almost into green, while in the later, especially in the specimen
from May, it is a more intensive blue and without any green
wash. The dress of the Mombasa specimen however, is abraded
and has thus been in use for a long time and is somewhat faded,
therefore this difference in colour is quite natural and is of no
systematic value whatever. When I passed Soy in July, on my
return from Elgon, I was fortunate enough to get another spe-
cimen from the same place as that in which the first one was
shot, and this individual was then, with reference to the blue
part mentioned, similar to the Mombasa specimen. (Compare
Foicephalus meyeri saturatus.)

— 104 —

The wing measurements of the Soy specimens are 81, 82 mm.
the Mombasa specimens 76, 77 mm.

Halcyon albiventris erlangeri Neuni. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club,
vol. XXI, 1908, p. 71.

1 (5 26. 4.-, 2 QQ 26. 4. Mombasa.

Occasionally seen in company with the preceding bird,
at times alone or in pairs on the outskirts ot woods, where it
frequented the under-growth and bushes.

Of this King- fisher three forms are recognised:

1. Halcyon albiventris albiventris Scop.

Wing 105 — 110 mm.
Range: South Africa.

2. Halcyon albiventris orientalis Ptrs.

Wing 97—105 mm.

Range: East Africa, from Witu to Mozambique.

3. Halcyon albiventris erlangeri Neum. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club,
vol. XXI, 1908, p. 71.

Wing 92—97 mm.

Range: Southern Somaliland.

According to Reich enow (op. cit.) //. a. orientalis is
found in Mombasa, from where my three specimens were pro-
cured. V. S 0 m e r e n (Journ. E. A. and Ug. N. H. Soc, vol. VI,
1918, p. 255) also calls his specimens from Mombasa Halcyon
orientalis. Provided the three forms mentioned are good and
constant ones, and, judging from the wing measurements, which
distinguish them, my specimens should hQ H. a. erlangeri Neum.,
which Zedlitz (J. f. 0., 1915, p. 28) says is only known from
South Somaliland.

That H. a. orientalis is found in East Africa is certain
(compare Lonnberg: Birds coll. B. E. A., 194, p. 74; but,
no figures are given for wing-length) and in that case this race
and H. a. erlangeri should occur side by side. They are cer-
tainly, however, not found nesting together, if so then these two
forms may possibly be synonyms.

These three specimens are all in moult, and only in one of
them is the upper back black; in the other two it is dark-brown.

Irides dark-brown. Bill coral red with dark tip; legs dirty red.

Wing: cf 98 mm., culmen 45 mm., tarsus 17 mm.

Wing: 9995 — 96mm., culmen 43— 44mm., tarsus 15 — 16mm.

Halcyon leucocephala leucocephala P. L. S. Mull. —
Rchw. II. p. 276.

Halcyon semicoeruleus (Forsk.). — Reichenow: Vog. Afr. II. p. 276. — Lonn-
• berg: Birds Coll. B. E. A., 1911, p. 74. - Zedlitz: J. f. 0., 1915, p. 28. -

— 105 —

V. Someren: J. E. Afr. Ug. N. H. Soc, vol. IV, 1914, p. 95. — Halcyon
scmicoeruleus semicocruleus Forsk. — Zedlitz: Journ, f. Orn., 1915, p. 28.

Kierindi . . . ki-kavirondo.
] (5 ad. 18. 8. Kisumu. — 1 (5 ad. 23. 8. Kendu.

Neumann calls this sub-species H. semicoeruleus centralis
(Journ. f. Ornithol., 1905, p. 189) and gives as the characteristic:
"Das Blau ist ein reines Turkisblau". The other three sub-species,
which the same writer confirms, are distinguished from the above
by the different tint of the blue.

Grant (Ibis, 1915, p. 265) however considers Neumann's H. s.
centralis as a synonym of H. I. leucocephala and even lets
H. rufiventer Sw. be identical with it.

v. Someren has (Journ. East Africa and Uganda Nat.
Hist. Soc. vol. IV, 1914, p. 95) given a picture of this bird, which
agrees perfectly with one of my specimens from Victoria Nyanza.
But he briefly calls it Halcyon semicoeruleus.

Wing 102 mm., tarsus 14 mm., bill 44 mm.

The other specimen is in moult and has a dark-grey crown
and the nape streaked with brown.

Wing 104 mm, culmen 43 mm., tarsus 15 mm.

Irides brown; bill and legs coral-red.

Corythornis cristata galerita St. Mull. - Rchw. II. p. 289.

Corythornis cyanostigma (Rvipp.). — Eeichenow: Vog. Afr. p. 289. —
V. Someren: Ibis, 1915, p. 246. — Butler: Ibis, 1909, p. 86. - Chubb:
Ibis, 1909, p. 150. - Gurney: Ibis, 1909, p. 512. - Neave: Ibis, 1910,
p. 109. — Grant: P. Z. S., 1910, p. 439. — Corythornis cristata L. —
Grant: Ibis, 1916, p. 263. — Corythornis cristata cyanostigma. —
Zedlitz: J. f. 0., 1910, p. 767. - J. f. 0., 1915, p. 29. - Grote: J. f. 0.,
1921, p. 419. — Hartert: Nov. Zool., XXII, 1915, p. 257. — Corythornis
cristata galerita St. Mvill, — Neumann: Orn. Monatsber., 1915, p. 157.
Kililio . . . ki-kamba. — Otidanga . . . ki-kavirondo.

2 (5(5 20. 4.; 1 Q 20. 4.; 2 (3(5 23.4. Lake Naiwasha. — 2 (5(5 21. 8. Kendu

(Victoria Nyanza).

Neumann (Orn. Monatsber., 1915, p. 155—157) has in a
very thorough and excellent manner analysed the questions of
nomenclature for this bird and its "form-circle", and he distin-
gushes four geographical forms.

Corythornis cristata cristata h. — Range: Madagascar a. Comoren.
Corythornis cristata galerita St. Mull. — Range: Tropical Africa.
Corythornis cristata nais Kaup. — Range: Prince-Islands.
Corythornis cristata thomensis Savad. — Range: St. Thome.

Grant (Ibis, 1916, p. 263—264) also deals with the same
questions but arrives at a somewhat different conclusion from,
Neumann's.

This beautiful, little Kingfisher was very common in the
reeds and around the shores of Lake Naiwasha. Also at Kendu
the bird was common. There is. no note-worthy difference be-

— 106 —

tween the birds from these districts. The only thing that can
possibly be adduced is that the two from the last-mentioned
locality have the base of the culmen darker than the rest.

N e u m a n n says (op. cit ) that this form is distinguished
from C. c. thomensis in that it lacks the small, black spots at
the base of the upper mandible found in the latter. In some of
my specimens, however, these spots are present, and thus it
seems as if this character is not sufficient to separate these
forn)s. Not having been in a position to examine any specimen
of C. c. thomensis 1 cannot, however, express any definite opinion
on the matter.

Wing cTcf 53, 56, 56, 60, 60 mm., tarsus 7—9 mm.

Wing 9 59 mm., tarsus 8 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs coral-red.

Ceryle rudis rudis (L.). — Rchw. II. p. 295.

Opingo . . . ki-kavirondo. — Kalamindo . . . ki-kavirondo.
4 ^(5 ad. 21. 8.; 1 (3 juv. 21. 8.; 2 QQ juv. 21. 8. Kendu.

In Kendu on the Gulf of Kavirondo, Victoria Nyanza, this
Kingfisher was the most common met with on the shores. It could
be seen everywhere in flocks or singly flying along the water-edge
or sitting, in company with doves, on the branches of the trees
growing in the water.

Erlanger (Journ. f. Orn., 1905, p 445) has expressed the
opinion that the males have two black breast-bands, the female
only one. Reichenow (Vogel Afrikas II. p. 296) however,
doubts the correctness of this.

I have carefully sexed all my specimens and have found
that three mature cfcT have two breast-bands, whereas the fourth
has only one, therefore I agree with Reich en ow's statement.
All the young birds (2 99i 1 cT) have only one, more or less
greyish black, breast-band.

The four male adults have the following measurements:
wing, total length, tarsus, culmen,

137,140,140,140 mm. 265- 280 mm. 10-11 mm. 60— 62 mm. cfcf
134, 138 mm. 250—260 mm. 10, 12 mm. 49,50 mm. 99

The young birds have all the feathers of the lower part of
the fore-neck edged with grey (sometimes only a little grey spot
on the tips of the feathers), and the lower mandible is yellowish
towards the tip of the bill. The bill varies beween 48—50 mm.
in length.

Not one of the four full-grown males has the under-surface
of the body purely white, but here and there are black longi-
tudinal streaks, chiefly along the flanks.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

— 107 —

Ceryle maxima (Pall.). — Rchw. II. p. 2^8.

Megaceryle maxima maxima. — Miller : Bull. Amer. Mus, N. H., vol. XXXI,
1912, p. 296-297,

1 cT juv. 3. 7. Mount Elgon, 7000 ft.

By one of Elgon's mountain streams, banked on both sides
by dense forests, a pair of these birds was found. This was the
only time I saw the bird on the eastern slopes.

The specimen shot is a young bird, which, in colour,
approaches the one described by Reich enow (op. cit.
p. 299 — 300). Still, the underparts are not in this case entirely
white but are provided all over with large, black spots. Along
the flanks and for some distance towards the middle of the belly
there are numerous rusty-brown spots. The fore-neck is mainly
black, that is, the feathers are black but are edged and tipped
with brown.

1 often saw the birds plunge into the cold water of the
stream to procure something, but could not ascertain what it was.
Later on, however, when I got an opportunity to examine the
contents of the stomach, I found that they consisted entirely of
the remains of the crabs, so plentiful in these streams.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.
Miller (Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., vol. XXXI, 1912, p. 297)
has separated sharpei from maxima, which, however, Reichenow
(op. cit.) and other authors make synonyms. He says that in
the former the cf "has the belly heavily marked with slate color
but it is never rufous". He states further that ''sharpei is a
well marked race, which occurs in West and Equatorial Africa".
He mentions that he has not s-een any specimens, but affirms
that ''sharpei differs from the true maxima in its darker colo-
ration, the white spots of the upperparts much restricted and
wholly absent from the interscapulum; the abdomen, crissum,
under wing-coverts (and axillares doubtless) of the male heavily
barred with slate-grey,"

Meropidae.

Melittophagus lafresnayei oreobates Sharpe. — Rchw. II. p. 303.

NthuDgululu . . . ki-kamba. — Talingi . . . ki-suaheli.
1 Q ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. - 3 (5(5 ad. 26. 5., 8. 6.; 2 QQ ad. 3. 6., 24. 7.;

2 (5(5 juv. 26. 5., 15. 6.; 1 Q juv. 26. 5. Mount Elgon 7.000 ft.

From Kiambu (in the neighbourhood of Nairobi). I have
only one specimen, but according to Someren (Ibis, 1916,
p. 247) this bird is very common in these districts.

This specimen differs in no respect from those procured
on Elgon, where the race is very common, inhabiting the
outskirts of the forests of the eastern slopes, especially spots

— 108 -

where acacia-trees grow scattered auioog the other trees. I fre-
quently saw them in rather large numbers in the tops of Fodo-
carpus trees where they sat eating the yellow fruit. They fly
badly and only for short distances at a time.

Among the six specimens in full-dress Lean separate two
types, which may possibly be due to diflferent ages but are probably
due to the plumage being new or having been long in use and
more faded in consequence thereof.

I. The green ty p e. Agrees very closely with the des-
scription Reichenow (op. cit. p. 303) has given. The third
and fourth, secondaries, however, have a narrow, blue edge above
the extremity. The innermost secondaries with more or less
sharply defined blue tips. The median rectrices green.

II. T h e b I u e t y p e. A great number of the green feath-
ers of the head and back with clear blue tips. All the secon-
daries with a distinct, broad blue edge, extending to and in-
cluding the black tip. The inner secondaries blue also on the
outer-web and a wide, blue border along the whole of the edge
of the outer-web. The middle rectrices blue and all
the others with a blue edge.

The three young birds have a scarcely noticeable "super-
cilium" (sometimes none at all). No bluish black shield below
the somewhat paler yellow-coloured throat, but the fore-neck and
breast olive-green instead, the same colour as the upper surface
of the body. The belly pale rusty-brown and under tail-coverts
pale green. The middle tail feathers with clear bluish green
wash. The outer- web of the secondaries green without a blue
edge. Irides blood-red; bill black; legs greenish grey —
greyish red.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

97, 98, 98 mm. 10 mm. 32—33 mm.

The measurements of the full-grown are:

Wing,

cTcT 98, 100, 101 mm. 99 97, 99, 99 ;nm.

tarsus, bill,

10—11 mm. 34—36 mm.

Melittophagus pusilhis cyanostictus Cab. — Rchw. II. p. 308.
3 (5(5 ad. 27. 4. ; 1 e juv. 27. 4. Mombasa.

Very common in the environs of Mombasa. The three males
are in moult and the plumage much worn. What strikes the
eye at once, however, when these three are compared with the
unabraded dress of the young bird is, that they have a predo-
minant greyish blue wash on the upper parts and the middle
feathers of the tail are greyish blue, whereas the young bird is
green; the middle rectrices being also green.

— 109 —

There is in this race the same difference in the feathering
as in M. lafresnayei oreobates where one might speak of a green
and a blue type In the latter, however, the plumage was not
abraded and is was thus not clear that this change of colour
was due to the moult.

In this case there seems to be no doubt that this greyish
blue tint is a colour appearing at about the time of — or some-
what earlier than — the moult. The superciliary stripe is
rather wide and distinct — even in the young bird.
Wing, tarsus, culmen,

76, 77, 77 mm. 8—9 mm. 29—30 mm.

Irides blood-red; bill black; legs darkgrey-black,

Melittophagus hullochoides (A. Smith). — Rchw. II. p. 311.
2 (5(5 ad. 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

Even these two specimens are in moult and the dresses
are abraded. At Lake Naiwasha this bird was seen now and
again, but it was very shy. It frequented the groves, which at
certain points reach right down to the water.

Wing 115, 116 mm. tarsus 11, 12 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark-brown.

Merops superciliosus superciliosus L. — Rchw. II. p. 325.

Chooro . . . ki-kavirondo.
2 (5(5 ad. 21. 8., 23. 8. ; 1 Q ad. 23. 8. ; 1 Q ad. 25. 8. Eendu (Victoria Nyauza).

This race was one of the commonest occurring round Kisumu
and Kendu on Victoria Nyanza. I have seen it in the open
field, where only an occasional bush grew, in the groves and
right down by the water. At times it appeared in the midst of
the negro villages, often 4 or 5 of them together.

In the stomachs of the individuals shot I found only the
remains of locusts.

They are all in full dress.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

132, 139 mm. 11 — 12 mm. 46—49 mm. dcf.
126, 131 mm. 11 mm. 48 mm. 9-

Irides bloodred; bill and legs black.

Upupidae.

Upupa africana Bechst, — Rchw. II. p. 336.
1 (5 10. 9. Mount Kenia.

One specimen was procured from the neighbourhood of
Mount Kenia.

- no —

The fourth secondary of the wings is of the same appear-
ance as Grant (Ibis 1915, p. 279) has pictured it in U. sene-
galensis (fig. on the right hand), that is, a little more than the
upper half white, the lower half with one upper narrow and
one lower wide, black band, and the tip black.

Reichenow gives the length of the bill as 48 — 54 mm.
This individual's bill is abnormally long, reaching to 69 mm, —
Tarsus 18 mm, wing 132 mm.

Irides brown; bill dark greyish brown; legs dark-grey.

I have seen the bird many times in the gardens and in the
fields both in and around at Mombasa.

Jrrisor erpthrorhynchus marwitzi Rchw. — Orn. Monatsber.
1900, p. 171.

Ngeka . . . ki-kamba.
1 (5 ad. 26. 4. Mombasa. — 1 (5 ad. 18. 5.; 1 (J juv. 15. 5. Mount Elgon.

Although these three individuals exhibit small differences,
which are characters now of one, now of an other form of 1.
eryihrorhynchus (Lath.), all of them, however, show unmistakable
indications that they should be placed under 1. e. manvitzi.

In no place was the race met with commonly. It frequen-
ted the brushwood or the outskirts of the forests, where low
trees grew. It is rather shy and is more difficult to get within
range than the allied races.

All three have a deep purple gloss on the central tail-
feathers, and even the last secondaries have this gloss. In the
two mature specimens the white spots on the wings and tail
are considerably different in size, but this is probably connected
with the fact that one of them is in moult. The other has but
lately assumed the full dress. In 1. e. erythrorhynchus, which
is in fact a South African race, these spots are small, in all
the other forms they are large (no writer has fixed the limit
as to what should be considered small and what large spots).
In one respect my three specimens approach the above-named,
that is, in having the inside of the wings washed with green.
Wing, tarsus, culmeu, tail,

140 mm. 25 mm. 53 mm. 210 mm. cT Mombasa.
146 mm. 28 mm. 57 mm. 230 mm. (S Elgon.
148 mm. 24 mm. 47 mm. 226 mm. cT juv. Elgon.

As regards colour the young bird is as Reichenow (op.
cit.) has described it.

In one of the Elgon specimens the measurements for the
tarsus and bill are unusually high, but it agrees perfectly in
other respects with the Mombasa specimen.

— Ill —

Irrisor erythrorhynchus niloticus Neum, — Orn. Monatsber.
1903, p. 181.

Irrisor niloticus Neum. — v. Someren: Journ. East Afr. & TJg., N. H. Soc,
No. 16, 1921, p. 30.

1 (5 ad. 27. 7. Mount Elgon.

This individual was shot below the eastern slopes of Mount
Elgon. In one respect this specimen puts one in mind of 1. e.
marwHsi, i. e., in the predominant green wash on the inside of
the wings. But the purely steel-blue tail-feathers make me
place it under 1. e. niloticus. If this is a good subspecies and
not an age -form my individual — in spite of its resemblance
to 1. e. marwitzi in the colour of the underside of the wings, ~
belongs to this sub-species.

Neumann states (op. cit.) that the race has its range
from East Soudan, near White Nile, to the valleys of the Blue
Nile. Grant adds (Ibis 1915, p. 285) that it extends south-
wards to Lakes Stephanie and Rudolph, v. S o m e r e n also
mentions the bird from Kobua River, W. Lake Rudolph (Journ.
E. Afr. & Ug., N. H. S., 1921, No. 16, p. 30). The southern
boundary of the race is thus moved somewhat farther south to
the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon. 1. e. marwitzi occurs here
more commonly and thus there are prospects of finding inter-
mediate forms between the two in these districts.

Neumann states (Journ. f. Ornithol. 1905, p. 194) that
he has come across 1. e. niloticus in Schoa, which proves that
this form extends northwards, reaching the region of 1. e. neg-
lectus Neum. [G rant (op. cit.) considers the latter, however,
to be only a synonym of 1. e. niloticus'].

Irrisor hollei jacksoni Sharpe. — Rchw. II. p. 343.

1 (5 ad. 8. 5. Londiani. - 8 6<5 ad. 21. 5.-2. 7. Mount Elgon. —
1 Q ad. 8. 5. Londiani. — 6 QQ 21. 5.-2. 7. Mount Elgon.

The first time I saw this race was in a little grove — two
days' march from Londiani in the direction of Eldoret — at an
altitude of about 9.00o ft. A few specimens were shot here.

In the forests on the eastern slopes of Elgon, up to 9.000
ft., this race was very common. Going into the forest at any
time of the day one could be certain of seeing large or small
flocks everywhere noisily flying about. As a rule 4 or 5 appeared
together, but frequently I saw crowds of them, amounting to
more than 20 in number.

1 once shot a female from a large flock in the bamboo
forest at an altitude of 10.000 ft. As soon as the female had
fallen to the ground all the others began to shriek and to make
a noise, flying in a agitated manner about the spot where the
female had fallen. Suddenly one of them settled beside the

— 112 —

dead bird — probably the male -- and tried to move her with
his bill, and shortly 5 or 6 of them ran, or rather hopped, around
the fallen female, screaming noisily and now and again poking
her with their beaks.

On the 22 nd July I found a nest in an old decayed tree,
about 5 meters from the ground. It was built like the nest of
a wood-pecker, and the entrance was very small. The old birds
flew "laughing" around the tree, thus betraying the abode.

In the hole sat an almost full-grown young bird, which
was fed by the parents. These were, as always, not at all shy,
but sat calmly watching me and were not disturbed in their
care of the young one by my presence. As soon as one of the
parents came with food or from a distance announced its arrival
by means of its particularly noisy cry, the young bird ( — for they
had only one) flew into the hollow of the tree and placed him-
self in the opening of the nest, croaking and shrieking and
suffered itself to be fed, but when this was done and the old
ones had left him, he flew out of the nest and perched on an
adjacent bough. When he then heard one of the parent birds
approaching he swiftly slunk into the nest and accepted the
food — so to say in the very door-way. This was repeated
continually and in all probability the meaning of these tactics
was to give the old birds the idea that he was helpless and
not yet able to look after himself.

When I climbed up to the nest in order to have a look
at it I smelt that disagreeable moschus-stench which always
characterises these birds. One frequently sees statements that the
hoopoes and their nest smell very badly because of the unclean-
liness of the birds. But this is not quite correct, for the stench
is not caused by the excrements, but arises from the fetid
secretion of the rump-gland. I have examined about 20 indivi-
duals of this bird and from most of them dissected this Glandula
uroppgii, which in these birds is also enormously large and of a
peculiar construction, and found that the viscid dark-brown
secretion from the gland gives this strongly negative sensation
of smell.

Why just these wood-hoopoes have such a powerful rump-
gland, which secretes this fetid secretion, is not easy to decide.
In most cases the secretion, with which the birds smear their
feathers, should be of importance to protect them against wet
and lost of heat, but might not, this unpleasant smell that the
birds emit also protect them to a certain extent from attack by
enemies?

In the large series of skins which I have of this race there
are great individual variations. Lonnberg (Birds coll. by
the Swed. Zool. Exp. to B. E. A., 1911, p. 76—77) has already
pointed out that he has found the same and he classifies all his
varieties as "individual aberrations of 1. jacJcsoni'\

— 113 —

\

The vaiiatioDS Lonnberg mentions are to be found in
i.iy collection and a few more as well. With reference to the
extent of the white patch on the head, there are great differences.
Thus, one individual has only the front part of the frontal region
white (13 cm.), another has the white extending 36 cm. back-
wards measured from the base of the bill, a third only 20 cm.
etc., etc. A young specimen has in the middle of the white
section, a large bronze-greenish glossy spot.

In young individuals the bronze-green patches on the back
and under surface are washed with blue, which tint, however,
disappears more and more in old birds and is replaced by a more
uniform green, sometimes yellowish-green, glossy colour.

The most remarkable bird in the collection is one which
entirely lacks the white on the chin and neck, only having
a few, 5 — 6, white feathers at the base of the bill on the upper
surface.

If we compare the measurements given by the various
writers who have dealt with this race, we shall find surprising
differences.

Lonnberg (op. cit.) gives 125—145 mm. for wing,
200—214 mm for tail, and 34—45 mm. for bill.

Reichenow (op. cit., p. 243) has 125—130 mm.,
180—210 mm., 35—45 mm. respectively.

v. Someren (Nov. Zool., 1918, p. 273) cf 123— 133mm.,
9 122—130 mm. (Kikuyu specimens 140—144 mm.)

From the table below will be seen the great variation in
the various measurements and that my figures agree best with
those of Lonnberg:

Wing,

bill.

tarsus.

tail,

139 mm.

42 mm.

23 mm.

215 mm.

d 8.5.

Londiani.

133 mm.

41 mm.

20 mm.

212mm.

(^21.5.

Elgon

.

136 mm.

50 mm.

22 mm.

180 mm.

Cf 25.5.

)»

142 mm.

57 mm.

22 mm.

215mm.

d<28.5.

»>

126 mm.

41 mm.

21 mm.

195 mm.

d*28.5.

u

• ■ ■>■

139 mm.

50 mm.

22 mm.

230 mm.

(^11.6.

»»

135 mm.

42 mm.

20 mm.

198 mm.

d* 2.7.

)»

''■f.

134 mm.

50 mm.

21 mm.

185 mm.

Cf 2.7.

»>

136 mm.

51 mm.

22 mm.

205 mm.

CT 2.7.

5>

129 mm.

36 mm.

20 mm.

200 mm.

9 8.5.

Londiani.

135 mm.

49 mm.

22 mm.

220 mm.

921.5.

Elgon

(in moult).

130 mm.

41 mm.

21 mm.

155 mm.

922.5.

»'

H V

126 mm.

38 mm.

21 mm.

200 mm.

922.5.

n

it »»

129 mm.

37 mm.

19mm.

200 mm.

926.5.

5»

(not moulting),

130 mm.

38 mm.

22 mm.

190 mm.

911.6.

5>

(in moult).

130 mm.

50 mm.

21 mm.

155 mm.

9 2.7.

)>

55 »

- 114 —

What is conspicuous, however, in the above table is the
great difference in the figures for the length of the bill;
36—57 nun. Not less than 6 birds have 50 mm and upwards.

Only six specimens are in full dress; all the others are in
moult. In one individual it appears that the new tail-feathers
are dark-blue without any purple gloss; in another they have
only such a gloss at the base, and in those in full plumage they
are almost to the whole of their length purple-glossy (at least
the central tail-feathers).

The young bird's bill is not such a beautiful coral-red as
that of the old birds, but has a more or less deep tint of grey.
It is, however, not black as in Rhinoponiastus erythrorhynchus.

V. Someren says (op. cit.) that "they have the feathers
of the rump broadly tipped with coppery bronze". But all the
specimens in my series have these feathers blue without a cop-
pery bronze. 1 cannot agree with v. Someren' s opinion that
the white on the throat is purer, for all mine have a plain
brownish yellow wash over the white. In all the specimens the
irides were dark-brown (Grant, brown; R e i c h e n o w orange),
bill coral-red, legs coral-red with black claws.

Whether the Elgon-bird, however, forms a special race which
differs to size from • the true I. b. jacksoni, should be difficult
to decide at present. It seems to me to be so and later in-
vestigations may perhaps bring light on the matter.

Ehinopomastus cyanomelas schalowi Neum, — Journ. f. Ornithol.,

1900, p. 221.

1 (5 ad. 29. 4. Mombasa. — 1 (5 ad. 9. 5. Londiani, 8.500 ft. — 3 (5(5 ad.
26. 5—23. 6. Mount Elgou 7.000 ft. — 1 Q ad. 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 2 52 ad.
27. 4. Mombasa. — 1 $ ad. 23. 6. Mount Elgon 7.000 ft. — 1 2 juv. 29. 4. Mombasa.

In the palm-groves and woods around Mombasa this race
was very common and was quite as often seen singly or in pairs
as in small flocks of 4 — 6 in number.

All the specimens from Mombasa are in the moulting stage
and the feathers very much abraded and this might be the cause
why the respective measurements, which are otherwise rather
large, are fairly small in all my specimens.
Wing, bill, tarsus, tail.

107 mm.

51

mm.

22 mm.

158 mm.

cT

ad.

Mombasa.

101 mm.

36

mm.

21 mm.

155 mm.

9

ad.

•11

97 mm.

37

mm.

20 mm.

138 mm.

9

ad.

)>

99 mm.

34

mm.

20 mm.

145 mm.

9

juv.

»»

103 mm.

35

mm.

20 mm.

140 mm.

9

ad.

Naiwasha.

115 mm.

45

mm.

21 mm.

158 mm.

cf

ad.

Londiani.

118 mm.

49

mm.

21 mm.

176 mm.

cT

ad.

Elgou.

120 mm.

45

mm.

20 mm.

185 mm.

cT

ad.

n

113 mm.

39

mm.

21 mm.

162 mm.

cT

ad.

))

108 mm.

32

mm.

17 mm.

161 mm.

9

ad.

»

— 115 —

(3 ad. Mount Elgon 17. 6.

(5 ad, Mombasa 29. 4. (the outer-
most pair in this specimen was
pure black) . —The picture shows
the outermost pair but one.

A

.-,

fnMKnS

wMa^

M^K^ ''-.'-'^

Q ad. Mombasa 26. 4. P ad. Mount Elgon 23. 6.

Fig. 3.

The variation in the extent of the white spots on the outermost

tailfeathers of Rhinopowastus cyanomelas schalowi Neum.

Foto: H. Grauvik.

— 116 —

In the young stage all of them have a more or less plain
purple-violet gloss — exactly as in the adult birds — , but this disap-
pears at the moulting time and the dress has then a more greenish
gloss. One of the females has the crown and hind neck a beau-
tiful steel-blue gloss, the others are blackish brown.

In the specimens from Mombasa there are great differences
with regard to the white parts of the tail-feathers.

One 9 bas, for instance, five of the tailfeathers broadly
tipped with white, which on the inner-web extends much higher
up than on the outer-web. (Fig. 1.)

Another lacks this white entirely.

A third has only a little white spot on the outer-web of the
two central rectrices. (Fig. 2.)

Two cTcT have a white patch close to the ti.p (Fig. 3.)

The head and neck of the young birds are yellowish brown
as a rule, and the white on the tail-feathers is small or missing
altogether.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

On Elgon this race was not nearly so common as 1. h.
jaJcsoni, and it was found as a rule only on the outskirts of the
forests or where there were thickets and brushwood.

Caprimulgidae.

Caprimulgus natalensis cJiadensis Alexander. — Bull. Br. Orn.
Club. vol. XXI, 1908, p. 90.

1 (5 6. 6. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

This race was common in the acacia-country, below the
slopes of Elgon, especially where the ground was covered with
large and small boulders.

The specimen is in full plumage.

Grant has (Ibis, 1915, p. 303— 305) separated 5 forms
of natalensis and of these there cannot, in the present case, be
any question of any other than chadensis.

In the original description it is stated that this form "is
of a pale sandy-brown colour", but my specimen is more rufous
both on the upper and the lower parts and may perhaps in
colour approach fulviventris from Angola.

Mr. J. Chap in, New York, has shown me a specimen shot
by him in the vicinity of Lake Chad, which agreed in colour
with Alexander's description.

Wing 150 mm; tarsus 20 mm.; tail 107 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill brownish red with dark tips, legs
pale flesh-red colour.

— 117 —

Macrodipteryx vexillarius fulleborni (Rchw.). — Rchw, II. p. 372.
1 (5 ad. 8. 7., 1 djuv. 11. 7.; Mount Elgon.

The two specimens of this race were shot by Dr. G. Lind-
blom in the Kitosh country on South Elgon.

The young bird is exactly like the old one in plumage,
but the elongated rectrices have not yet attained the length of
those of the old bird but extend only 5 cm. beyond the tip of
the tail.

Wing 220 mm., ad. 195 mm. juv; tarsus 25, 22 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill dark greyish brown; legs of full-
grown, brownish grey, of young bird, brownish yellow.

Hirundinidae.

Uiparia ixiludicola duds Rchw. — Orn. Monatsber., 1908, p. 81.
1 (5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

A large flock of these bird were seen flying about a sand-
bank on the edge of the forest. Here and there the commenced
excavations for their future dwellings were seen. It is possible
that the holes in the sandbank, leading into the narrow passages
are not dug by these swallows, for I never saw them engaged
in the work of digging although they flew backwards and forwards in
front of them and at times sat resting in the mouths of the
passages.

Wing 98 mm, tarsus 10 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill dark- brown (brownish black); legs
black.

In the Royal Natural History Museum in Stockholm there
are specimens of R. p. minor from Kilimandjaro which are lighter
and paler than ducis, but according toSclater & M.-Pread
(Ibis 1918, p. 715) minor occurs in Abyssinia and the upper
Blue Nile. The question is then, whether the individuals esta-
blished by S j 0 s t e d t are really minor and that the distribution
of that race thus enters the region for ducis (which is hardly
probable) or are only paler specimens of ducis.

Riparia cinda cincta (Bodd.). — Rchw. II. p. 394.

2 (5(5 ad. 5. 5., 7. 5. Londiani, 7.500 ft. — 1 (5 ad. 14. 5;
2 66 juv. 26. 7. Soy 8.500 ft.

In Londiani this swallow was abundant and was breeding
in a railway bank in the forests. At Soy, where the race was
also common, I saw them in the evenings flying in flocks around
some small pools of water in the grass-plains. In July the young

— 118 —

birds were full-grown and the specimens I procured were all
birds of the year.

I have seen the race in all sorts of localities, but always
in small or large flocks. It seems, however, to be a highland
bird, and in the acacia-country below the slopes of Elgon it
occurred practically speaking everywhere.

The wing-measurement in the adult birds is 120 — 135 mm.,
tarsus 12 — 15mm.; intheyoung 122- 126mm., tarsus 12— 13mm.—
Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

Hirundo griseopyga griseopyga Sund. — Rchw. II. p. 403.
1 (5 ad. 17. 4; 1 g ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

Common in the districts around Nairobi. Occurred on
the outskirts of the forests where it frequented the swampy
regions hunting in company with Riparia paludicola ducis.

In the female the white line above the lore is scarcely
noticeable, and although very indistinct even in the male it is
nevertheless discernible.

cT wing 96 mm., tarsus 12 mm ,

9 ,> 95 mm., „ 12 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dirty yellowish brown.

Hirundo angolensis Boc. — Rchw. II. p. 409.

H. arcticinata Sharpe. — Ibis: 1891, p. 119. — v. Someren: Ibis 1916,

p. 373.
Hirundo angolensis arcticincta Sharpe. — Berger : Journ. f. Orn., 1911,

p. 515.

1 (5 ad. 6. 6.; 1 (5 juv. 6. 6. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

This swallow was breeding very commonly in the giant
caves on the eastern slopes of Elgon. Frequently the nests were
only Vs — 1 metre from the ground and usually in the outer
parts of the caves. Sometimes they were found high up on
the steep walls and rather far in the interior of the dark parts,
where the bats lived in countless numbers.

The nests were comparatively small and lined with feathers
and hair. The eggs — generally three in number — were in
shape and colour like those of H. rustica, but somewhat smaller
in size. Owing to a mishap the eggs I procured were crushed
and the nests destroyed, and I am therefore unable to give any
further particulars.

As Reichenow points out (op. cit.) Sharpe separates
Uganda specimens, which he calls H. arcticincta (terra typica:
Elgon) from true H. angolensis Boc. The former should have
the centre of the underparts of the body white, the latter,
greyish brown.

— 119 —

One of these two specimens has the centre of the lower sur-
face whitish, the other distinctly greyish-brown, and yet they
were shot on the same day and on the same spot. It is there-
fore probable that this dissimilarity is due to the difference in
age, which appears from the fact that the whitish one is a young
bird. I think that Reichenow is justified in doubting the
genuineness of these two races, and I therefore give B o c a g e ' s
name for the Elgon form.

Wing 120, 121 mm., tarsus 11 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark-grey.

Eirundo puella unitaiis Scl. & Mackw.-Pr. — Ibis 1918, p. 718.
1 (5 ad. 17. 4. ; 1 Q ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

This race was common in the Nairobi regions and in Mom-
basa. Both specimens are in full plumage and have the chin of
the same reddish brown colour as the head. The steel-blue
lustre on the wings and tail-feathers is very pronounced.

Reichenow (Jouru. f. Orn., 1921, p. 265) expresses the
opinion that the three forms of puella cannot be maintained, as,
in his opinion, the characters which distinguish them are not
constant.

I have compared the specimens in Stockholm, which L o n n -
berg brought home from Nairobi, and found that the striping
varies very considerably, and in 3 of the specimens it is finer,
in others coarser. It is the same thing in these two specimens
of mine.

Wing d" no mm., 9 105 mm., tarsus 13 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark-brown.

Eirundo senegalensis senegalensis L. — Rchw. II. p. 415.

Nthungululu . . . ki-kamba.

2 (5(5 ad. 8. 5., 10. 5. Londiani, 8.500 ft. - 5 (5^ ad. 26. 5., 24. 7 ;

5 $Q ad. 16. 5., 24. 7. Mount Elgon 7.000 ft.

I met this race for the first time when we camped at an
altitude of 8.500 feet a few days' march north-west of Londiani
on the road to Eldoret. It was very abundant everywhere in the
upland regions and always appeared in flocks on the edges of
the forest or on the acacia-plains. In the evenings large flocks
could be seen perched on the dead branches in the tops of the
trees.

On one occasion I saw a bird coming out of a little hole
in a dead tree-trunk and perched on a branch near by. I shot
the bird and it then turned out to be a female of E. senegalensis.
Whether the bird had its nest in this hollow tree or not was impossible
for me to find out, as it was not possible to climb up the tree.

— 120 —

On the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon this was the com-
DQonest of the swallows.

In the series of 12 specimens brought home, all of which
are in full dress, there are no noteworthy diflferences in the co-
lour of the plumage. Two specimens exhibit a lighter tint in
the reddish-brown colour of the underparts, two lack the steel-
glossy tips to the tail-coverts, but in other respects they are
alike.

Wing, tarsus,

136—154 mm. 17—19 mm. c^a*.

140-150 mm. 17—18 mm. 99.

The respective figures for the cTcf are: One 136 mm, two
140 mm., one 146 mm., two 147 mm., one 154 mm., The average
is thus 143.4 mm. For the 99; one 140 mm., one 141 mm.,
one 144 mm., one 145 mm., one 150 mm., average 144 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark greyish-brown.

Eirundo emini Rchw. II. p. 420.
1 g ad. 10. 5. Eldoret, 7.000 ft.

Only a single specimen of this species was procured, which
was shot in the neighbourhood of Eldoret in the same kind of
locality as the preceding, with which it was in company.
Wing 125 mm., tarsus 15 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs black. The specimen is
in full dress.

Muscicapidae.

Bradornis murinus suahelicus v. Somer. — Bull. Brit. Oru.
Club, vol. XLI, 1921, p. 104.

4 (5(5 ad. 24. 7.-27. 7.; 3 QQ ad. 15. 5.-3. 6.; 2 (5(5 juv. 18. 5.-27. 7.
Mount EJgon, 7.000 ft.

This race is fairly common in the scrub and on the steppe
where it changes into forest, that is to say, in localities where
bushes and low trees grow. It conceals itself very well" in the
lowest branches and is a shy creature. Frequently I saw it
hopping about on the ground picking insects, probably termites
or ants,' for these were found abundantly wherever I saw the bird.
As Reichenow points out (Vog. Afr. II. p. 436) there
is anjastounding variation in the size of this race.

The measurements of 4 cTcT have the following appearance:
Wing, total length, tarsus,
102 mm. 165 mm. 21.5 mm.

90 mm. 160 mm. 20 mm.

96 mm. 165 mm. 22 mm.

99 mm. 165 mm. 22 mm.

- 121 —

of 3 99-

Wing, total length, tarsus,

95 mm. 160 mm. 20 mm.

98 mm. 168 mm, 21 mm.

93 mm. 160 mm. 20.5 mm.

All are in full dress and are shot in the same regions and
exhibit no differences in the colours of the plumage worth speak-
ing of. Yet the measurements of the length and breadth of
the culmen vary very much. The visible portion of the bill va-
ries between 12 and 13 mm., the breadth at the base between
6.8 mm and 8 mm.

Two young birds, one shot on the 18 th May, the other on
the 27th July, are, with respect to colour, as Reichenow has
described them (op. cit. p. 435). Both have a wing-measurement
of 98 mm., tarsus 21 mm.

In specimens from the upland regions the measurements
for the length of wing range from 90 to 102 mm in adults. In
those from the coastal districts the figure is considerably lower
and I therefore consider that I am fully justified in separating
them, all the more as there are also other differences present.

Bradornis pallidiis subalaris Sharpe. — Rchw. II. p. 436.
1 (5 ad. 29. 4.; 1 Q ad. 27. 4.; 1 S ad. 20. 9. Mombasa.

Individuals belonging to the tropical coastal regions are in
general considerably smaller than the preceding race and, in
addition, they have not the clearly marked grey colour on the
fore-neck and underparts, but have a pale brownish tint over the
more purely white ground. The white colour of the throat is
therefore not so pronounced as in the former but shades evenly
and almost imperceptibly into the colour of the fore-neck and
belly. Further, those from the coast are not dark-grey on the
back, but have a much lighter brownish grey upper surface.
The respective measurements are:
for 2 99
wing, total length, tarsus,
80 mm. 160 mm. 20 mm.

82 mm. 150 mm. 21 mm.

for 1 cf
85 mm. 155 mm. 21 mm.

Ogilvie Grant (Ibis, 1913, p. 637) gives the wiug-
lenght as 80—86 mm. .

I have compared my specimens with those in the Berlin
Museum and as none of the coastal specimens even attain the
minimum for those from the interior of the country I have come
to the conclusion that it would be more correct to separate them.

— 122 —

Rothschild (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXIII, 1913,
p. 55—66) has separated the larger Abessynian form under the
name of B. p. sharpei.

Dioptrornis fischeri Rchw. — Rchw. II, p. 440.

6 (5c5 ad. 17. 4., 18. 4. and 19. 9. Kiambu. - 2 ^^ ad. 20. 4., 23. 4. Lake
Naiwasha. — 1 (5 ad. 6. 5. Londiani. — 4 (5,5 ad. 18. 5., 24 7. Mount Elgon,
6.500-11.000 ft. - 2 (5(5 ad. 3. 6., 6. 7. Mount Elgon 7.000 ft. - 4 QQ ad.
10. 4., 11. 4. Ngong (Nairobi), 6.000 ft. - 2 QQ ad. 6. 6., 27. 6. Mount Elgon,
7.000 and 11.000 ft.

This Fly-catcher was one of the commonest of the small
birds met with in the localities through which our expedition passed.
The species was found in nearly all places where there are bushes
or trees and its vertical distribution on Elgon goes up to 11.000 ft.

This species exhibits no individual variations in the colours
of the plumage, and all the specimens procured (except one) are
exactly alike, both those from the vicinity of Nairobi and those
from the summits of Elgon. A young male — from 11.000 ft.,
Elgon — differs from all the others in having 4 of the tail-feathers
tipped with white, but this is probably only a reminiscence of
the juvenile feathering, for in young birds the rectrices, as well
as the secondaries and the greater wing-coverts, are tipped with
white (R e i c h e n 0 w op, cit. p. 440),

The lengthe of the wing and the tarsus vary very con-
siderably in individuals from the same localities.
Wing, tarsus,

cfcT 87—95 mm. 21—25 mm.

99 82-94 mm. 22—23 mm.

In old birds the iris is dark-brown; bill bluish-grey with a
dark tip; legs are dark lead-coloured. In juveniles the irides
are of the same colour, but the bill is a uniform lead-grey,
upper mandible horn-brown; legs lead-coloured.

Melaeornis luguhris vgandae v, Somer, — Bull. Brit. Orn.
Club, vol. XLI, 1921, p. 104.

1 (5 ad. 24. 7. Mount Elgon, 6,800 ft.

One specimen of this race was shot on the outskirts of the
forest.
Wing, 103 mm., tarsus, 25 mm., bill, 15 mm, tail, 102 mm.

Irides dark-brown, bill and legs black.

The Elgon specimen is — as appears from the above figures —
rather large but whether this size is constant or not I am not
in a position to decide, as I procured only one specimen from
these regions. [For further remarks see the addition at the and
of this paper].

— 123 —

Muscicapa striata striata (Pall.). — Rchw. II, p. 449.

Muscicapa grisola L. — Muscicapa ficedula (L.). — Muscicapa striata (Pall.)
1 (5 ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

I saw this race very often in the forests and almost every-
where in the environs of Nairobi. They were generally seen in
large or small flocks, which were probably on their return to
Europe.

Alseonax infulatus (Hartl.). — Rchw. II. p. 457.

Njanjoodhi . . . ki kavirondo. — Mutawe . . . ki-kamba.

2 c5c5 ad. 18. 8., 19. 8. Kismu. - 1 ^ ad. 21. 8. Kendu. - 1 ^ juv. 19. 6.

Mount Elgon, 6.500 ft.

This species was common in the thick bush and arboreal
vegetation round the Kavirondo Gulf, Victoria Nyanza. It was
found right down on the shores and appeared, as a rule, in
pairs.

All the specimens are in rather abraded plumage. The
young bird resembles very much the young of Bradornis palli-
dus murinus, but is considerably smaller. The wing -coverts,
however, are not so beautifully rust -coloured as the latter but
are paler, but in other respects they agree rather well with each
other.

wing, 64.5 — 67 mm. tarsus, 15 mm.

Irides dark-brown ; bill and legs black.

Alseonax minimus murinus Fschr. & Rchw. — Rchw. II. p. 458.

8 (5(5 ad. 18. 5., 4. 7.; 4 QQ ad. 18. 5, 26. 5.; Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft. -
1 Q ad. 8. 5. Londiani, 5.500 ft. — 1 Q juv. 26. 5. Mount Elgon.

On the eastern slopes of Elgon this little Fly-catcher was
one of the commonest birds. It usually frequented the depths
of the forests and was nearly always seen in the highest tops
of the trees, flying about with swift and lively movements.

Judging from the series of 14 birds which we brought
home from Elgon, it seems as if the females, as a rule, are
greyer on the breast and belly than the males, which are all
more brownish yellow. The young bird has a brownish black
head and all the feathers are tipped with yellowish white, the
back and wing -coverts are dark -brown with close brownish
white, spots, the individual feathers are grey with yellowish-brown
extremities and black -edges all round, the upper tail -coverts
dark rusty -brown with dark transverse bands, the lower parts
yellowish brown with dark longitudinal streaks.

The measurements are:

wing, tarsus,

cTcf 60—64 mm (one 60, one 61, one 62, three 63, two 64). 14 mm.

99 60—65 mm (one 60, one 62, one 63, two 65). 14 mm.

— 124 —

I found a little nest of this bird, built out on the ends of the
slender branches of a Fodocarpus. It was built of dry grass-
blades, fibres and the penicils of Composite' plants and con-
tained 2 eggs, almost incubated, which strongly called to mind
the eggs of Muscicapa striata striata.

Grote (Orn. Monatsber., 1920, p. 112 — 115) has dealt with
the various forms of Alseonax murinus in an excellent manner,
separating 12 different forms belonging to this species. He
emphasises here that every geographical zoi.'e, every mountain-
range has its own race, but that the different distinguishing
features which characterize the separate forms are at times dif-
ficult to render in words and it is only when having a large
supply of material for comparison that the differences can be
distinctly seen.

I have compared my specimens with those in the Berlin
Museum and cannot find any difference between mine and others
from Kilimandjaro, therefore for the present I have named them
minimus murinus. It is possible that further studies may estab-
lish a new Elgon form.

The whole group — previously named murinus — must now
according to Grote (Ornithol. Monatsber., 1920, p. 115) be
called minimus.

CryptolopJia machensiana Sharpe. — llchw. II, p. 463.

2 (5(5 ad. 27. 6. and 2. 7. Mount Elgon, lO-U.OOO ft. - 2 Q.Q ad. 27. G.
and 5. 7. Mount Elgon, 11.000 and 7.000 ft.

The first specimen of this rare bird was shot in the high-
est regions of the bamboo-forests on the slopes of Elgon, at an
altitude of about 11.000 feet. As it crept about in the fallen
and withered straw, which covered the ground almost everywhere,
it was indeed very difficult to discover. The coloration of the
plumage blends exceedingly well with the moss-covered, brown-
ish-yellow straw, and the bird has — like many other species
inhabiting this region — an exceedingly good „protective mi-
micry".

This race was among the few that followed the slopes of
the mountain right up to the highest summits, and I saw it
even among the old and withered trees of the Erica forest.
Only once did I observe the bird down at the foot of Elgon (this
bird was also shot) but otherwise it was found in the sub-alpine
regions.

Only one of the 4 specimens has the throat greyish white,
in the other 3 it is more yellowish - brown on a pale greyish
white ground.

Reichenow states (op. cit. p. 464) that the length of
the wing of this bird is 55 mm. In my specimens the wings
have a measurement of 59 and 64 mm for the cfd* and 55 and

-- 126 —

57 ram for the 99' It is therefore possible that the Elgon
bird represents a larger form, which should thus have a se-
parate name.

Irides dark-brown outermost, light brown innermost; upper
mandible dark- brown, lower mandible brownish yellow; legs
dark lead-coloured (Reich enow — dark horn brown).

Chloropefanatalensismassaica (Fschr. & Rchw.). — Rchw. II. p. 465.
4 (5(5 ad. 10., 13., 17 and 18. 4; 1 5 ad. 18. 9; Nairobi.

This small series of 5 skins lying before me were pro-
cured from one and the same spot in the neighbourhood of
Nairobi. They were all shot within a little area of about 20 to
25 metres in length, and yet they exhibit such great differences
that one might very well make at least 3 sub-species. Even
those shot in the month of April, with one or two days' interval,
are much unlike each other, but still greater will be the difference
if one compares them with the September specimen.

One of the April specimens is distinguished by having the
whole back a uniform rusty-brown, and the upper tail-coverts
of the same yellow colour as the under surface of the body.
Another has the back a dark olive-brown, the tail-coverts as in
the preceding. A third has the back dark olive-brown, the
tail-coverts yellow, but the wing-coverts dark cinnamon-brown,
in contradistinction to the other specimens which have the last-
mentioned feathers blackish brown with olive-yellow edges.

The September specimen has the whole of the sides of
the back dark olive-green (without any brown wash), and the
upper tail-coverts of the same colour as the back. This specimen
has, in fact, a much darker head than all the others (almost
black) and coincides most closely with Chloropeta natalensis
umbriniceps Neum. (Ornithol. Monatsber., 1902, p. 10). My
specimens all have the head brownish black (not sooty-black
as storeyi) therefore 1 consider them mostly as intermediates
between massaica and storeyi.

Bannerraau has pointed out (Ibis 1910, p. 700) that the
type-specimen of storeyi was procured on the Nairobi River,
that is, in the very district where mine and other specimens of
massaica were shot.

The specimens brought home by Lonnberg (Birds Coll.
Sw. Zool. Exp. B. E. Afr., 1911, p. 83), which are at the Royal
Museum, Stockholm, are as dark on the head as mine. Lonn-
berg (op. cit.) names them massaica. Grant's opinion (Bull.
Brit. Orn. Club, 1906, p. 32), which is also shared by Reich e-
n 0 w (Vogelf. d. Mittelafr. Seengeb. p. 302), that the latter form
is merely CM. massaica, seems to me therefore to be quite
correct. I have examined the type-specimen and found that

— 126 —

one of my specimens (a young bird) agrees with Neumann's
form with reference to the colour of the head.

I have come across this race only in a single locality, a
swampy, reed-covered bog, where the birds dew about in the
tall, powerful reeds. When I returned from Elgon to Nairobi
in September I went there again and then shot in the same spot
the last-mentioned individual.

Reichenow gives (Vog. Afr. II p. 464) as a diagnosis
of this family: "die mit anscheinend vollstandigem Schwanz haben
nur 8 Federn". This, however, is not correct, for in the three
where probably all the tail-feathers are left, there are 10. In 2,
where some tail-feathers are shot away, there are only 6 and 8.
Even Neumann's form has 10., and so has a specimen pro-
cured by Fromm from Iringa (1908).

Wing, tarsus,

cfcf 63, 63, 64, 65 mm. 22 mm.

9 63 mm. 22 mm.

Irides dark -brown; upper mandible dark -brown; lower
mandible, yellowish; legs dark-brown ~ dark-grey.

Chloropeta similis Richm. — Auk XIV, 1897, p. 163.
1 (5 ad. 27. 6., Mount Elgon, 11.000 ft.

This is one of the birds of the sub -alpine regions,
which is found at an altitude of 10000 — 11.000 feet. At this
elevation on the eastern slopes of Elgon lives a little negro-tribe,
who had burnt down the forests at certain places. In such places
only the charred and half-burnt trunks of trees remained and
here I met with this rare bird a few times. Two specimens
were shot, but one was so badly shattered, however, that only
one remains in the collection. At one occasion another specimen
was shot in the northernmost ouf])OSts of tlie bamboo-forest but
it was impossible to find it in the thicket and brushwood.

The head and upper -parts are of the sam'e olive-green
colour, the innermost upper tail coverts yellow. Tiie lower sur-
face yellow. This race has, remarkably enough, 12 tail-feathers
(the preceding 10) of about the same colour as the upper sur-
face of the body. They are yellow on the edges.

Irides dark brown; upper mandible dark -brown, lower
mandible yellow-grey; legs dark lead-coloured.

Wing 60 mm., tarsus 23 mm.

I have compared my specimen with a specimen from Meru,
shot by Sjostedt (Wissensch. Erg. Schw. Zool. Exp. Kili-
mandjaro-Meru 1905 — 1906, Stockholm 1910, p. 108), found at
the Royal Natural History Museum, Stockholm, but can find no
difference between them.

— 127 —

ISatis molitor puella Rchw. — Rchw. II. p. 483.

1 (5 ad. 25. 4. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft. — 1 Q ad. 17. 4. Neirobi. — 1 5 ad.
4. 5. Londiani. — 3 QQ ad. 21. 5., 26. 5., 23. 8. Mount Elgon.

This race is found on the slopes of Elgon both in the in-
terior and on the fringes of the forests.

All 5 9 specimens are exactly alike. It may be mentioned
that the extent of the white on the outer tail-feathers varies a
little. In the male specimen the breast-baud is about 16 mm. wide.
All the specimens are in full dress and feathers not abraded.
Wing, tarsus,

99 5G.5, 61, 61, 62, 62 ram. 17—18 mm.
cf ad. 62 mm. 18 mm.

Irides have innermost a narrow, yellow ring encircled by a
broader one of yellow (after a few hours the colour of the iris
becomes greenish yellow, sometimes citron-yellow); bill black;
legs black.

Balis minor nyansae Neum. — Jouru. f. Orn., 1907, p. 354.
1 (5 ad. 26. 6. Mount Elgon. — 1 Q ad. 14. 4. Soy.

The 9 specimen from Soy has a narrow (about 7—8 mm.
wide) dark-brown band on the fore-ueck. The throat pure white.
The outer feathers of the tail are tipped with white.
Wing, 60 mm., tarsus, 18 mm.
Irides citron-yellow; bill and legs black.
The male specimen has the black breast-band about 10 mm.
but in other respects is like the preceding form.
Wing, 60 mm., tarsus, 17 mm.

Elminia longicauda teresita Ant. — Rchw. 11. p. 496.
Elminia longicauda (Sw.).

2 ^(5 ad. 6. 6., 24. 7. Mount Elgon 6.500 ft.

In the acacia-country and bush below the slopes of Elgon
this race was found rather sparingly. Both specimens are in
full dress but have not yet acquired the beautiful blue feathering
which they have at pairing time. Individual feathers here and
there on the head and back are deep-blue and show off brightly
against the greyish blue surface.

Reichenow (op. cit.) makes Elminia teresita Ant. a sy-
nonym of Elminia longicauda (Sw.) and v. S o m e r e n (Ibis 1916,
p. 383) seems to do the same thing. Ogilvie-Grant (Bull.
Brit. Orn. Cb. 1913, p. 135) has shown that the former, ranging
from the north of Victoria-Nyanza and Albert Nyanza to Oama-
roon and Angola "is separable from E. longicauda (Sw.) which
is found from Nigeria to the Gold-Coast and Sierra Leone".
Sclater & Mackworth-Praed (Ibis 1918, p. 712) have,

— 128 —

on examining the material in the British Museum, separated 4 races
of E. longicauda, and established that the range of this race
also extends to Mount Elgon.

Wing, tarsus,

63—65 mm., 16—16.5 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

TrocJiocercus albonotatus alhonotatus Sharpe. — Rchw. 11. p. 499.

1 (5 ad. 17. 6. ; 1 e ad. 5. 7. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

Only twice did I see this bird on the eastern slopes of
Elgon and both times in small glades in the interior of the for-
ests. Although the two specimens brought home originate from
the "terra-typica", the original description does not agree with
them. For, according to that the lower breast, abdomen and
under tail-coverts are white.

In these two, it is true, the lower breast is whitish (but
strongly shot), but the abdomen and under tail-coverts are grey.
Some of the under tail-coverts are white at the tips.

In the female the chin is not black as in the male, but
dark-grey.

Wing, tarsus,

cf 67 mm, 17 mm.

9 65 mm. 17 mm.

According to Reichenow (op. cit.) the measurements
for the wing are 59 — 65 mm., for the tarsus 16 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black, the base, or the posterior
two-thirds of the lower mandible is yellowish ; legs black.

Terpsiphone perspicillata suahelica (Rchw.). — Rchw. II. p. 504.

Ndwa-misyi . . . ki-kamba.

3 (5(5 ad. 17. 4., 18. 4.; 3 QQ ad. 11. 4., 17. 4.; 1 Q ad 19. 9. Kiambu. -

1 Q ad. 24. 7. Mount Elgon.

I place all these 8 specimens under the a'bove race, in
spite of a few very small diti'erences, which might perhaps make
the designation somewhat doubtful. The majority of these spe-
cimens are from the Kiambu forests (in the vicinity of Nairobi)
and Lonnberg (Birds Coll. by the Swed. Zool. Exp. to B. E.
Afr. 1911, p. 85 — 87) has named specimens from these regions
T. viridis, which name v. Someren (Ibis, 1916, p. 384) has
also given Nairobi specimens.

Lonnberg (op. cit.) has described in a very thorough
manner the different variations in the plumage of the specimens
collected by him, and the birds I procured can be referred now
to one now to the other type described by him.

In all the cf specimens there can be discerned a pale blue steely
gloss on the upperpart of the breast. All the 9 specimens have

— 129 -. .

also (with the exception of the Elgon specimen) such a very
pale gloss on the fore-neck. Only one of the females from the
Nairobi regions has a narrow white edge on some of the wing-
coverts; in all the others these feathers are black with red edges.

The length of the wing and the tarsus of the different
specimens are:

Wing, tarsus,

d*cf 79, 84, 84 mm. 15—16 mm. Nairobi.

99 73, 74, 76, 79 ram. 16-16.5 mm. „

9 81 mm. 16 mm. Elgon.

Irides dark-brown; the blue rings around the eyes are
sometimes as much as 3 mm. wide (in most cases, however,
1.5 — 2 mm.); bill and legs dark lead-grey.

Terpsiphone perspicillaia plumheiceps (Rchw.). — Rchw. II. p. 509.

Tchitrea plumheiceps (Rchw.). Kothe: Mitt. Zool. Mas. Berlin, 1910—11,
p. 363. - Sclater: Ibis 1911, p. 426.

1 (5, 26. 4. Mombasa.

The male specimen of this race differs so greatly from the
preceding, that it cannot be placed under that race in spite of
the great individual differences existing between them. —
V. Someren (Journ. of the E. Afr. & Ug. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol.
6, 1918, p. 256) refers his Mombasa specimens to T. p. suahelica,
but as the distinctive features which characterise that race are
not found in my specimen I cannot refer it there. On comparing
my bird with the specimens in the Berlin Museum I came to
the conclusion that my specimen must be placed under plum-
heiceps, with which it agrees perfectly.

The gloss on the head is considerably paler than that of
the preceding race and is entirely lacking on the neck and breast.
The breast is dark-grey, the belly whitish (with a pale light-grey
wash along the flanks), under tail-coverts entirely white (without
any brown or brownish red wash whatever). Lower wing-coverts
white, some with brownish red tips. Under tail-coverts white.
All the wing-coverts are brownish red, and the bird has not the
slightest trace of white, either on the wings or tail. The central
elongated rectrices extend 115 ram. beyond the 90 mm. long tail.
Wing, 75 mm. tarsus, 15 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding. Ring round eye
3 mm wide.

It is rather noteworthy that a South- West African bird,
which is not hitherto known farther north than to Tanganjika
and the Niassa region, is found in Mombasa. There can hardly
in the present case be any question of a casual aberration.

— 130 -

Parisoma lugens jacksoni Sharpe. — Rchw. III. p. 522.

3 (5(5 ad. 20. 5., 26. 5., 2. 6. ; 1 Q ad. 2. 6. Mount Elgon.

Here and there on the eastern slopes of Elgon — up to
about 7.000 feet — this form occurred very commonly and was
frequently seen in the company of Farus albiventris.
Wing, tarsus,

60, 64, 65 ram. 20 mm. cfcT

63 mm. 20 mm. 9

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark lead-grey — greyish
brown. (According to Reich enow, the legs of F. I. lugens
are black.)

(Reichenow (op. cit. and "Vogelf. d. Mittelafr. Seengeb.",
1912, p. 355) considers that the genus Farisoma belongs to
Fnridae^ whereas 0 g. - G r a n t (Ibis 1913, p. 627) and S c 1 a t e r
& M. -Praed (Ibis, 1918, p. 705—706) place it among Musci-
capidae.

Campephagidae.

Coracina caesia pura (Sharpe). — Rchw. II. p. 515.

1 (5 ad. 17. 4. Kiambu. - 5 S6 ad. 21. 5., 31. 5., Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft. —

1 Q ad. 17. 4.; 1 S ad. 19. 9. Kiambu. - 5 QQ ad. 23. 5., 1. 7.; B Q juv.

31. 5., 15. 6. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

This race was very abundant in the forests on the eastern
slopes of Elgon. The bird keeps well concealed among the foli-
age high up in the trees, and having perched on any branch in
the shelter of the dense leaves, it remains there, motionless and
quiet for a long time. When it thinks it has been seen it moves
slowly along the branch, — only a few inches — or flies to
some other branch near by. It is a slow and poor flyer. The
bird is seldom met with in the depths of the forest, but gene-
rally on the outskirts or in the sunlit glades. Once I observed
a pair where the acacia-forest adjoins the steppe. '

The females are much ligther than the males. One cf spe-
cimen from Elgon has an almost entirely black chin. The young
birds — whose dress is similar to that of the females — are
distinguished by the lower tail-coverts, there being always black
transverse bands, about 3—4 mm. wide, on the tips, or just
above the tips of these feathers. When a little above the tips
of the feathers, these black transverse bands are bounded by
white bands on both sides, sometimes the tips of the feathers
are black and above this there is a white patch. Tn one specimen
a number of the feathers of the under surface have white,
narrow transverse bands; all the young birds have, in addition,
the edges of the primaries and of the secondaries white, and
the tips are, for the most part, white-edged as well.

— 131 -

Wing, tarsus,

d* ad. 113 mm. 22.5 mm. Kiarabu.

Cfcf ad. 118, 120, 122, 122, 123 mm. 20-23 mm. Elgon.

99 ad. 117, 120 mm. 22 mm. Kiambu.

99 ad. 115, 117, 118, 124 mm. 21-23 mm. Elgon.

99 juv. 118, 119, 120 mm. 21—22 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark lead-grey (almost black).

Campephaga nigra nigra Vieill. — Rehw. II, p. 518.
1 (5 juv. 12. 8. Lumbwa. — 1 Q ad. 19. 9. Kiambu.

In the interior of the dense forests in the regions of Nai-
robi this bird was quite common. The female's feathering agrees
perfectly with Reich enow's description (op. cit.), but that
of the male is different, inasmuch as the specimen is changing
to the adult dress. Thus, the upper surface is blackish with a
blue metallic gloss without any transverse bands, but on the
lower surface there are found here and there among the black
feathers, the whitish feathers, with black transverse bands, of the
juvenile dress.

The wing-coverts and secondaries are edged with yellow.
Wing, tarsus,

97 mm. 19.5 mm. cf

95 mm. 19 mm. 9

Irides dark-brown; bill in cf black, in 9 dark greyish brown
with yellow base; legs d* black, 9 dark greyish brown.

Campephaga quiscalina martini Jacks. —
Bull. Brit. Orn. Club. vol. XXXI, 1912, p. 18.

Campephaga martini Jacks. — Lonnberg: Arkiv f. Zool., Band 11, No. 5,
1917, p. 3.

2 (5(5 ad. 30. 5., 6. 6.; 1 Q ad. 30. 5. Mount Elgon.

This Cuckoo— Shrike was fairly common on the outskirts
of the forests on the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon. It always
appeared in pairs and usually frequented the branches of the
acacias.

The male specimens are very similar to quiscalina, although
they have not such a pronounced purple gloss as that race, but
the female differs from the female of that race in the characters
given by Jackson (op. cit.). — v. Someren (Ibis 1916,
p. 385 — 386) has given a splendid table of martini and closely
related forms and I agree entirely with him. Neumann's
careful analysis of the Campephaga family (Journ. f. Orn., 1916,
pp. 146—154), which was published a few months before v. S o -
m e r e n ' s . shows that both investigators have reached nearly
the same results as to the systematisation of martini, although
the latter writer also touches upon the plumage of the males.
In my specimen, however, the throat is not white, but grey.

— 132 —

Wing, tarsus,

95-100 mm. 19, 20 mm. gTcJ*

99 mm. 20 mm. 9

Irides brown; bill and legs black.

Reichenow (Orn. Mouatsber., 1915, p. 91) has described
a newform of quiscalina from Mahenge in German East-Africa,
which he styles munzneri^ the males of which are a darker and
duller, deep black-blue on the lower surface, having an oily-
green wash on the upper surface.

Laniidae.

Sigmodus ret^ii graculinus (Cab.). — Rchw. II. p. 536.
1 (5 ad. 18. 4.; 1 5 ad. 18. 4.; 1 9 juv. 18. 4.; Kiambu.

Common in the Nairobi districts. Wing cT 130 mm.,
9 ad. 129 mm., 9 Juv. 120 mm. The measurements agree with
those of Zediitz (J. f. 0., 1915, p. 52), 125-130 mm. and
also with those given by M a c k w o r t h-P r a e d (Ibis 1917,
p. 380); 124 and 130 mm, for 9 and 120 mm, for 9 Juv.

Irides reddish yellow; around the eye a ring of blood-red
verrucose formations, which attain their greatest length supraor-
bitally; legs coral-red,

TelephonKS ausiralis emini (Rchw.). — Rchw. II, p. 547.

Harpolestes Zediitz (J. f. 0. 1915, p. 54). — Telophonus^) Neumann (J. f. 0,
1907, p. 366), — Telephonus Zediitz (J. f. 0. 1910, p. 7961. _ Tschagra
V. Someren (Check. List, 1917, p. 38). — Tamnophilus Vieill.

2 (S'6 ad. 21. 5. and 3. 7.; 1 g ad. 3. 6,; 1 jp juv. 25. 5. Mount Elgon.

On the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon this race was met
with everywhere. I have come across it both in the scrub and
in the depths of the forests, where it always frequented the
undergrowth of brushwood and bushes.

The three adult specimens are exactly alike, Jbut the young
bird differs from them in having the underparts lighter and the
feathers of the sides garnished with pale, light transverse bands.

Wing, tarsus,

• cfcT ad. 78, 79 mm. 26 mm.

9 ad. 78 mm. 27 mm.

9 juv. 73 mm. 27 ram.

1) Hartert writes (VOg. pal. Fauna 1907, p. 452) "the name
Fomaiorhynchus" Boie 1826 has been adopted for this family, but
incorrectly. Boie — Isis 1826, p. 973 — quotes "Fomatorhynchus"
Horsfield, and owing to lack of knowledge about Levaillant's Tschagra,
he refers to this family belonging to the Timeliidae. Horsfield wrote
" Fomatorhinus" y a spelling that Boie improved to Fomaiorhynchus J'^
Telophomts was improved mostly to Telephonus.

— 133 -

As the young bird is on the whole similar to the adults,
one might possibly — owing to the length of wing — refer it
to F. a. minor (Rchw.) but as it was found in the same locality
as that in which F. a emini was shot, it is scarcely conceivable
that these two forms could be found in the same place.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; lead-grey.

Telephonus seneyalus orientalis (Cab.). — v. d. Decken's Reise III

p. 27 (1869).
1 (5 ad. 26. 4. Mombasa.

If we examine the literature on the forms belonging to
this group, we shall find that at least 14 are described (Com-
pare Z e d 1 i t z , J. f. 0. 1915, p. 54—54 and Neumann,
J. f. 0. 1907, pp. 366—379). But not more than one form is
given for East Africa, viz. the above-mentioned. Reich enow
(J. f. 0. 1915, p. 82) expresses the opinion that this form cannot
be considered as a good one, any more than P. s. armenus Oberh.
However, as the other 13 forms are North, West and South
African respectively, and as the East African specimen of this
group cannot possibly be referred to any of them, one should
be compelled — if R e i c h e n o w is right — to name at least
another new form. On comparing all the specimens belonging
to this race found in the Berlin Museum I have come to the
same opinion as Z e d 1 i t z (op. cit.), that F. s. orientalis must
constitute the name for the coastal form in British East Africa.

v. Someren (Journ. E. Afr. & Ug. N. H. S., 1918,
p. 256), however, styles the specimen he procured in Mombasa
(the "terra typica" for F. s. orientalis) F. senegalus. This is,
however, only known from N.W. Africa, Senegal, etc., and there-
fore his individual should in all probabilify be called F.s. orientalis.
Whether it is correct, as the same author does (Nov. Zool. XXV.,
1918, p. 276), to name the Elgon specimen F. s. orientalis, is
in my opinion, open to question. — Neumann (op. cit.) has
stated that the greater or lesser humidity of the locality seems
to play a certain part in the origin of different varieties or
forms of this family and in certain districts with about the
same natural conditions, temperature and moisture these varieties
have become sub-species.

Between the South and East African forms of F. senegalus
there is a very great variation, then it is out of the question
that the coastal form from Mombasa can be identical with the
true F. s. senegalus and that the Elgon form again should be
the same as the coasal form is not very probable.

I have myself one specimen from Mombasa and two from
Lumbwa near (Kisumu on Victoaia Nyanza), The former is
undoubtedly a good orientalis, but the latter, — which were
thus shot far in the interior of the country — differ so much

~ 134 —

from both the coastal form and the other forms, that it seems
to me that I am justified in giving them a new name. Hence,
we should in this way perhaps get two new forms to this group.

The specimen from Mombasa is in moult and is already
assuming the new dress, which agrees perfectly with Neu-
mann's description (op. cit. p. 377). Head, black.

Wing 81 mm,, tarsus 26 mm.

Telephonus senegalus erythropterus Shaw. —
1 (5 ad. 14. 8.; 1 $ 14. 8.; Lumbwa.

The two specimens of P. senegalus group, shot in Lumbwa,
also fall within the sub-division, the representatives of which
have the two central tail-feathers furnished with well-defined
transverse bands. They agree most closely with P. s. erythropterus
(Shaw), but the nape and upper part of the head are not entirely
black, but very nearly blackish brown, that is to say, some of
the feathers are only black on the tips, otherwise they are dark-
brown. This may, of course, be because both specimens are in
fresh new dresses, the feathers not yet being full-grown nor
having the definitive colours.

But these two specimens before me also puts one in mind i
of P. s. armenus (Oberh), and could be placed under that race. H
However, Reichenow (J. f. 0. 1918, p. 82), Neumann (op. \
cit.) and (Zedlitz J. f. 0. 1915, p. 55) consider that this sub- i
species is doubtful, and Neumann's objection to the genuine- ^
ness of the race is quite justified and makes me exclude this
form from the group. It would also be strange if P. s. orientalis, {
which in spite of everything must, however, be looked upon as
good, should inhabit the same regions as the one just men-
tioned, i

For the present I consider it hardly justifiable in increasing
the crowd of T. senegalus forms, but rather let the name ery-
thropterus stand for my specimens.

Wing cT 88 mm., 9 86 mm., tarsus cf9 29 mm.

Ogil vie- Grant writes (Ruw. Exp., Rep., 1910, p. 338): „The
birds procured by the Ruwenzori Expedition appear to be in-
distinguishable from specimens from the Transvaal etc. (T. s.
erythropterus apud Neumann) and from Cameron and Gabon
{T. s. earner unensis). Like them they have the posterior half of
the eyebrow-stripe rufous-buff, whereas in the true T. senegalus
it is white". Hence, he calls his Ruwezori specimens T. erythrop-
terus Shaw, which name even Bannerman (Ibis 1910, p. 688)
gives specimens from Takaungu (in the neighbourhood of Mom-
basa on the coast). The same author says that "the bird is
common all along the coast, but at Nairobi rare."

— 135 —

Chlorophoneus abboUi (Richm.). — Rchw. II. p. 560.

Maloconotus manningi Sh.

1 (5 ad. 5. 5. Londiani.

This rare Shrike, which was first brought home by Dr. W. L.

Abbott from Kilimandjaro, is not often found in British East

Africa and therefore ornithological literature has not much to say

of it. — V. S 0 m e r e n does not even include it in his "Prov.

-Check. List of the Birds of East Africa and Uganda".

This race occurred on the outskirts of the forests and
frequented the dense foliage of the higher branches, where, in
spite of its brilliant colours, it was nevertheless difficult to de-
tect. The bird's note is a skrill whistle, consisting of 4 — 5 conse-
cutive short tones.

The specimen agrees almost entirely with the description
given by Richmond (Auk. 1897, p. 161) except that the colour
of the underparts and of all the under tail-coverts is uniform
yellow.

Wing 68 mm., culmen 17 mm., tarsus 26 mm. (according
to Reichenow bill 15 mm., tarsus 25 mm.).

Irides red; bill black; legs lead-grey.

The beautiful series of this bird found in the Royal Natural
History Museum, Stockholm (collected by Sjostedt: Wissen-
schaft Erg. Schw. Zool. Exp. Kilimandjaro, Meru 1905—1906,
Stockholm 1910, p. 114) exhibits, as Sjostedt (op. cit.) has
pointed out, great variations. Even with reference to the more
or less slaty-grey colour of the upper surface there are con-
siderable differences, some being predominantly green, others grey.

Two specimen from Kilimandjaro in the Berlin Museum
(coll. by Sjostedt) have the under surface and flanks predo-
minantly green. Further, the back is green, only the shoulder
patch being slaty-grey. My specimen has nearly the whole of
the back grey, only the upper tail-coverts are green.

Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus suahelicus Neum. —

Journ. f. Ornithol. 1899, p. 305.

1 Q ad. 12. 8. Lumbwa.

This race is found in thick brushwood close to water (Neum.
J. f. 0. 1915, p 222). — I only came across it at Lumbwa.
Wing 90 mm., tarsus 24 mm.
Irides red; bill black; legs lead-grey.

Chlorophoneus dohertyi (W. Rothschild). — Rchw. II. p. 567.
1 (5 ad, 21. 5.; 1 2 ad. 21. 5.; Mount Elgon, 6.500 ft.

In the dense brushwood and thickets on the slopes of Elgon
this race occurred sparingly. Both specimen were shot together

— 136 —

by Mr. S. Lov^n, and I have carefully sexed them. The male
had swollen testes and the ovary of the female was well deve-
loped.

I cannot agree with Hartert's description of the differen-
ces between the male and the female. (Nov. Zool. vol. IX,
1902 pp. 623 — 624). The male specimen is in every respect
in conformity with Hartert's account, but the female differs
considerably.

The red patch on the forehead, counting from base of bill,"
is only 8 cm. long (in the male 11 cm.). The black patch on
the sides of the neck and breast, bounding the red of the chin
and neck, does not, as in the male, extend around the eye, but
only under the edge, so that the upper eye-border is here
olive-green, but black in the male. But the most important
difference in the sexes, however, is the different colours of
the tail.

The tail of the female is rather like that of the young
bird, the two central rectrices being dark olive-green, the others
dark-brown on the inner-web and on the whole of the outer-web
dark olive-green. When the tail is closed it therefore appears
to be dark olive green. In the male the tail is a uniform black.

It seems remarkable that of D o h e r t y ' s 19 specimens
not a single one should be a female. Yet it seems to be the
case, in spite of the reasons which H a r t e r t (op. cit. p. 624)
adduces for the probability of there being 9 specimens among
them. It is true that 99 ^^^ smaller than the males, but the
variations among the latter is also great.

It is not impossible — though very improbable — that the
female described by me is to be considered as an 'aberrant".
But one more female was shot, (so badly damaged, however, that
it could not be skinned) by Mr. Loven, and I have noted the
same differences for this specimen. And in this case the question
of "aberration", drops out, but one might then be inclined to
assume, (if Hartert's description is correct) that the Elgon
form is different from the Escarpm.eut form. This, however, is
less probable.

Wing, culmen, tarsus, tail,

84 mm., 19 mm., 30 mm., 80 mm., d* ad.

78 mm., 19 mm., 30 mm., 85 mm., 9 ^^'

Hartert has (Nov. Zool. vol. IX, 1902, p. 623) described
this race carefully but the figure of the cf ad. does not agree
entirely with the text, for the narrow black line around the eye,
which is rather well-defined in the bird, does not appear on
plate IX.

If there are really females among Doherty's specimens,
which are thus like the males, and the female of the Elgon
bird is unlike the male, then the Elgon bird must be considered

- 137 —

as a new one. We may possibly have here a similar case to
that which B o n h o t e (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club., vol. XL, 1920 p. 90)
mentions concerning the Mourning Chat. In that race the male
of the eastern (Egyptian) form — Oenanthe lugens — is like the
female, while in the western form — Oe. lugens halophila —
the sexes are very distinct. But Escarpment (from where
Hartert's birds were described) is not very far from Elgon
(about 150 miles) and if this sexual dimorphism is present be-
tween birds of the different localities, and if, like Bon bote,
we look upon this dimorphism as an essential character of birds
from different regions, which are nevertheless closely allied, we
might perhaps have a certain right in looking upon the Elgon
bird and the Escarpment bird as diflerent races, just as Bon-
h 0 t e considers the above-mentioned Oenanthe to be different
species and not subspecies.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs lead grey.

Laniarius aethiopicus amhiguus Madarasz. — Rchw. III. p. 834.

2 ^(5 ad. 14. and 18. 4. Kiambu. — 1 Q ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. — 2 QQ ad. 14.
and 18. 5. Kiambu. 1 Q ad. 11. 4. Ngong.

Opinions are very divided with reference to this race.
L on n berg (Birds coll. by Sw. Zool. Exp. B. E. A., 1911,
p. 91 and Arkiv. for Zool. Band 9, No 14, 1915) and Zedlitz
(J. f. 0. 1915, pp. 59—60) consider it only as a colour variety
of L. aeth. aethiopicus while Reichenow (op. cit.), S c 1 a t e r
and i\I ack w or t h-Prae d (Ibis 1918, p. 634) and others
look upon it as a good sub-species. According to the latter in-
vestigators L. ae. aethiopicus should he represented in Abyssinia,
north to Kassala jind f^ritrea, south to Shoa and Somaliland ;
Zedlitz (J. f. 0. 1916, p. 115), ou the other hand, fixes the
distribution to N. 0. and Brit. East Africa but that of L. ae.
amhiguus to East Africa between the coast-belt and the Rift-valley.
Here L. ae. major commences and is met with in the remainder
of East Africa, Uganda and West Africa south to Cameroon.

It seems to measifSclater& Mackworth-Praed
are right in their description of the distribution of the aethio-
picus forms. I also agree with them that L. ae. amhiguus is
smaller than L. ae. major. The wing-measurement, however,
"about 90 ram.", seems to me to be on the whole somewhat too
small, as also that of "about 100 mm." for L. ae. major. The
authors do not give any measurements for L. ae. aethiopicus.

It is possible — and perhaps probable — that amhiguus
is only a colour variety oi aethiopicus and in that case Zedlitz's
and Lonnberg's opinion of the distribution of this race will
be the correct one. Mackworth-Praed (Ibis, 1917, p. 378)
names the bird procured at Thika, L. aethiopicus, thus accepting

— 138 —

Zedlitz's point of view that year, but later on he gives up
this opinion.

Ail the 6 individuals shot in the neighbourhood of Nairobi
are however typical amhiguus, inasmuch as all of them have the
white spot on the wing confined to the primary coverts, and not
extending to the outer-web of the greater coverts.
Wing, tarsus,

99 93, 94, 95, 96 mm. 30-34 mm.
cfcf 92, 05 mm. 34 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs greyish green (leadgrey).

Laniarius aethiopicus major (Hartl). — Rchw. II. p. 580.

2 (5(5 ad. 22. 4., Lake Naiwasha. — 1 (5 ad. 4. 5., Londiani.

The three specimens of this race cannot be placed under
the i)reccdiug or to L. ae. aethiopicus (or if these two are syno-
nyms to this form), inasmuch as they have two of the inner se-
condaries with white ed^es to the outer-web. The pale salmon-
coloured wash on the under surface — as Reich enow points
out — is as a rule more pronounced in this form than in the
preceding.

Wing, tarsus,

102, 104, 104 mm. 33-33.5 mm.

Laniarius luhderi (Rchw.). — Rchw. II. p. 584.
1 (5 ad. 20. 7., Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

V. Someren (Nov. Zool. 1918, p. 277) calls this race
common on Elgon. In the regions through which our expedition
passed on the eastern slopes I only saw it once. It was found
in the brushwood along a small mountain stream.

It agrees entirely with Reichenow's description, but it
should be added that the feathers of the tibia are not white —
like those of the underparts and lower tail-coverts — but are
pale yellowish-brown. Perhaps v. Someren (op. "cit ) is correct
in saying that the Elgon form is different from the Cameroon,
but I have compared this specimen with some 20 birds in the
Berlin .Museum (from Cameroon, Tanganjika, Kiwu) but cannot
find any difference between West Africans and East Africans.
Wing, 88 mm. tarsus, 30 mm.

Irides dark reddish-brown; bill black; legs lead-grey.

Laniarius erythrogaster eryihrogaster Cretzschm. — Rchw. II. p, 586.

1 (5 ad. 25. 8.; 1 e ad. 18. 8. Kisumu.

This bird lives its secluded life in the exceedingly dense
brushwood along the shores of Victoria Nyanza. Z e d 1 i t z has
given an exhaustive account thereof in J. f. 0. 1910, p. .799.

— 139 —

Wing, d* 98, 9 101 mm. tarsus, d*9 32 mm.
Irides yellowish white; bill black; legs dark-grey.

Bryoscopus af finis (G. R. Gray). — Rchw. II. p. 590.
1 (5 ad. 29. 4.; 2 QQ ad. 27. and 29. 4.; Mombasa.

This race was abundant in the woods in the Mombasa
districts. Two specimens (cT and 9) are in the moulting stage.
The third (9) has already assumed its new dress. At the time
for change of dress the feathers of the back are not white as in
the fresh full plumage, but grey, and the flanks are also faintly
shot with grey. (The variety oi D. senegalensis '^\\\q\\ Reiche-
n 0 w "unter Vorbehalt" has described as camerunensis is there-
fore nothing but a transitional form, which the author also con-
siders possible.)

Wing, tarsus,

Cf 81, 99 75, 81 mm. cf 9 23 mm.

Irides yellowish red-coral red; bill black; legs lead-grey-
greyish green not black as Neumann (J. f. 0. 1900, p. 271)
states.

Ogilvie-Grant (Zool. Ruw. Exp. 1910, p. 343) gives
this race from Upper Congo and considers it doubtful whether
D. senegalensis (Hartl.) is "really distinct from D. affinis (Gray)".

Bryoscopus cuhla hamatus Hartl. — Rchw. II. p. 594.

D. c. suahelicus Neum.

1 (5 ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

Common in the Nairobi regions (vide Lonnberg 1911,
p. 91). — V. Someren has (Ibis, 1916, p. 394) given an inter-
esting and valuable account of this bird's nest, eggs etc.
Wing, tarsus, culmen,

. , 81 mm. 23 mm. 18 mm.

Bryoscopus gamhensis nyanzae Neum. — Rchw. II. p. 596.

Bryoscopus malzacii nyansae Neum. — Journ. f. Orn., 1899, p. 412. —
V. Someren - Journ. E. Afr. & Ug. N. H. Soc, 1921, No. 16, p. 21.

1 (5 ad. 14. 5, Soy 8.000 ft. - 2 (3(3 ad. 15. and 21. 5.; 2 QQ ad. 21. 5.
and 5. 7. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

Occurs on the eastern slopes of Elgon up to 7.000 ft. and
mostly frequents the outskirts of the forests bordering on the
accacia-country. Does not belong to the more common races.

Like other Bryoscopus species it has a very varying and
melodious song. At times this puts one in mind of the song of
the Hacklenecked Caucal (Centropus superciliosus) , at other times
it consists of only one loud and one low note. It will continue

— 140 —

warbling for at least 5 minutes without ceasing, then it takes
a little pause, only to begin again. When it sings ~ if one
may call it so — it generally sits well concealed in the top of
some low troe or deep in the gloom of the thick branches.
Wing, tarsus, culmen,

cfcT ad. 92, 95, 96 mm. 24 — 25 mm. 21—22 mm.

99 ad. 90—92 mm. 23 5—24 mm. 21—21 mm.

Iridps red-reddish-yellow; bill in cf black, in 9 ^^^ upper
mandible is dark-grey, the lower mandible greyish blue (some-
times with light tip); legs greyish green.

Lanius collaris humeralis Stanl. — Rchw. II. p. 609.

Odiero . . . ki-kavirondo. — Kidu . . . ki-kamba. — Goma-komi . . . ki-kamba.

1 <5 ad. 13. 4. Nairobi. — 2 <5(5 ad. 5. a. 8. 5. Londiani. — 4 ^^ ad.
2.-23. 6. Mount Elgon. — 1 (5 ad. 21. 8. Kendu (Victoria Nyanza). —
3 QQ ad. 10.— 18. 4. Nairobi. — 1 Q ad. 7. 5. Londiani. — 2 QQ ad.
26. 5. Mount Elgon. — 1 (5 juv. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 1 (5 juv. 9. 5.
Londiani. — 2 ^^ juv. 26. 5., 12. 8.; 2 QQ juv. 6. 7. a. 24. 7. Mount Elgon.

In the vicinity of Nairobi this race was not only the com-
monest Laniid but also one of the most abundant small birds.
One saw it, in short, everywhere: on the telephone wires along
the roads, in the open fields where a few solitary, small bushes
grew, in gardens and parks, on the outskirts of the forests, etc.
etc. It is not at all shy and one can approach within a few
yards of it before it takes fli^ht.

At Lake Naivasha, on the 22 nd of April, I found a nest
of this bird in a bush near the shore, about 2 metres above the
ground, v. Erlanger (J. f. 0. 1905, p. 700) describes the
nest as "thick-walled and massive and consisting of all sorts of
things", and about the same description is given by v. Someren
(Ibis 1916, p. 395). In that case the nest I found cannot be a
typical one, for it consisted only of a rather small cup about
11 cm in diameter made of root-fibres and twigs and the walls
and bottom were so thin that the three eggs could be seen
through them. The eggs were of the same size, colour and
markings as those of Lanius senator (v, Erlanger).

Reichenow (Vog. Afr. Ill p. 834) has separated the
eastern race, which he calls L. humeralis uropygialis, from the
north-east African L. collaris humeralis. The former is said to
have the upper tail-coverts pure white, by means of which a
white transverse band is formed. The latter have the upper
tail coverts a brighter grey.

In the series of 14 adult individuals, which were brought
home, this character varies in birds from the same locality.
Some have grey, others almost entirely white, while others again
have a distinct white transverse band. I do not therefore find
any reason to maintain uropygialis as a good subspecies, in

— 141 —

spite ot the fact that Lonnberg (Birds Coll. by the Swed. Exp.
in B. E. A., 1911, p. 92) and M a c k w o r t h -P r a e d (Ibis, 1917
p. 380) name their Nairobi specimens L. h. uropygialis lichw..
but in conformity with v, Someren (Ibis, 1916, p. 394 and
Nov. Zool., 1918, p. 278), Sharpe (Ibis, 1891, p. 597) I call
them all by the name given above.

The young birds (7 specimens in the collection) have not,
as Reichenow (op. cit. p. 608) writes, black tail-feathers and
wing -feathers but in the individuals before me (in various
phases of feathering) these feathers are dark-brown (cp. Schiebel,
J. f. 0. 1906, plate G); in that plate, however, the brown edges
to the wings and wing-coverts and the brownish red on the back
are too light. Further, the white patches on the shoulder of
some of the specimens are not so prominent as in the plate.

The blood-reddish brown spot, shown on the edge of the
wing of a 9 ^cl. of this race in PI. H, fig. 3 cannot be found in
a single specimen.

Wing, tarsus,

d'd ad. 89, 90, 92, 93, 93, 94, 95, 99 mm. 24—25 mm.

99 ad. 89, 91, 92, 92, 92, 96 mm. 24—25 mm.

d^cT 99 juv. 87, 89, 90, 92, 92, 92, 94 mm. 23 — 25 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs black.

Lanius collurio collurio L. — Rchw. II. p. 622.

Enneocotonus collurio (L.). — Sclater & M. Praed: Ibis 1918, p. G30.
1 (5 ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

On the last day of April a cf and 9 of this race were shot in
Mombasa. In the middle of April this race was abundiint every-
where in the Nairobi districts, several birds being frequently
seen together.

The specimen is in full summer plumage. Wing 96 mm.,
tarsus 23.5 ram.

Corvinella corvina affinis Heugl. — Rchw. II. p. 630.

Ikelekele . . . ki-kamba.

7 (5(5 ad. 18. 5. - 26. 7. ; 5 QQ ad. 10. 5. - 24. 7. ; 2 ^(5 juv. 16. 5. and

22. 6. ; 1 e juv. 17. 5. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

Two days' march from Elgon we found this race in flocks
of 10 — 15 in number in the scrub. Old and young birds flew
about among the low and scattered trees and bushes catching
iusects. Below the eastern slopes of Elgon it was common, occurring
in the acacia-country. Occasionally I saw solitary individuals on
the outskirts of the forests up to an altitude of 7 000 feet.

Male and female are rather similar to each other. Yet it
seems to me that the males are, as a rule, somewhat darker

~ U2 —

than the females, and have closer longitudinal streaks on the
underparts.

Heuglin (Orn. Nordostafr. I. p. 489) cites, with reference
to the colour of the lower tail-coverts, "subcaudalibus albidis"
and Reichenow (op. cit.) also says that they are white, and
the same writer, in fact. (Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin 1910 — 11,
p. 223) considers that affinis cannot be separated from the
western corvina. However, in these specimens the colour varies
from pure white or greyish to brownish white, i. e. the same
colour as the breast.

Wing, tarsus,

118, 120, 121, 122, 124, 125 mm. 30—32 mm. d^cT ad.

122, 122, 123, 124, 124, 125 mm. 30—32 mm. 99 ad.

cfcT 97, 115, 9 107 mm. 30—31 mm. juv.

Irides greyish brown; bill yellowish; legs greyish green-dark
lead grey.

Corvidae.

Corvus albus P. L. S. Muller. — Rchw. II. p. 634.

Corvus scapulatus Chubb: Ibis 1909, p. 172.

5 (5(5 ad. 18. and 25. 8.; 2 QQ ad. 18. and 25. 8. Kisumu.

Very common around Kisumu, where at that time of the
year it appeared in flocks, sometimes amounting to 20 birds and
upwards. I often saw it in the company of Neophron monachus
and sometimes they sat in fraternal harmony in the tree-tops.
I saw this specieo several times running about on the shores of
Victoria Nyanza, where it fed on the dead fish thrown up by
the waves.

Both 9 specimens are moulting and 2 of the males as well.
The former have a wing-measurement of

350, 355 mm. and tarsus 58 mm.

These two are young birds which have almost completely
assumed the plumage of the adult. Here and there on the neck
and head the first brownish feathers are seen among the blue-
glossy, new feathers.

The two males in moult have a wing measurement of
340, 357 mm, and tarsus 60, 64 mm.

The three remaining males measure in the wing 368, 385,
385 mm., tarsus 62, 63, 63 mm.

These figures are considerably higher than, for instance,
Reichenow's (op. cit.) 310—370 mm., Zedlitz's (J. f. 0.
1911, p. 2) 322, 342, 355,352,365,380 mm., K lei nsc hmi dt's
(J. f. 0. 1906, p. 91) 315-377 mm.

Even the length of the tarsus in the present case is greater.
(Reichenow gives the tarsus to 55 — 60 mm.).

Irides dark-brown ; bill and legs black.

— 143 —

Corvus capensis kordofanensis Laubm. — V. 0. G. B. XIV,
1919, p. 103.

2 5(5 ad. 2. 5.; 1 Q ad. 2. 5. Kapitiplains. - 1 g ad. 10. 7. Mount
Elgon, 7.000 ft.

As a rule this bird is named Heferocorax c. minor (vide v.
Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 397) Sclater & Mack worth -
Praed (Ibis 1918, p. 424) and others).

When the train, on the journey from Mombasa to Nairobi,
stopped at Kapitiplains Station a flock of these birds was obser-
ved out on the steppe. Three individuals were shot. Another
specimen was also shot later on at Elgon.

On examining these lour specimens closely I made the
same observation as Neumann (J. f. 0. 1905, p. 230—231),
K 1 e i n s c h m i d t (J. f. 0. 1906, p. 78-82), Z e d I i t z (J. f. 0.
1911, p. 4) viz, that minor is by no means the smaller bird
within this group.

Sclater & Mackworth-Praed (Ibis 1918, p. 424—
425) however, seem to have entirely overlooked the researches
of these three investigators, as they do not mention a word about
them but "include all birds from south of the Zambesi with a
wing-measurement of less than 330 mm. under the name H. c.
capensis. Birds from the north of the Zambesi to the Nile
valley (except those from Abyssinia) must be called E. c. minor,
with a wiug-measuiemeut of less than 330 mm. The Abyssinian
bird will probably require a new name."

In general, however, specimens from East Africa have a
greater wing -measurement than 330 mm. and since the above-
mentioned writers have put this figure as the limit for C. c.
minor then — if this were correct — the great majority of them
should belong to another form. Probably some mis -print has
occurred, for the three German ornithologists, cited above, have
shown that the East African form usually has a longer wing
than capensis.

My four specimens have the following measurements:

wing.

tarsus,

culmen,

325 mm.

67 mm.

56 ram.

9 Elgon.

340 ram.

66 mm.

59 mm.

cf Kapitiplain.

335 mm.

66 mm.

57 mm.

cf

322 mm.

65 ram.

54 mm.

9

My observations thus comfirm those of the above-named
German investigators. Besides, all my specimens are in the
moulting stage, hence it is not impossible that in individuals
with a full-grown dress the measurements are still greater.

Two of the specimens have the fore -neck and head blue-
glossy. The back and wings also have a beautiful blue gloss.

This race may best be distinguished from C. c. capensis
by the size of the bill, it being, as a rule, smaller in the former

— 144 —

than in the latter (Compare my measurements). Gurney (Ibis
1909, p. 486) calls his specimens from Naiwasha, Heterocorax
capensis, but in all probability that is also a case of minor.

Corvultur alhicoUis (Lath.). — Rchw. II. p. 640.

1 (5 ad. 15. 5. Soy. - ^ 66 ad. 28. 5., 17. 6., 3. 7.; 4 QQ ad. 26. 5.-8. 7.;
Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

This Species was for the first time observed at Soy and on
the eastern slopes of Elgon it was not rare. Only once did I see
it at a higher altitude than 7.000 feet. When I visited the high-
est summits of Elgon, over 14.000 ft., I saw two of them, on
the steep ledges of the mountain, but as soon as they caught
sight of our little troop they flew anxiously — croaking now and
then — high over our heads. Whether they were nesting up
there or not I was not in a position to find out.

Down at our main camp they were almost daily visitors
and always kept company with the vultures. They were not
timid, but sometimes perched on trees only 5 — 10 yards from
my tent. Gurney (Ibis, 1909. p. 486) also mentions the same
thing. On one occasion, when I shot one out of a pair, the sur-
viving bird flew round the tree where the body of the dead raven
remained hanging, and although I fired many shots at other
birds it did not seem to mind it but returned again and again.

All the specimens are in moult and exhibit no great
diiTerences in the colours of the dress, the white band on the
breast only being more or less pronounced.

Wing,

tarsus,

culmen,

height of the bill

d*

435 mm.

80 mm.

65 mm.

35 mm.

cT

440 mm.

79 mm.

69 mm.

36 mm.

cT

460 mm.

77 mm.

66 mm.

35 mm.

cT

430 mm.

78 mm.

66 mm.

34 mm.

9

405 mm.

75 mm.

62 mm.

33 mm.

9

414 mm.

72 mm.

61 mm.

32 mm.

9

428 mm.

74 mm.

64 mm.

. 33 mm.

9

423 mm.

74 mm.

66 mm.

32 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black with white tip; legs black.

Dicruridae.

Dicrurus adsimilis subsp,

Ochool . , . ki-kavirondo. — Kindali . . , ki-kamba.

1 6 ad, 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 3 (5<5 ad. 26. 4.; 1 <5 ad. 20. 9. Mombasa. —

1 6 Juv. 23. 8. Kendu. - 3 Q? ad. 26. 4. ; 1 Q ad. 20. 9. Mombasa.

The Drongo is very common everywhere in the Mombasa
country and was found in the groves, gardens and parks. At
Lake Naiwasha it is also rather common, likewise on the shores

— 145 -

of Victoria Nyanza. The specimen from Lake Naiwasha is in
fresh plumage with a pale blue gloss both on the upper and
lower -parts. On the other hand all those from Mombasa, shot
4 days later, are in moult and have very worn and faded dresses
with a very faint or no gloss.

The two specimens from Mombasa (September) are in full
dress with a beautiful blue gloss. Bannerman (Ibis 1920,
p. 443) mentions, as a character for the race, that "the upper
parts are glossed with blue", and Reichenow (Vog. Afr. II.
p. 647) also says that the "lower parts are duller with less
gloss". But both the individuals before me have as a beautiful
gloss on the lower parts as on the upper.

The young bird has pale brown or brownish white edgings
to the feathers (Reichenow op. cit.), (v. S o m e r e n , Ibis
1916, p. 398). The feathers of the head, back, under surface
and wing coverts are white- ed^ed, Further, the wing-feathers
are considerably lighter than in the adults, and the inner -web
is greyish white.

[For further remarks on the "Additions".]
Wing, tarsus,

116, 122, 122, 122, 123 mm. 19—20 mm. cfd* ad.

115, 117, 118, 119 mm. 19—20 mm. 99 ad.

122 mm. 20 mm. juv.

Irides red-reddish brown; bill and legs black.

Oriolidae.

Oriolus auratus Vieill. — Rchw. II. p. 655.
1 (5 ad. 29. 4.; 1 Q ad. 27. 4. Mombasa.

Of this Oriole I have two specimens from Mombasa. They
were shot in a clump of trees in the neighbourhood of the town.

I must place these specimens under the above-mentioned
inasmuch as the outer tail-feathers have an entirely black
outer-web. Reichenow (op. cit.) states as the main character
of 0. auratus, that the outer tail-feathers are black at the
base, but Neumann (J. f. 0. 1905, p. 232) says of a cf speci-
men from Omo, that it had only a trace of black on the inner-
web of the outer tail-feathers and could just as well be an 0.
notatus Ptrs. In that case the character of 0. auratus is
slightly minimised. The former should, as a rule, have pure
yellow outer tail-feathers, and according to Neumann every
specimen not having this character might just as well be either
the one or the other.

10

— 146 —

Reichenow himself seems to be in doubt in establishing
these two Orioles, for in "Vogelf. d. Mittelafr. Seengeb." p, 316 he
says, of a specimen from Tanganjika, exactly the same as N e u -
m a n n , but adds, that on account of the locality it is placed
under auratus.

The distribution of 0. auratus stretches from Senegarabia
to Niger and North-east Africa, and Ogilvie-Grant (Ibis
1905, p. 201 and 203) mentions it from Melma and Burumba
in Southern Uganda. Butler (Ibis 1909, p. 79) has met it in
Soudan, at Raffile and Kojali.

Supposing that the two species under consideration are
good ones, my specimens, at any rate, are not typical 0. notatus,
in spite of the fact that the habitat makes it seem likely.
Should, on the other hand, notatus and auratus vary in the
colour of the outer tail-feathers, as other Oriolus from other
territories vary in the colour of the central tail-feathers — it
is superfluous to separate them. It is of course not impossible
that these individuals are only variations of 0. notatus (a male
of which was shot in the same spot). Should this be the case
it proves that the character on which this species is based is
not good.

The cf specimen in question is in the moulting stage and
the tail-feathers, except the extreme and central ones, are black
for Vs of their length. The measurements are as follows:
Wing, tarsus, tail,

133 mm. 22 mm. 75 mm.

The female specimen also has the web of the outer rec-
trices (except at the tips) black and in the middle the black
colour passes onto the inner-web. The other tail-feathers, except
the central ones, are not only yellow at the tips of the inner-
web but have the whole tip of the feather yellow. This yellow
patch is rather wide on the outer tail-feathers, but becomes
narrower on the inner ones.

Wing, tarsus, tarsus,

131 mm. 22 mm. 80 mm.

Irides blood-red; bill brownish-red; legs blueish grey.

Oriolus notatus Ptrs. — Rchw. II. p. 656.
1 (5 ad. 29. 4. Mombasa.

Reichenow gives the distribution of this bird to East
Africa from Wita to the Zambezi country and South-west Africa.
Neave (Ibis 1910, p. 259) says that the race is "not common"
at Kaluli (Lualaba, Congo), Grote (J. f. 0. 1913, p. 131) men-
tions it from Rovuma (German East Africa) and M o u r i t z

- 147 —

(Ibis 1915, p. 547) considers it to be a "rare bird" at Matopo
(southern Rhodesia).

It is not rare in the environs of Mombasa, and at Kilindini
I observed it in the jungle and even in the cocoa plantations.
The specimen is moulting, like the preceding birds, and
has the two outer rectrices entirely yellow.

Wing, tarsus, culmen, tail,

131 mm. 22 mm. 29 mm. 80 mm.
Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Oriolus larvatus rolleti Salvad. — Rchw. II. p. 659.

1 (5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. — S6 ad. 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 1 Q ad. 16. 5.
environs of Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft. — 1 § juv. 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

Reich enow (op. cit.) gives the distribution of this race
to East and South-west Africa and that of 0. e. larvatus to
South-east Africa. — Neumann (J. f. 0. 1905, p. 235) on the
other hand, considers that the former occurs from South Africa,
through Mozambique and Nyas?a-land, in the interior of German
East Africa to Victoria Nyanza, but Z e d 1 i t z (J. f. 0. 1906, p. 3)
comes to the conclusion that the range of the race is South
Africa to the Niassa districts.

The same author also gives the range of 0. I. rolleti from
the White Nile to the south Shoan Lake district. This race,
according to Z e d 1 i t z ' s investigations, should have a wing-
measurement of 125—129 mm., but the former 135 — 145 (maxi-
mum 140 — 145 mm.).

Z e d 1 i t z begins his analysis of the Oriolus family by
saying that the systematisation of the Oriolus races is rich in
difficult problems, the solution of which is by no means made
easier by the hybridising which appears to characterise these
birds. And no doubt he is right. But I cannot acknowledge
him to be correct in what he writes about 0. I. rolleti. For
L 0 n n b e r g in his excellent analysis of rolleti and percivali has
already established (Birds coll. by Swed. Zool. Exp. B. E. A. 1911,
p. 95) that the former is found in the Nairobi districts. Later
V. Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 399) also found it here, whence its
southern boundary must be moved further southwards.

Reichenow has later on (Vogelf. d. Mittelafr. Seengeb.
1912, p. 317) come to the conclusion that an established area of
distribution for 0. I. larvatus and 0. I. rolleti cannot be given,
but he considers that rolleti seems to occur in the central Afri-
can lake districts north and west of Victoria Nyanza.

Jackson (Ibis 1910, p. 678) mentions the bird from
Takaungu (north of Mombasa) and Mackworth-Praed
(Ibis 1917, p. 366) has met it at the Tsavo River (near Kilima

10*

Wing,

tarsus,

135 mm.

23 mm.

142 mm.

22 mm.

136 mm.

23 mm.

132 mm.

21 mm.

132 mm.

22 mm.

— 148 —

Ndjaro) and in the Ithanga Hills (south of Nairobi). The lattet
writer mentions that he shot two, perched on the same bush, in
a locality where Oriolus was not common, and it then turned
out that the cT was 0, I. rolleti but the 9 ^ ^- la^vatus. He
therefore considers it best not to separate them at present but
calls them — in conformity with Shelley — 0. larvatus
simply.

Perhaps Mackworth-Praed gets nearest the truth,
for Reichenow (op. cit.) has shown that there is no precise
difference in size (length of wing) between the South-African
and Central African specimens, and were I to judge my speci-
mens by Zedlitz's measurements, the full-grown specimens
should undoubtedly be placed under Oriolus I. larvatus (see
above).

culmen,

26 5 mm. cf ad. Kiambu.

24.5 mm. d' ad. Lake Naiwasha.

22 mm. cf ad. Elgon.
25 mm. cf juv. Lake Naiwasha.

23 mm. cT ad. „ „
With reference to the length of bill in both races Rei-
chenow states (Vog. Afr. 11. p. 658—659) that 0. I. larvatus
has a 26—29 mm. long bill, but 0. I. rolleti 23—26 mm. In
that case it seems to agree with my specimens.

Lonnberg writes (op. cit. p. 95) that of his specimens
the one with the longest bill (25 mm.) was without a doubt the
oldest. Of my series the bird with the longest bill but one —
25 mm. — is a joung bird, as is clearly shown by the plumage
and the colour of the bill. This individual thus proves that
Lonnberg's opinion, that the size of the bill varies, is correct.

In all the individuals lying before me the central tail-fea-
thers are olive-green, while a feather on both sides is somewhat
darker olive-green that the central ones and has a black band
about 10 cm. in width above the yellow tip. The other tail-
feathers have a black basal patch and yellow tips (the yellow
patch larger towards the outer tail-feathers).

Lonnberg mentions (op. cit.) that he shot both 0. I. rolleti
and 0. I. percivali on the same spot in the Nairobi country.
And in the vicinity of Elgon (below the eastern slopes) where
I shot four specimens of the latter, I also shot a specimen of
the former. I have also from Elgon an individual, which to all
appearances is an intermediate form between these two, whose
tail-feathers have the same colour as the one reproduced in
Lonnberg's work (PI. 3, 3b).

If both these two forms, rolleti and percivali, are good
ones (and the latter thus not a higher developed phase of the
former — vide Lonnberg — ) and as they occur together it

— 149 —

appears to me as if Z e d 1 i t z ' s opinion (J. f. 0. 1916, p. 2)
that percivali is not a form of larvatus should be correct. In
any case I agree with him in this, that as long as it cannot be
proved that along with the "form-circle" of monachus and lar-
vatus there is yet a third, it is wisest to name percivali a binary.

Oriolus percivali Grant. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, XIV,
1903, p. 18.

1 (5 ad. 5. 5. Londiani. - S <S6 ad. 21., 31. 5. and 23. 7. ; 3 <S6 juv. 22. 5.
Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

This species occurred rather abundantly in the depths of
the dense forests on the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon up to
7.000 ft. — I have made the same observation as Lonnberg,
that the bird always replies if one repeats its simple song. This
usually consists of only a few notes (2 or 3), commencing with
one or two short notes and then followed by a long one, the
latter a few tones higher. If one varies the bird's song to ^ — ^
or anything else, it will reply by repeating this strain. Some-
times I heard the bird far away in the forest, but as soon as I
began to imitate its cry it came nearer, and if I kept on for a
little while I would suddenly hear its cry high above me in the
dense foliage. Now, whether it is from curiosity or from the
desire to take up the fight with a competitor, at close quarters
I am unable to say, but the specimens I shot were always lured
to me in this way.

Judging from my specimens it seems to me as if percivali
has the yellow underparts of the body mingled with a pale ad-
mixture of green. In any case it appears as if the yellow was
darker than in rolleti. The colour of the upper tail -coverts
varies from olive-green to yellowish green. A male, shot on the
31st May, had swollen testes.

The measurments for the 4 ad. cfcT are:
Wing, tarsus, culmen,

132

mm.

23

mm.

24 mm.

Londiani.

139

mm.

24

mm.

25.5 mm.

Elgon.

132

mm.

23

mm.

25 mm.

5)

133

mm.

23

mm.

24 mm.

H

These measurements agree very well with those given by
Lonnberg for his specimen, but not so well with Reich enow 's
(Yog. Afr. III. p. 836) 140 mm. (after the original description).

The young birds have the feathers of the throat black with
olive-green edgings. The breast is not, as in rolleti, furnished
with black streaks, but is entirely yellowish green. Bill black
or basal half, reddish brown, anterior half black.

One of the young birds — shot on the same day and in
the same spot as the other two — has the three central tail-

— 150 —

feathers dark olive-green with a dark blackish brown tip about
20 cm. iu width. Whether this individual is to be considered
as a hybrid between rolleti and percivali or a causal vari-
ation is difficult to decide with any degree of certainty. It was
found, however, as already mentioned in the company of the two
other young birds, which are undoubtedly percivali with black
central tail-feathers.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

132 mm. 24 mm. 25 mm. roll and perc?
• 130 mm. 24 mm. 25 mm.

129 mm. 23 mm. 25 mm.

Sturnidae.

Buphagus erythrorhynchus (Stanl). — Rchw. II. p. 667.

1 (5 ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. — 1 (5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. — 2 ^6 ad. 20. and 22. 4.

Mount Elgon. — 1 (5 ad. 25. 8. Kisumu. — 1 (J ad. 20. 9. Mombasa. — 1 2 ad.

10. 4. Nairobi. — 4 QQ ad. 17. and 26. 4. Mount Elgon.

This Oxpecker was found abundantly at all places through
which our expedition passed. With reference to the differences
in the colours of the plumage of this species Z e d 1 i t z (J. f. 0.
1911, p. 598) and Neumann (J. f. 0. 1905 p. 237) have al-
ready given a detailed study thereof, — I am not, however, quite
in agreement with Z e d 1 i t z when he says that the deep-brown
colour on the throat and fore-neck is always a distinguishing
feature of the juvenile dress, for one of the cf specimens (from
Elgon) which has the darkest colour on these parts, is a full-
grown individual, shot by the nest.

Another male from Elgon has a grey throat and grey head-
like the young bird but has the fore-neck almost of the same
yellowish brown colour as the under surface. Bill coral-red.

Most of my specimens are light yellowish brown on the
underparts but some, shot in the same locality and at about the
same time, are dark greyish brown And in the series of 11 skins
brought home no two specimens are alike. Zedlitz is cer-
tainly right in stating that the dark-brown on the fore-neck in
the abraded dress pales considerably, but even in the fresh new
dress the colour of the fore-neck, as well as that of other parts
of the body, varies.

Wing, tarsus,

111 — 120 mm. 19—21 mm. cTcT.
113—120 mm. 20-21 mm. 99.

Irides dark-brown, reddish yellow, or with a yellow ring
innermost surrounded by another of red; bill coral-red; legs dark
greyish brown.

— 151 —

Spreo superhus (Rupp.). — Rchw. II. p. 674.
3 (5(5 ad. 20. and 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

In the acacia-couutry round about the shores of Lake
Naiwasha this magnificent Glossy Starling was rather common.
I always saw them in pairs and usually they ran along the ground
executing some amusing movements and jumps with drooping
wings and outstretched head. The whole thing put one in mind
of some sort of nuptial display.

Wing, tarsus,

114—120 ram. 33 mm.
Irides yellowish white; bill and legs klack.

Cinnyricinclus leucogaster verreauxi (Finsch & Hartl.). —
Rchw. II. p. 680.

1 (5 ad. 8. 7. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft. — 1 (5 ad. (transitional dress) 3. 6.;
2 (5(5 juv. 21. 5. and 7. 6. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

This race was found on the eastern slopes of Elgon very
sparingly. It frequented the tops of the Fodocorpus tree, where
it fed on the fruits.

One of the males ad. is in full nuptial dress, the other is
changing into the full dress, a number of the feathers of the
back having a beautiful blue and lilac gloss, the majority, however,
being brownish black with yellowish brown edges, as in younger
specimens. Some of the secondaries and wing-coverts, the upper
tail-coverts and central tail-feathers beautifully glossy. The throat
white with dark longitudinal streaks. The fore- neck also furnished
with dark-brown streaks and here and there blue-glossy feathers.
The uuderparts, for the rest, white.

The two juvenile birds have a dress that agrees with the
description given by Reichenow (op. cit). The smaller of
them has only a narrow white edge to the outer-web of the
outer tail-feathers. The larger has the outer web like the adult.

Wing,

tarsus,

105 mm.

21 mm.

cf ad.

101 mm.

22 mm.

-f (ad.?)

103 mm.

22 mm.

cf juv.

100 mm.

21 mm.

cf juv.

Irides citron-yellow in the adults, dark-brown in the young;
bill dark-grey (blackish); legs dark-grey (in the young lead-grey),

Fholia sharpei (Jacks.). — Rchw. II. p. 682.
7 (5(5 ad. 20.-26.5. Mount Elgon, 7.000-7.500 ft.|

Fairly common in the depths of the dense forests
on the eastern slopes of Elgon and, like the preceding,
it was an inhabitant of the high tree-tops. v. Someren

— 152 —

(Nov, Zool. 1918, p. 279) says it is also common on the western
slopes of Elgon in the bamboo-forest and mentions further that
he found it in flocks of 6— 10 in number. I always met it singly
and newer saw it in the bamboo-forest.

Neumann (J. f. 0. 1905 p. 238) writes that all his
specimens have a wing-measurement of 96 — 98 mm. and the
culmen 11 — 13 mm. (Reichenow op. cit. gives the wing as
104 — 106 inm, bill 14—15 mm, tarsus 23 mm.)

My 7 specimens have a wing-length of 95, 100, 102, 102,
103, 103, 104 and bill of 11.5-13 mm. Not a single one of
them attains Reichenow's measurement for the tarsus,
5 having 22 mm and 3, 21 mm.

All the individuals have also the suggestion of the black
breast-band mentioned^by Neumann (op. cit), and one — evi-
dently a young bird — has small indistinct dark streaks on the
belly.

Irides bright yellow; bill black; legs dark greyish brown
(sometimes almost black).

LamprocoUus chalybaeus chalyhaeus (Hempr. & Ehr.). —
Rchw. II. p. 687.

Ikwiu . . . ki-tamba. — Talingi , . . ki-suaheli.

1 (5 ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. — A ^S ad. 20. 4., 23. 4. Lake Nawaisha. — 2 <5(5

ad. 10. 5., 13. 5. Eldoret. - 1 (J ad. 26. 5. Mount Elgon. - 1 (5 ad. 26. 7.

Soy. — 1 5 ad. 11. 4. 4. Ngong. — 1 Q ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. — 1 Q ad. 23. 4.

Lake Naiwasha. — 2 QQ ad. 13. 5., 16. 5. Eldoret.

1 (5 1 Q juv. 9. 5., 3 days, march from Londiani towards Eldoret.

Lonnberg (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp. to B. E. A. 1911,
p. 97J calls his specimeo from Nairobi and its environs L. chaly-
baeus. Mackworth-Praed (Ibis 1917, p. 377) also gives
the same name to his birds from these regions, and Reiche-
now (Vogelf. d. Mittelafr. Seengeb. 1912, p. 319) also styles
those from Ruzizi and Burumba, L. chalybaeus. •

Neumann (J. f. 0, 1900, p. 280) has described a new
race which he calls L. massaicus, which name should stand
for the East African form. Already in 1902 — 1903 (Vog. Afr. II.
p. 687) Reichenow, however, makes this a synonym of L.
chalyhaeus and in the above-mentioned work by the same author,
he proves further that the characters on which Neumann
has described his race are not satisfactory and that massaicus
is only a variation of chalybaeus.

From my own investigations, while comparing the collections
in the Berlin Museum and from studies of my own series, I have
come to the conclusion that Reichenow is right and that
the East African specimens should therefore be named as L o n n -
berg and Mackworth-Praed has named them.

— 153 —

Zedlitz (J. f. 0. 1911, p. 599) has, however, separated
L. ch. massaicus from German East Africa (Neumann, however,
gives Guasso Massai by Mau in B. E. A. as the type locality)
and L. ch. sycohius from south German East Africa, South &
South-west Africa. — v. Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 401) also
calls his specimens from Nairobi L. ch. massaicus.

If we study closely the localities from which Reichenow
(Vog. Afr. II. p. 688—689) gives L. chalylaeus {=■ L. massaicus)
and L. ch. sycohius (Ptrs.) Hartl, we shall find that both
occur at Naiwasha. Reichenow says, however, that both, as
regards size and coloration, merge into each other, so that they
cannot always be positively distinguished from one another and
he may thus have wrongly fixed his birds.

In the series of 16 specimens which our expedition collected
there are great variations in colour and size, even between in-
dividuals from the same district. A common feature of them
all is: the shoulder patch is clearly marked. Further, most
of them have dark transverse bands on the central tail-feathers
(less distinct in the more advanced dress or in the moulting

cT (transition to nuptial dress) Nairobi.
cf „ „ „ „ Naiswasha.

cf (almost full) „

cf (full nuptial) „

cT „ „ . ! . ! Eldoret.

cf „ ., Elgon

cT (somewhat worn) „

The measurements for cfd* given byLonnberg (op. cit.)
are 147—155 mm. while Mackworth-Praed gives 140 mm.
for 1 cT.

For the 9 specimens the measurements are as follows:
Wing, tarsus,

131 mm. 32 mm. 9 (almost full nuptial plumage) Ngong.

133 mm. 32 mm. 9 ,. n n >. Kiambu.
127 mm. 31 mm. 9 ,, n m „ Naiwasha.
135 mm. 33 mm. 9 ,, n v „ Eldoret.

134 mm. 31 mm. 9 (^^11 nuptial plumage) „

The young birds have a wing-measurement of 124 mm. for
cT and 127 mm. for 9; tarsus 32, 33 mm. resp.

The male specimens from Elgon had swollen testes at the
end of May (Lonnberg: "end of March").

Irides yellow or yellowish red (in juv. brown); bill and
legs black.

phase.

Wing,

tarsus,

140 mm.

33 mm.

138 mm.

32 mm.

137 mm.

34 mm.

137 mm.

33 mm.

147 mm.

32 mm.

148 mm.

35 mm.

145 mm.

33 mm.

148 mm.

34 mm.

144 mm.

35 mm.

— 154 -

Lamprocolius purpureus amethystinus (Heugl.). —
Rchw. II. p. 692.

1 c5 ad. 8, 6. ; 1 5 ad. 26. 7. ; 2 (5(5 juv. 16. and 17. 5. ; Mount Elgon.

This race was not so common in the Elgon region as the
preceding. It frequented the thorn-bushes in the company of
the preceding race.

Wing, tarsus,

146 mm. 33 mm. cT ad. (in full nuptial dress).

146 mm. 35 mm. d* ad. (in transition to nuptial dress).

135 mm. 31 mm. d* juv.

134 mm. 30 mm. cf juv.

Both young birds are very easy to distinguish from chaly-
haeus, the young of which have a pale green gloss on the under-
parts. These have here and there among the brownish black
feathers others purple -glossy, of the same colour as the adults.
One of them has the whole fore- neck pale purple lilac glossy as
well. The crown is either blue glossy (in a more developed
phase) or of the same colour as the under surface.

Irides reddish-yellow — cition yellow (in juveniles, whitish-
yellow or greyish white; juveniles of L. chalyhaeus have brown
irides); bill and legs black.

Lamprocolius splendidus (Vieill.). — Rchw. II. p. 692.
1 (5 ad. 14. 5.; 2 QQ ad. 14. and 16. 5. Soy.

In the small wooded areas along the streams and other
water-ways in the neighbourhood of Soy, this exceedingly beau-
tiful Glossy Starling was met with.

V. S 0 m e r e n (Ibis 1916, p. 402 and Nov. Zool. XXV, 1918,
p. 279) calls this race L. splendidus glaucovirens Ell., although
O.-Grant (Ruw. Exp. Reporto 16, Aves 1910, p. 264) had al-
ready shown that they were nothing but old males of L. splendidus
(vide also Reichenow: Vogelf. d. Mittelafr. Seengeb. 1912,
p. 319).

In young birds, still in full dress, the under tail -coverts
have a predominant green gloss, in adults on the other hand,
they have also a pale blue or purplish gloss.

Wing,

tarsus.

158 mm.

34 mm. cT ad.

145 mm.

33 mm. 9 ad.

140 mm.

29 mm. 9 ad.

Irides white, someti

imes

with a grey or yellow tint;

bill

and legs pale black.

— 155 -

Fyrrhocheira walleri elgonensis Sharpe. — Rchw. II. p. 698.
1 Q ad. 21. 7. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

Only once did I see this race on the eastern slopes of
Elgon. A large flock — probably numbering about 30 or 40 —
perched in the tops of the Podocarpus trees eating, with a great
clammer, of the fruits.

V. Someren (Ibis 1918, p. 879) states that this bird, and
the following, occurred in the bamboo forest, but I never met
either of them there.

My specimen is just beginning to moult and has a wing
measurement of 121 mm., tarsus 22 mm.

Irides have a dark -brown ring innermost encircled by a
narrow one of blood-red ; bill and legs black.

Atnydrus morio riippelU Verr. — Rchw. II. p. 699.

4 (5(5 ad. 28. 5. and 3. 6.; 1 Q ad. 3. Q.; 1 <$ juv. 28. 5.;
1 Q juv. 29. 6. (13.500 feet) ; Mount Elgon, 8.000 ft.

In several places on the slopes of Elgon I met with this
race and it always appeared jn large flocks which frequented
both the short and the tall trees in the interior;of the forests. They
were not frightened away by shots but calmly remained sitting,
calling to each other with a skrill cry, which reminds one of the
"laughing" of the magpie. In the stomachs of those shot at
8.000 feet I only found fruits, but the one shot up by the crater-
lake of Elgon (at an altitude of about 13.500 ft.) bad its stomach
full of insects and spiders.

When I visited the crater-lake of Elgon I was astonished
to find this race very common so high up in these cold and in-
hospitable regions.

They flew about among the gigantic Senecio johnstoni which
clad the slopes right up to the very summit (see picture) but they
were very shy and in spite of eager eff'orts I did not succeed
in procuring more than one young bird, which was however,
badly damaged by the shot.

I saw the old birds repeatedly feeding the young one, which
sat shrieking in a Senecio, whence it can thus be considered
certain that the young one had been born in these alpine regions.
Whether the birds breed on the ledges of the mountain, in holes
in the rock (Reichenow op. cit.) or elsewhere 1 was unable
to ascertain. It is of great interest anyhow to be able to prove
that the vertical distribution of the race at least extends to over
13.500 feet.

Two of the specimens in my series are in moult, the others
are in full pluamage. In the young bird the primary coverts
are, for the most part, black and have near the tips a reddish
brown band, narrow on the outer-web, wide on the inner web.

— 156 —

Wing, tarsus, bill,

158 mm. 34 mm. 29 mm. c? ad.

157 mm. 32 mm. 29 ram. cf ad. (moulting).

154 mm. 32 mm. 29 mm. cf ad.

149 mm. 33 mm. 28 mm. cf ad. (moulting).

144 mm. 33 mm. 30 mm. 9 ad.

140 mm. 33 mm. 26 mm. d* juv.

131 mm. 30 mm. — cf juv.

hides reddish ; bill and legs black.

Ploceidae.

Ploceus insignis insignis Sharpe.
HetcrypJiantes insignis Sharpe. — Bannerman: Ibis 1915, p. 516.

3 S6 ad. 23. 5., 28. 5., 6. 6.; 1 Q ad. 31. 5. Mount Elgon, 7.500 ft.

This race was rather common below the slopes of Mount
Elgon and I have come across it both in the acacia-country and
in the interior of the forests.

The males are in full dress but the female has not yet
assumed her full plumage, for a number of the feathers of the
throat are black with yellow tips and the wing-coverts have all
a narrow, brownish white edge (exactly as in the youug bird).
Wiug, tarsus,

87 mm. 21.5 mm. cf,

86 mm. 21 ram. cf.

84 mm. 22 mm. d*.

80 mm. 21 mm. 9-

Hill black; legs brownish-grey or brownish-yellow.
Bannerman states (Ibis 1915, p. 516 — 517) that there
is no difference between Mount Elgon birds and Cameron birds.

Floceus insignis ornatus Granvik.

PI. 3.

2 (5(5 ad. 18. 4. ; 1 (5 juv. 18. 4.; 1 Q juv. 18. 4. Kiambu.

That form of insignis occurring in the Nairobi country
differs very considerably from the typical Elgon form. — v. So-
meren (Ibis, 1918, p. 280) says that "birds from Nairobi do
not differ, though there is some slight variation in wing measure-
ments", but my three cf specimens from the Nairobi country all
have a brownish red, radiate band below the back throat, while
the Elgon specimens, on the other hand are uniform yellow. As
a rule they have not, as the latter, the flanks greenish yellow
or greenish but yellow.

— 157 —

The young bird (cT) is very interesting with reference to
the plumage, inasmuch as the feathers of the bead are black with
reddish brown or yellow tips (chiefly the former). The nape is
also garnished with black feathers, the tips of which are yellow,
of the same colour as the back, and the upper tail-coverts are
greenish yellow (in the adults yellow). Some of the feathers of
the throat are yellow, others black with yellow tips and just
below the throat it has the same reddish brown band as the
old birds.

The under-parts are yellow with a pale green wash along
the sides, the lower tail-coverts greyish yellow. The wing-coverts
have also narrow, greyish yellow edgings. The bill is blackish
brown.

The female young bird is much unlike the full-grown. The
head is entirely black and a number of the feathers of the back
are yellow, the posterior ones with yellow or brownish-yellow
tips. The ear-coverts black with olive-green tips. The upper
and lower tail-coverts as in the male young bird. The throat
and the whole of the lower surface yellow. The bill horn, greyish
brown (lower mandible lighter than upper).

It is noteworthy that one of the old birds has a large,
greyish white spot on the posterior half of the upper mandible.
Wing, tarsus,

86 mm. 21 mm. cT ad.

83 mm. 22 mm. d* ad.

82 mm. 22 mm. cf juv.

77 mm. 20 mm. 9 Juv.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Othyphantes reichenowi reichenowi Fschr. — Rchw. III. p. 38.

Ploceus reichenowi (Fschr.).

1 (5 ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha. _ 2 (5,5 ad. 9. a. 10. 5. Londiani districts. —

1 Q ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. — 2 QQ ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. — 3 QQ ad. 20. 4. Lake

Naiwasha. — 1 $ ad. 10. 5. Londiani districts.

This race was very common in all the above-mentioned
localities.

The males sometimes vary in the colour of the dress, and
one of them has not only the upper tail-coverts and rump region
olive-green but also the lower back. Another has the whole
back black, and so on.

Likewise, there are differences among the females. The
three from Lake Naiwasha, for instance, are all unlike. One
has the back entirely black, another (in moult) has the upper
part of the back mostly dark-brown, and a third, which is the
youngest of the three, has the feathers of the back dark-brown
with dark olive-green tips. This last bird has also a pale green
wash on the extreme tips of a number of the feathers of the nape.

— 158 —

Wing, tarsus,

82—85 mm. 23-24 mm. cfcf

76—83 mm. ' 21 — 24 mm. 99

Irides yellow white — citron-yellow; bill black; legs pale
brownish red — brownish yellow.

Reichenow (op. cit.) gives the wing-measurements for this
bird to 75—80 mm. The minimum for cfcT from Naiwasha and
Londiani is however — as appears from the table — 82 mm.
Thus, whether specimens from the interior of British East Africa
are in general larger than others, as for instance, those from
Kilimandjaro (according to Sjostedt: Wissensch. Erg. Schw.
Zool. Exp. Kilimandjaro, Meru 1905 — 1906, Stockholm 1910,
p. 121 — 78—80 mm.), I cannot decide with any certainty.

Othyphantes reichenowi nigrotemporalis Granvik.
PL 3.

3 (5(5 ad. 21. 5., 6. 6., 4. 7.; 2 QQ ad. 30. 5., 6. 6.; 2 QQ juv. 26. 5., 11. 6.;

Mount Elgon.

This race differs from 0. r. reichenowi Fschr. in the male
being entirely devoid of the yellow band around the ear and
the black patch of the nape merging into the black ear-coverts.
In other repects it is like the preceding. The female is exactly
like the female of 0. r. reichenowi.

This new form of 0. reichenowi is, from what I can see, a
good and reliable one. I have examined and compared the
abundant collections of reichenowi in the Berlin Museum with
mine but I have not found a single specimen which approximates
the one described by me. Neither is my bird a juvenile stage
of 0. r. reichenowi inasmuch as male and female were shot by
the nest and they were in full dress.

The young birds are similar to the young of 0. r. reichenowi.

Sjostedt mentions, however, (Wissensch. Erg. Schw, Zool.
Exp. Kilimandjaro — Meru 1905-1906, Stockholm 1910, p. 121)
that he had observed that the yellow band around the temporal
region was missing both in old birds and young. 1 have gone
through the bird collections which Sjostedt brought home,
found in Stockholm, but have not found a single male without
this band. Sjostedt does not mention (op. cit.) whether the
lack of this yellow baud applies to cfcT or 99> but as regards 99
it has already been established by Fischer that they have the
sides of the head entirely black. Sjostedt's statement should,
from what I have seen, undoubtedly apply to 99-

Below the eastern slopes of Elgon, at about 6.500 ft. above
sea -level, this Weaver Bird is common and is biologically in
agreement with 0. r. reichenowi. On the 6 th June I found a
nest containing 2 newly hatched nestlings and one egg,
v. Someren (Ibis, 1916, p. 404) says that many nests are

— 159 —

found on the same tree but, as a rule, only one is occupied,
and it proved to be so in this instance, for, out on the tips of
the slender branches of a low bush, about 2 meters from the
ground there hung two nests, only one of which was occupied.
The nest was semi-globular iu shape with the entrance from
below. The measurement from the outer edge of the entrance-
hole to the farther side of the nest was 20 cm. The entrance
of the nest itself was 5 cm. across and the walls of the nest
were thick and firm, built of dry grass-stems, but were lined
with different kinds of grass fibres. The nest hung in the fork
of two branches, and long, tough grass-stems, twined into the
walls, were twisted round these branches, letting the nest hang
freely, so that even if the wind set the branches swinging, the
nest kept the same position.

The egg, found in the nest, measured 22.5 X 16 mm. and
weighed 0,51 gr. The shell is dull glossy white, with large or
small brown and brownish red spots over the whole surface.
The larger spots, which are in the majority, measure up to 4
or 5 mm. long and 2-3 mm. wide gathered in a feeble attempt
to form a calotte at the thick-end. The ground spots are bluish
grey and greyish violet. The egg resembles an egg of Sitta
europaea but also strongly recalls the eggs of Hyphantornis
jamesonii (Swynnerton, Ibis 1916, PI. XIX, 12.)
Wing, tarsus, culmen,

83 mm. 24 mm. 20 ram. cf ad.

81 mm. 24 mm. 20 mm. cf ad.

81 mm. 25 mm. 20 mm. cT ad.

78 mm. 24 mm. 20 mm. 9 ad.

78 mm. 23.5 mm. 20 mm. 9 ad.
81 mm. 23 mm. 18 mm. cT juv.

79 mm. 23 mm. 19 mm. cf juv.
Irides yellowish white; Kill black; legs brownish yellow.
Clarke has decribed a bird from Mombasa (Bull. Brit.

Orn. Club, vol. XXXI, 1913, p. 32), Heteryphantes golandi, the
male of which is like the female of H. reichenowi. But as I have
not seen any specimen of the bird in question I cannot express
any opinion as to its position with reference to reichenowi or
other forms.

Hyphanturgus stephanophorus (Sharpe). — Rchw. III. p. 43.

Heteryphantes stephanophorus Sharpe : Ibis 1891 , p. 171. — Ploeeus
stephanophorus Eeichenow : (op, cit.). — Hypanturgus stephanophorus
V. Someren: Nov. Zool. 1918, p. 280.

1 Q ad. 17. 6. Mount Elgon.

1 saw this interesting Weaver, whose nearest ally, H. melano-
gaster, is found in West Africa, a few times on the eastern slopes
of Elgon. V. Someren (Nov. Zool. XXV, 1918, p. 280) says

— 160 —

that it is "fairly common" on west Elgon. In the regions of
east Elgon that I visited, it can hardly be said to be common,
but rather the contrary.

On the 8 th June I found a nest of this bird. It was built
in the depths of the forests, among the lianas, on the outermost
branches of a little bush and contained two eggs of nearly the
same colour as those of the preceding race. 1 did not shoot
any of the parents nor did I take the eggs, hoping that a few
days later the clutch would be increased to 3 eggs. Returning
to the place two days later I found the nest empty and the
birds gone. They had possibly been disturbed when 1 examined
the nest the first time and thus abandoned it, but I hardly
believe that they had carried the eggs themselves.

Grant asserts (Zool. Res. of Ruw. Exp. 1910, p. 273) that
the female of this race differs from the female of melanog aster,
the latter having the whole crown yellow while in the former
the yellow extends to the posterior edge of the eye. In this
specimen the yellow patch in question stretches a little way
(2 mm.) behind the eye. The throat is entirely yellow.
Wing 74 mm,; tarsus 21 mm.

Irides red; bill black; legs dark lead-grey.

Hyphanturgus ocularius suahelius Neum. — Jouru. f. OrnithoL,
. 1905, p. 339—340.

1 ^ ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

At Lake Naiwasha this race occurred in the brushwood and
thorn-bushes around the shores.

.,... r Wing 77 mm.; tarsus 22 mm.
Irides yellowish; culmen black; legs lead-grey.

Hyphantornis ahyssinicus feniininus Og.-Grant. — Bull. Brit.
Orn. Club, vol. XXI, 1907, p. 15.

1 ^ juv. 23. 8. Kendu.

Only one specimen was shot, at Kendu.

The forehead and crown have black feathers tipped with
yellow; the nape is olive -green. The feathers of the back are
brownish black, tipped with olive- green (sometimes also with
olive-green edgings). The sides of the head and front part of
throat are covered with black and yellow feathers; the under
surface yellow (growing paler posteriorly), lower tail coverts
yellow.

Wing 88 mm. tarsus 26 mm.

Irides red; bill dark grey; legs brownish grey.

— 161 —

Syphantornis nigriceps (Lay.). — Rchw. III. p. 62.

1 ^ ad. 14. 4. Kiambu. — 2 (J^ ad. 29. 4. Mombasa. — 1 Q ad. 24. 4.
Kikuyu. — 2 QQ ad. 26. and 29. 4. Mombasa. — 13 QQ ad. 14. 4.,

19. 9. Kiambn.

Everywhere in the cocoa groves at Mombasa (Kilindi Bay)
this Weaver was the commonest bird found. At Kiambu (in the
neighbourhood of Nairobi) I frequently saw them in large flocks,
and once 12 birds were shot out of a single flock. All were
females. They vary in the colour of the dress as well as that
of the bill, and most of them (10 in all) have the posterior half
of the lower surface whitish, others have all the underparts
pale yellow. In the former there are some with greyish white,
others with whitish -yellow lower tail-coverts; the latter have
yellow ones.

As a rule the lower mandible is lighter than the upper,
but two have the lower mandible dark and of the same colour
as the upper.

Wing, tarsus,

cTcf. 80—85 mm. 23 mm.

99. 77-86 mm. 21— 23 mm.

Irides brownish red, reddish yellow or red; bill in d'cf
black, in 99 dark greyish brown (lower mandible as a rule
lighter); legs pale flesh-red or brownish yellow.

Siiagra jacksoni Shell. — Rchw. III. p. 68.
1 Q 22. 8. Kendu.

On the shores of Kavirondo-Bay at Kendu this race was
common. However, believing it to be the same race as that I had
procured several specimens of at Kisum {S. dimidiatus) I shot
only one individual.

Og.-Grant (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp. 1910, p. 276) has given
an excellent table to distinguish 99 of the two closely allied
8. jacksoni and dimidiatus from one other and mentions as a
character for the former that "the culmen is nearly always
straight", in the latter "culmen is curved".

In this specimen the colour of the bill too is unlike all 99
of dimidiatus, for the lower mandible is entirely light greyish-
brown and the upper mandible somewhat darker. In 99 of
dimidiatus the upper mandible is black, just like the edges of the
lower mandible.

Wing 73 mm.; tarsus 23 mm.

Irides dark-brown; legs brownish grey.

11

— 162 —

Sitagra melanocephala dimidiata Antin. & Salvad. —
Rchw. III. p. 69.

Ploceus dimidiatus. — Reichepow : op. cit. — Jagerskiold : Res. Swed. Exped.
Egypt & White NUe, 1903, p. 2. ; .

Osago . . . ki-kavirondo.

3 (5(5 ad. 18. 8. Kismu. — 1 (J ad. 21. 8. Kendu. — 5 QQ ad. 18. 8. ;

1 Q ad. 19. 8. Kismu.

This bird was very abundant all along the shores of the
Kavirondo gulf, especially in places where brushwood was found.
As a rule large swarms were seen frequenting the water's edge,
where their nests hung everywhere on the branches of the
bushes.

V. Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 410— 411) has exhaustively
dealt with this race, and so has Og. -Grant (Zool. Res. Ruw.
Exp. 1910, p. 275—276) and the descriptions of both these
writers complete one another quite favourably.

All the males are moulting and agree almost completely*
with each other in the colours of the plumage. Still, one of
the specimens is somewhat lighter in the brown colour of the
breast, but this is surely owing to the dress being worn and
faded.

With reference to the chief character of the males of this
race: the extent of the black patch on the head etc. opinions
seem to be divided, v. Someren says (op. cit.) "the colour
of the mantle is separated from the black of the nape by a
very narrow yellow band", but in another series "there is
a wide yellow band separating the black of the head from the
golden olive of the mantle", but Og. -Grant (op. cit.) states
that "the black of the head does not extend beyond the occiput
and is divided from the olive -yellow mantle by a bright yellow
collar". In skinned birds the width of this yellow band may
obviously vary, depending on h o w the bird is preserved.

If we compare the two pictures of this bird (R e i c h e -
now: Zool. Jahrb. Bd. I, Taf. 5 and Antinoti&Salvadori:
Ann. Mug. Natur. Geneva, vol. IV, 1873, Tav. Ill) the different
opinions as to the extent of the black of the head is evident.

Reichenow mentions (op. cit.) that the bill of dimidiata
is larger than that of jacksoni (the former 16—17 mm., the
latter, 14—16), and with reference to the shape of the bill in
these two forms I may refer the reader to the preceding race.

V. Someren does not consider it impossible that we have
to do with two "distinct subspecies" of dimidiata. Nor is it
likely that two forms of the same "form-circle" should occur in
the same locality. The dissimilarities which he gives are exem-
plified in my collection, for, among my four male specimens from
Kisumu I have three belonging to his series No. 1 and one to
No. 2. It seems to me more probable that this is nothing but
a case of individual differences. *

— 163 —

In youDger males in the transition to the full dress the
yellow band on the nape is scarcely indicated, tbut shades almost
imperceptibly into the olive-yellow colour of he back.

Whether the size of the bill is, or can be, conclusive in
placing the two races, I cannot decide with certainty, as the
material I have had for examination has been too small. Still,
it seems to me to be unlikely.

With reference to the colour of the females there are also
small differences. Thus, two have predominantly pale brownish
markings on the mantle, while the other two incline more to
grey. And one specimen (rather young) has the head a more
uniform olive -green and the dark streaks to the feathers are
not so conspicuous as in the others.

There are also differences in the brownish wash of the
belly.

When comparing my male specimens with the collection of
.^Weaver birds in the Berlin Museum I found that they agreed
perfectly with the specimens found there of fischeri Rchw. (type-
specimen also in Berlin) from Wadelai and other districts, and
also with two specimens in Stockholm from Rutschuru, East
Congo (vide Lonnberg: Arkiv. for Zool, Band 10, No. 24,
Stockholm 1917, p. 27). Thus, when v. Someren (Ibis 1916)
calls specimens procured from Uganda and East Africa dimi-
diatus, it seems remarkable that a North Abyssinian bird (type
from Kassala) should go so far south as Victoria Nyanza.
Ogilvie-Grant has, it is true (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp., 1910,
p. 275), written that the latter bird occurs "from Wadelai in the
north to South Ruwenzori in the South and eastwards to En-
tebbe", but he seems to have overlooked the fact that dimidiatus
up to that time was known from North Abessynia and, according
toJagerskiold (Res. Swed. Zool. Exp. to Eygpt & White Nile
1901, Upsala 1903, p. 2) from Kaka in Shelluk on the White
Nile. Whether G rant's specimens are dimidiatus and not
fischeri is therefore doubtful. However, Sclater&M. -Praed
(Ibis 1918, p. 438) have remarked that dimidiatus "has never
been found between the type locality and the Lake District" and
that "it seems probable, therefore, that there was some mistake
about the type locality and the bird is not a Sudanese form at
all", ' The range of dimidiatus thus coincides with that of
fischeri.

V. Someren, who has seen my specimens, shot on the
same spot as his, has also fixed them as dimidiatus. And jud-
ging from the description in "the Ibis" they agree perfectly.
But according to Reichenow (Vog. Afr. III. p. 69) dimidiatus
has the breast and belly chestnut, upperparts golden yellow (see
also plate III Ann. del Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Geneva, 1873), which
neither v. Someren's specimens nor mine have. They should
thus undoubtedly be named fischeri.

11*

^ 164 —

The question then is: Is dimidiatus a synonym of fischeri
or is it] not? I have not seen the type of dimidiatus and there-
fore cannot express any opinion about it at present, but if the
dimidiatus type does not originate from Kassala, and Grant
has already in 1910 established that the norther limit of the
bird is Wadelai, there is much in favour of its being, in spite
of the dissimilarities, a synonym of fischeri. But the latter form
was first described in 1887 and the former in 1873, therefore
I have retained the older name.

Seth-Smith (Ibis 1913, p. 493) calls his specimens

from Mpumu (in the vicinity of Kampala on Victoria Nyanza)

Eyphantornis dimidiatus fischeri thus making fischeri a race of

dimidiatus. Further investigations must decide whether his

opinions or mine is the correct one.

Wing, tarsus,

75 mm. 23 mm.

77 mm. 23 mm.

75 mm. 23 mm.

75 mm. 23 mm.

65 mm. 22 mm.

74 mm. 23 mm.

68 mm. 23 mm.

65 mm. 22 mm.

67 mm. 22 mm.

65 mm. 21 mm.

Irides dark-brown; legs brownish grey.

I have examined Jagerskiold's specimen, shot on

23. 2. 1901, from the White Nile (fixed by Reichenow once

as dimidiatus) and found a rather strong likeness to a number

of my female specimens. This specimen is by mistake marked

"young male", for it is a female bird.

It differs, however, from my 9 specimens — all of which
have a more or less marked olive -green wash on the tail-fea-
thers and on the outer-web of the primaries and secondaries —
in having the tail-feathers more greyish brown and only the
outer-web light olive-green, the olive-green edges of the primaries
and secondaries being considerably paler. One of my specimens,
having a rather worn dress, agrees very well with the White
Nile discovery. It has the following measurements:
Wing, bill, tarsus,

72 mm. 16 mm. 22.5 mm.

Even the fore-neck of this specimen is greyish brown, but
in all my specimens it is brownish yellow. Whether the paler
dress of this Nile bird is a result of its having been shot
in the month of February, the plumage being thus more used
and abraded or (which is most probable) whether the northern
form is different from mine is a question I dare not decide from
this single 9 specimen.

culmen,

18 mm.

d*.

17 mm.

cT.

17 mm.

cf.

18 mm.

cT.

15 mm.

9-

17 mm.

9.

16 mm.

9-

16 mm.

9-

16 mm.

9-

14.5 mm

• 9 Juv.

— 165 —

Xanthophilus xanihops Hartl. — Rchw. III. p. 88.

3 (5(5 ad. 14. a. 18. 4.; 1 Q ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

As my four specimens of this Weever-bird were shot in
the Nairobi country they should be placed under X x. caniburni
Sharpe, inasmuch as the "terra typica" for this form is just
Nairobi. — v. Someren (Ibis, 1916, p. 412) mentions this bird
from Majanji in Uganda.

But Og. -Grant has shown (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp., 1910,
p. 278) that the form described by Sharpe is only a juvenile
stage of X. xantops, which is certainly correct. It should
differ from the latter in having a wing -measurement of only
84 mm. and bill 18 mm., while the former has a measurement
of 80—93 mm. and 19 — 21 mm. resp.

These specimens measure:

wing,

tarsus.

bill,

(f ad.

95 mm.

26 mm.

20 mm.

cf ad.

93 mm.

26 mm.

21 mm.

cf ad.

92 mm.

26 mm.

21 mm.

9 ad.

83 mm.

26 mm.

19 mm.

Irides dirty white-yellowish grey; bill pale flesh-coloured.

Xanthopilus hojeri ([Hartl. & Finsch] Cab.). — Rchw. III. p. 92.
6 (5(5 ad. 26., 27. a. 29. 4.; 1 Q 29. 4. Mombasa.

Very common in the Coastland. In the town of Mombasa
itself, in the gardens and parks, and in the environs one saw it
almost everywhere and Bannermann (Ibis, 1910, p. 683)
mentions that they were nesting by the hundreds in the gardens
of the Mombasa Club.

Wing, tarsus,

72—79 mm. 22—23 mm. cfcf

65 mm. 20 mm. 9

Irides dark- brown-reddish yellow; bill pale flesh-coloured.

Quelea sanguinirostris aeihiopica (Sund.). — Rchw. III. p. 109.
1 (5 20. 6. Mount Elgon.

Occurred sparingly in the bush-plain below the eastern
slopes of Elgon. This individual was found in the company
of Anomalospiza imherbis.

The under surface is whitish. Interspersed all over with
pale rose-coloured feathers. Upper tail-coverts greyish brown;
some of the feathers rose-coloured.

Wing 65 mm.; tarsus 19 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill purple-red; legs yellowish red.

— 166 —

Quelea cardinalis (Hartl.). — Rchw. III. p. 112.

2 (5(5 ad. 6. 5. Londiani. - 1 ^ ad. 17. 5. Soy. - 3 (5(5 ad. 18. 6., 6. 6.;
1 Q ad. 18. 5. Mount Elgon.

This little Weaver was common on the grass plains, and
below the slopes of Elgon it occurred in large numbers.

On the 6 th June I found about 20 nests of this race within
a very small area, but only three of them contained eggs. All
the nests were built about 30—70 cm. from the ground between
two strong grass-blades, and it was very interesting to see how
such a nest came into existence. The birds first stretched a
few blades of grass from stalk to stalk, the ends being twisted
several times around the latter, thus enclosing a space of about
5 cm., almost quadrangular in shape. Then a number of new
grass blades were interwoven with the former so that a firm
and safe connection was effected with the boundary lines. Other
blades were then woven into the four corners, which were
gradually rounded otf, and the original square opening became
circular, when the business of building the nest itself began.
Very diligently the birds interlaced the long blades of grass into
the upper edge of the firm structure, fastening them to the lower
one. Then one of the birds crept inside the loose and delicate
bag-shaped shell, arranged the accumulated material, fastened
shorter blades together and gave the future nest the form it
was to have. It was surprising to see how fast the work pro-
ceeded and in what a short time they succeeded in getting
everything arranged. The work of building was carried on
without ceasing so that in a day the artistic, little dwelling was
quite ready. It had then the form of a pouch about 8 — 10 cm.
high with firm, rather thin walls and with an entrance of about
4 cm. diameter.

The same spot, where this race occurred commonly, was
also frequented by Vidua serena and Urobrachya ph. phoenica
in great numbers.

The four male specimens are exactly like each other and
agree with Reichenow's description (op. cit.). The other two,
on the contrary, have the dark- brown feathers of the nape edged
with red. The extent of the red patch of the head also varies
a little.

The female agrees also with Reichenow's description,
but has the superciliary stripe distinctly yellow. (Reich enow:
"braunlichweifs, oft orangerotlich verwaschen").

Wing, tarsus,

d*cr 58—60 mm. 17—18 mm.

9 58 mm. 16 mm.

Irides brown-brownish red; bill in in cf dark-brown —
blackish, in 9 brownish grey (lower mandible lighter); legs pale
flesh-coloured — yellowish brown.

— 167 —

Pyromelana nigrifrons Bohra. — Rchw. III. p. 122.

Mire . . . ki-kavirondo.
3 (5(5 ad. 21. 8.; 1 (5 juv. 21. 8.; 1 Q ad. 21. 8.; 2 QQ juv. 21. 8. Kendu.

Id the thick rushes around the Gulf of Kavirondo, at Kendu,
this species was very numerous. As a rule they were seen in
considerable flocks among the Cyperaceae where they flew about
the reeds with great activity.

At that time of the year all the old birds were in a very
advanced phase of moult.

A cf young bird in transition-dres is very interesting. The
feathers of the head are black with wide, brown edges; the back
and the upper tail-coverts black, edged with rust-brown (here
and there a roseate feather); chin and throat as in the young
bird but with a few solitary brick-red feathers interspersed; the
feathers of the belly black with white tips. The lower tail-coverts
pale orange-colour.

The female (adult) is dark-brown on the upper-parts, the
feathers being edged with yellowish-brown. Throat white, fore-
neck pale brownish with indistinct, dark streaks. Lower surface
and under tail-coverts white. Lower wing-coverts light yellow-
ish-brown.

The young birds (9) resemble the adult female, but have
the throat and fore-neck a darker brownish grey with distinct
streaks. The middle of the lower surface white, sides the same
colour as the fore-neck. Lower tail-coverts white. Lower wing-
coverts light brownish white.

Wing,

tarsus,

cT ad.

67 mm.

20 mm.

C^ ad.

66 mm.

20 mm.

d ad.

68 mm.

20 mm.

cf juv.

67 mm.

20 mm.

9 ad.

65 mm.

20 mm.

9 juv.

67 mm.

19 mm.

9 juv.

61 mm.

18 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill in cfcf brownish black (lower part of
lower mandible lighter), in 99 ^^^ juveniles brownish grey.
Legs brownish yellow-brownish grey.

Fyromelana nigroventris (Cass.). — Rchw. III. p. 125.
2 (5(5 ad. 26. 4.; 1 (5 juv. 26. 4.; 1 Q ad. 26. 4. Mombasa.

A rather common bird in the coast-land. In the Mombasa
regions it was found on bush-covered slopes on the edge of the
forests and always appeared in small flocks from 8 to 10 in
number.

— 168 —

Not one of the three male-specimens is in full dress, but
they represent the different phases of transition to that dress.

The one which most closely approaches the breeding dress
has still a few solitary black feathers on the forehead. The
underpart black in other respects like adults. The one coming
next has numerous red feathers among the predominant black-
brown ones on the nape and back. The sides of the. head dark-
brown, the nape scarlet red. The under surface black with large
light yellowish brown feathers here and there, congregated to
form almost to a band across the breast.

The third is more like a young bird, but has near the
nape a hidden ring of scarlet-red feathers. One or two of the
upper tail coverts with a red wash. Lower tail coverts pale
yellowish brown. In other respects like the young bird.

The female resembles 9 of Pyronielana nigrifrons, but is
darker on the upper part. The yellowish brown patch on the
fore-neck and breast somewhat paler and without the dark streaks.
(Reichenow, op. cit, states that the female of this race has
the fore-neck more darkly streaked than F. franciscana).
Wing, tarsus,

cT 1 61 mm. 17 mm.

cT 2 57 mm. 17 mm.

cf 3 58 mm. 17 mm.

9 53 mm. 15 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill dark greyish brown (Reichenow:
black.); legs^pale flesh-coloured.

Euplectes capensis xanthomelas Riipp. — Rchw. III. p. 128.

Pyromelana xanthomelaena Riipp.

Ngalia . . . ki-kamba.

1 c5 ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. — 1 (5 ad. 14. 4. Ngong. — 1 (5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. —

1 (5 ad. 6. 5. Londiani. — 1 (5 ad. 15. 5. Soy. — 5 66 ad. 20. 5.-19. 6.

Mount Elgon. — 2 QQ juv. 18. 4. Kiambu. — 2 QQ ad. 20. a. 22. 4. Lake

Naiwasha. — 1 5 juv. 24. 8. Mount Elgon.

At every place through which our expedition passed this
race was one of the commonest of the small birds. It was mostly
met with in the bush-country, but on Elgon I came across it
almost everywhere in the depths of the forests, out on the grass
steppe and in the acacia-country. When we marched along the
roads on the way to Elgon, we continually saw this Weaver bird
sitting in the top of some little bush by the way-side.

In the series of 10 males found in the collections not a
single one has black thighs, which Reichenow gives (op. cit.)
as the main character for this form. Some of the specimens
have these parts entirely yellowish brown — like the females —
others have chiefly brown feathers with here and there a few
black ones, and then again some have mainly black thighs with

- 169 —

brown feathers, or black with brown tips, interspersed. All of
them have a larger or smaller number of feathers with wide,
white or pale brown tips on the middle of the breast.

Lonnberg writes (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp. B. E. Afr.,
1911, p. 103) that a male from Kutu 25. 1. had swollen testes
and the same was the case with another male shot two months
later. This proves that the birds breed at different times of the
year. My observations corroborate this statement, for a male
from Kiambu 18. 4. had swollen testes and so had others from
Elgon on 28. 5.

The young birds (99) resemble the old females very much.
Yet they are considerably lighter. In the adults, for instance,
the fore-neck is dark yellowish brown, but in the young birds
it is pale greyish brown. The lesser wing-coverts, which in the
former are distinctly olive-yellow, are in the latter pale olive-
yellow, and so on.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

73, 75, 75, 75, 76 mm. 25—24 mm. 15 mm. cfcf ad.

76, 77, 78, 78, 78 mm.

74, 74 ram. 23 mm. 15 mm. 99 ad.

66, 67, 67 mm. 21—22 ram. 14—15 rara. 99 juv.

The raeasureraents are all below those given for the South
African E. c. capensis (L.), which, according to Reichenow
(op. cit.), reach to: wing 80—85 mm., tarsus 24—25 mm., culraen
17—19 mm. Thus E. c. xanthomelas differs from E. c. capensis
chiefly in being smaller, and not, — as has been suggested —
in having the thighs black.

Irides dark-brown; bill in cf greyish-blue with dark spots
and streaks (lower mandible, as a rule, somewhat lighter, also
with dark streaks); in 9 greyish-brown. Legs in cf dark-brown
(usually) — blackish, in 9 yellowish brown. ^

Vrohrachya phoenicea phoenicea (Heugl.). — Rchw. III. p. 130.

5 (5(5 ad. 10.-12. 5. Eldoret. - 1 (5 ad. 20. 5. Mount Elgon. - 1 (5 ad.
22. 8. Kendu. — 1 6 ad. 10. 5. Eldoret, — 2 65 ad. 6. a. 20. 6. Mount Elgon.

At Eldoret and in its environs this race was comraon, appea-
ring as a rule in small flocks of 5 or 8 in number. They fre-
quented the tall grass on both sides of a little stream, in the
company of Penthetria laticauda, but in contradistinction to the
latter they were very timid.

On and below the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon I met the
race a few times, but I do not think it can be said that it is
common here. Here it also inhabited the swampy grass regions
and was sometimes seen in the company of Vidua serena. At this
place I never saw the females together with the males.

— 170 —

In the month of July, when the young were full-fledged,
they visited — then in much larger flocks — the maize fields
of the natives.

All the specimens (except the one from Rendu) are in
full dress.

Wing, tarsus,

82-88 mm. 24-25 mm. cfd*

68, 69, 76 mm. 20, 21, 24 mm. 99

Irides dark-brown; bill of cTd* greyish blue (darker at the
base) of 99 greyish brown; legs of cTd* black, of 99 greyish
brown.

Fenthetria laticauda smihelica v. Someren. — Bull. Brit. Orn.
Club, vol. XLI, 1921, p. 121.

5 (5(5 ad. 10. a. 13. 4. Nairobi. - 1 (J ad. 11. 4. Ngong. — 2 S6 ad.

] 2. 5. Eldoret. — 5 (5(5 ad. 20. 5. — 6. 6. Mount Elgon. — 3 QQ ad.

10. 4. Nairobi. — 3 QQ ad. 11. 4. Ngong. — 4 QQ ad. 17.— 18. 4.

Kiambu. — 5 QQ ad. 6. 6. — 24. 7. Mount Elgon.

This race was one of the commonest in the grass country
below the eastern slopes of Elgon.

In the series of 13 males brought home there are rather
great differences, which are, however, not of the kind to justify
a separation of forms, even if, at first sight, this may seem to
be the rvght thing to do.

All the specimens from Nairobi and its environs have a
number of the feathers of the red patch on the head and neck
tipped with black, and although all have their backs broadly
striped with brown and have thus not yet assumed the full dress,
two of them had swollen testes (see Lonnberg: Birds coll.
B. E. Afr. 1911, p. 103). The red band on the fore-neck varies
also in shade, so that some have scarlet-red, others orange-red,
etc. etc. The lower tail-feathers greyish white or brownish white
in the tips.

The specimens from the Elgon regions all have the band
on the fore- neck considerably broader and of a darker red.
Whether this character is sufficient to name a new form or not
is difficult to decide. Yet, it seems to me that this may simply
be regarded as a more developed phase towards the full
nuptial plumage, which also appears from the fact that the wide,
brown edges to the feathers of the back and to the under tail-
coverts in the Nairobi specimens (April) have almost entirely
disappeared in the Elgon birds (end of May — beginning of
June). In the series there is also found every desirable grade
of transition from the brown (if I may so call it) to the entirely
black full dress.

What at once catches the eye in these specimens is that
those with the most developed plumage, and evidently the oldest,

79

mm.

23

mm.

160

mm.

80

mm.

23

mm.

165

mm.

77

mm.

23

mm.

165

mm.

75

mm.

23

mm.

180

mm.

79

mm.

23

mm.

160

mm.

80

mm.

23

mm.

190

mm.

81

mm.

23

mm.

160

mm.

76

mm.

23

mm.

180

mm.

77

mm.

23

mm.

135

mm.

77

mm.

23

mm.

125

mm.

79

mm.

23

mm.

150

mm.

81

mm.

23

mm.

160

mm.

- 171 —

have by no means the longest tail. Judging from my material,
one might sooner assert that the opposite is true, for all the Elgon
specimens, as compared with those from Nairobi, have shorter
tails (compare the table below).

In proportion as the dress approaches and finally reaches
the complete plumage, the light tips of the tail-feathers gradually
disappear until the feathers finally become entirely black.
Wing, tarsus, tail,

80 mm. 23 mm. 175 mm. cf Nairobi 10. 4.

cf ., » (swollen testes).

cf

Cf „ 13. 4.

cT Ngong 11.4. . ■

cf Eldoret 12. 4.

cf „

d* Mt. Elgon 20. 5.

O n ji 11

cT ,, „ 31. 5. (swollen testes).
C? „ „ 2.6.
cT „ „ 6.6. • .'

One of the Elgon specimens differs also from all the others
in that the red patch of the head extends on to the fore-
head, reaching almost to the base of the bill.

There are also great differences between the females.
Both in the Nairobi country and on Elgon I have found birds
with a dark-yellowish brown fore -neck, others with light or al-
most greyish-brown.

Wing, tarsus,

66—72 mm. 20—22 mm. 99 Nairobi, Kiambu.
65-67 mm. 19-22 mm. 99 Elgon.
Irides dark-brown; bill in cf black, in 9 brownish yellow
or greyish brown; legs in cf blackish brown -black, in 9 dark
brownish grey. . -

Drepanoplectes jacksoni Sharpe. — Rchw. III. p. 143.

4 (5(5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. — 1 <5 ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 12 (5(5 ad.

6. 5. Londiani. — 1 (5 ad. 12. 5. Eldoret. — 3 (5(5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. —

9 (5(5 ad. 6. 5. Eldoret.

Very abundant at all places visited by our expedition.
Yet I never saw it on Elgon or below its slopes. Eldoret
was the most northern place where the bird was observed.

As the pairing time seems to fall in the end of April and
in the beginning of May, I saw time after time during these
periods large flocks of both males and females passing over the
grassy plains, and at Eldoret I shot 18 birds, 9 males and

— 172 —

9 females, out of a single fiock that was flying past. Gurney
(Ibis 1909 p. 489) mentions that he has seen flocks of 40—50
females, accompanied by only 7 — 8 males, and the same writer
gives a good description of the displays of the males.

In the beautiful series of 18 males from various localities
there are no noteworthy diff'erences. One or two have on the
belly a few brownish feathers in the otherwise black plumage,
but these are only reminiscences of the juvenile dress.

Wing, tarsus, tail,

89—92 mm. 29 mm. 165—240 mm. cfcT Ngong, Naiwasha.
87— 93 mm. 29— 39 mm. 155— 220 mm. cfcf Londiani, Eldoret.

The females also resemble each other very closely. The
dark streaks on the lore -neck and along the flanks are more
strongly pronounced and closer in some than in others.
Wing, tarsus,

82—85 mm. 82—29 mm. 99 Ngong.

81—89 mm. 29—30 mm. 99 Eldoret.

Irides dark -brown; bill of cf bluish grey, upper mandible
with blackish base, tip and edge of lower mandible light, in 9
greyish brown — yellowish-brown; legs of cT black, in 9 greyish
brown.

Amadina fasciata alexandri Neum. — Bull. Br. Ornithol. Club,
vol. XXIII, 1908, p. 43-44.

1 (5 ad. 19. 8. Kisumu.

This race was found in the under-growth and brushwood
bordering the shores of the Gulf of Kavirondo, in the company
of other Weaver-Birds.

Wing 67 mm. tarsus 13 mm.

Irides light brown; bill greyish blue; legs dirty-yellow.

Spermestes cucuUaia cucuUaia Sw. — Rchw. III. p. 149.

1 (5 ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. - 3 (5(5 ad. 14. 4. Kiambu. - 1 (5 ad. 19. 8.

Kisumu.

Occurred in large flocks, about 20—30 in number, on the
outskirts of the forests, where Solanum and other entangling
plants formed dense thickets.

Of the three from Kiambu, 14. 4., which were shot out of
one flock, two have distinct green -glossy spots on the flanks,
while the third all but lacks these spots. On the parts where
they should be found one can, however discern darker patches,
which would probably assume this green-glossy colour later one.
I therefore place this individual — in spite of this slight dif-
ference — under the above race.

- 17^ -

Wing, tarsus,

47, 48, 48 (Kisumu), 50, 51 mm. 11—13 mm.
Irides dark-brown ; bill black or only upper mandible black
and lower mandible bluish grey; legs greyish brown-dark lead-
grey. . , ^ ^ ^- . : ,. , : ,. ' . ..;

Spermestes nigriceps nigriceps Cass. — Rchw. III. p. 153.
3 <Sd ad. 26.-29. 4. Mombasa.

In contradistinction to the preceding race, which frequented
the open places, I found this one always in the interior of the
palragroves or the forests at Mombasa. In this coast- land it
was very common.

One had swollen testes, which indicates that the breeding
time was at hand.

Wing 46, 47, 49 mm. tarsus 13 mm. .

Irides dark-brown; bill bluish grey; legs, dark-grey,

Nigriia emiliae schistacea Sharpe. — Rchw. III. p. 169.
1 (5 ad. 17. 6. Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

Neumann has (Orn. Monatsber. 1898, p. 62—63) given
a table of the black -fronted Nigrita races, and mentions, as a
character for the above race, that it has the back of the head
and rump much lighter than the middle part of the back. This
does not, however, agree with this specimen, which is undoubt-
edly N. e. schistacea.

V. Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 621) describes the young bird
and says, among other things, that ''the rump is light grey",
from which the character cited by Neumann should thus refer
only to young birds.

The specimen before me is in full dress and has a few
spots on the coverts but the rump is of nearly the same colour
as the back (a few feathers, however, are lighter on the tips).
The whole under surface black, and in other respects as R e i -
c h e n 0 w describes the race.

The lower wing-coverts are light greyish blue or greyish
white ; not white as R e i c h e n o w (op. cit.) states.
Wing, 68 m., tarsus, 18 mm.

Irides yellow; bill black; legs dark-brown.

Cryptospiea ocularis Sharpe. — Rchw. III. p. 174.
1 <5 ad. 2. 7. 1 Q ad. 28. 5. Mount Elgon.

On Elgon this is a bamboo-forest bird, occurring in the most
inaccessible places. It is an earth-bound creature which jumps

— 174 -

restlessly and briskly about among the fallen bamboo straws, in
the numerous hiding places of which it knows how to conceal it-
self. Once or twice I saw it fly about 10 yards or so, but then
suddenly it vanished into the confusion of the plants in the dark
lanes of the baraboo-kingdom. The protective colours of the
plumage makes it also extremely difficult to discover. It occurs
on Elgon at an altitude of 8000 to 9500 feet.

This bird has by Reicheuow (op. cit.) been made a
synonym of C. reichenowi (Hartl.), but Ogilvie-Grant (Bull.
Brit. Orn. Club. 1907, p. 42) has shown that it is "a perfectly
distinct species", which was described by Sharpe (Bull. Brit.
Orn. Club, 1902, p. 8) from Ruwenzori. Bannermanu (Ibis,
1915, p. 657) says that "the males of C. reichenowi and C. ocu-
laris are indistinguishable". At a later date Ogilvie-Grant
brought home a large serie of ocularis from Ruwenzori and the
same writer states (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp., 1910, p. 296) that
there "it frequents the rough country below the forest- line,
especially old sites of cultivation and crops of millet", L o n n -
berg (Birds, coll. Sw. Zool. Exp. B. E. A., 1911, p. 106) has
found Cryptospiza in the dark forests and v. Someren (Nov.
Zool., 1918, p. 281) has also met with it in the same kind of
locality.

After comparing my specimens with those in the Berlin
Museum I have come to the opinion that Ogilvie-Grant is
quite right. Further, my speciniens are exactly like others found
in Berlin bearing the name of C. ocularis and originating from
Ruwenzori and Uganda, but they also agree rather well with
Lonnberg's salvadori specimens.

These two specimens are alike and have the head and
interscapulur region dark greyish olive-green. {C. reichenowi is
much lighter) and in this they approach C. salvadori. Even
this race is very closely related to the latter in that the male
is without the red on the sides of the head. Reicheuow,
it is true, writes (Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb., p. 333) that he
has found that d*cf of C. salvadori also has red on the sides
of the head, but L o n n b e r g (op. cit.) shot two males by the
Escarpement in B. E. A., both of which were without this red
patch. The male specimen has, besides, swollen testes, so that
there is not the least doubt as to the correctness of the sexing.

C. ocularis differs rather sharply from C. salvadori, that
is, in the latter the head and interscapular region are distinctly
brownish green, while in the former these parts are as described
above.

The chin is lighter than the other parts of the lower sur-
face and is predominantly grey (with a pale yellowish green
wash). Lower parts olive grey.

Without material for comparison the species and races of
the Cryptospiza genus are very difficult to keep apart and 1

— Its —

believe that the individuals shot by v. Someren on the Uganda
side of Elgon should no doubt be placed under C. ocularis,
already known from Uganda and Ruwenzori, in spite of the fact
that this writer styles them C. salvadori and when Dr. v. Someren
saw my Elgoo specimens in Nairobi he considered that they also
belong to that race.

A noteworthy feature in C. ocularis is that the male has
narrow red rings of skin-folds round the eyes. Whether these
are found also in other races of this family I do not know, at
least I have not found any statement in the literature on the
subject and it is impossible to establish on stuffed or skined
birds.
■' Wing, cT 58 mm., 9 57 mm.; tarsus, 18 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark brownish grey-
brownish-green.

Estrilda astrild massaica Neum. — Journ. f. Ornithol., 1907. p. 596.
4 (5(5 ad. 14.-17. 4.5 1 Q ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

Very common in the Nairobi district (see also v. Someren:
Ibis 1916, p. 421).

Neumann, who has described this form, says that it
exactly resembles E. a. minor Cab. from Somaliland, Teita,
Mombasa and Sanzibar, but is considerably larger, having a
wing measurement of 39—43 mm., the latter 46—49 mm. But
Reichenow (Vog. Afr. III. p. 181) gives the length of wing
as 43 — 47 mm, and if the latter figures are correct, then Lonn-
berg (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp. B. E. A. 1911, p. 106), Gurney
(Ibis 1909, p. 491) and S c 1 a t e r and Mackworth-Praed
(Ibis 1918, p. 443) are right when they style the East African
specimens E. a. minor. But this, according to Reichenow
(op. cit.) is said to have pure white cheeks, and not a single one of
my 6 individuals from Nairobi has these parts of this colour but
are pale greyish brown or greyish red. Thus, even if the wing-
measurements for the two races in question coincide or are
very nearly equal, the two forms differ distinctly in the colour
of the cheeks (which Neumann, however, has not emphasised).
I am of the same opinion as v. Someren (op. cit.) that the
form found in the interior differs from the coastal form and that
Neumann's name should be retained for this form, though
Sclater & Mackworth-Praed (op. cit. ) make it a
synonym of E. a. minor.

The last-mentioned authors mention, as a character for
E. a. minor, that it has "white throat", and as not one of the
6 individuals before me has this feature but all have the throat
of the same colour as the cheeks, I cannot call mine by this name.
Both v. Someren and Prof. Neumann have seen some of
my specimens which they unhesitatingly fixed as E. a. massiaca.

- m -

Wing, tarsus,

46, 47, 48, 48 mm. 13 — 14 mm. cfcf

47 mm, 14 mm. 9

hides dark-brown; bill coral-red, legs dark brownish grey-
black.

Estrilda astrild nyanzae Neum. — Journ. f. Ornithol., 1907,

p. 596-597.

2 (5(5 ad. 4. 5. Londiani. - ^ 66 ad. 10.-12. 5.; 2 ee ad. 12. 5. Eldoret. -
1 Q. ad. 5. 5. Londiani.

At Eldoret and in the vicinity of this community this form
of Estrilda astrild was very common. It was found in the vast
fields covered with grass nearly the height of a man, where
Vrohrachya phoenicea, Coliuspassei laticauda, Drepanopledes jacJc-
soni and JSIecfarinia Jcilimensis occurred in great abundance. On
a slope 1 found the peculiar nest of one of these birds.

It was built on the ground, on the top of a big stone, around
which tall grass-tufts grew thickly, the grass-blades growing around
bidding the large pear-shaped, nest from view. The nest mea-
sured 21 cm. in length and was at the broadest place 16 cm.,
in the narrowest, i e. the mouth of the entrance tube, it mea-
sured 3.5 cm. On the roof of the nest, the entrance tube of
which was slightly pointing downwards, was fitted a super-
structure (one might say a new nest), which was 6.5 cm. high.
The roof of this superstructure sloped backwards and its walls
were thin and loose. The floor was carpeted with a few feathers
and snake-skins.

The nest itself, which was firm and well joined together,
consisted of grass -straws and dry panicles of different kinds of
grass; the whole thing looking something like this.

Fig. 4.
Sketch of the nest of Estrilda astrild nyanzae.

What that alcove or superstructure is really intended for
is difficult to decide with certainty. Can it be a resting place

— 17'? —

for the non- sitting bird or is it only to give the visitor the
idea that it is the nest itself? In the latter case attention would
be directed to this superstructure and the nest itself, with young
or eggs, would be, perhaps, more protected from the unpleasant
visits of man or beast.

Almost unnoticed the birds slipped in and out and when-
ever one of the parents approached the nest it suddenly dived
into the grass about 5 meters from the nest and in a few mo-
ments was sitting on the eggs.

The nest contained 5 white eggs of the following measure-
ments:

1. 13 X 10.5 mm. 4. 13 X 5.10 mm.

2. 13X5.10 mm. 5. 13 X 10 mm.

3. 14 X 10 mm.

In form the eggs were oval without any pronounced thick
or thin end. The shells of two of the eggs were extremely
glossy but those of the other three dull and lustreless. Small,
fine pores were spread all over the surface of the shell.

All these 6 specimens have white throats and lack the
blood -red longitudinal stripe on the belly but have a more or
less pronounced red tinge on the lower parts. Cheeks whitish.
I have compared them with the specimens in the Berlin Museum
and have came to the conclusion that they must undoubtedly
be placed under the above. Besides, Prof. 0. Neumann
has been kind enough to examine them closely and he also
considered them to belong to this form, so there can be no doubt
about the matter at all. It is true, Neumann gives the wing-
measurement to 46 — 47 mm. but, as appears from the table
below, the measurements for my specimens are greater and ap-
proach those for the South Abessynian form E. a. peasei Shelley,
for which Neumann gives 50 — 53 mm., but Sc later &
Mackworth-Praed give an average of 50 mm. and for
E. a. nyansae an average of 48 mm.

Wing, tarsus,

47, 47, 49, 50, 50 mm. 13—14 mm. cfd*

48, 48, 49 mm 14 mm. 99-

Neumann gives the distribution of this race to the West
coast of Victoria Nyanza and probably also the north and east coast
of the same lake. But Sclater & Mackworth-Praed
fixes it to Uganda and Belgian Congo.

Irides, bill and legs as in preceding race.

Estrilda nonnula (Hartl.). — Rchw. III. p. 188.
2 (5(5 ad. 4. and 7. 5.; 1 Q ad. 4. 5. Londiani,

I saw this bird only at Londianj (there in large flocks) and
in single individuals at Eldoret.

12

— 178 -

One of the male specimens has light uudulating lines on
the lower surface. The female is more greyish on the lower
part than the males (0 g. - G r a n t).

Wing cfcT 48, 50 mm., 9 48 mm. Tarsus 15 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black with a red streak on each
side. Legs black.

Reichenow gives the distribution of this bird from
Kamerun and Congo to Victoria- Nyanza. v. Someren (Ibis
1916, p. 423) has found it in various places in Uganda. Sclater
& Mackworth-Praed (Ibis 1918, p. 415) have met it in
the Bahr el Chazal district at Jambio, B a n n e r m a n (Ibis 1915,
p. 514) says that "it ranges right across Africa".

Londiani is surely one of the few places in British East
Africa where the race it met with.

Lagonosticta senegala kikuyuensis v. Someren. — Bull. Brit.
Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1919, p. 55.

L. senegalla kikuyuensis v. Someren.

1 Q ad. 11. 4. Ngong.

A little flock of this race was found inhabiting some gar-
dens at Ngong, in the neighbourhood of Nairobi.

The whole of the upper parts greyish brown with a very
pale red wash; the sides of the head with a somewhat deeper
reddish tinge; at the base of the upper mandible carmine spots.
Throat, fore -neck and breast light greyish brown with a faint
red tint; breast with whitish spots; belly lighter brownish yel-
low; flanks greyish brown. On comparing this bird with speci-
mens of closely allied forms I found that it mostly approaches
ruherrima [which also v. Someren (op. cit.) points out].
Wing 47 ram. tarsus 12 mm.

Irides dark-brown, bill reddish, upper mandible with black
ridge, lower mandible somewhat lighter. Legs dirty yellow.

Dr. V. G. L. van Someren, Nairobi, has been kind
enough to examine and fix this specimen.

Lagonosticta rubricata hildehrandti Neum. — Orn. Monatsber.

1907, p. 167.

1 cT ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

This specimen agrees completely, as regards dress, with the
type-specimen from British East Africa found in the collections
of the Berlin Museum.

Wing 48 mm. tarsus 15 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill bluish black, legs brownish black.

Lagonostida jamesoni taruensis v. Somerea. — Bull. Brit.
Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1919, p. 54.

1 (5 ad. 27. 4. Mombasa.

Id the Mombasa country I saw this form a few times.

The specimen is in full dress and agrees with v. Someren's
description except that the centre of the abdomen is not black,
but brownish yellow with an uneven, pale red tint. Under tail-
coverts are black with brown tips. No white spots on the sides
of breast.

Wing 44 mm. tarsus 12 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill bluish grey; legs black.

Neisna quartinia nyansae Neum. — Journ, f. Ornithol.
1905, p. 350.

8 ^(5 ad. 21. 5.-15. 6.; 1 Q ad. 12. 6.; 1 ^ juv. 24. 6. Mount Elgon.

On the eastern slopes of Elgon this race was very common
up to 8.500 ft. As a rule it was found in the bush vegetation
along the small mountain streams flowing here and there. It
was seen quite as often in single pairs as in small flocks of
6—10 individuals. I even saw it very often in the Solanmn
and Convolvulus thickets on the sunlit slopes.

Among these 9 specimens in full dress there are rather
great variations in the extent of the yellow patch of the belly.
In some this patch stretches on to the breast, in others it does
not extend so far up.

Reichenow (Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb., 1910, p. 336)
throws out the suggestion that iV. q. nyansae and N. q. hili-
mensis Sharpe are perhaps only different sexes or old dresses
of one and the same form, but Grote (Journ, f. Orn. 1921,
p. 129) emphasizes the dift'erence between them and points out
that the latter has a darker grey head, the back and under
surface being also darker (see Ogilvie-Grant: Zool. Res.
Ruw. Exp., 1910, p. 303). Grote gives the wing-length of Mi-
mensis from Usambara as 41 — 45 mm. (in the majority of cases
43 mm.) and Neumann (op. cit.) gives 42—43 nam. for nyansae,
but points out at the same time that his race is smaller than
the former. The difi"erence in size between these two forms
(wing, total length etc.) is obviously negligible, at least judging
from these figures, but they may best be distinguished by the
colours. After comparing my specimens with those at the Berlin
Museum, I came to the same result as Grote and therefore
consider both these forms good.

My specimens from Elgon are without any doubt nyansae
but, as appears from the following table, the measurements for

12*

— 18(3 —

the length of wing are considerably greater than those given by
Neumann and if the measurements alone were conclusive,
the Elgon form could hardly be placed among the now known
forms of quartinia, but one might then be entitled to make a
new form.

Wing,

tarsus,

culmen,

46 mm.

13 mm.

7 mm.

cf ad.

45 mm.

13 mm.

7 mm.

cT ad.

44 mm.

13 mm.

8 mm.

cf ad.

46 mm.

13.5 mm.

7 mm.

cT ad.

47 mm.

14 mm.

7.5 mm.

cT ad.

46 mm.

14 mm.

7 mm.

cT ad.

45 mm.

14 mm.

7 mm.

cf ad.

47 mm.

13 mm.

7.5 mm.

cf ad.

47 mm.

14 mm.

7 mm.

9 ad.

42 mm.

13 mm.

7 mm.

cf ad.

ides, I consi

ider there is

no occasion to d

so my in-
vestigations only determining the variation latitude of the nyansae
form and show that this is quite different from what the author
imagined.

Irides red (in the young bird brown); upper mandible black,
lower mandible coral-red (in the young bird both upper and
lower mandible black). Compare : Ogilvie-Grant, (op. cit.)
Legs dark-grey-black.

Vraeginthus hengalus hrunneigularis Mearns. — Smithson. Misc.
Coll. vol. 56, No. 20, 1911, p. 6.

Nziilili . . . ki-kamba. — Asiro . . . ki -kavirondo. — Ndwedue . . . ki-suaheli.
1 (5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. — 1 Q ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

There are 14 forms of Vraeginthus hengalus L. described.
Zedlitz: J. f. 0., 1911, p. 604—607; Grote: Orn. Monats-
ber. 1911, p. 162; Mearns: op. cit. These two specimens from
the Nairobi district must be referred to JJ. b. hrunneigularis,
which Reichenow, however (Jouru. f. Orn. 1918, p. 89), con-
siders to be synonymous with U. b. ugandae Zedlitz. My opinion
however, is that both these forms are good and distinct.

As Mearns (op. cit.) says, the female has the sides of the
head and cheeks brown, though at the base of the lower jaw
there is a narrow, blue stripe. The blue patch of the under-part
is limited to the fore-neck, breast and flanks (Compare v. S o -
meren: Ibis, 1916, p. 425).

The male has almost the whole of the lower surface clear
blue; lower tail-coverts brown.

Wing cf 54, 9 54 mm.; tarsus 14 mm.; bill 9 mm.

Irides reddish brown; bill, red — rosy-red with black edges
and black tip; legs pale yellowish red.

— 181 -

According to Neumann (J. f. 0., 1905, p. 350 — 351
U. b. schoanus described by him should be the largest of all the
forms belonging to this species, the wing-measurements amounting
to 53 — 55 mm. But this hrunneigularis has about the same
measurement.

Uraeginthus hengalus ugandae Zedlitz. — Journ. f. Ornithol.,

1911, p. 606.
2 (5(5 ad. 7. 8. Soy. - 2 QQ ad. 23. 8. Kendu.

Ditfers from the preceding in the blue of the underparts
shading more into green, and by means of the smaller measure-
ments. Further, the centre of the under surface is entirely
brownish (in the former blue), even in the male.

One of the cT specimens has a wing-measurement of 55 mm.
and thus approaches the northern form schoanus Neum. but it
was shot together with the others, which have a wing-length of
52 mm. In other respects they are exactly similar to each other
and therefore I do uot hesitate, in spite of the difference in wing-
length, in placing them under ugandae.

The female specimens from Kendu. Lake Victoria Nyanza,
are very similar to hrunneigularis Mearns, and as v. Somercn
(Ibis, 1916, p. 425) gives the latter from Kisumu on Victoria
Nyanza, I might be tempted to refer my specimens to that race
also. But both of them have the sides of the head blue, which
extends even over the eyes and thus they cannot belong to that
form. It therefore seems to me to be doubtful whether this form
and the one just mentioned should occur within almost the same
locality. Besides, the length of the wing falls below the measure-
ments given for hrunneigularis.

Certainly one cannot attach too much systematical im-
portance to the measurements of the wing, especially when it is
a matter of a variation of only 1 or 2 mm., for in this case,
as in so many others (Compare, e. g. Neisna quartinia nyansae),
these sometimes vary considerably in individuals from the same
locality and shot on the same day.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

52, 55 mm. 14, 15 mm. 9,5 10 mm. cTcf.
51, 52 mm. 14, 14 mm. 10 mm. 99-

Irides red-brownish red; bill red-lilac with black edges and
black tip; legs brownish grey.

Uraeginthus hengalus loveni Granvik.
1 ^ ad. 27. i.\2 QQ ad. 27 and 29. 4. Mombasa.

The Crimson-eared Grass Finches from Mombasa cannot be
placed under any of the 14 forms hitherto described of this

— 182 —

"form-circle". — v. Some r en describes the coastal form in the
following manner (Journ. E. A. and Ug. Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. VI,
No. 12, 1911, p. 258): "These birds are much bluer than birds
from up-country and have the crimson earspot much more limited
in size. The female have the cheeks and throat washed with
blue, thus differing from TJ. h. brunneigularis.

I agree with this description almost entirely, except that
my cf specimen has not the red earspot larger than the other
allied forms. But there is also this difference; in specimens from
the coast-land (both cT and 9) the upperparts are greyish, while,
on the other hand, in those in the interior of the country the
upperparts shade more into reddish-brown. Even the grey of
the under surface is considerably lighter. Further, they seem to*
belong to the smallest in this "formcircle". The females are very
similar to brunneigularis, but are considerably paler both in the
blue and greyish brown tint.

Wing in all three 40 mm., tarsus 13—14 mm., culmen 9 mm.

When compared with the Berlin Museum specimens they
show a great similarity to schoanus Neum., but as the distribution
of that form is the Soudan and the Lower White Nile, they can
scarcely be placed under that name

I have named this bird in honour of the leader of our ex-
pedition, Capt. S. A. L 0 V e n , Stockholm.

Uraeginthus ianthinog aster monfana v. Someren. — Bull. Brit.
Oru. Club vol. XL, 1919, p. 53.

Uraeginthus ianthinogaster Echw. Vog. Afr. III. p. 211. — Granatina i.
ianthinogastra Rchw. Mackworth-Praed : Ibis, 1917, p. 369. — Oranatina
ianthinogaster montana v. Someren. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club vol. XL,
1919, p. 53.

3 (5(5 ad. 20. 4.-23. 4.; 2 QQ ad. 20. 4.

In the regions of Naivasha this bird was rather common,
and appeared in small flocks in the bush country.' All 5 speci-
mens originate from the "terra typica".

The males agree, in the main, with the author's description,
although one of them has the blue of the lower surface exten-
ding a good bit up the throat. All three have the chin, close
to the base of the lower mandible, provided with blue feathers.
In one of them the proximal two-thirds of all the tail-feathers
are edged with blue, in the other two all except the central
ones.

The females have a wide, pale lilac ring around the eyes
and are in general somewhat smaller than the males.
Wing, tarsus,

61 mm. 17 mm. cT.

62 mm. 18 mm. cT.

— 183

Wing,

tarsus,

59 mm.

17 mm.

cT.

58 mm.

17 mm.

9-

59 mm.

17 mm.

9-

Irides red (in cfcf a narrow ring of small red verruciform
growths along the borders of the eye-lids); bill coral-red; legs
black.

Probably owing to some printing-error v. Someren called
this race G. ianthogaster m. It should surely be ianthinog aster.

Hypochera ultramarina purpurascens Rchw. —
Journ. f. Ornithol. 1883, p. 221.

Ochimbo . . . ki-kavirondo. — Gilili . . . ki-kamba.
2 (5(5 ad. 23. 8. Kendu.

In the thorn-bush around the native community at Kendu
this race occurred very sparingly. As a rule I saw it perched
in the top of some little bush, either singly or in pairs.

S c 1 a t e r and Mackworh-Praed (Ibis 1918, p. 448—
450) have given a good exposition of the different representatives
of this genus. — Both specimens are deep blue-glossy and have
the inner secondaries with wide blue glossy edges. The above-
mentioned authors consider this form as an intermediate between
H. u. ultramarina and H. f. funerea.

After comparing it with the Berlin Museum specimens it
seems to me as if this torm is more allied to E. chalyheata
amauropteryx Sharpe, but I dare not express any definite opinion,
as at present I lack sufficient material for comparison.
Wing 68, 69 mm. tarsus 15 mm.

Irides dark coffee -brown; bill whitish with faint roseate
blush; legs pale flesh-coloured.

Vidua Serena L. — Rchw. III. p. 217.

2 (5(5 ad. 10. 4. Nairobi, 5.500 ft. - 2 (5^ ad. 17. 5. and 6. 6. Mount
Elgon, 7.000 ft.

In the Nairobi country, where this species was very common,
I saw the male -bird's pairing displays. As they have already
been observed and described by so many investigators I need not
deal with them here, except to mention, that when the male saw
that he was observed lie would fly a little distance off" and drop
to the ground, where he executed and continued the dance in
about the same manner as Drepanoplectes jacksoni, that is to
say, he would rise about a metre into the air then fall to the
ground. Without stopping he kept up in this way for a long

— 184 —

while. — On Elgou this bird almost always appeared in the compauy
of TJrohrachya phoenicea phoenicea and Quelea cardinalis. One
ot the Nairobi specimens has not yet assumed the full dress,
but a few isolated feathers on the back are tipped with brown.
The other is in full plumage. This is also the case with the
Elgon specimens.

Noteworthy for the two latter is that they have entirely
black legs, whereas the former have brownish grey. Whether
this is constant and would possibly be a character distinguishing
a possil)le mountain form from a highland one, I do not known.
Reich enow (op. cit.) says of this species that the legs are brown
or reddish brown, but Ogi I vie-Gran t (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp.,
1910, p. 304) mentions that specimens from Ruwenzori (3400 —
4000 ft.) have black legs.

Wing, ' tarsus,

71, 72 (Nairobi) 71, 73 mm. (Elgon). 16 — 17 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill coral-red; legs (see above).

Anomalospiza imherhis Cab. — Rchw. III. \). 276.

4 (5(5 ad. 20. 6. ; 1 Q ad. 20. 6. Mount Elgon, 6.000-6.500 ft. - 2 QQ ad. 19. 8.
Kisumu. — 1 Q ad. 23. 8. Kendu.

This Bishop Finch was rather common in the acacia-
country and scrub below the eastern slopes of Elgon, usually
appearing in large flocks, (compare v. S o m e r e n , Nov. Zool.,
XXV, 1918, p. 283).

R e i c h e n 0 w refers this genus to Fringillidae, but
Ogilvie-Grant (Ibis, 1913, p. 573) and Z e d 1 i t z have
placed it among the Floceidae. — Chap in (Bull, Am. Mus.
N. H., vol. XXXVII, 1917, p. 260) in his analysis of the Weaver-
Birds has also come to the conclusion that the genus in question
should belong to the latter family.

V. S 0 m e r e n (op. cit.), however, refers Anonialospiza to
Frin(jillidae, hnt Sclater&Mackworth-Praed (Ibis 1918,
p. 460), in consequence of Ogilvie-G rant's and Shelley's
investigations, placed the genus among the Floceidae.

Individuals of this genus can be very diificult to fix con-
clusively inasmuch as very great differences are found in specimens
from the same locality and shot at the same time.

At present 3 allied species are separated :

1. Anomalospiza imherhis Cab.

Hab. East Africa from upper Kir to Transvaal.

2. Anomalospiza macmillani Bannerman.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol XXIX, 1911, p. 37—38.
Hab. Jimma, S. W. Abyssinia.

3. Anomalospiza buileri Scl. & M.-Praed.

Ibis, 1918, p. 460—461.
Hab. Kajo Kaji, Lado Enclave.

• ~ 185 —

It seems certain to me that the male-specimens and one of
the female-specimens from Elgon are rather typical imherhis.
Three cTcT are almost exactly similar to each other and have
the upper parts a beautiful yellow with a faint olive-green wash,
giving to the upper surface a yellower colour. The whole of the
lower surface is bright yellow, and two of them have dark streaks
along the flanks. The fourth, on the other hand, having a more
worn dress, has the upper surface dark olive-green and the wing-
coverts and upper tail-coverts have outside the green edges a
narrow, greyish white border.

The female specimen from Elgon differs from the three 99
from Victoria Nyanza. The plumage is more worn and the
brown edges to the feathers of the upper surface are lor the
most part already worn away, giving the whole upper-part a dark
brownish black colour. The sides of the head and fore-neck,
the breast and the flanks are furnished with fine, dark streaks.
The superciliary stripe is brownish yellow. The lower parts
pale brownish white.

As regards the females from Victoria-Nyanza, one is in
fresh, full dress and differs so greatly from all the others that
1 should be inclined to believe that it belonged to another
species. All the feathers on the upper surface are blackish
brown with wide, rusty brown edgings, the superciliary stripe
is also rusty brown, likewise the sides of the head. Throat
faintly brownish white; fore-neck pale rusty brown, belly whitish,
the flanks pale rusty brown. No dark streaks on the underparts
or sides of the head. v. Someren's description (op. cit.) of
the immature bird in first plumage, agrees fairly well with the
dress of this individual.

Another specimen (in worn dress) is similar to the above,
but all the rusty-brown patches are paler. Besides, it has a
faint indication of dark spots on the left side.

The third specimen from here is in moult and in the colour
of the dress approaches the Elgon specimen. Still, the upper
surface is more greyish. The whole of the lower surface almost
white. The superciliary stripe whitish.

Whether the rusty-brown specimens are to be considered
as some special form or not I cannot at present decide, inasmuch
as too little material for comparison has been at my disposal.
Wing, tarsus,

71 mm. 19 mm. cf Elgon

70 mm. 19 mm. cf „

68 mm. 19 mm. cf „

67 mm. 19 mm. d* „

69 mm. 18 mm. Q

68 mm. 19 mm. 9 Kisumu (reddish brown)

65 mm. 19 mm. 9 u i? m

66 mm. 18 mm, 9 Kendu (greyish white)

— 186 —

Irides dark-brown ; bill in cf black (basal part of lower man-
dible sometimes lighter); in 9 upper mandible brownish-grey —
dark-grey; lower mandible yellowish brown (sometimes with dark
tip); legs dark grey.

Fringiilidae.

Passer griseus ngandae Rchw. — Rchw. III. p. 230.

Passer diffusus Smith. — Og.-Grant: Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp., 1910, p. 304.
Rabang . . . ki-kavirondo.
3 (5(5 ad. 18.— 22. 8. Kendu.

Very common in the Kendu country. All three specimens
are in moult. Zed lit z (Journ. f. Orn., 1911, p. 36) has fixed
the range of P. g. suahelicus Rchw. to German East Africa,
Victoria Lake to Sambesi and of F. g. ugandae Rchw. to the
Central Provinces. Sclater & Mackworth-Praed (Ibis
1918, p. 472) say, on the contrary, that the former occurs in
German East Africa and Nyasaland, north along the coast to
Lamu in British East Africa, where it occurs side by side with
P. gongonensis Oust. The range of the latter they fix to Uganda.
One should then mostly expect on the eastern shores of Lake
Victoria to find the former, but all these specimens have the
back deep reddish brown and are thus undoubtedly ugandae.

Wing 85, 87, 87 mm., tarsus 19-20.

Irides brownish red; bill black; legs brownish grey.

Passer rufocinctus Fschr. & Rchw. — Rchw. 111. p. 241.
1 (5 ad. 19. 9. Kiambu.

By a little stream in the neighbourhood of Nairobi a little
flock of 5 individuals was met with.

Agrees with Reichenow's description except that the
lower wing-coverts are not white but grey, with a faint wash of
ochre-yellow.

Wing 77 mm. tarsus 20 mm.

Irides whitish yellow; bill black; legs dark greyish brown.

Passer (Sorella) emini-bey Hartl. — Rchw. III. p. 248.

Sorella emini-bey. Hartl.: Journ. f. Orn. 1880, p. 211. — Sorella emini
Hartl. Neumann: Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 287. — Gurney: Ibis, 1909,
p. 493. — Auripasser emini (Hartl.) — Lonnberg: Kongl. Sv. Vet. Akad.
Handl., Bd. 47, No. 5, p. 109. - Reichenow : Vog. Afr. HI, p. 248. —
Passer (Sorella) emim-bey Hartl. Sclater & M.-Praed: Ibis, 1918,
p. 470.

1 ^ ad. 19. 8. ; 1 $ ad. 19. 8. Kisumu.

— 187 -

Out amoDg the papyrus reeds, which in certain places
border the shores of Victoria Nyanza, there grew here and there
small thickets of shrub and trees, where at this time of the year
there was a rich bird-life. Among the numerous species of
small birds shot here, even this bird was found, although it did
not occur very commonly.

The male is in full dress (somewhat worn) aiad agree with
Reichenow's description.

The female specimen is also in full dress and the upper
tail coverts are greyish brown (vide Reichenow).
Wing, tarsus,

61 mm. 16 mm. cT

59 mm. 15 mm. Q

Irides in cf dark-yellow, in Q brown; bill in (f black, in
9 dark-grey (lower mandible somewhat lighter); legs in cf
brownish grey, in 9 ^^^J-

Serinus angolensis reichenowi Salvad. — Rchw. III. p. 254.

Poliospiza reichenowi Salvad. Reichenow : op. cit. — v. Someren : Ibis,
1916, p. 428. — Serinus angolensis reichenowi Salvad. Zedlitz : Orn.
Monatsber., 1912, p. 75; Journ. f. Orn., 1916, p. 46.

2 (5(5 ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

Zedlitz has in the above-named work dealt with the syste-
matisation of the races of Serinus angolensis in a worthy manner,
and in the Journ. f. Ornith., 1916, pp. 45—46, he has separated
7 allied forms.

With reference to S. a. reichenowi he says (Orn. Monats-
ber. 1912, p. 75) that specimens from British East Africa have
a strong bill exactly like typical specimens from Abessynia.

At Lake Naiwasha this race was very common and; occurred
in the outskirts of the woods, which grew right down to the water.
Both specimens are in rather worn dresses and in one the light
tips of the rectrices are therefore almost worn away. In the
other the tips are not pure white but greyish white, but in other
respects they agree with Z e d 1 i t z's diagnosis.

Wing 67, 69 mm., tarsus 13, 14 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill greyish-brown; legs brownish yellow.

Serinus siriolatus affinis Richm. — The Auk, 1897, p. 156—157.

Crithagra striolata af finis Richm. Richm. : The Auk., 1897, p. 156. —
Poliospiza striolata affinis Richm. v. Someren: Ibis, 1916, p. 428.
Nov. Zool. XXV, 1918, p. 282. — Serinus striolatus affinis Richm.
Hartert : Bull. Brit. Club, vol. XIX, 1807, p. 84. — Poliospiza striolata
Riipp. Grote: Journ. f. Orn., 1921, p. 129.

1 (5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. - 1 ^ ad. 24. 4. Kikuyu. — 2 <5(5 ad. 19. 9. Kiambu. —
1 Q ad. 11. 4. Ngong. — 1 g ad. 24. 4. Kiambu. — 1 Q ad. 5. 5. Londiani

— 188 —

At the above-mentioned places this race was very common
in the scrub-country.

Hartert (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club., vol. XIX, 1907, p. 84)
has described a form from Ruwenzori, S. s. graueri, and says of
S. s. affinis Richm., that it is "with difficulty, if at all distinguishable
from S. s. striolatus (Riipp.) " I have not been in a positon to
examine any specimen of S. s. striolatus and am therefore unable
to express any opinion thereof.

R e i c h e n 0 w (Vog. Afr. III. p. 257) however, makes S. s.
affinis Richm. a synonym of S. s. striolatus (Riipp), and Neu-
mann (Journ. f. Orn., 1905 p. 353) says that specimens from
Kilinia-Ndjaro agree well with others from Njam-njam, whence
he considers S. s. affinis Richm. to be indentical with S. s. strio-
latus. Jackson (Ibis, 1910, p. 560) calls his specimens from
Ruwenzori Foliospisa striolata, at the same time making it a
synonym of Richmond's form, exactly as R e i c h e n o w has
done. Grant (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp. i910, p. 305), however,
names specimens from Ruwenzori S. graueri Hart, and probably
Jackson's specimens belong to this form. v. Someren (Ibis,
1916, p. 428) styles the Nairobi specimens S.s. affinis ami no doubt
they are to be considered as good ones.

Thus, of this bird the following forms have been separated:

1. Serimts striolatus striolatus (Riipp.).
Hab. Abyssina.

2. Serinus striolatus affinis Richm.
Hab. British & German East Africa.

3. Serinus striolatus graueri Hartert.
Hab. Ruwenzori.

4. Serinus striolatus pachyrhynchus Reichenow.

Orn. Monatsber., 1905, p. 146.
Hab. South Somali (Damaso in Garre Liwin).
5 Serinus striolatus ugandae v. Someren.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XLI, 1921, p. 114. .
Hab. M: t Elgon, up to the heath zone, and South Aukola.
All my 7 specimens are light brownish white on the under
surface. Two specimens are all but greyish white. The black
streaks on the chest fairly broad. The throat and fore-neck in
some garnished with numerous citron-yellow feathers (in one
individual such feathers are found all over the underparts).

The upper surface, as a rule, shading into dark-brown
(sometimes with a greyish wash). Male and female alike.
Wing, tarsus,

66, 68, 71, 71 mm. 20, 22 mm. cTcf

71, 71, 71 mm. 21 mm. 99

Irides dark-brown ; bill brownish grey (lower mandible
lighter); legs dark brownish yellow — dark greyish brown.

— 189 —

Serinus striolakis ugandae v. Someren. — Bull. Brit. OrD. Club,
vol. XLI, 1921, p. 114.

5 (5(5 ad. 27. 6.-1. 8.; 3 QQ ad. 26. 6.-27. 6. Mount Elgon, 9000-13,500 ft.

Ou the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon this bird was common
from 9000 ft. up to the highest regions. I have seen it practi-
cally everywhere from 9000 ft. on the outskirts of the forests, on
the shrub clad slopes, in the bamboo-forests, in the Erica wood
and even in the tall Senecios, which grew around the rater-lake
at an altitude of 13,5000 feet. It thus seems to be a pronounced
alpine bird, which goes considerably above the limits of the trees.

Generally it appeared singly, but sometimes it occurred in
flocks of about 10 — 12 individuals.

It is very easy to distinguish from S. s. affinis by means
of the considerably darker under surface, which is distinctly
brown [yet according to v. Someren (op. cit.) not so dark as
in S. s. graueri]. Besides, the blackish streaks on the chest are
narrower that in the latter. The yellow feathers on the chin
and fore-neck, found in all my specimens of S. s. affinis, are,
as a rule missing in this form, or are only slightly indicated,
and have not, at any rate, the bright, yellow colour as in that
race, but are pale yellowish green.

v. Someren calls his specimens from VVest-Elgon (Nov.
Zool, XXV, 1918, p. 282) S. s. affinis. But undoubtedly they
are S. s. ugandae, although the author had not yet a clear opi-
nion with reference to (he difference between these two forms.
Wing, tarsus,

66, 68, 69, 70, 72 mm. 21 — 22 mm. cTd*.

65, 68, 68 mm. 21—22 mm. 99.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding. ,

Serinus striolatus affinis Richm. o ugandae v, Someren.

2 (5(5 ad. 7. 5. ; 1 S ad. 7. 5. N. W. of Londiani, 8.700 ft.

These three specimens were shot about two days' march
north-east of Londiani (on the road to Eldoret). They are
intermediate (so-called subtile) forms between the two last-
mentioned.

According to Richmond (The Auk 1897, p. 157) S. s.
affinis is found from 5.000—7.000 ft, and according to my own
observations S. s. ugandae is an alpine form, whence the speci-
mens found at 8.700 ft. in an area which lies between the limits
of these two altitudes, are intermediate between the preceding
forms.

— 190 -

One of the specimens reminds one of S. s. ugandae, the
streaks on the chest being narrow and having the colour of
the under surface almost as brown as in that form (darker than
in S. s. affinis). It reminds one of the latter, in having the
same small, yellow feathers on the chin and fore-neck.

The other two have broad streaks on the chest and thus
approach S. s. affinis, but the underpart is nearly as brown as
that of S. s. ugandae, and they also lack the yellow feathers
on the chin and fore-neck.

Wing, tarsus,

72, 72, 72 mm. 21 mm.

Serinus albifrons albifrons Sharpe. — Rchw. Ill, p. 257.

Poliospiza albifrons (Sharpe). — Lonnberg: Kongl. Sv. Vet. Handl. Bd. 47,
No. 5, 1911, p. 110. - V. Someren: Nov. Zool. XXV, 1918, p. 282.

1 (S ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

This single specimen, procured from the Kikuyu country,
is a typical albifrons, white on the forehead. Lonnberg (Birds
coll. Sw. Zool. Exp. B. E. A. 1911, p. 110) mentions that the
birds he brought home from the Escarpement had a wing-
length of: cf 83 mm., 9 82 mm., and he adds that the difiference
in wing- measurement between this race and S. a. kilimensis
Richm. is not great. This statement is fully confirmed by com-
paring the table of measurements given below.

Wing, tarsus, culmen,

85 mm. 20 mm. 16 mm.

Irides brownish red; upper mandible dark -brown, lower
mandible yellowish white; legs brownish green.

Serinus albifrons hilimensis Richm. — The Auk 1897, p. 155.

Ghritagna Tcilimensis Eichm. — The Auk 1897, p. 155. — Serinus kilimensis
(Richm.). — Grant: Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1910, p. 306.'— Poliospiza
kilimensis (Eichm.). — Reichenow: Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb. 1912, p. 337.

7 (3^ ad. 20. 5.-26. 6.; 3 QQ ad. 21. 5.-6. 7.; 1 (5 juv. 6. 6.
Mount Elgon, 6.500 ft.

On the eastern slopes of Elgon this race was very common
and I met it most commonly in the glades and on the outskirts
of the forests, or in the trees growing in the neighbourhood of
the mountain streams, especially where they ran down the more
or less bare slopes.

Reichenow (Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb. 1912, p. 337)
considers that this form coincides with albifrons and he says:
"that a distinct form (albifrons), having a white forehead band,
should occur in Kikuyu seems to me very improbable and I am

— 191 -

more inclined to take the forehead-band as an individual cliarac-
ter." — Yet, Lonnberg had already in 1911 plainly pointed
out the difference between the Kikuyu form and the Kilimanjaro
form; and Grant (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp. 1910, p. 306—307)
has. also emphasised the distinctive features of these two forms.

Of the 10 full-grown individuals brought home from Elgon,
7 of them have entirely brownish black foreheads, while 3 have,
just above the nostrils, a few, very small greyish white feathers.
Still, no indications whatever of forehead band. Therefore it
should be quite certain that Kilima-Ndjaro, Elgon, Mau-Escarp-
ment, Nandi-Eldoma Ravine and Ruwenzori specimens are to be
looked upon as belonging to a different form from that occurring
in the Kikuyu country.

The difference in the length of wing is surely not of much
value, as the following table shows.

Wing,

tarsus,

culmen,

90 mm.

21 mm.

17 mm.

cf.

86 mm.

21 mm.

18 mm.

cT.

88 mm.

22 mm.

17 mm.

cf.

88 mm.

21 mm.

17 mm.

cf.

87 mm.

20 mm.

16 mm.

cf.

91 mm.

20 mm.

17 mm.

cf.

97 mm.

21 mm.

17 mm.

cT.

86 mm.

20 mm.

18 mm.

9-

86 mm.

21 mm.

17 mm.

9.

85 mm.

21 mm.

17 mm.

9-

However, there is another difference between alhifrons and
hilimensis, which I found in all the specimens I have examined.
In the former the bill is considerably narrower at the base than
in the latter.

The incomplete plumage of the young bird differs greatly
from the adult and reminds one much of alhifrons, inasmuch as
the forehead is entirely white. The adult specimens that one
sometimes finds with small, insignificant, whitish feathers at the
base of the bill, are such as have not yet assumed the distinctive
character of the full dress.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

In the Berlin Museum collections there are 6 individuals
from Tanganjika, all of which lack the white forehead band. It
appeared also as if most of them had a smaller bill than my
specimens. Reichenow styles them: tanganjicae.

Serinus flavivertex flavivertex (Blanf.). — Rchw. III. p. 264.

1 ^ ad. 26. 6.; 1 (5 juv. 26. 6.; 2 QQ ad. 26. 6.; 1 Q juv. 26. 6.
Mount Elgon, 9.000 ft.

Occurred on the eastern slopes of Elgon in large flocks,
consisting of hundreds of individuals.

— 192 —

The specimens from here differ from others I have seen in
not having the forehead, sides of head, lower surface and upper
tail-coverts yellow (mostly green). Besides, the wings and tail
are blackish brown, darker than in the type specimen. Whether
the characters are constant for the Elgon specimens or those
occurring in East Africa, and they thus belong to a separate
form, 1 cannot at present decide, although it seems very probable,
as all my specimens are alike.

Wing, cTcf : ad. 79 mm., juv. 77 mm.

99- ad. 77 mm., juv, 75, 76 mm.

Tarsus 14—15 mm.

Irides dark-brown: bill and legs dark-grey.

Prof. 0. Neumann has recently (Orn. Monatsber., 1922,
p. 13) described a new allied form: sassii, from Tschingogo
forests, which has a yellow tail. In Stockholm there is one 9
specimen brought home from Kilimanrijaro by Sjostedt, which
agrees very well with mine in being predominantly green, while
specimens from Abessynia and the northern regions, on the
other hand, are more yellowish.

Serinus sulphuratus sharpei Neuni. — Rchw. III. p. 206.

Serinus shelleyi Neum. — Orn. Monatsber., 1903, p. 184.
1 (5 ad. 22. 4, Lake Naiwasha.

This race was rather rare in the acacia-country round the
shore of Lake Naiwasha.

v. Someren (Ibis, 1916, p. 429 and Nov. Zool. XXV, 1918,
p. 272) calls his specimen frou) both British Africa and Uganda:
Serinus shelleyi Neum, and in the foi-mer work he makes it a
synonym of S. sharpei. — Reichenow (op. cit), however, con-
siders S. shelleyi to be a synonym of adult cfcT of S. s. sharpei.
Grant (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp., 1910, p. 308) says that ''S. s. shelleyi
must be regarded as synonymous with S. sharpei, ox else a very
slightly smaller race."

In the original description Neumann says that this form
is closely allied to S. sulphuratus from South Africa, but smaller:
total length 160 mm, Reichenow (op. cit,), however, gives
150—160 mm, as the total length for S. sulphuratus, and in
that case the difference in size should be nothing at all. But for
S. sharpei Reichenow gives 140 — 150 mm., which does not
agree, it is true, with the measurement figure of the original
description, but by this alteration Neumann's statement of
the difference in size will be correct.

The specimen is in full dress and has a total length of
150 mm., wing 80 mm., tarsus 18 mm.

Irides dark-brown ; bill light greyish brown ; legs dark-brown.

— 193 —

Serinus dorsosiriatus dorsostriatus Rchw. — Kchw. III. p. 268.
2 (5(5 ad. 18. 9. Kisumu.

Z e d 1 i t z has (Journ. f. Oru., 1916, p. 47) established three
forms beloLging to the dorsostriatus group:

1. S. d. dorsostriats Rchw. — German East Africa and Brit.
E. Africa.

2. S. d. harferii Zedlitz. — South Somaliland.

3. S. d. macuUcollis Sharpe. — North Somali, Galla.

The two specimens from Kisumu on Victoria Nyanza are
typical S. d. dorsostriatus. This form was very common at this
place, and was met with in small Hocks in the scrub-country
down on the shores as well as further in the country. Both of
them have very worn dresses and the lower surface, together
with the under tail-coverts, are in one of them uniform yellow,
but in the other the centre of the belly and under tail-coverts
are yellowish white.

Zedlitz (op. cit.) gives the length of the wing for this
form as: cfcf 75—79 mm., 99 72—77 mm., but states that
one cT specimen collected by Neumann in N. W. Abessynia has
only 72 mm.

These two have a wing-measurement of 71 — 73 mm., tarsus
16 mm.

Irides dark-brown ; bill and legs dark-grey.

Serinus mozamhicus harbatus (Heugl.) — Rchw. III. p. 271.

Serinus icterus barbatus (Heugl.). Neumann: Journ. f. Orn., 1905, p. 354. —
Eeichenow: Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb. 1912, p. 338. — v. Someren: Ibis
1916, p. 429. — Zedlitz: J. f. Orn., 1911, p. 41.
1 (5 ad. 14. 5. Soy.

This speciman was shot by a little brook flowing through
the acacia-country, in the vicinity of Soy.

The underparts are bright yellow with a green wash along
the flanks; under tail-coverts yellow. The upper surface greenish
with a pale grey wash.

Sclater & Mackworth- Praed (Ibis, 1918, p. 464—467)
have separated 6 forms belonging to this group, at the same
time giving a detailed and exact description ot the characters
and distribution of each one of them. Neumann (Journ. f.
Orn., 1905, p. 354) gives the wing-measurements for this form
as 63—66 mm , but this individual has a wing-length amounting to
70 mm.; tarsus 15 mm. In spite of this difference in the length
of wing I place it without hesitation under the above-named form,
and it agrees perfectly with specimens in the Berlin Museum col-
lections in other respects.

Irides dark-brown; bill greyish brown; legs dark-brown.

13

— 194 —

Serinus pseudoharbatus v. Someren. — Bull. Brit.
Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1919 p. 56.

Mbalia . . . ki-kamba.
1 (5 ad. 27. 7. Soy. - 1 Q ad. 3. 7. Mount Elgon, 6500 ft.

Of this new bird two specimens were procured, both of
which were shot in the acacia-country. Dr. van Someren,
who has seen both specimens, declared that they belonged to
the species recently described by him.

I agree with v. Someren (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XL,
1919, p. 54) that this race is very similar to S. moeambicus bar-
batus and one might be much inclined to consider it only as a
paler form, very closely allied to it, and in any case belonging
to the moeambicus group. However, as I have not had any
material for comparison at my disposal I cannot go more clo-
sely into the matter, but let my specimens retain the above
name for the present. With reference to the cnlours of the
plumage, they agree with the author's description. The male,
however, has a 2 cm. wide band of white feathers at the base
of the lower mandible. The female has the throat white. The
female is also distinctly grey on the upper surface, whereas the
male is greenish grey. But they are not — according to the
description — larger than S. moeambicus barbatus, but, on the
contrary, smaller, nor have they "the bill much larger". Some
measurement figures of the latter would be of use and an ex-
planation of what is meant by "much larger".

The following table will illustrate the relation between these
two specimens and the S. moeambicus barbatus.
Tot. 1. in. f., wing, culmen, tarsus,

110 mm. 66 mm. 11 mm. 15 mm. S. pseudob. cf

105 mm. 67 mm. 9—5 mm. 14 mm. „ „ 9

115 mm. 70 mm. 10 mm. 15 mm. S. m. barb. cT

In both male and female of pseudobarbatus the malar-stripe
is also not so pronunced nor so large as in S. m. barbatus; in
the former about 5—6 mm. long, in the latter 9. mm.
hides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Spinus citrinelloides Jcikuyuensis Neum. —
Journ. f. Ornith., 1905, p. 356.

1 5 ad. 17. 4; 1 Q ad. 17. 4. Kimbu.

Both specimens of this bird are in full dress and agree
with Neumann's careful and detailed description (op. cit.).
Wing cT 67 mm., 9 65 mm.; tarsus 14 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill brownish grey; legs dark-brown.

— 196 -

Emberiza flaviventris flavivenfris Steph. — Rchw. III. p. 274.
2 (5(5 ad. 3. 6., 8. 6. Mount Elgon 6.500 ft.

Occurred sparingly on the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon.
Frequents the scrub and acacia-clad regions where it most fre-
quently associates with the Serin Finches, but is much shyer.

Both specimens are in full plumage and one has the feat-
hers of the back uniform reddish brown, the other very dark
reddish brown with lighter edges. Reichenow states (op.
cit.) that the outermost tail-feathers are white on the outer
web. In these two Elgon specimens the outer-web is one-third
white in the central, one-third black in the other two-thirds but
the distal two-thirds of the innerweb is white.

Wing, 81 85 mm. tarsus 18 mm.

Irides dark-brown; upper mandible dark-drey, lower man-
dible brownish red with black tip; legs yellowish brown (some-
times with a grey tint).

Motacillidae.

Motacilla vidua Sund. — Rchw. III. p. 296.

Nzozoo . . . ki-kamba. — Wageni . . . ki-suaheli.

1 (5 ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 1 (5 ad. 26. 7. Soy. — 1 (5 juv. 6. 5.

Londiani. — 1 (5 ad. 18. 8. Kisumu. — 2 QQ ad. 15. 5., 26. 7. Soy.

At no place through which our expedition passed has this
race been common. I did not observe the bird on the eastern
slopes of Elgon, but the most northern place I met with it
was Soy.

Reichenow (op. cit.) writes that the two outer rectrices
are white with black inner-web. In all my specimens the outer
rectrices are entirely white, the second black on the inner part
of the inner-web.

The young bird from Londiani is, as Reichenow points
out, greyish brown on the upper part, but the one from Kismu
is dark-grey (also the head).

Wing, tarsus,

97 mm. 26 mm. cf Naiwasha.

97 mm. 26 mm. cf Soy.

90 mm. 25 mm. d* Kismu. *

89 mm. 24 mm. d* juv. Londiani.

90, 91 mm. 24 mm. 99 Soy.

The females appear in general to be somewhat smaller
than the males, but otherwise there is no difiference between
the sexes.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black,

13*

- 196 -

Motacilla longicauda Riipp. — Rchw. HI. p. 301.
Motacilla clara Sharpe: Ibis 1908, p. 341.

2 ^(5 ad. 13. 6.; 2 QQ ad. 13. 6., 4. 7. Mount Elgon 6.500 ft.

Sparingly met with by the mouDtain streams on the eastern
slopes of Elgon ; and according to Neumann (Journ. f. Orn.
1906, p. 230) it lives at an altitude of 1.800—2.600 feet.

On the 6. 6. I found a nest of one of these birds in a

little hut by a little stream. It was built on a thick beam about

2 m. above the ground and consisted entirely of dry grass blades,

lined with a few feathers, and resembled very much a nest of

Motacilla alba alba. When first seen it contained one egg of

the same size, form and colour as the last- mentioned bird.

When I returned to the place two days later the nest was gone.

Wing, tarsus,

78, 80 mm. 21, 22 mm. cTcf.

77, 78 mm. 21 mm. 99-

Irides dark -brown; bill black, legs dark brownish grey
— leaden grey.

Motacilla flava campestris Pall. — Rchw. 111. p. 306.
1 Q. ad. 19. 9. Kiambu.

A flock of this race was found in the vicinity of Nairobi.
Undoubtedly migratory birds, that had already arrived in their
winter quarters.

This specimen is only slightly yellow on the head (more
greenish). Back greyish olive-green.

Wing 80 mm.; tarsus 23 mm.

Irides dark -brown; bill brownish black, lower mandible
greyish blue at the base: legs black.

Anthus rufulus raalteni Lay. — Rchw. III. 4), 313.

Anthus rufulus cinnamomeus Riipp. — Lonnberg: Kongl. Sv. Vet. Akad.
Hand]., Bd. 47, No. 5, 1911, p. 112. — v. Someren: Ibis 1916, p. 342. —
Reichenow : op. cit. ; Vogelf. d. Mittelafr. Seengeb., 1912, p. 340. — Anthus
rufulus VieiU. Gurney: Ibis 1909, p. 296.

Mbora . . . ki-kavirondo. — Mokica . . . ki-kamba.

2 (5(5 ad^ 11. 4. Ngong. - 3 (5(5 ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — ^ 66 ad. 28. 5.,
22. 6., 27. 6. Mount Elgon 6.500—11.000 ft. — 1 (5 ad. 7. 8. Eldoret. —
2 66 ad. 21. 8., 23. 8. Kendu. — 3 QQ 20. 4., 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. —
1 Q ad. 26. 5. Mount Elgon. - 1 Q ad. 26. 7. Soy. — 2 QQ ad. 21. 8.,
28. 8, Kendu. — 16 juv. 16. 7. Mount Elgon.

This Pipit was one of the commonest small birds at every
place we visited. It occurred as a rule at an altitude of 6.000
—8.000 feet, but on our journey to the summit of Elgon, Director

— 197 —

S. Lov^n shot a specimen at 11.000 feet. On the slopes it was
common up to 8 000 ft.

The various forms of the Anthus rufulus group and their
distribution was first studied carefully by Neumann (Journ.
f. Oru. 1906, p. 231—232). He cames to the conclusion that
there are 5 forms, of which, the one occurring in South and
East Africa is A. r. cinnamomeus Riipp. This form is characte-
rised by the upper surface having a reddish tint, which is espe-
cially marked on the back and rump. Besides, the outer-web of
the primaries is broadly edged with reddish brown. Z e d 1 i t z
(Jonrn. f. Orn. 1911, p. 47 and J. f. 0. 1916, p. 52—53) shares
Neumann's views entirely; but Lonnberg (Birds coll. Sw.
Zool. Exp. B. E. A. 1911, p. 112) and v. S 0 m e r e n (Ibis 1916,
p. 232) seem to be of another opinion, inasmuch as both of
them name their east African specimens A. r. cinnamomeus,
however, without either describing the specimens 'procured or
stating the reasons for their point of view.

In the series of 19 individuals brought home from various
localities and shot at different times there are certainly rather
great variations, but having compared them with the rich collec-
tions in the Berlin Museum 1 have arrived at the same result
as Neumann and Z e d 1 i t z.

The measurements for the length of wing for R ii p p e 1 1's
type specimens of A. r. cinnamomeus are, according to Neu-
mann, 94 mm. for cf and 84 mm. for Q, and Neumann's
own cf specimens from Adis Abeba and Gadat (Schoa) are 90
and 93 mm. This author therefore probably arrives, at the
correct result when he says that South and East African speci-
mens are, as a rule, smaller in these measurements than North
East African.

The respective measurements of the specimens in this
series are as follows:

Wing, tarsus,

81, 83, 86, 87, 88 ram. 26—27 ram. cfcf Ngong, Naiwasha.

86, 86, 90, 92 mm. 26—27 ram. cfcT Elgon, Eldoret.

85, 86 mm. 26 — 27 mra. cfcT Rendu.
84, 85, 90 mm. 26—27 mm. 99 Naiwasha.

86, 82 mm. 27 mm. 99 Elgon, Soy.
84, 90 mm. 26—27 mm. 99 Rendu.

From the above table it appears that the wing -measure-
ment is, as a rule, below 90 mm. (three, it is true, have 90 mm.
and one 92 mm.) and thus smaller than the North-east African,
and therefore even for that reason I agree with Neumann's
opinion that the East African is a different form from the
North African.

As regards the difference in colour, Neumann also seems
to be right, for not a single one of the 19 has a reddish tint

— 198 —

on the upperparts. All the specimens from Ngong and Lake
Naiwasha have a more or less worn and faded dress. The upper
surface is greyish brownish (in those not having the brownish edges
of the feathers abraded it shades more into brownish yellow);
in all of them the throat is white, and the underparts faintly
brownish white, sometimes greyish white. The under tail-coverts
faintly whitish brown or whitish.

The specimens from the Elgon regions are considerably
unlike those just described from the Kikuyu country. The upper-
parts of these birds are more brownish, almost shading into a
pale rusty -brown colour — yet without any reddish wash —
and they thus resemble more the North-east African cinnamomeus
in colour. The throat is whitish yellowish, and the lower sur-
face is also light cinnamon-brown; under tail-coverts in all speci-
mens brownish yellow or pale cinnamon-brown.

Whether this rather great difference between more southern
and northern East Africans is to be ascribed to individual varia-
tions owing to a less worn and faded dress or whether it is to
be considered as characteristic for a more northern form may
be considered as doubtful. I consider that only the first-men-
tioned can be taken into consideration. For specimens, shot in
the end of August at Kendu, Victoria Nyanza, which again have
the plumage worn and faded, resemble those from April, shot in
the Kikuyu country.

The young bird agrees with the description given by
Reicbenow (op. cit).

Irides dark -brown. Upper mandible dark- brown, lower
mandible brownish yellow with dark tip; legs brownish yellow.

Anthus sordidus longirostris Neum. — Orn. Monatsber.
1905, p. 77.

Anthus nicholsoni longirostris Neum. : Journ. f. Orn. 1906, p. 232. — Anthus
nicholsoni Sharpe. Reichenow : Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 316.

2 <S6 ad. 22. 4., 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

At Lake Naiwasha this race occurred less common.

According to Sclater&Mackworth-Praed (Ibis
1918, p. 615) Hartert (Nov. Zool. XXIV, p. 457) has shown
that the old name nicholsoni must be replaced with sordidus.
Reichenow (Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 839) considers this form of
Neumann synonymous with A. s. sordidus, occurring in South
Africa, and strictly speakiiig, the differences between that form
and A. s. longirostris are very slight.

One of the specimens is in moult, the other has assumed
the new dress. Both agree very well with Neumann's de-
scription and have the following measurements:

— 199 —

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

100 mm. 17 mm. 27 mm.

100 mm. 18 mm. 26 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Anthus leucophrys leucophrys Vieill. — Rchw. III. p. 316.

Motongoto . . , ki-kamba.

3 c5^ ad. 9. 5., 7. 8. Eldoret. - 2 ^^ ad. 26. 7. Soy. - 1 p ad. 24. 7.

Mount Elgon. — 1 Q 26. 7. Soy. - 2 QQ 7. 8. Eldoret.

This race was common in the districts of Eldoret and Soy,
where it occurred in the company of Anthus rufulus raalieni
and I saw it, as a rule, in pairs but occasionally 3 or 4 together
on the high ways. Only on one occasion did I see it on the
slopes of Elgon.

It is no easy task to determine where these 9 specimens
should be correctly placed. Neumann (Journ. f. Orn. 1906,
p. 234—237) has separated not less than 9 allied forms, of which
5 are for the first time described by him and Z e d 1 i t z (Journ.
f. Orn. 1911, p. 48) cites them after Neumann. Sclater&
Mackworth-Praed (Ibis 1918, p. 614) say: "we have come
to the conclusion that the list of races given by Z e d 1 i t z (J.
f. 0. 1911, p. 48) is correct", although Reichenow (Journ. f.
Orn. 1918, p. 91) considers Anthus leucophrys angolensis a syno-
nym of A. I. leucophrys Vieill. and (according to Grant: Ibis
1913, p. 587) Anthus omoensis synonymous with A. I. sordidus
Riipp.

We have thus, according to Reichenow, to include 7
races. But as Sclater & Mackworth-Praed (op. cit.)
have specimens of A. I. vaalensis from the Cape and Natal (from
the same area as A. I. leucroijhrys) they consider that this race
should be separated as a special one. In this way there remain
only the following six:

1. Anthus leucophrys leucophrys Vieill.

South Africa: the Cape, Natal, Angola, eastwards to Nyanza
district and the Massai countries of Kilima-Ndjaro Colony
(Neum.), Kenia Colony (Granvik).

2. Anthus I. zenheri Neum.

Hab. Cameroon.

3. Anthus I. bohndorffi Neum.

Hab. Upper Congo.

4. Anthus I. sordidus Riipp.

Hab. North-east Africa: Erythraea, Schoa.

5. Anthus I. saphiori Neum.

Hab. Harar Mountains.

6. Anthus I. gouldi Fras.

Hab. Gambia to the Niger (Neumann). ~ Soudan (Sclater &
Mackworth-Praed).

200 —

Wing,

culmen,

tarsus,

91 mm.

14 mm.

28 mm.

d 9.

101 mm.

14 mm.

29 mm.

cT 9.

99 mm.

15 mm.

30 mm.

Cf 26.

103 mm.

15 mm.

30 mm.

CT 26.

90 m.m.

14 mm.

26 mm.

d 7.

90 mm.

14 mm.

26 mm.

9 24.

93 mm.

15 mm.

29 mm.

9 26.

90 mm.

15 mm.

28 mm.

9 7.

My specimens should belong to one of the three last-men-
tioned forms. All of them (except the Elgon specimen) were
shot within a little, limited area and should therefore do doubt
belong to the same form. The table below, however, shows the
great variations in the measurements:

5. Eldoret (light, worn dress).
5. Eldoret (in moult).
7. Soy (in moult).
7. Soy (in fresh plumage).
7. 8. Eldoiet (in moult).
9 24. 7. Eigon (in moult).

7. Soy (in moult).

8. Eldoret (in moult) light oc-
cipital band.

89 mm. 14 mm. 28 mm. 9 7. 8. Eldoret (in moult).

All of them have light-brown chin and throat, under parts
are light brownish yellow. Upperparts are olive-brown and some
of them have the light occipital band characterised by N e u -
mann for angolensis, others are devoid of it. One specimen has
the light parts on Ihe outer tail-feathers greyish white (leucophrys,
Neumann) others have these patches light brown {angolensis,
Neumann).

Judging from the measurements of the wing some of them
might be referred to gouldi, which has 91 — 96 mm., others to
leucophfijs with 96—102 mm. But those agreeing with gouldi as
regards length of wing, have a longer bill.

I agree with Neumann that angolensis and leucophrys
are undoubtedly synonyms, and as Neumann has given the
range of the former to the Massai countries of German East
Africa, I believe that the form occurring i Kenia Colony is the
same.

The characteristics of Anthus I. leucophrys will thus be:
Upper parts olive-brown, sometimes a little lightev on the nape.
Chin faint brownish-white, the black spots on the fore-neck not
so pronounced. The uuderparts light brown, more deeply coloured
along the flanks. The lighter parts of the outer tail-feathers
greyish-white — light-brown.

Wing 89—102 mm.; culmen 13 — 15 mm.

Irides, bill and legs in the preceding.

Macronyx croceus (Vieill.). — Rchw. III. p. 321.

Mothongoto . . . ki-kamba.
1 6 ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. — 1 (5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. - 1 (J ad. 22. 4. Lake
Naiwasha. — 1 (5 ad. 12. 5. Eldoret. — 2 (5(5 ad. 14. 5., 16. 5. Soy. — 6 (5(5
ad. 18. 5.-27. 7. Mount Elgon. — 1 ^ ad. 19. 8. Kisumu. - 1 Q ad. 10. 4.
Nairobi. — 2 eg ad. 10. 5., 12. 5. Eldoret. — 2 QQ ad. 23. 5., 22. 6. Mount
Elgon. - 3 <S<S juv. 23. 5., 16. 7., 25. 7.; 1 Q juv. 3. 9. Mount Elgon.

— 201 —

At all the above-mentioned places this beautiful Yellow-
breasted Pipit was very common, and, like v. Someren (Ibis,
1916, p. 433), I have found it in the scrub, acacia and open
grass country. On Elgon it was not seen above 7.000 ft. On
the 23 rd June I found a nest, containing 3 rather highly in-
cubated eggs, on the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon. The nest
was built on a rocky slope where a few isolated acacias grew
among the grass vegetation. It lay half concealed under a pro-
jecting tussock but the eggs were visible at a distance. It mea-
sured transversely 16 cm. and was about 6 cm. high. The inner
frame was about 10 cm. in diameter.

The outer cup consisted only of dry grass-blades, which had
been plaited together into a rather liimsv and loose structure.
The inner nest consisted exclusively of fine root-fibres. (Com-
pare Jackson: Ibis, 1905, p. 102).

The eggs had the following measurements

1. 24 X 18 cm.

2. 24 X 18 cm.

3. 23 X 18 cm.

In colour they are dirty-white (one of them has a yellowish
grey ground colour) with yellowish brown, grey and violet spots
spread closely over the white surface. The shell faintly glossy.
The form is oval and the most conspicuous spots are the greyish
ones and the yellowish brown. The violet or greyish violet are
chiefly gathered at the thick end.

On the same day I found another nest of this bird, which
contained two more than half-grown young, which ran out of the
nest as soon as I came near it

There is uo noteworthy difference in the dresses. The
two outer tail-feathers have a narrow, yellow edge along the
outher web, in other respects they are as Reichenow (op.
cit.) has described them.

Wing, tarsus,

92, 93, 97 mm. 35— 36 mm. cfcf Nairobi, Ngong, Nai-

washa.

93, 97, 97, 98, 98, 98, 35—38 mm. (S<S Eldoret, Soy, Elgon
102, 100, 104, 98 ram. Kisumu.

91 mm. 34 mm. 9 Nairobi.

94, 97, 99, 99 mm. 35-38 mm. §9 Eldoret, Elgon.

It seems as if the Elgon specimens have in general a larger
measurement than those from the Kikuyu country.

The young birds are in different stages of development and
finely exhibit the change to the full plumage. All the feathers of
the upper surface are widely edged with rusty-brown, the super-
ciliary stripe rusty-brown, the chin and throat brownish yellow.

- 202 —

The under tail-coverts of these 4 specimens are not as Reich c-
now (op. cit) writes: pale yellowish brown, but brownish black
with wide rusty-brown edges.

Irides dark-brown; upper mandible brownish grey, lower
mandible greyish blue (as a rule with dark tip); legs brownish
yellow.

Macronyx ameliae wintoni Sharpe. — Rchw. III. p. 325.

3 (55 ad. 11. 5.; 1 (5 ad. 6. 8.; 1 (5 juv. 6. 8. Eldoret.

This rare Pipit occurred in the open grass country south
of Eldoret where a little brook flowed by, forming rather large,
swampy areas. On the route up to Elgon 3 specimens were shot
and on the return journey two more in about the same spot.

According to Nicholson (Manch. Mem., vol. LIII, 1909,
No. 24) the race was known only from three places: "in the
Rift Valley in the vicinity of Lake Naiwasha, the eastern side
of the Guashangishu plateau and in the Nyanza Valley in the
vicinity of Kitotos" (trom Ibis, 1905, p. 103, by Jackson).
But Neumann (Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 290) mentions that he
shot it in different places in late German East Africa.

Neave (Ibis, 1910, p. 240) has found this form in N. E.
Rhodesia by the Kahmgwisi River, and south of it on Chisinga
Plateau and east of Bangweolo Lake by Lake Young, where it
was not uncommon.

v. Someren (Ibis, 1916, p. 433) has seen it at Nakuru.
In his "Prov. Check-list of the Birds of B. E. A. and Uganda",
1917, p. 8, the same writer includes both ameliae and wintoni
from East Africa, although, according to Nicholson (op. cit.)
the most northern habitats for the former lie just south of the
Zambesi.

The measurement of the wing given by Reich enow (op.
cit.) does not fully agree with all the 5 specimens- lying before
me, and it thus seems to me as if this form was a very weak
and uncertain one, which also Shelley (B. Africa, vol. 3, 1902,
p. 12) has expressed.

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

87, 88, 90, 92 mm. 14 mm. 28 — 29 mm. cTcT ad.
87 mm. 24 mm. 29 mm. cf ad.

For wintoni the length of wing should be 85—88 mm.,
culmen 14 mm. but for ameliae 95 mm. (according to Shelley
87 mm. in birds from Natal) and 16 mm. (according to Reiche-
now). Sjostedt (Wissensch. Erg. Schw. Zool. Exp. Kilima-
njaro-Meru, 1905-1906, Stockholm 1910, p. 136) gives 92 mm.
as the wing-measurement of cf and 84 mm. of 9 for specimens
from the Kilimandjaro plains.

— 203 —

Whether the shorter bill can be considered as a constant
character for wintoni, I have not been in a position to decide
as material was lacking. But as all my 5 specimens have the
wing-measurement given for wintoni, 1 have retained the race.

Irides dark -brown; upper mandible dark greyish brown,
lower mandible brownish yellow; legs brownish yellow.

Alaudidae.

Mirafra africana iropicalis Hart. — Rchw. III. p. 344.
1 (5 ad. 14. 5. Soy. - 1 (5 ad. 10. 8. Eldoret.

I procured these two specimens, which agree with Hartert's
description (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XIX, 1907, p. 93), from
the Uashin-Gishu plateau, north-east of Victoria Nyanza. They
differ also from the following form in the lower surface being
more reddish brown, this being more sand-coloured in the latter.
Wing 99, 99 mm.; tarsus 31 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs yellowish brown.

Mirafra africana athi Hartert. — Rchw. III. p. 345.
1 <5 ad. 13. 4. Nairobi. — 1 ^ ad. 17. 4. Kiambu.

As Lonnberg has already remarked (in Birds coll. Sw.
Zool. Exp., B. E. A. 1911, p. 113) this Lark is common in the
Nairobi districts. Both specimen are in rather worn dresses.

Wing 99, 100 mm.; tarsus 32, 33 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Fyrrhulauda leucopareia (Fschr, & Rchw.). — Rchw. III. p. 369.

Njawanga . . . ki-kavirondo. — Kaloe . . . ki-kamba.

2 (5(5 ad. 23. 8.; 1 (5 juv. 23. 8.; 1 Q ad. 22. 8. Kendu.

Occurred rather commonly on the open grass-plains and in
the parched and barren areas, where only a few solitary small
bushes grew among the short grass. Appeared for the most in
small flocks of 5 — 6 in number or in pairs and often seen to-
gether with Saxicola livingstoni. When they pitched on the
ground in the parched or burnt grass they were very difficult
to detect.

Two of the specimens are moulting, the others have recently
assumed the new dress.

— 204 —

One of the males has the ear-coverts whitish with a faint
yellowish brown wash, another has them pale rusty-brown. In
the younj^ bird they are greyish brown and not sharply distin-
guished from the predominant greyish brown sides of the head.
The female is, as Reich enow (op. cit.) writes, more
reddish brown on the upper surface and has the black patches
of the underparts surrounded by a dark reddish brown border.
The young bird has (in addition to the above-mentioned
character) the throat and fore-neck black, but lacks the black
patches around the ear-coverts.

Wing, tarsus,

75, 78 mm. 18, 19 mm. cfcf ad.
75 mm. 18 mm. cf juv.

73 mm. 17 mm. 9 ^^•

Irides cinnamon-brown; bill greyish white; legs grey with
a faint yellowish red wash.

Calandrella cinerea saturatior Kchw. — Rchw. Ill, p. 378.

Tephrocorys cinera. Neum. : Journ. f. Orn., 1906, pp. 238—239. — Neave:
Ibis, 1910, p. 240.

2 (3(5 ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 2 (^^ ad. 6. 5. Londiani. —

2 (5(3 ad. 11. 5., 10. 8. Eldoret. — 1 Q ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. —

2 QQ juv. 6. 5. Londiani.

On the shores of Lake Naiwasha and at Londiani this bird
was rather numerous, but on the grass-plains in the neighbour-
hood of Eldoret it was less common. It always appeared in
small flocks.

Neumann (Journ f. Orn., 1906, p. 239) has described a
new form of this group from the Hanasch district and thus at
present we have to include the following forms (of which, how-
ever, Neumann rightly considers No. 2 doubtful).

1. Calandrella cinerea cinerea (Gm.).

Hab. South Africa to Benguella and Maschona.

2. Calendrella cinerea saturatior Kchw.

Hab. East Africa, Angola.

3. Calandrella cinerea ruficeps liiipp.

Hab. North-east Africa.

4. Calandrella cinera erlangeri Neum.

Hab. Hanssh territory.

As regards saturatior it seems to me as if N e u m a n n' s
doubt as to the genuineness of this form is well-founded. For
among the 7 adults lying before me there are two which have
the outer web of the outermost rectrices white, the others have
a more or less greyish white or greyish brown outer-web. Be-
sides, all of them have a broader or narrower white edge to the

- ^05 -

2 nd rectrix. In the young birds all the tail-feathers are edged
with light greyish brown.

All the specimens (except cf 10. 8. Eldoret) have abraded
dresses or are in various phase of moulting.

Irides dark-brown; bill blackish or base of lower mandible
brownish yellow (in young birds the bill is brownish grey).
Legs yellowish brown-dark-brown,

Neave in Ibis, 1910, p. 240, mentions the race from
upper Lualaba in Congo, but calls it simply Tephrocorys
cinerea (Gm.).

Pycnonotidae.

rhyllastrephns tephrolaemtis hikuyuensis (Sharpe). —
Rchw. III. p. 393.

Arizeloeichla kikuyuensis (Sharpe). Someren : Check-list birds B. E. A.
1917, p. 47. — Xenocichla kikuyuensis Sharpe. Og. Grant: Zool. Res.
Ruw. Exp., 1910, p. 382.

3 ^^ ad. 20. 5., 23. 5., 31. 5. Mount Elgon, 6.500—7.500 ft.

On the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon this bird was rather
common and I generally met it in the undergrowth in the interior
of the dense forests, from the gloom of which could be heard its
varying and beautiful song, which at times reminded one not so
little of that of the song-thrush.

Reichenow has (Orn. Monatsber., 1908, p. 47) described
a new species of Thyllantrephus which he has named Fh schii-
hotzi and which should be closely allied to JciJcuyuensis. In his
"Vogelf. d. Mittelafr. Seengeb.", 1912, p. 342 Reichenow calls
it also Fh. hilcuyuensis schuhotzi, but later on (Journ. f. Orn.,
1918, p. 94) he says that it is synonymous with kikuyuensis.

All the three specimens in question are in full plumage
and have the following measurements:

wing 89, 89, 90 mm. tarsus 23, 24, 24 ram.

Irides dark-brown; bill blackish; legs greyish green-brownish
green.

Fhyllastrephus flavicollis pallidigula (Shaipe). —
Rchw. 111. p. 395.

Xenocichla flavicollis pallidigula Sharpe. Neumann: J. f. 0. 1900, p. 292. —
Fhyllastrephus flavigula pallidigula (Sharpe). Reichenow : Vog. Afr. III.
p. 595. — Atimastilas flavicollis pallidigula (Sharpe). v. Someren:
Check-list birds B. E. A. 1917 p. 48.

Sosori . . . M-suaheli.
1 (5 ad. 26. 7. between Soy and Elgon, 7.000 ft.

A few specimens of this bird were found inhabiting a
swampy area in the acacia-country, where palms, bushes and

— ^06 -

trees formed a thick vegetation at a distance of about two days
march from Elgon in the direction of Soy.

The feathers of the head are dark olive-green with a dark
stripe along the shafts and grey tips. Otherwise the upper part
is dark olive-green. The under surface as in flavicollis.
Wing, 104 mm. tarsus, 25 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill blackish; legs dark leaden grey.

Fhyllastrephus cabanisi succosus Rchw, — Rchw. Ill, p. 401.

1 (5 ad. 4. 7.; 1 Q ad. 21. 5. Mount Elgon, 6.800 ft.

I saw this bird a few times in the dephts of the dense
forests on the eastern slopes of Elgon. I do not think it can
be said to be common, at least in the districts in which our
expedition camped.

The male specimen is a typical succosus with the head dark,
olive-green of the same colour as the back and, in other respects,
agreeing very well, partly with Reich en ow's description, partly
with other specimens in the Berlin Museum collections. The
female specimen, on the contrary, is considerably darker (with
a faint brown wash) and approaches, most appreciably Fh. placi-
dus (Shell.) with reference to the colour of the upper part. The
under surface has, however, a more distinct and brighter yellowish
tint in the former, whereas in the latter, as a rule, it seems to
me to be more dirty-yellow or greyish yellow, almost greyish
white. Both specimens have distinct yellowish throats. They
are in moult.

Wing cT 88 mm. 9 80 mm.; tarsus 22, 23 mm.

Irides dark brown; bill dark brownish grey (lower mandible
lighter); legs greyish green.

Phyllaslrephus placidus (Shell.). — Rchw. III. p. 401.

1 (5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

I saw this bird in the Nairobi district a few, times. It is
confusingly like the preceding race but the throat is whitish
and, as already mentioned, it ditt'ers also in the colour of the
underparts.

Wing 82 mm.: tarsus 23 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Andropadus gracilirosiris percivali Neum. — Rchw. III. p. 411.

Stelgidillas gracilirostris percivali {l:^6\im.]. v. Someren: Prov. Checklist birds
E. E. A., 1917, p. 48. - Neum.: Orn. Monatsber., 1903, p. 185.

1 (5 juv. 18. 4. Kiambu.

Lonnberg (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp., B. E. A. 1911,
p. 115) calls this bird A. gracilirosiris Strickl. and following

— 207 —

Reichenow (Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb., p. 344), who gives the
distribution of the race "from Senegambia to Congo and east-
wards to Kikuyu", he maizes Neumann's form percivali (Orn.
Monatsber., 1903, p. 185) synonymous with it. Reichenow
(op. cit.) has already in 1904—1905 expressed the same opinion
with reference to the occurence of gracilirostris, although he then
also mentions percivali.

However, v, Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 438) has dealt in
a very credible ma' ner with the different forms of gracilirostris
and after a careful examination of all the specimens in Tring
an the British Museum he has established four allied forms,
whose distribution he also gives, and therefore I shall not here
repeat these results.

As regards two of these forms: percivali and chagwensis,
which I have myself had an opportunity of studying, I share
v. Some r en's views entirely.

The present specimen agree perfectly with v. Some r en's
description and over and above that 1 have nothing to add.

Wing 82 mm.; tarsus 22 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

Andropadus gracilirostris chagwensis v. Someren. —
Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXXV, 1915, p. 127.

Ghlorocichla gracilirostris chagwensis v. Someren: op. cit.

2 5(5 ad. 20. 5., 25. 5.; 1 Q ad. 7. 7.; Mount Elgon, 7.000 ft.

This form is common in the dense forests on the eastern
slopes of Elgon and I have met it at an altitude of 6500—7000
ft. van Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 439) says "that this Uganda-
form frequents the tops of the tall-trees", but I have often seen
it in the brushwood and undergrowth in the same localities as
J^hyllasirephus tephrolaemus kihuyuensis.

According to v. Someren (op. cit.) this bird occurs from
Uganda, east to Elgon, south to Tanganyika, west to the Congo
border, but this and percivali meet in the Elgon district.

This Bulbul is also an excellent singer, and its warbling
song can be heard even after nightfall, v. Someren mentions
too that on four different occasions he has heard Fycnonotus
layardi sing after darkness had set in (Journ. East Afr. and Ug.
N. H. Soc. vol. IV, No. 8, 1914, p. 153).

V. Someren gives 83— 87 mm. as the wing-measurements
for cf cT and 78—83 mm. for 99- ^J specimens measure: cfcT
84, 87 mm. 9 82 mm., tarsus 21—22 mm.

Irides reddish-brown — dark-brown; bill and legs black.

— 208 —

Andropadus latirostria eugenius Rchw. — Rchw. III. p. 415.

Andropadus eugenius. v. Someren : Ibis 1916, p. 437. — Andropadus lati-
rostris Strickl. Og.-Grant: Zool. Res. Kuw. Exp., 1911, p. 386; Ibis 1908,
p. 304. — Stelgidocichla latirostris saturata Mearns. Smithson. Misc.
Coll., vol. 61, No. 25, 1914.

1 ($ ad. 11. 4. Ngoug. - 2 (5(5 ad. 24. 6., 7. 7.; 2 QQ ad. 20. 5., 21. 5.;

Mount Elgon.

Common in the Nairobi districts (L o n n b e r g : 1911, p.
115) and in the forests on the eastern slopes of Elgon. On
Elgon this bird occurs up to an altitude of 7000 ft.

Ogilvie-Grant (Ibis 1908, p. 304) has, it is true, em-
phasised that there is no difference between eugenius from Bri-
tish East Africa and latirostris from Fernando Po., and therefore
he cannot support Reich enow's form. But Reich enow
rightly maintains (Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb. 1911, p. 345) that
eugenius is not synonymous with latirostris, but points out that
the former, among other things, differs from the latter by means
of the much darker under surface, v. Someren also considers
eugenius as a good form (op. cit. and Nov. Zool, XXV, 1918,
p. 285) and after comparing East African and West African forms
I have come to the same opinion.

On the other hand I cannot find that saturata described
by Mearns (op. cit.) differs in the least from eugenius. Not
one of the characters cited by Mearns is, according to my
opinion, only characteristic for his form, but is also found in
eugenius, whence it is undoubtedly a synonym of the latter.
Reich enow points out (Journ. i'. Oru. 1918, p. 95) also that
it would by remarkable if two forms of latirostris occurred
simultaneously on the mountains of B. E. A., and adds: "as the
writer (Mearns), as appears from other instances, has the incli-
nation to describe as many species as possible without paying
regard to the variations of the species owing to age, season or
sex, an examination of the forms is especially necessary".

Between the Elgon specimens and that from the Kikuyu
country there is no difference whatever. The lower' surface in all
of them is dark olive-green with a grey wash, in ?ome a little
yellowish in the centre.

Wing cTcf 87, 88 mm. (Elgon); 88 mm. (Ngong).

99 86, 90 mm.
tarsus 22 — 22.5 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black with yellowish brown tip (and
sometimes yellowish brown edges); legs yellowish brown.

Fycnonotus tricolor micrus Oberholser. — Proc. U. S. A.
Nat. Hist., vol. 28, 1905, p. 891.

Pycnonotus layardi micrus Oberh. op. cit.; Mearns: Smith's Misc. Coll.
vol. 56, No. 20, p. 9. — Pycnonotus barbatus micrus Oberh. Zedlitz:

— ^09 —

J. f. 0. 1916, p. 391. - Hartert: Nov. Zool., vol. 13, 1906, p. 391. -
Sjostedt: Wiss. Erg. Zool. Exp. Kilimandjaro-Mern 1905—1906, Stockholm
1910, p. 141,

1 (5 ad. 26. 4. ; 1 e ad. 26. 4.; Mombasa.

In the Mombasa districts this form was common and was
found in the palm groves on Kilindini Gulf as well as in the
scrub areas everywhere in the coastal-belt.

Opinions concerning the species and forms of the genus
Fycnonotus are very divided among ornithologists and it is dif-
ficult to obtain any positive information from the numerous
works.

Lonnberg (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp. B. E. A., 1911,
p. 116) considers this micrus to be synonymous with the South
African layardi, because he has found that the largest East
African specimens attain the measurement of the smaller South
African. This view is shared by Reichenow (Journ. f. Orn.
1918, p. 95), although he has expressed himself wrongly, for he
certainly means that the limit between the smaller South
African forms and the larger East African is difficult to draw,
instead of between "the larger South African and the smaller
East African".

For my part I agree with Zedlitz (Journ. f. Orn. 1916,
p. 69) that it is surely not layardi which inhabits East Africa.
But 1 cannot acknowledge him to be right in saying that micrus
inhabits the whole of British East Africa, for he then overlooks
fayi, which is the highland form. Hartert (Nov. Zool., vol. 13,
1906, p. 391) also considers that micrus inhabits British East
Africa and Kilimandjaro and that it differs from layardi in being
darker on the upper surface and smaller. As regards L o n n -
berg's investigations (op. cit.), he has certainly not, among the
6 individuals, of which he gives careful measurements, a single
micrus which, of course, inhabits the coast-land of German and
British East Africa westwards to Kilimanjaro (Sclater and
Mackworth-Praed: Ibis 1918, p. 697) but P. tricolor fayi
Mearns, which inhabits the highlands of western British E. Africa
to Elgon (S c 1. Mackw. -Pr.: op. cit.).

This latter: fayi, Reichenow considers, however, to be
synonymous with micrus, but this again, from what has been said
above, is a synonym of layardi, and in this manner, according
to Reichenow and Lonnberg, the form occurring from
the coastland up to Elgon should be layardi, i. e. the same
as in South Africa.

v. Somereu (Ibis, 1916, p. 440) also styles his specimens
from Nairobi and Kiambu micrus, which should be incorrect too.
On the other hand he is right when he calls the Mombasa spe-
cimens so (Journ. E. Afr. Ug. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. VI, No. 12,
1918, p. 259). The specimen which Mackworth-Praed
(Ibis, 1917, p. 383) shot at Thika is thus to be referred io fayi

14

— 210 —

and not layardi (wing 93 mm.) and those from the Tsavo River
(78, 84 mm.) probably to micrus not dodsoni.

Sclater & Mackworth-Praed (op. cit.) have in a
successful manner — it seems to me — given an exposition of
the different forms and their distribution. From these investi-
gations it appears that micrus has, on the average, the wing
below 90 mm,, whereas fayi has a wing-measurment of 90 — 100 mm.,
average 97 mm. Mearn s gives (op. cit.) the wing for cTcf of micrus
as 88.7 mm., for 99 84 mm and for cfcT of fayi 94.3 mm., for
99 88.2 mm.

I agree with Lonnberg (Arkiv f. Zool., Bd. 9, No. 14,
p. 21) that at times it is extremely difficult to maintain the sub-
species, as specimens from the same place vary both in colour
and in size. Still there is a rather good and constant difference
in size between the coastland micrus and the highland fayi.

This can be clearly seen in the series of 21 specimens from
different parts of the highlands of British East Africa by com-
paring them with the 2 specimens from the coastland. It would
have certainly been better, however, if a large series had been
procured from the coastlands, for then my figures would have
given better support to Sclater and Mackworth-Praed's
views.

In my two from Mombasa the measurements are as follows:
Wing, culmen, tarsus,

88 mm. 17 mm. 22 mm. cf ad.

81 mm. 16 mm. 21 mm. 9 ^.d.

Irides dark-brown ; bill and legs black.

Along with this micrus there is another Fycnonotus occurring
in the coastland of British East Africa, namely, P. dodsoni Sharpe,
the range of which (according to Scl. M.-P.) goes from S. Somali-
land and desert country of British East Africa to the Kilimanjaro
region.

Fycnonotus tricolor fayi Mearns. — Smithson. Misc. Coll.,
vol. 56, no. 20, p. 7.

Ayalera . . . ki-kavirondo. — Uoloi . . . ki-kamba.

1 (3 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. - 2 (5(5 ad. 13. 4., 19. 9. Nairobi. - 1 ^ ad. 17. 4.
Kiambu. — I (5 ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 1 (5 ad. 4. 5. Molo. — 2 (5(5 ad.
5. 5., 8. 5. Londiani. - 1 (5 ad. 10. 5. Eldoret. — 1 c5 ad. 16. 5. Soy. —
4 (5(5 ad. 21. 5., 25. 5., 6. 6., 12. 7. Mount Elgon. - 1 (5 ad. 23. 8. Kendu. -
1 Q ad. 11. 4. Ngong. - 1 Q ad. 17. 4. Kiambu. — 2 QQ ad. 20. 4., 22. 4.
Lake Naiwasha. — 1 5 ad. 12. 7. ; 1 ^ juv. 17. 6. Mount Elgon.

This form of Fycnonotus tricolor was one of the very com-
monest birds at the above-mentioned places. On Elgon 1 came
across it up to about an altitude of 8000 feet.

— 211

The specimens from Nairobi and its environs, Naiwasha
Molo and Loodiani are exactly like each other, with dark, brownish
black heads but are dark-brown (without any black), v. S o -
m er en (Nov. Zool, XXV, 1918, p. 286) calls his specimens from
West Elgon: P. barhatus minor Heugl. but my specimens from
the eastern slopes of Elgon do not agree at all with the de-
scription Reichenow (Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 422) gives nor with
the measurements given by M e a r n s (Smithson. Misc. Coll.
vol. 56, No. 20, p. 9). According to the latter the measurements
of the wing are 91.7 mm. for d'd' and 88.3 mm. for 99- The
extremely little variation in the colour of the feathers of the
head is probably only a difference due to the time of
the year, inasmuch as the plumage of the Elgon birds is much
abraded and they were mostly shot 1 — 3 months later than
those from the Kikuyu country and southwards, the majority of
which were, in fact, in moult or had already assumed the new
dress. The lower wing-coverts of minor are also said — accor-
ding to Reichenow— to be greyish brown, but in these
specimens they are of the same colour as in those from the
south, i. e, greyish white.

But if the minor occurring on the White Nile and in the
country east of Victoria Nyauza, fayi inhabits the western side
of Elgon, it is not impossible that the one appearing on the
eastern slopes of Elgon is an intermediate between these two.

The following table shows the variations in the different
measurements:

tarsus,

22 mm. cf H. 4. Ngong.

24 mm. cf 13. 4. Nairobi.

21 mm. cf 17. 4. Kimbu.

22 mm. cf 19. 9. Nairobi.
22 mm. cf 20. 4. Naiwasha.
24 mm. cf 4. 4. Molo.
22 mm. cf 5. 6. Londiani

22 mm. cT 8. 5.

23 mm. cf 10. 5. Eldoret.
23 ram. d 16. 5. Soy.
23 mm. cf 21. 5. Elgon.
23 mm. cf 23. 5. „

22 mm. cf 6. 6. „

23 mm. cf 12. 7. „ .

22 mm. cf juv. 17. 6. Elgon.

23 mm. cf ad. 23. 8. Rendu.
23 mm. 9 11. 4. Ngong.
21 mm. 9 17. 4. Kiambu.
23 mm. 9 22. 4. Naiwasha.
23 mm. 9 20. 4.
21 mm. 9 12 7. Elgon.

14*

Wing,

culmen.

100 mm. ]

17

mm.

96 mm. 1

16

mm.

92 mm.

15.5

mm.

94 mm.

16

mm.

94 mm. ]

16

mm.

99 mm. ]

17

mm.

100 mm. ]

16

mm.

97 mm. ]

16

mm.

97 mm. ]

15

mm.

94 mm.

16

mm.

95 mm. ]

6

mm.

98 mm. ]

6

mm.

98 mm.

16

mm.

95 mm.

16.5

mm.

94 mm. ]

16

mm.

93 mm. ]

6

mm.

94 mm. ]

L5.5

mm.

88 mm. ]

5.5

mm.

93 mm. ]

6

mm.

99 mm. ]

6.5

mm.

92 mm. 1

5

mm.

- ^\2 —

Even if in a number of cases the measurements for the
specimens from East Africa approach those for South African
birds it is by no means certain that they are tiierefore to be con-
sidered as the same form. It seems however very probable, but
I am not at present fully convinced on the matter and therefore
retain — although with hesitation — this fayi for the highland form.

Zosteropidae.

Zosterops virens jacksoni Neum. — Rchw. III. p. 430.

3 (5(5 7. 5. Londiani environs, 8.000 ft. - 9 (5(5 ad. 19. 5.-7. 7.;
5 QQ ad. 24. 5.-28. 6. Mount Elgon.

The first specimens of this bird was procured a day's march
to the north-east of Londiani. It was not uncommon here. On
the eastern slopes of Elgon it was very common, and I procured
specimens both from the bamboo forests higher up, and even
from the highest points in the alpine regions too. In other
words, the race occurred from 6.500 feet to over 12.000 feet.
It was especially numerous in the bamboo-forest, where it usually
appeared in fairly large flocks about 20 to 30 in number. They
have a weak piping call, which reminds one of the Tits, and like
these they are lively and active creatures. As a rule they frequent
the highest tops of the trees, where they are very difficult to
detect among the foliage, as their green plumage corresponds
exceedingly well to the environs.

There is no difference between those from the alpine region
and those from the lower heights, but in both these groups there
are individuals in which the yellow band of the forehead is lighter
or darker. In one cT-specimen, shot on the 28. 5., the testes were
much swollen.

Wing, tarsus,

62 mm. 17 — 18 mm. cfcT Londiani.

59—63 mm. 17—19.5 mm. cTcT Elgon.

56-62 mm. 17-19 mm. 99 Elgon.

Irides brownish red; bill black; legs leaden grey.
Lonnberg (Arkiv for Zool , Band 11, No. 5, 1917) has
described a new forn) from Londiani, to which he gives the name
of Zosterops buyeri, which differs from jacksoni, in having, among
other things, a larger culmen (11.7 mm.) and a larger wing-
measurement, 65 mm. instead of 58—62 mm, as in the latter.
In the collection of 17 spec, before me there are 3 from Lon-
diani, all of which have a bill-length of 11 mm., which is the
same as the measurements of the Elgon specimens.

— 213 —

The character of hayeri cited by Lonnberg; "that the
frontal band is less broad, but more sharply defined l3ehind than
in Z. jacksoni", agrees with only one of my Londiani specimens.
But on examining the 14 Elgon specimens more closely, I found
a rather considerable variation among them both as regards the
breadth of the frontal band and its extent backwards. In some
it is very narrow and shades almost imperceptibly into the dull
yellow-green, in others it is wider and sharply defined, and in
others again it is as in the Londiani specimens. I therefore do
not believe that the character given by Lonnberg is charac-
teristic for any special Londiani form, but is probably to be
regarded only as an individual variation of jacksoni.

Whether Z. v. garguensis recently described by M earns
(Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 61, No. 20, 1913) from the north of
the Northern Guaso Nyiro River in British East Africa, with
its "equally narrow white eye- ring and darker, more grayish
coloration", is only a synonym of jacksoni, I cannot decide.

Zosterops virens kikuyuensis Sharpe. — Rchw. IIL p. 431.
2 (5(5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

In the forests of the Nairobi districts this bird was common.

Lonnberg (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp. B. E. A., 1911,
p. 117), like Shelley, seems to be inclined to consider ^i-
kuyuensis synonymous with jacksoni, but in my opinion both of
them are good and distinct forms, for, among the 17 specimens of
jacksoni from Elgon, there is not one which has its head, right
behind the eyes, yellow like kikuyuensis.

On the other hand, the second character, broader eye-ring,
given by Neumann (op. cit.) for kikuyuensis is by no means
a feature of this form, for most of the jacksoni specimens have
just as broad an eye-ring as the former, sometimes even broader.

Neumann gives the range of the two forms so that
jacksoni occurs on the mountains west of Massai Salt-grave, i. e.
on Mau, Nandi and Elgon, while kikuyuensis appears east of
this grave, that is to say, on Kenia and in the Kikuyu country.
Lonnberg (op. cit.) extends the occurence of this form right
to Ruwenzori in the west, since Ogilvie-Grant (Zool. Res.
Ruw. Exp., 1910, p. 333), on the authority of Shelley, makes
Z. scotti Neum. synonymous with jacksoni. Reichenow con-
siders scotti, however, as a- distinct form and separates it from
jacksoni (Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb., 1912, p. 346, 347).
Wing 58, 58 mm. tarsus 18 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

— 214 —

Nectariniidae.

Anthreptes collaris zambesiana Shell. — Rchw, III. p. 443.

Anthreptes collaris elachior Mearns. Smithson. Misc. Coll. vol. 56, No. 14,
p. 5. — Anthothreptes collaris zambesiana. Mackw.-Praed : Ibis 1917
p. 373. — Grote: J. f. 0. 1919, p. 302. — Anthothreptes zambesiana.
Gurney: Ibis 1909, p. 498.

3 (5(5 ad. 29. 4.; 1 Q ad. 26. 4., Mombasa.

Very common in the coast- land. Frequented the bushes
of the mangrove vegetation on the Gulf of Kilindini.

Mearns has (op. cit.) described the form elachior from
Changamwe (near Mombasa), and is distinguished by being
"smaller and paler than A. c. zamhesiana\ upper metallic parts
less coppery golden green; middle under parts canary instead
of lemon yellow; outer webs of secondaries yellowish olive-green
instead of bronzy yellowish green ; sides paler and grayer".
Wing 46.7 mm. 9 45 mm.

The form garguensis Mearns is described in Proc. U. S. Nat.
Hist. Mus., vol. 48, 1915, p. 389, as "closely related to A. c.
eambesiana and A. c. hypodila but from the former it differs in
being slightly larger, darker green above, and more olivaceous
yellow below; from hypodila in being much larger, of a slightly
paler shade of green above, and lemon yellow instead of lemon
chrome below." Wing 55 mm.

Finally v. Someren (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XLI,
1921, p. 113) has described two more new forms: ugandae and
teitensis. The cf of the former has the under-side deep yellow,
sides olivaceous but pectoral tufts rich yellow, lighter and brigh-
ter than breast, 9 with olive tinge on throat and flanks.
Wings: cT 54—58 mm., 9 50—54 mm.

The other form, teitensis is characterised in the under-side
being much ligther than in ugandae, slightly richer than in
elachior, bright yellow, flanks only slightly duller, pectoral tufts
very bright lemon yellow. Brighter yellow than eambesiana.
Wings: cT 52—57 mm.

The ranges of these closely related forms should be as follows:

1. A. collaris collaris (Vieill.).

Hab. Eastern South Africa.

2. A. collaris hypodilus Jard.

Hab. From Fernando Po to Cameroon, Gaboon and east-
wards to the upper waters of Congo (Ogilvie-Grant: Ibis
1918, p. 286).

3. A. collaris zambesiana (Shelley).

Hab. Lorenzo Marques, Mozambique, East Africa, Uganda,
Wadelai, the Niger, Ashanti and Sierra Leone.

4. A. collaris elachior Mearns.

Hab. The coast of British East Africa, Zanzibar — South
Somali (Zedlitz: J. f. 0., 1916, p. 72).

— 215 —

5. A. coUaris garguensis Mearns.

Hab. Upper Athi River, Mount Kenia region and Mount
Gargues, in British East Africa.

6. A. collaris ugandae v. Someren.

Hab. Uganda to Kivu and east to Mount Elgon, south to
Highlands of British East Africa.

7. A. collaris teitensis v. Someren.

Hab. South Ukambani to Teita and East Kilimanjaro.

Reichenow makes hypodilus a synonym of zanibesiana
(Vog. Afr. HI, p. 444; Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb., 1912, p. 348)
and considers (J. f. 0., 1918, p. 96) elachior a "Spielart" and
impossible to distinguish from collaris. But Z e d 1 i t z (J. f. 0.,
1916, p. 72) includes elachior but makes it synonymous with the
bird occurring in South Soraalt. Sjostedt (Wiss. Erg. Schw.
Zool. Exp. Kilimanjaro-Meru 1905—1906, Stockholm 1910, p. 142)
gives his specimens from Kilimanjaro the name of hypodilus.
Lonnberg (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp., 1911, p. 117) and v.
Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 441) call the Nairobi specimens hypo-
dilus, while Mackworth-Praed (Ibis 1917, p. 373) names
his birds from Thika (near Nairobi), as well as those from the
Tsava River, zamhesiana. The last- mentioned writer, in fact,
refers to Ogilvie-G rant's investigations (Ibis 1908, p. 286).
Mearns (Smitlison. Misc. Coll., vol. 56, No. 14, p. 5) also calls
specimens from the Kenia district zamhesiana, but 5 years later
(Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 48, 1915, p. 391), after having
further described a new form, he names the Kenia district bird:
garguensis.

Undoubtedly the Mombasa specimens are eomlesiana, as
the measurements below will show, but not having seen any
specimens of elachior I cannot express any opinion about this form.
Judging from the description it seems to me as if Reichenow
was right in not considering it a good form, and it would surely
be rather remarkable too if in the coast-land two different
forms should occur together.

The specimens before me have the following measurements:
Wing: cfcf 49, 50, 51 mm.; 9 45 mm. Tarsus: 14—15 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

M.-Praed (op. cit.) gives 55, 53 mm. as the wing -mea-
surements of 2 cfcf (Tsavo River) and 55 mm. as that of a 9
(Thika).

Anthreptes collaris ugandae v. Someren. — Bull. Brit. Orn.
Club, vol. XLI, 1921, p. 113.

3 (5(5 ad. 18. 5., 5. 6,, 25. 6.; 1 C ad. 7. 7.; Mount Elgon, 6.500 feet.

This form of A. collaris is a good and distinct one, differ-
ing from the others in the characters given under the preceding

— 216 —

form. It occurs in great numbers on the eastern slopes of Elgon,
extending up to an altitude of 7.000 feet.
Wing: cfcT 55.5, 56, 57 mm.; 9 55 mm. Tarsus 16—17 mm.
Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Cyanomitra verticalis viridisplendens (Rehw.) —
Rchw. III. p. 454.

Ghalcomitra verticalis viridisplendens (Rchw.). — Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 454;
Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb., 1912, p. 349.

1 (5 ad. 4. 5. Londiani, 7.500 ft. — 5^6 ^^- 19. 5.- 4. 7. Mount Elgon,
6.500 ft. — 1 Q ad. 14. 5. Soy. - 1 Q ad. 7, 7. Mount Elgon, 6.500 ft.

V. Someren says of this Sunbird (Nov. Zool. XXV, 1918,
p. 286) that it "was a fairly common species" on the western
slopes of Elgon. It occurred also quite commonly on the eastern
slopes up to about 7.000 feet. Sclater & Mackworth-
Praed (Ibis 1918, p. 622) consider that this form "is found
on the slopes below 6.000 feet (on Ruwenzori) and above 5.500
feet C. V. alinae occurs". Olgilvie-Grant (Zool. Res. Ruw.
Exp., 1910, p. 323) says that on Ruwenzori viridisplendens "is
not seen above 7.000 feet. Yet, at Londiani a specimen was
shot at an altitude of 7.500 feet.

Among the Elgon specimens there are 2 with a predom-
inant blue metallic gloss on the chin and fore-neck, whereas
the others have a greenish. The thighs are, as a rule, olive-
green (in some dark-grey).

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

67, 68, 69, 70, 70, 72.5 mm. 24—25 mm. 19—20 mm. cfd*.
67, 68 mm. 24, 25 mm. 18 mm. 99-

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

Cyanomitra obscura neglecta Neum. — Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 297.

Cynnyris obscurus neglectus Neum. Zedlitz : Journ. f. Orn., 1916, p. 76. —
Grote: Journ. f. Cm., 1921, p. 133.

2 (5(5 ad. 26. 4., 29. 4., Mombasa.

In the small groves along the coast at Mombasa this bird
was seen fairly commonly, but I also saw it in the shrubbery
on the Gulf of Kilindini, together with Ch. hirhi.

The various forms of obscura have been dealt with by
Neumann (op. cit), Zedlitz (op. cit), v. Someren
(Ibis 1916, p. 443), Reichenow (Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seengeb.,
1912, p. 348) and Sclater & Mackworth-Praed (Ibis, 1918,
p. 621). Zedlitz has established that ragazeii from Schoa is,
in all probability, a mountain-form, while neglecta from Somali-
land is a steppe-form.

— 217 —

I must agree with Zedlitz that M earns' changamwensis
from Changamwe (near Mombasa) (Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 56,
No. 14, 1910, p. 4) cannot be considered as a good form, still
less a new species (as M earns snpposed). My three specimens,
which were shot close to the "terra typica", should in that case
be named changamwensis, whose chief character is, that it is
smaller than ragassii, which in other respects it resembles=
M earns gives for his bird: wing 53 mm.; culmen 20; tarsus
14.2 mm. But from the table below it appears that my Mom-
basa specimens do not agree in the different figures with those
given but fall practically within the limits of the only form, of
those mentioned above, that can be thought of: neglecta, though
the culmen of the specimens in question is slightly shorter.
Wing, culmen, tarsus,

59, 59.5, 60 mm. 21 — 22 mm. 15 ram.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding,

Chalcomitra amethystina JcirJci Shell. — Rchw. III. p. 460.

Cinnyris aviethystinus TcirTii Shell. Grote: Journ. f. Orn. 1921, p. 134.
3 (5(5 ad. 27. 4., 29. 4.; 2 <5(3 juv. 29. 4. Mombasa.

Occurred very commonly in the bushes which here and
there fringed the shores of the Gulf of Kilindini.

Neumann (Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 296) gives the East
African specimens of this bird the style of Ch. k. Tcalckreuthi Cab.,
as they are said to have a more blue glossy frontal plate.
Reichenow (op. cit), however, rightly considers that form to
be synonymous with hirhi, as specimens are frequently found at
the same place with a blue, as well as with a bluish green, head.

Of the three cfcT ad. from Mombasa one has a green head
and the uppermost, lesser wing coverts steely-blue glossy, while
the other two have bluish-green heads and wingcoverts more
coppery glossy.

The young bird in an early phase is greyish brown on the
upperparts, but with a few solitary feathers of the head green-
glossy. The centre of the throat violet-red gloss. The fore-neck
black ; feathers of lower parts dark-brown with yellow edges
and tips. Wing-coverts greyish brown. Tail-feathers dark greyish
brown tipped with white.

In changing into the full dress the young bird has the
upper parts brownish black (a number of feathers with greyish
brown tips), crown green glossy, fore -neck black, feathers of
under-parts brownish black with greyish brown tips.
Wing, tarsus

63, 64, 65 mm. 15—16 mm, cfcf ad.

60, 62 mm. 15 mm. cfcf juv.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

— 218 —

Chalcomitra senegalensis aequatorialis Rchw. — Rchw. III. p. 464.

Chalcomitra aziJc aequatorialis Rchw. Neum. : Journ. f, Orn., 1900, p. 296. —
van Someren : Ibis, 1916, p. 442. — Ginnyris senegalensis aequatorialis
Rchw. Neum.: Journ. f. Orn., 1906, p. 254.

Tjibisivi . . . ki-kamba.
1 (5 ad. 15. 5. Soy. — 1 (5 ad. 18. 8. Kisumu. - 1 <5 juv. 19. 5. Mount
Elgon. - 1 6 juv. 23. 8. Kendu. — 1 Q ad. 14. 5. Soy. - 1 JP ad. 18. 6. Kendu.

This race was not common at any of the above places
except Kisumu, where it occurred in «reat numbers. At Soy I
saw it in the company of Nectarinia hilimensis along the banks
of a little stream flowing through the grass-country, and on Elgon
it also frequented the grass-country below the eastern slopes.
1 even saw it a few times at an altitude of 7.000 feet on a bush-
clad slope of the mountain itself.

The young male birds are much unlike each other. The
upper parts of both are greyish brown and one of them has
the green glossy patch of the throat limited towards the sides
by a black patch, which in turn is widely edged with white,
(in the other the white is missing). The brownish black feathers
of the lower surface are in one of them furnished with narrow,
white tips (in the centre of the underparts the tips are yellow-
ish white) in the other the white of the lower surface is greyish
yellow, as the feathers have broad yellow tips, between which
the dark patches of the underlying feathers are visible.
Wing, tarsus,

75, 75 mm. 18 mm. cfcT ad.

73, 77 mm. 18 mm. cTcT juv.

67, 69 mm. 17 mm. 99 ad.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Chalcomitra senegalensis inaestimata Hart. — Rchw. III. p. 465.
4 (5c5 ad. 26. 4.-29. 4; 1 Q ad. 26. 4. Mombasa.

This Sunbird was common in the small woods in the coast-
land at Mombasa.

Reichenow (op. cit.) considers this form synonymous with
the South-African gutturalis, but Neumann (Journ. f. Orn.,
1900, p. 296) points out that Hartert (Under the African Sun,
p. 351) has correctly separated the smaller East African bird
from the larger East African and after examining the collections
in the Berlin Museum (with reference to this question) I agree
with Neumann.

In the Journ. f. Orn., 1906, p. 252—256 Neumann has
in a most deserving manner dealt with the "form circle" senega-
lensis and includes no less than 12 related forms. But if we examine
this list a little more closely we shall find that of these forms
4 occur in the Kilimanjaro regions:

— 219 —

1. aequatorialis Rchw.

East Africa between Victoria Nyanza and Kilimanjaro.

2. lamperti Rchw.

Southern foot and regions east of Kilimanjaro.

3. horgerti Rchw. & Neum.

East Usambara (south of Kilimanjaro).

4. inaestimatus Hart.

East Africa from North-Mozambique to Mombasa.

As horgerti (Orn. Monatsber,, 1905, p. 182) occurs in East
Usambara, south of Kilimanjaro, though the distribution of this
form is not fixed, it is quite possible that the northern boundary
goes into the Kilimanjaro regions. Neumann has in any case
specimens of inaestimata from Korogwe in Usambara, which is
the home of horgerti.

According to Reichenow (Orn. Monatsber., 1905, p. 282)
horgerti is distinguished from guituralis (= inaestimata Reiche-
now) in not having the throat green but bronze yellow-red
glossy; forehead not pure green glossy but with a green bronze hue;
transverse bands on the red shield of the fore-neck not deep
blue but greenish blue.

Three of the 4 cfcT shot in Mombasa are typical inaesti-
mata but the fourth agrees perfectly with the description of
horgerti. However, the latter was shot on the same day and on
the same spot as a typical inaestimata, whence I hesitate — in
spite of the small differences in the gloss of the various patches —
to style it inaestimata. This bird is besides in fresh, new dress,
while the others are in different phases of moulting, and there-
fore this dissimilarity is due to the different dresses and I am
convinced that horgerti is only an individual variation of inaesti-
mata and not a distinct form.

The female specimen resembles those of aequatorialis but
is considerably lighter above and more greyish white below.
Wing, tarsus,

71, 71, 73, 74 mm. 16—18 mm. cfcT

65 mm. 16 mm. 9

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Cinnyris venustus falkensteini Fschr. & Rchw. — Rchw. III. p. 474.

2 ,5(5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. _ 1 (j ad. 17. 4. ; 1 ^ juv. 14. 4. Kiambu. —

a 66 jiiv. 14. 5., 15. 5. Soy. — 1 Q ad. 11. 4. Ngong. — 1 Q ad.

17. 4. Kiambu. — 1 Q ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

In the Kikuyu-country this bird was very common and at
Soy it also occurred in fairly large numbers, though I have no
ad. specimen from the latter place.

The three d*cf juv. show a beautiful series of changes from
the immature to the full dress. In a very young stage they

- 220 —

resemble the 9 very much, but, as a rule, have more or less

bronze-green feathers on the upper parts.

The females vary very much in the colour of the under-

parts (vide Reichenow, op. cit.), from greyish yellow to
bright yellow.

Wing, tarsus,

53, 53, 54 mm. 15—16 mm. cfcf ad.

50, 52, 54 mm. 15 mm. cfcf juv.

50, 51, 52 mm. 15 mm. 99 ad.

hides dark brown; bill and legs black.

Cinnyris mariquensis suahelicus Rchw. — Rchw. 111. p. 479.

Njanjoodhi . , . ki-kavirondo. — Ndabela . . . M-kamba.

1 (5 ad. 23. 8. Kendu.

Only one specimen was procured, at Victoria Nyanza, of this
otherwise fairly common bird (vide v. Someren, Ibis, 1916,
p. 445).

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

68 mm. 20 mm. 17 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Cinnyris mariquensis microrhynchus Shell. — Rchw. Ill, p. 481.
2 (5(5 ad. 27. 4., 29. 4. Mombasa.

A fairly common bird in the coastland, frequenting the
bush-country.

Zedlitz (Journ. f. Orn., 1916, p. 78) has expressed the
opinion that microrhynchus is a coastal-bird, but SMoZteitCMS belongs
to the interior regions of East Africa, which opinion is undoub-
tedly quite correct. I have never observed the former in the
interior of the country, and v. Someren mentions it only from
the coastal districts (Journ. E. Afr. Ug. N. H. Soc, vol. VI,
No. 12, 1918), while M. - P r e a d (Ibis, 1917, p. 374) has found
it some distance from the coast at the Tsavo River.

Of my two specimens one is moulting, the other has assumed
the new, full dress. This latter specimen also reaches a rather
high figure for the length of the wing, but is all the same a
good microrhynchus, which is evident, among other things, from
the length of the culmen.

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

55, 58 mm. 15, 15 mm. 14, 14 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Cinnyris mediocris Shell. — Rchw. Ill, p. 490.
1 (5 ad. 6. 5. Londiani. — 2 (5(5 ad. 8. 5. 2 days march north of Londiani.

This species was always found in the depths of the dense
forests, where it frequented the tops of high trees.

— 221 -

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

55, 56, 58 mm. 18 mm. 17—17.5 mm.

Irides dark-brown, bill and legs black.

M earns (Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 56, No. 14, 1910,
p. 4) has described an allied form, C. m. Jceniensis, from Mount
Kenia in British East Africa. This is distinguished by being,
among other things, larger than C. m. mediocris. The former,
according to M e a r n s , should have the wing 52.3 mm., the
latter 56 mm. for cfcf.

In 1915 M earns described yet another form, C. m. gar-
guensis, from the north of Guasso Nyiro River, in British East
Africa (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 48, p. 387). The male of
this form is said to have the under parts paler than keniensis
or mediocris, and to be smaller than keniensis; about the size
of mediocris from Mount Kilimandjaro. Female much greyer
than the above forms.

Whether the two forms described by M e a r n s are con-
stant and good, I have not been in a position to decide. Yet
it does not seem to me to be very probable — at least, as regards
keniensis — especially when taking the variation in the wing-
measurement of the proximal form C. reichenowi into consi-
deration.

Cinnyris reichenowi Sharpe. — Rchw. Ill, p. 490.

7 (5(5 ad. 23. 5.-7. 7.; 1 Q ad. 7. 7. Mount Elgon.

On the eastern slopes of Elgon this species was rather
common and was mostly found in the open places overgrown
with bushes and creepers, as a rule, about 6.500 — 7.500 feet
high, but some times even in the forests. Once a specimen was
shot at an altitude of 11.000 feet in an area where thebamboo
grew among the rather low trees.

In the above-mentioned work by Reichenow the follow-
ing measurements are given for this speoies: wing 51—53 mm.,
culmen 15—16 mm., tarsus 16—17 mm., but for preussi Rchw.,
the measurements are: 55—58 mm., 17—19 mm., 16 — 17 mm.
respectively.

Were I to fix the specimens before me on the strength of
these figures, they would agree — as appears from the table
below — in the length of the wing with preussi, but in other
respects with reichenowi. Og. -Grant has, however, come to
the result (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp., 1910, p. 331) that between
these two forms there is "no difference in the length of the
wing-measurement", and he is therefore inclined to make preussi
synonymous with reichenowi, and as, according to Reichenow
(op. cit.) the difference between these two lies in the former
being larger than the latter — but this difference is not present —
they should without any doubt be synonyms.

— 222 —

V. Someren (Nev. Zool., XXV, 1918, p. 287) calls allied
forms from West-Elgon reichenowi, and therefore, on the auth-
ority of 0 g. - G r a n t , I call my specimens from East-Elgon
by the same name.

The 7 cf-specimens brought home can be divided into two
groups :

1. with dark, uniform olive-brown under parts (5 indiv.)

2. with lighter olive-green underparts which are paler towards
the sides (2 indiv.).

The latter are, however, younger specimens, which have not
yet attained the full nuptial plumage, and the red patch of the
breast is also much narrower and somewhat paler. Among the
specimens with fully grown nuptial dress there are two with the under
tail coverts tipped with red (or dark orange-coloured), the others
have them of the same uniform colour as the undertail-coverts

Wing,

culmen,

tarsus.

54 mm.

15 mm.

16.5

mm.

cf.

54 mm.

15 mm.

16

mm.

cT.

56 mm.

16 mm.

17

mm.

cT.

56 mm.

15 mm.

17

mm.

cf.

58 mm.

16 mm.

16

mm.

cT.

54 mm.

15 mm.

16

mm.

9.

54 ram.

15.5 mm.

16

mm.

9.

48 mm.

15 mm.

16

mm.

9.

nale specimen agrees

fully

with

the description

The
Reichenow (op. cit.) has given of a 9 of preussi.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

M e a r n s has also described a form belonging to this
circle: C. r. Jcikuyuensis (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 48, 1915,
p. 388), which should be "smaller than C. r. reichenowi and
more greyish, less ochraceous, on the upper parts posterior to
the red pectoral collar". He gives the wing as 52 mm., culmen
13 mm., tarsus 15 mm.

Nectarinia erythrocerca (Heugl.) Hartl. — Rchw. Ill, p. 495.

Nectarinia erythrocerca (Heugl.). Sclater & M.-Praed: Ibis, 1918, p. 617.
7 (5(5 ad. 18. 8.-19. 8; 2 Q§ ad. 19. 8.; 1 Q juv. 19. 8. Kisumu.

This Sunbird was the commonest species in the scrub round
Kisumu (vide v. Someren: Ibis, 1916, p. 447) and occurred
in great abundance right down at the shores of Lake Victoria
Nyanza, where it nested in the low bushes. I frequently found
the nests right in the middle of those of the Weaving birds on
the tip of some branch. From a nest, at which 1 shot both
male and female, I took the more than half-grown young bird
(19. 8), which is dark olive-green above and bright yellow below.
The throat is greyish black.

— 223 —

As 0 g i 1 V i e-G r a n t has already pointed out (Zool. Ruw.
Exp., 1910, p. 316) the males vary very much in the colour of the
under tail-coverts. Thus, five of the specimens from Kisumu
have these feathers broadly edged with purple, while in the other
two they are pure black. Reichenow says (op. cit.) that
males from Victoria Nyanza have a dominant bluish gloss, which
agrees with the present specimens. Otherwise there is no diffe-
rence in the colours of these 7 cf specimens.

The female specimens agree with the description given by
Reichenow (op. cit.) [after Shelley].

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

60,61,63,63,63,63,63 mm. 17-18 mm. 16— 17 mm. cfcT.
57, 57 mm. 16 mm. 16 mm. 99.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Nectarinia famosa cupreoniiens Shell.
1 ^ juv. 11. 5. Eldoret.

A few specimens of this race were seen on the boundary
between the acacia- country and the grass-plains.

The specimen before me is changing to the nuptial dress
and has the head greyish brown (a few feathers here and there
with green or coppery-red tips). The upper surface green glossy
with a coppery-red glimmer. T'he outer web of the outer secon-
daries dark-blue, the inner wini green-glossy edges. The tail-
feathers dark blue-violet with green edgings. Throat and fore-
neck green-glossy, breast and belly with a blue lustre. Some of
the feathers of the lower surface black tipped with yellowish grey.
Wing 74 mm.; culmen 31 mm.; tarsus 16 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Nectarinia kilimensis Shell. — Rchw. III. p. 502.

1 (5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. — 1 (5 ad. 22. 4 Laka Naiwasha. — 1 cJ ad. 24. 4.
Eikuyu. _ 6 (5(5 ad. 4. 5., 7. 5. Londiani. — 2 (5(5 ad. 12. 5. Eldoret. —

2 (5^ ad. 14. 5., 15. 5. Soy. — 1 Q ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. — 2 QQ ad. 22. 4.

Lake Naiwasha. — 1 C ad. 15. 5. Soy.

In the above - mentioned localities this species was very
common, but I never saw it on the eastern slopes of Elgon, al-
though V. S 0 m e r e n mentions it as common on West-Elgon
(Nov. Zool., XXV, 1918, p. 287).

In the series of 13 cf cf before me there are no great varia-
tions. Still, I have made the same observation as N e u m. a n n
(Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 300) that certain individuals have a
stronger coppery-red gloss than others, especially on the lower
parts of the back and on the upper tail-coverts. In a somewhat

— 224 -

younger cf specimen the under tail -coverts are dark greyish-
yellow with broad yellow edges. In old males the tail-feathers
are often dark steel-blue glossy with narrow purple-blue edges.
The females do not vary in the colours of the dress. The
tail-feathers are brownish black (sometimes with a faint steel-
blue lustre) and tipped with white. The outer tail-feathers
white in the lower half of the outer-web.

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

73, 73, 74, 74, 74, 75, 75, 75,

76, 76.5, 77, 77, 78 mm. 26-30 mm. 18—20 mm. cfcf.

65, 67, 67, 70 mm. 25—26 mm. 18 mm. 99.

Reichenow (op. cit.) gives: wing 70 — 75 mm., culmen
25—28 mm. Although a large number of the present specimens
have a higher figure for the wing and culmen measurements
than those above there is no reason to separate them as a
distinct form.

Neciarinia tacazze (Stanl.). — Rchw. III. p. 503.

1 (5(5 ad. 4. 5. Molo. - 4 (5(5 ad. 27. 6.-30. 6.; 1 (5 juv. 29. 6.;
2 QQ ad. 20. 6., 1. 7. ; Mount Elgon.

The first specimen of this species was shot on the station
grounds at Molo (on the north side of Mau), where the bird
was found in some low bushes along the rail-road. Later on,
7 specimens of this Sunbird was procured on the highest regions
of Elgon.

Neumann (Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 257) considers that
tacazze occurs on the outskirts of the forests, and Z e d 1 i t z
gives expression to the same opinion (Journ. f. Orn., 1911, p. 63).
As far as the bird living on Elgon is concerned, it is no forest-
bird at all but occurs — or is at least seen — only in the areas
lying at an altitude of over 1 1000 feet, thus, where the forest
has already ceased. The vertical southern boundary of
the race is thus the slopes of the sub-alpine regions, covered
with Ericaces and other bushesi and bush-iike trees. At times
the bushes grow together into small communities in these areas,
but for the most part they are spread apart and the expanse of
the mountain meads gives character to these regions. Here at
an altitude of 11000 feet the bird in question is by no means
common, but the higher one ascends, where the bushes and
small trees become more and more sparse and at last cease
altogether, it occurs more commonly and up on the shores of
the crater-lake at about 13500 feet, where Senecio Johnstoni is
found in tall, tree-like forms, as high as 6—7 metres, which
simply form small forests, the bird is the commonest of those
living in this alpine region. Necfarinia tacazze is the bird which
goes highest on Elgon and as it frequents the Senecio -trees,

- 225 —

which even grow on the summit plateau ilbell, one might dare
to assert that the northern boundary of the bird is 14000 feet.

V. Someren calls his Elgon-specimens, belonging to this
bird, from the western slopes simply Nedarinia tacaeze (Nov. Zool.,
XXV, 1918, p. 287) and thus, in the same manner as Reiche-
n 0 w (Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 503) and Shelley (Birds Africa, vol. II,
p. 26—27) makes the Abessynian form synonymous with the
East African jacksoni. My investigations of this matter have
also compelled me to come to the same decision.

To establish different forms on the basis of the more or
less greenish gloss is meaningless, for such differences frequently
occur in specimens from the same locality (vide R e i c h e n o w,
op. cit.). Neumann points out (Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 258)
that jacksoni from Mau, Kikuyu and Kenia has a beautiful, pure
green colour on the head, while tacasse from Abessynia and
Schoa has a plain steel -green colour, shading into violet-red.
Yet, he adds that these differences are easier to see than to
describe My cf specimen from Mau and those from Elgon,
ought then, if that character was the decisive feature, to be true
tacazze^ for a rather plain violet-red colour is prominent on the
heads of all of them.

If, on the other hand, the little difference in the wing-
length were the decisive character (in full-grown cf specimens) I
should still hesitate to refer them to jacksoni, for which Neu-
mann gives a wing-measurement of 81—83 mm., whereas
my specimens have 78 — 81 mm. (see table below). However,
as both tacasze and jacksoni may have a wing -measure-
ment of 81 mm, such specimens would be impossible to
distinguish from one another for, as already mentioned, the
gloss varies very considerably and this character is thus of no
systematic value.

Three of the male specimens are in full summer dress but
differ from all descriptions in having the under tail-
coverts broadly edged with violet- red. Whether
this should be characteristic for a special Elgon-form or not,
I cannot with certainty decide at present. Yet, it seems to me
most probable that it is not so, but that the violet-red under
tail-coverts are to be considered as characteristic of the full-
grown male in nuptial dress. Ogilvie-Grant has found
that the under tail -coverts of Necturinia erythrocerca vary in
colour and attaches no systematic importance to this difference,
and it should therefore be the same in the present case. In
this view I am supported by the fact that those specimens
which lack this violet -red colour, thus having entirely black
under tail-coverts, are such as have not completely assumed the
breeding dress, and are thus younger, which is evident from the
fact that a few black feathers of the lower parts are dark
greenish grey on the tips and the feathers on the lower part of

15

Wing,

culmen,

81 mm.

27 mm.

81 mm.

29 mm.

82 mm.

27 mm.

80 mm.

28 mm.

78 mm.

28 mm.

78 mm.

30 mm.

67 mm.

27 mm.

72 mm.

27 mm.

— 226 —

the tibia are of the same colour, whereas, in the full-grown
bird, these parts are entirely black.

The young bird has the feathers of the lower surface of
the same colour as the female, i. e. greyish yellow, and most
of the secondaries (except the inner ones) with edges of the
same colour. The tail-feathers almost as in the female, though
more steel-blue glossy, the outer ones with white edges. Other-
wise very like the full-grown male, although some of the feathers
of the back have not yet got the coppery-red tips.

The female specimen agrees with Reich enow's description
(op. cit.).

tarsus,

17 mm. cT ad.
20 mm. d^ ad.
19 mm, cT ad.
19 mm. cf ad. (not full dres§.)

19 mm. d* ad. ( „ „ „ )

20 mm. cf juv.

18 mm. 9 ad.
20 mm. 9 ^d.

Comparing Reichenow's figures for the length of the
culmen and the tarsus (the former 30 — 32 mm., the latter 18 — 19
mm.) with those in the above table, we find they do not agree,
for only the young bird attains Reichenow's minimum for
the length of culmen. The others go below it. Whether the
East African form therefore may possibly have a shorter bill
than the Abessynian and is thereby perhaps distinguished from
it, further comparisons should be able to show.

Paridae.

Parus niger purpurascens v, Someren — Bull. Ui'it Oin. Club,
vol. XLl, 1921, p. 112.

1 (5 ad. 15. 5. Soy, 6.500 ft.

I came across this newly described form 4 days' march from
Elgon in the direction of Soy, where it frequented the brush-
wood along a little stream.

When Neumann (Journ. f. Orn., 1906, p. 260) separated
5 forms belonging to this species, he wrote: "At Victoria Nyanza
there is yet another form, which is exactly like the Abessynian
leucomelas. The differences between Nyanza and Abessynian
specimens will certainly be determined later on."

V. Someren has found this form at several places around
Victoria Nyanza and mentions it also from Elgon. It ditiers

— 227 —

from leucomelas and lacuum in having no wliite fringes to the
outer rectrices. Wing: cT 83—85 mm., 9 78—82 mm.

The specimen from Soy has a wing-measurement of 85 mm.,
tarsus 19 mm. Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

Farus albiventris Shell. — Rchw. III. p. 514.

2 (5(5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. - 2 (5(5 ad. 18. 5., 31. 5. Mount Elgon. —
2 gQ ad. 17. 4., 18. 4. Kiambu. — 1 Q ad. 23. 5. Mount Elgon.

In the environs of Mombasa this Tit occurred rather com-
monly, and two specimens were shot, but unfortunately they
were lost.

On the eastern slopes of Elgon the race was also common,
being always found on the edges of the forests at an altitude
of about 6500—7000 feet.

The specimens before me vary only with respect to the
white fringes on the outer tail-feathers. Thus, some have a very
broad fiinge, and at times the whole of the outer web is white;
others only a narrow, white edge.

Wing, tarsus,

72, 83, 84, 87 mm. 19-20 mm. cTcf.

77, 77, 80 mm. 19 mm. 99.

Irides dark-brown; bill black; legs dark lead-grey — greyish
green.

Sylvildae.

Melocichla mentalis amauroura Pelz. — Rchw. III. p. 539.

2 (5(5 ad. 26. 5., 25. 7. ; 2 gQ ad. 26. 5., 25. 7. ; Mount Elgon.

This bird was found below the eastern slopes of Mount
Elgon in the dense brushwood and bushes, fringing the rivers
and streams. As a rule it was found in pairs and I never saw
it in flocks of 4— 10 in number as N e u m a n n mentions (Journ.
f. Orn., 1916, p. 264). The bird is very timid and difficult to
get within range, as it keeps well concealed in the almost im-
penetrable brushwood. When it is alarmed it utters an agita-

IGQj bllOrL cry* vjvjuuvj) Kj\j\j\j\j*

Neumann separates (op. cit.) three allied forms: men-
talis, orientalis and amauroura and makes Reichenow's atri-
cauda synonymous with the last, which is no doubt correct.
V. Someren (Ibis 1916, p. 450) shares this opinion, but later
on (Nov. Zool., XXV, 1918, p. 287) he styles specimens from
West Elgon atricauda. S c 1 a t e r and Mackworth-Praed
(Ibis 1918, p. 645) include Neumann's three forms but do
not express any opinion of atricauda. Reichenow gives the

15*

— 2^8 —

name of airicauda to specimens from the districts around the
Great Lakes (Vogelf. Mittelafr. Seeugeb.. 1912, p. 312). Accor-
ding to N e u m a n n , however, amauroura should occur in the
districts around the Great Lakes and on the Upper Nile to Omo,
but Sclater and M.-Praed establish the range to: Uganda,
western British East Africa, the White Nile, Bahr el Ghazal and
S. Abessynia. At any rate this area of distribution practically
coincides with that for atricauda, whence it might be taken for
granted that the writers mentioned also consider this form a
synonym of amauroura.

The specimens from Elgon are undoubtedly amauroura as
all have the upper parts greyish brown (mainly greyish), but
approaches — like Neumann's specimens — orientalis to
some extent, as two of them have the rump and the crissum
brownish red. The rectrices are all brownish black.

Neumann (op. cit.) considers that north of Victoria
Nyanza mentalis and amauroura merges into each other. It may,
however, be more easy to suppose transition forms between
orientalis and amauroura, as the range of mentalis is West
Africa from the Gold Coast to N. Angola. But Sclater and
M.-Praed agree with Neumann's view and they add that they
have nevertheless not found any from these regions resembling
orientalis.

Among my four specimens two (99) recall orientalis in the
light, pale colour of the under parts, which is almost whitish in
the centre, and also in the pale colour of the under tail-coverls
and one of them also has the reddish brown feathers of the
forehead very dark, almost greyish brown. But the under wing-
coverts are light rusty-brown in all of them.

The other two (cfcT) are more uniformly yellowish brown
on the lower surface. Although they are shot at different times
they still show a distinct agreement in the colours of the dress —
the males as well as the females — whence it seems probable
that this is a difference between the sexes and that the females
are therefore lighter than the males.

Wing, tarsus,

75, 75 mm. 28, 30 mm. cfcf.

75, 76 mm. 29, 30 mm. 99.

Irides citron-yellow — paie-yellow. (Lonnberg (Birds coll. Sw.
Zool. Exped. B. E. A., 1911, p. 120) says that the iris oi orien-
talis is light brown); upper mandible dark greyish-brown, lower
mandible greyish blue; legs dark leaden grey.

Cisiicola prinioides prinioides Neum. — Rchw. IIL p. 543.

1 (5 ad. 24. 4. Kikuyu. _ 1 ^ ad. 7. 5. Londiani. - 6 ^^ ad. 28. 6.-30. 6.
3 QQ ad. 28. 6.— 30. 6 ; 3 (5(5 juv. 27. 6.-29. 6. Mount Elgon.

— 229 —

Forms belonging to this form-circle are chiefly known from
the high mountains of East Africa, although v. Someren
(Ibis, 1916, p. 253) found a bird, which he styles simply C pri-
nioides, nesting at Nakuru. The first specimen of this race was
procured in close vicinity to Kikuyu railway station in a little
grove, surrounded on all sides by cultivated land. Later on, a
a bird was shot a day's march north of Londiani, at an altitude
of about 8.500 feet, in the brushwood growing along the sides
of a road.

On the eastern slopes of Elgon it was common and began
to appear at about 11.000 feet, i. e. in the Erica forest. Here
it occurred either singly or more usually in small flocks of 4 — 6
in number, and frequented the withered, dense scrubby thicket s
of the heather, where it was diffiicult to discover. In the smaU
bushes of the mountain fields higher up — at about
12.000 feet — it was also common and was often seen in the
company of Finarochroa sordida rudolphi. The latter was never
seen above 13.000 feet above sea-level, but Cisticola prinioides
which was one of the few small birds on the still higher regions
and one specimen was shot at 13.500 feet by the crater-lake and
another at the mouth of the crater itself. It thus seems — in
spite of the accidental finds at Kikuyu and Londiani — as if
this bird is an alpine being, whose chief vertical range runs to
an altitude of about the 11.000 — 13.500 feet (at least on Elgon).

V. Someren (Nat. Nov., 1918, p. 287) calls specimens
from West Elgon C. hunteri and states that he has found it
within the Bamboo zone, where I at any rate, never saw it.

At present the following forms, belonging to this form
circle, have been described.

1. Cisticola prinioides prinioides Neum.

(Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 304)
Total length 160 mm., wing 55 mm.
Hab. Mau.

2. Cisticola prinioides neumanni Hart.

(Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XH, 1901, p. 13)
Hab. Mount Kenia.

3. Cisticola prinioides Tcilimensis Mearns.

(Smihson. Misc. Coll., vol. 56, No. 25, 1911)
Total length 147 mm., wing 58 mm., tarsus 24 mm.
Hab. Mount Kilimanjaro.

4. Cisticola prinioides wambugensis Mearns.

(Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 60, No. 20, 1913)
Total length 135 mm., wing cf 60, 9 55 mm., tarsus
25.5, 24 mm.
Hab. South of Mount Kenia.
With respect to Jcilimensis Reichenow says (Journ. f.
Orn., 1918, p. 104) that it cannot be distinguished from pri-

— 230 -

nioides, having coni(> to that conclusion after comparing Kiliman-
jaro specimens with true prmoides. Fiom the description it
does not seem to differ in any noteworthy degree from Har-
t art's neumanni. 1 have compared my specimens with others
from Kilimanjaro, collected by Sjostedt, in the Stockholm
National Museum, and it seems as if the latter were in general
darker than Elgon specimens. A specimen found in Stockholm
from Kenia (thus wamhugensis, according to Mearus) exhibits no
difference from the Elgon birds.

That wamhugensis should be considered a good form seems
doubtful to me. I have, it is true, not had any specimen for
comparison, but have in the series from Elgon young birds which
agree perfectly with Mearn's description (op. cit), whence I
think it quite probable that this form is only a juvenile phase
of prinoides.

Finally, as far as neumanni is concerned, I entertain great
doubts in accepting it as a good, geographical form, inasmuch
as among the 14 Elgon specimens even this type is represented.

When studying the forms belonging to this species I have
found that the young in general have a more reddish brown
head than the adults, and that the upper parts are also predo-
minantly brownish, sometimes uniformly coloured, the tail brow-
nish, and the feathers oftenest with rusty-brown edgings. Under
parts whitish, mingled with grey on the sides. The throat almost
pure white. The young birds have also the bill dark-brown
with the posterior half of the lower mandible yellowish.

Among the 10 full-grown specimens there are rather great
differences, aud they can be referred now to one, now to another
of the previously mentioned forms. Thus, some have the whole
of the lower surface greyish, others have a whitish area along
the middle of the abdomen. A certain number of them have
the head rusty-brown, others dark greyish brown and in some
the crown is more spotted, with dark centres to the feathers,
than in others etc. The majority have the whole of the upper
parts brownish black, but in a few they are Ifghter, brownish
grey, approaching the young bird's. The tail-feathers are in all
of them more or less brownish grey.

As 12 of the 14 specimens were shot at the same time
and within a limited area and there being so great differences
which can be referred to the distinctive features distinguishing
the various forms described, this goes to prove that a number
of these forms can hardly be considered as good ones but only
as individual variations in a bird which exhibits locally great
variation in the colour and design of the dress, and 1 am con-
vinced that future investigations of C. prinioides will corroborate
this opiuinion.

Neumann says (Jouru. f. Orn., 1900, p. 304) that only
two birds have any likeness to prinioides, namely, two specimens

— 231 —

from South Africa under the name of subruficapilla found in the
Berlin Museum. But hunteri is undoubtedly closely related to
prinioides and resembles it very much and also occurs, according
to Reichenow, together with it,

1 have compared my specimens with the type specimens
and others in the Berlin Museum and found that the Kikuyu
specimen agrees perfectly with the type, but that those from
Elgon are in general somewhat darker.

The Elgon specimens have as a rule a larger wing-measure-
ment than N e u m a n n' s type, but in the Berlin Museum there
are prinioides specimens from Meru (collected by Sjostedt)
with a wing-measurement of 60 mm. and others have above
60 mm.

Perhaps the Elgon bird is a distinct form which is larger
than the others, for it could hardly be distinguished from the
others by any other character. But as the figures in the present
case vary so considerably I do not yet consider that I am jus-
tified in establishing a new form.

Wing, tarsus,

60 mm. 23 mm. cf Kikuyu.

63 mm. 25 ram cf Londiani.

62, 62, 62, 62, 64, 65 mm. 24-25 mm. cfcf ad. Mount Elgon.
60, 61, 63 mm. 24—25 mm. cfcT juv. „ „

60, 63, 64 mm. 24 mm. 99 ad. „ „

Irides dark brown; bill black; legs pale flesh-coloured (in
the young bird, brownish-grey-brownish-yellow.

Cisticola subruficapilla aequatorialis Mearns. — Smithson. Misc.
Coll., vol. 56, No. 25, 1911, p. 2.

1 (5 ad. 22. 4. ; 1 2 ad. 20. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

In the grass-country around Lake Naiwasha this race was
found in company with others of the same family.

The male agrees perfectly with Mearn's description of the
type specimen from Lake Naiwasha, but the female has not the
brownish-black centre on the feathers of the mantle, but is more
uniformly dark-brown, nor are the feathers of the head striped
with blackish brown.

Reichenow throws out the suggestion (Journ. f. Orn.,
1918, p. 104) that aequatorialis coincides with his semifasciata,
of which I have examined the type specimen and 6 others in
the Berlin Museum collections, and although there are rather
great similarities between these two forms I am yet of opinion
that they should be kept apart, for as Mearns pointed out this
form is considerably larger and besides has not, as semifasciaia,
only a black spot on the inner web of the tail-feathers, close to
the tip but has a clear band across both webs.

— 232 —

Wing, tarsus,

69 mm. 26 mm. d*

58 mm. 24 mm. 9

M earns gives the measurement for aequatorialis as:
cfd* 66,1 mm., tarsus 24 5 mm., 99 57 mm, 23.6 mm. The
measurements for the specimens before me are greater, it is
true, but nevertheless I still place them under this form, on
account of the other similarities.

V. Someren names a related form: fischeri (Ibis, 1916,
p. 451) and in his "Prov. Check-list of the Birds of B. E. A.
and Uganda", 1917, p. 57, refers this name to Reich enow:
Journ. f. Orn., 1911. However, there is neither in that
year nor any other year any form of suhruficapilla described
by Reichenow under this name, but certainly a Cisiicola
chiniana fischeri in Journ. f. Orn., 1891, p. 162.

Cisticola strangei holuhii Pelz. — Rchv?. Ill, p. 545.
4 (5(5 ad. 8. 6., 19. 6., 24. 7., 25. 7. Mount Elgon.

This bird occurred less commonly on the eastern slopes of
Elgon up to about 7000 feet.

Zedlitz (Journ. f. Orn., 1916, p 82), following. Neu-
mann (Journ. f. Orn., 1906, p. 266—267), distinguishes three
forms belonging to this circle, strangei, argentea and hohtbii, of
which the one occurring in East Africa is the above-named.
When Zedlitz treats of the systematisation of the strangei
forms he does not express any opinion, remarkably enough, of
Mearns' analysis thereof (Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 56, No. 25,
1911, p. 4 — 5). Mearns mentions strangei, pachyrhijncha and
a new form, kapitensis, and he gives a comparative description
of the three of them. He also speaks of argentea and considers
this "apparently as a subspecies of C. strangei^\

According to Mearns and Zedlitz we should thus have
to include the following forms:

1. Cisticola strangei strangei (Fras.)

Wing 69 mm , tarsus 29 mm. (ace. to Mearns).
Hab. West Africa from Senegambia to Angola.

2. Cisticola strangei holuhii Pelz.

Wing ^1—12 mm., tarsus 27—28 mm. (ace. to Granvik).
Hab. Brif. East Africa, German East Africa to S. 0. Africa.

3. Cisticola strangei argentea Rchw.

Wing 70—75 mm., tarsus 28— 30 mm. (ace. to Rchw.: Orn.
Monatsber. 1905, p. 25).
Hab. S. Somaliland.
4. . Cisticola strangei pachyrhyncha (Heugl.).
Wing 69 mm., tarsus 29 mm.
Hab. Bongo (Bahr el Gazal).

— 233 —

5. Cisticola strangei Jcapitensis Mearns.

Wing 67.6—68 ram., tarsus 28.5—29 mm. • • ■ .
Hab. Kapiti Plains (British East Africa).

Whether Icapitensis is a good form or is a synonym of
hohihii — which is very probable — I have not been in a position
to decide, v. Someren (Ibis, 1916, p. 451) says that "a
freshly-moulted specimen in fine, clean, dark dress is an August
bird. Birds in the light brown plumage have been found
breeding". Thus it seems as if dark and light specimens occur
within the same area and that this difference is of no syste-
metic value but is only due to the different seasons, whence it
is probable that careful studies of the strangei- forms described
will reduce their number.

The whole of the upper parts are predominantly grey,
although the head has a slight tint of brown. The rusty-brown
colour on the tibia varies quite considerably in these four from
pale to dark rusty-brown.

Wing, tarsus,

67, 68, 70, 72 mm. 27—28 mm.

Irides brownish-red; bill blackish (lower mandible with
light tip), legs flesh colour.

Sclater and Mackworth-Praed (Ibis, 1918,
p. 647) makes the West African strangei a form under natalensis,
which is probably the most correct, but having had too little
material at my disposal I cannot give an opinion of the relative
affinity of the various strangei forms or of their relation to
natalensis.

Cisticola tinniens suhrufescefls Granvik.

1 (5 ad. 10. 5.; 1 Q ad. 11. 5. Eldoret.

This bird, so rarely met with in East Africa, was found
on the rush-clad banks of a little stream flowing through the
grass-plains.

Reichenow gives the range of this bird to South Africa,
extending northwards to Angola and the Transvaal (but acc-ording
to Jackson: Ibis, 1901, p. 56, also found in East Africa).
Jackson says that "in Nandi it is plentiful in the marshy
hollows", and the same writer has also procured this bird
from Mau.

This Warbler resembles C. eryihrogenys very much but
differs from that in having the forehead uniform rufous and the
black stripes commencing just in front of the eye. (Ogilvie-
Grant and Reid: Ibis, 1901, p. 653).

The male is somewhat darker reddish-brown than the female
and has scanty black stripes on the neck and the black feathers
of upper parts edged with Irownish grey. Further, the tibias

— 234 —

are dark rusty-brown. The female lacks the black stripes on
the hea<], which is thus here uniform rufous; tho feathers of the
back are edged with light greyish brown. The tibias pale
rusty-brown. Id other respects they are in agreement with
Reich enow's description.

Wing, tarsus,

58 mm. 22 mm.

59 mm. 21 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill black (lower mandible with greyish-
blue spot); legs faintly flesh-colured.

The East African form of iwmevs differs from the South
African in the head being reddish brown (in the South African
rusty-brown) and in the long length of its wing. In South
African specimens this is 50 — 55 mm.

Cisticola rohusta ambigua Sharpe. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club,
vol. XI, 1900, p. 28.

2 (3^ ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. — 1 ^ ad. 11. 4, Ngong. — 1 (5 ad. 17. 4. Kiambu. —

3 (3(3 ad. 12. 5., 10. 8. Eldoret. — 5 (3(5 ad. 16. 5., 17. 5., 26. 7. Soy. -
3 (3(3 ad. 6. 6., 19. 6 , 24. 7. Mount Elgon. — 1 2 ad. 10. 4. Nairobi. -
2 QQ ad. 11. 4. Ngoug. - 2 QQ. ad. 16. 7., 25. 7.; 3 (3(3 juv. 24. 7. 1'5. 7.

Mount Elgon. — 1 (3 juv. 11. 8. Eldoret.

This bird was one of the commonest everywhere on the grass-
plains.

Neumann (Journ. f. Orn., 1906, p.p. 264—266) has dealt
with the forms of rohusta in detail and separated 5 seemingly
good races. I have before me a series of 20 specimens which
must all — in spite of small differences — be placed under
ambigua. According to Neumann (op. cit.) this form is
characterised by being a darker red on the head, right from the
crown. The dark streaking of the frontal plate very dull, in
many it is not present at all. Pure white or almost white tail
tips. Wing: d* 66 — 71 mm., 9 56—60 mm.

With specimens from Nairobi, Ngong and Kiambu (thus
from the Kikuyu country) Neumann's description agrees en-
tirely. Yet in some the head patch is more red-brownish, in
others brownish yellow. All of them have the dark streaks
faintly marked.

The other specimens from Eldoret, Soy and Elgon are of
another type and agree with the description v. Someren has
given of birds from Uganda (Ibis, 1916, p. 453) Whether these
are aberrants of ambigua or not is doubtful, v. S o nj e r e n ,
however, has at any rate not expressed any opinion but styles
them only C. ? Among these 13 specimens there is only one
(9) which approaches the true ambigua from the Kikuyu-country.
It therefore seems most probable to me that the dilTerence present
is only a difference accompanying the seasons. They cannot be

— 235 —

coLsidered as nuchalis (from the West-side of Victoria Nyanza)
for, according to v. S[omeren (op. cit.) this has "a dark brown
head with a few dark markings", which does not agree with any
of the ones before me. Reichenow (Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 555),
who is the author of the bird, gives the wing to 55 mm., Neu-
mann gives 54 mm., but v. Someren 63—66 mm. for cT,
54—60 mm. for 9- A number of these specimens recall, as regard
the colour of the head, the north-east African robusta, but do
not attain the measurement of that form. With respect to the
colour of the lower surface these 13 specimens exactly resemble
those from tho Kikuyu country.

The young birds from the Elgon district differs distinctly
from the full-grown in the tail-feathers being dark greyish brown,
and all of them have a distinct whitish tint on the under parts
(in these characters they recall naialensis to a certain extent).
The head has not yet acquired the brownish red colour of the adult
but is of the same colour as the back and provided with dark,
wide streaks.

The following table exhibits the measurements of the various
specimens:

Wing, tarsus,

66, 67 mm. 27 mm. d^cf Nairobi.

69 mm. 27 mm. (f Ngong.

69 mm. 27 mm. c^ I^iambu.

66, 68, 67 mm. 26, 27 mm. cTcT Eldoret.
64, 64, 67, 67, 69 mm. 26-28 mm. cTcT Soy.

66, 66, 67 mm. 28 mm. cfcT Elgon.

58 mm. 25 mm. 9 Nairobi.

58, 58 mm 24, 25 mm. 99 Ngong,
56.5, 58 mm. 25 mm. 99 Elgon.

Irides brownish red; bill black (lower mandible with greyish
blue, at times, yellowish spot in the centre or greyish blue
base); legs pale flesh-coloured.

Cisticola terrestris hindei Sharpe. — Rchw. Ill, p. 559.

Gisticola brunnescens Heugl.

1 Q ad. 11. 4. Ngong.

This little Grass-Warbler was only seen on this one occasion
in the grass-plains, in the vicinity of Nairobi, v. Someren
(Ibis, 1916, p. 452) says, however, of this race that it is "fairly
common, but difficult to procure".

Breeding-time seems to fall in the month of April, for this
female specimen had well developed eggs in the ovary. In
contradistinction to the following this form is considerably lighter

— 236 —

and paler, especially the lower surface, which is pure white, the
throat likewise. The fore-neck and flanks are pale yellowish
brown. The rump is yellowish brown.

Wing 47 mm.; tarsus 20 mm.
Irides dark-brown; bill yellowish brown, upper mandible
darker; legs pale flesh-coloured.

Cisticola terrestris ugandae Rchw. — Orn. Monatsber., 1908,

p. 13.

2 (5(5 ad. 11. 8. Eldoret.

Fairly common in the grass-country in the Elgon re-
gions and at Eldoret, and differs quite distinctly from the
preceding by having the head, as a rule, more rusty-brown,
the rump rusty brown and the under parts of the body almost
uniformly pale yellowish brown. On the other hand 1 am not
able to find any noteworthy difference in the colour of the tail-
feathers, although Reichenow (op. cit.) intimates that such
a difference exists. In the characters given they differ, however
considerably from the preceding and therefore I have given them
Reich enow's name. In some respects — measurements,
colour of upper parts — they even agree fairly well with
Heuglin's eximia (Ibis, 1869, p. 106) and one migl>t just as
well consider them to be intermediate between that race and
ugandae.

Wing 46, 47 mm. Tarsus 20 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Cisticola chubhi Sharpe. — Rchw. Ill, p. 561.

4 (5(5 ad. 20. 5., 3. 6., 22. 6. ; 2 QQ ad. 2. 6., 3. 6. Mount Elgon.

This species occurred up to about 7.500 feet on the eastern
slopes of Elgon and was common in the open grass-country.

All the Elgon specimens are greyish brown above (not
brown, as Reichenow states), otherwise they agree with the
description (op. cit.). According to Reichenow this species
differs, among other things, from nigriloris in the tarsus being
shorter: in the latter 26 — 27 mm., in the former 24—25 mm.
As appears from the table below the length of the tarsus of
these cfcT individuals is, without exception, 27 mm., whence the
difference between the species mentioned does not seem to ex-
ist.

Wing, tarsus,

64, 65, 66, 66 mm. 27 mm. cfcT.
59, 60 mm. 25 mm. 99-

— 23? -

The only difference between the sexes is that the female is
somewhat smaller than the male.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Cisticola hrachyptera brachpptera Sharpe. — Rchw, III, p. 567.

Cisticola hypoxantha Hartl. Neumann : Journ. f. Orn., 1906, p. 276. — Cisti-
cola rufa (Fras.). Rchw.: op. cit. — Zediitz: Journ. f. Orn. 1916, p. 84. —
V. Someren: Nov. Zool., XXV, 1918, p. 288. — Cisticola rufa hypoxantha.
V. Someren : Ibis, 1916, p. 452. — Cisticola hrachyptera Sharpe. Sclater
and Mackworth-Praed : Ibis, 1918, p.- 655.

1 cT ad. 16. 5. Soy. — 3 (5c5 ad. 6. 6., 8. 6. Mount Elgon.

In the grass-country below the slopes of Elgon this little
Warbler was found not uncommonly.

The four specimens are almost exactly alike and have the
faint, dark streaks to the feathers of the back. Only in respect
to the colour of the head do they vary a little, two of them
being a little lighter than the others, the latter having a dark-
brown head patch. In other respects they are in accordance with
Reich enow 's description of C. rufa.

The measurements agrees better with Neumann's (op.
cit.) than with R e i c h e n o w ' s.

Wing, tarsus,

50, 51, 52, 52.5 mm. 20 ram.

Irides brownish red; bill dark greyish brown (lower man-
dible lighter); legs pale ilesh-coloured.

Sclater and M. - P r a e d (Ibis, 1918, p. 655) are of
opinion that ''hypoxantha from the Nile Province of the Uganda
Protectorate is identical with the form of C. brachyptera, occnrrmg
in the Sudan", and that "C rufa is a West African bird found
from the Welle river to the Cameroon and perhaps Angola".
I have therefore given the Elgon specimens the above name.

V. Someren gives 42 mm. as the wing-measurement of
a specimen from Moroto, Turkanaland (Journ. E. Afr. Mg. N, H.
Soc, 1921, No. 16, p. 26).

Cisticola hrachyptera reichenowi Mearns. —
Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 56, No. 25, 1911, p. 6.

Cisticola hypoxantha reichenowi. Mearns: op. cit.
2 (5(5 ad. 26. 4. Mombasa.

This form o( hypoxantha is described from Changamwe (near
Mombasa) and distinctly differs from the preceding in being
considerably paler, predominantly greyish, on the back, on
account of which the more or less dark-brown colour of the
head contrasts with the rest of the upper surface. In the pre-
ceding torm the colour of the head and back was the same.

— 238 —

Mearn s also mentions that it is „l(3ss distinctly streaked
above", but in this I cannot agree, inasmucli as these two are
almost more distinctly streaked above, which I dare say is due
to the fact that both specimens are in moult and the old feat-
hers thus paler and more abraded on the edges, whereby the
centre of the feathers appear darker.

Wing, tarsus,

47, 50 mm. 19, 20 mm.
Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Cisticola erythrops erythrops (Hartl.). — Rchw. Ill, 568.
1 ^ ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

Sclater and Mackworth-Praed (ibis, 1918
p. 656 — 657) have separated three forms belonging to this
species and established the range of e. erythrops to West Africa:
Cameroon to the Gold Coast, and eastwards to Ruwenzori and
to the Lake district. But the boundary towards the east should
be moved to the regions of Kenia, as v. S o m e r e n (Ibis, 1916,
p. 456) has found the bird in the Nairobi district, jwhere the
present specimen was also shot.

This individual agrees splendidly with Sclater and M.-
Praed's description and has the wing 60 mm., tarsus 24 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Calamocichla leptorhyncha parva (Fschr. & Rchw.). —
Rchw. III. p. 575.

Calamocichla parva (Fschr. & Rchw.). Neumann: Nov. Zool., vol. XV, "1908
p. 247.

3 (5c5 ad. 22. 4., 22. 4. ; 1 ^ 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha.

Amongst the thick reeds in Lake Naiwasha this songster
was tolerably common. As a rule it frequented the outskirts
of the reed-belt, where it was extremely difficult to detect, but
I often heard its song from some little clump of reeds out in
the water, which mostly recalled the song of the the song-thrush.
When I came too close to it it flew a little distance along the
surface of the water to the shelter of the nearest reed-bed.
Here it at once began singing, nimbly hopping from stalk to
stalk or climbing up and down the reeds. But it always kept
to the lower end of the reeds, where it was well hidden and it
was only incidentally that I caught a glimpse of it.

The plumage of tlie old birds agrees with Neumann's
description (Nov. Zool., vol. XV, 1908, p. 247) but my younger
specimens are, as a rule, somewhat darker above than the old
birds.

239

According toReichenow (op. cit.) the tibias are 'Muster-
braun". In these specimens this character varies from light-
brown to dark rusty-brown.

Wing,

tail,

tarsus,

hind-claw,

70 mm.

72 mm.

25 mm.

11 mm.

(f

74 mm.

78 mm.

28 mm.

10 mm.

d

70 mm.

74 ram.

25 mm.

10.5 mm,

. cT

70 mm.

66 mm.

25 mm.

11 mm.

9

Irides cinnamon-brown; bill greyish brown (lower mandible
lighter), legs greyish green.

Schoenicola apicalis (Cab.). — Rchw. III. p. 577.
1 (5 ad. 6. 6. Mount Elgon.

Found sparingly in the reeds and rushes along the moun-
tain streams, at an altitude of about 6500 feet, below the eastern
slopes of Elgon.

Wing 62 mm., tarsus 20 mm.

Irides brown, upper mandible greyish brown; lower man-
dible greyish blue, dark at the base; legs light brownish grey.

Bradypterus cinnavwmeus cinnamomeus (Rupp.). —
Hchw. Ill p. 581.

1 (5 ad. 13. 6. Mount Elgon. — 1 Q ad. 4. 5. Londiani. —
1 p ad. 2. 7. ; 1 (3 juv. 7. 7. Mount Elgon.

This race was observed for the first time in the vicinity
of Londiani Railway Station. It frequented the withered, small
bushes on the outskirts of the forest at an altitude of about
8.000 feet.

At Elgon I saw the bird a few times and always on the
fringe of the bamboo-zone at an altitude of 9. 500— 10.000 feet.
Here among the old, biowuish yellow bamboo-straw it was very
difficult to detect, v. S o m e r e n says, that he has only seen
it in the reed beds of swamps and rivers (Nov. Zool. XXV,
1918, p. 288), but on the eastern slopes of Elgon I only saw it
in the higher regions in the above-mentioned localities.

Neumann has dwelt with B. cinnamomeus and B. c. sal-
vadorii Neum. in detail (Oin. Monatsber., 1903, p. 90—91) and
says that the S clioa • cinnanwmevs is larger than the East
African salvadoiii but the diifereuces in other respects between
them are not great. The former measures: cf wing 67 mm.,
tail 77 uim.; 9 65 mm., 69 mm. The latter: cf 63 mm., 70 mm.;
9 60 mm., 65 mm.

V. S 0 m e r e n has (in agreement with Hartert) given his
Elgon specimens the style of salvadorii, although they have a
wing-measurement of 65—68 mm., and the tail is much darker

— 240 —

and he adds that "these birds are quite distinct from B. cinna-
momeus from Kikuyu and Mau".

But Neumann's specimens originate from the Gurui
Mountains in German East Africa and the author says that bet-
ween these birds and those from Mau there is a considerable
difference, whence they might possibly be a distinct intermediate
form. Now, as Elgon specimens in their turn, according to v.
Someren, are quite distinct from the latter there should
thus be two good forms besides salvadorii.

I have made the same observations as v. Someren, i. e,
that the Elgon specimens have a much darker tail (dark-brown) than
that from Londiani (not far from the Mau mountains) for in the
latter specimen the tail is rusty-brown. Neumann (op. cit.)
states that all the specimens examined by him were different
from each other, and under these circumstances it seems to me
to be audacious to advance these probable individual differences
as characters for the different forms.

I assume, however, that the author's description of his own
form is correct, and although the measurements for the wing of
female specimens agree more with salvadorii, and that of male-speci-
mens with the one form just as well as the other, the measurements
of the length of the tail approach those of cinnamomeus, and so
I have called my specimens with that name.

The young bird's plumage differs greatly from that of the
adults. The head is dark greyish brown and the whole of the
upper surface dark-brown without the rusty-red wash found in
the adult. The throat and sides of the head are olive-grey with
dark streaks and the lower surface, otherwise olive-yellow, olive-
brown along the tlanks.

Upper mandible dark brownish grey, lower mandible brown-
ish yellow.

Wing, tarsus, tail,

65 mm. 24 mm. 76 ram. cf Elgon.

61 mm. 23 mm. 68 mm. Q

63 mm. 23 mm. 71 mm. 9 E6ndiani.

Irides dark-brown; bill dark grey-brown; legs pale yellow-
ish grey.

Frinia mystacea immrdahilis v. Someien. — Bull. Brit.
Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1920, p 93.

Prinia mystacea Riipp. Reichenow: Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 590. — Neumann
Journ. f. Orn., ]906, p. 276. — Zedlitz : Journ. f. Orn., 1916, p. 87. —
V. Someren: Ibis, 1916, p. 457; Nov. ZooL, XXV, 1918, p. 288. — Grote :
Journ. f. Orn., 1921, p. 408 u. 457.

Mbusu . . . Ndetee . . . ki kamba.

1 (5 ad. 11. 4. NgoDg. — 3 ,5(5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. — 1 5 ad. 22. 4. Lake

Naiwasha. — 8 ($5 ad. 20. 5.— 10. 7. Mount Elgon. — 1 5 ad. 11. 8. Eldoret. —

3 QQ ad. 16. 7., 24. 7, Mount Elgon. — 3 QQ ad. 11. 8. Eldoret.

— 241 —

One of the most common birds occurring on the fringes of
the forests, in the bush areas and acacia-country, where the
ground was richly covered with tall, powerful plants and creepers.
They generally frequented the branches of the bushes but I often
saw them in the tops of the trees, where they jumped from
branch to branch and their behaviour was much asLonnberg
has described it (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp. to B. E. A., 1911,
p. 123). On Elgon the bird was common right up to about
8.000 feet.

I came across this bird's nest on two occasions. The first

time was on the 21st of June at the foot of Elgon, about 6.500

feet above sea-level. The nest was found among the grass and

flowers of the undergrowth of an acacia-forest, and unless the

bird itself had risen and thus revealed the nesting-place, I should

certainly not have discovered it. It was built in a plant, about

72 a metre in height, belonging to the family Verticillatae, about

40 cm. above the ground. The nest itself was suspended within

three large green leaves, two of which — those at the sides —

were sewn onto the nest by means of fine threads of grass.

The third leaf ran out a little above the top of the nest, one

end being bent downwards while the other end was sewn to the

favther edge of the nest. It is evident from the above that this

latter leaf does not assist in holding up the nest, for in that

case it would doubtlessly get severed at the attached end by any

violent movement of the nest, as for instance when the birds

flew to or from the nest. As the nest is bottle-shaped, thus

having the opening at the top, this leaf protects the entrance-hole

and the nest itself from rain and wet, which instead of getting into

the nest runs along the downward-bent leaf and falls to the ground.

This nest was 80 mm. deep and 65 mm. wide at the

bottom. At the top it was about 40 mm. wide and the opening

itself was 38 mm. across. The materials of the nest were composed

of only narrow thin fibres and dry grass-blades, loosely and flim-

sily plaited together into a disorderly mass.

The nest contained oae newly hatched young bird and an
addled egg. The latter measured 15.5 X 12.2 mm. and weighed
87 mg. The colour is faint bluish green with large, brown spots
spread all over the shell. The superficial spots are dark-brown
and of a smaller size. The different spots are most strongly
marked at the thick end and here are also diffused brown-lilac
spots mingled with small black points. Both male and female
incubate, but on most of the occasions when I beat up the in-
cubating bird it was the male that left the nest.

The second nest was found on the 24th July, below the

slopes of Elgon. It was built something like the former and in

the same sort of locality and contained 3 newly hatched young.

If we read through the literature of the last decade about

JBrinia mysiacea we shall find that the opinions concerning the

16

— 242 —

different forms belonginp to this species diHer very much, but
agree in this respect, that it is extremely difficult to determine
the various forms.

Neumann asks the question as to whether there are
probably two simihir species occurring together: nnjstacea and
murina, as H e u g 1 i n presumes is the case in Nord-east Africa
(Journ. f. Orn., 1906, p. 277). Zedlitz does not consider it
probable that one darker, larger form and another lighter,
smaller form occur together, but combines these two into one
common form. He suminarizes his investigation under three
heads: 1. cfcT and 99 ^^ "ot differ essentially in measurements;
2 dark and light sjjecimens are found of both sexes; 3. the
breast-patch, as a rule, is not found in 9^ do^ always in cf.
These results are — as far as I can find — quite correct and
in the sories of 20 sj)ecimens I have before nie there is every
possible, both gieat and little, individual variation represented.

S c 1 a t e r and M. - P r a e d (Ibis, 1918, p 676—677) were
however the first to deal exhaustively with the different forms
of mystacea and they have separated four.

According to these writers the form occuring in East Africa
and Uganda is named P. mystacea tenella Cab., which is larger
than — otherwise very similar to — melanorhyncha from West
Africa. The wing-measurement for tenella is 48 — 55 mm.

V. Someren has, however, described a new form: immu-
tabilis, which differs from tenella (which is a coastal bird) in
being "considerably larger and much darker. Further, it lacks
the wide white supercilium found in tenella. Wings 53 — 57 mm.
It ranges from Ukamba in East Africa to Uganda (not including
the S. Ankola River destrict)".

If the wing-measurement of tenella amounts to 55 mm. and
the maximum for immutahilis is 57 mm. then the difference is
by no means "considerable", and specimens of both forms reaching
55 mm. or less must then be distinguished by means of the other
distinctive features. With reference to the lack of the wide
supercilium in immutahilis, and even if he had not done so, we
should of course, judging from the locality from which they ori-
ginate, refer these individuals to the above-mentioned form. Only
2 cf specimens attain the maximum for the wing of tenella^ all
the others fall short, as appears from the following table:

Wing, tarsus,

50 mm. 20 mm. cf Ngong.

51, 51, 52.5 mm 21 — 22 mm cTcT Kiambu.

54 mm. 21 5 mm. cf Naiwasha.

51, 53, 54, 54, 54, 54, 55, 55 mm. 21—22 mm. cTcT Elgou.

53 mm. 20 mm. cf Eldoret.

50, 51, 53 mm. 20—21 mm. 99 Elgon.

49, 49, 50 mm. 20 mm. 99 Eldoret.

— 243 —

V. S 0 m e r e n says further of this form that "the wing-
feathers are more edged with brownish". This seems also to
agree on the whole, although one or two have the wing-feathers
edged with greyish.

Reichenow points out (Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 591) that the
females of Frinia mystacca are distinguished by the yellowish
tint on the upper parts of the body and in being smaller than
the males. This agrees perfectly with the 6 females before me,
the lower surface of which shades more into yellowish brown
than pure yellow, all of them have a clear yellowish wash on
the lower surface as well. The females dififer, further, from the
males in the colour of the bill, for the latter have the bill en-
tirely black (in the juvenile dark greyish brown) while the females
on the other hand have the upper mandible horn-brown, the
lower mandible brownish yellow with a dark tip.

Irides light-brown — brownish yellow; bill see above; legs
pale flesh-coloured — faint brownish yellow.

Apalis cinerea cinerea (Sharpe). — Rchw. III. p. 604.

1 (5 ad. 4. 7. Mount Elgon.

Only observed a few times in the depths of the forests on
the eastern slo|)es of Elgon.

The specimen is in a dress that agrees very well with
S h a r p e's description (Ibis, 1991, p. 120). Re i c h e n o w (op.
cit.) gives the wing-measurement as 53 — 55 ram., but in the ori-
ginal description of specimens from Elgon the length of wing is
given as 2 25 inches, i. e. 57.14 mm. The present specimen,
which thus originates from the "terra typica", has the following
measurements:

Wing 58 mm.; tarsus 21 mm.

Irides reddish brown; bill black; legs brownish yellow. j

Apalis cinerea minor Granvik.
1 (5 ad. 18. 4.; 1 g ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

In the Nairobi districts this bird was not rare. This form
of cinerea differs from the typical one in being considerably
smaller and recalls sclateri (Alex.) very forcibly, the lower sur-
face being a deeper yellow. Even the chin and throat are more
strongly yellow. Besides, the head is darker brown and the front
part of the back darker grey than in the typical Elgon form.
Wing, tarsus,

52 mm. 19 mm. cf

49 mm. 18 mm. 9

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

16*

-_ 244 -

This form very closely resembles the specimens of A. hrunnei-
ceps Rchw. in the Berlin Museum, but the latter are larger :
Wing 54 mm., tarsus 200 mm., and not so yellow below as the
Kiambu specimens.

Apalis tnelanocephala nigrodorsalis Granvik.

1 c5 ad. 19. 9. Kiambu.

This new form of tnelanocephala was shot in the vicinity of
Nairobi, in the same forest-area in which A. cinerea minor was
shot in the month of April. I only saw it on one occasion and then
3 individuals were together. They frequented the highest branches
of the trees where they were difficult to detect. One more
specimen was shot, exactly like this one in colour, but it was so
badly damaged that it could not be kept.

This form differs from melanocephala in being black on the
whole of the upper parts, of the same colour as the head. It is
also considerably larger.

Prof. 0. Neumann, who has seen my specimen, is of the
same opinion as I am, that it is a good representative of a good,
new form and has kindly placed at my disposal the following
comparative list from his yet unpublished work:
Specimens from South Somaliland measure:
1. cT Tot. length 115 mm.; wing 49 mm ; tarsus 17 mm.; tail 60 mm.

,, 47.5 mm ; tail 59 mm.
„ 47 mm.; „ 59 mm.
,, 48 mm.; „ 62 mm.
„ 47 mm.; „ 62 mm.
„ 43 mm. ; „ 47 mm.
,, 45 mm.; „ 47 mm,
,, 44 mm.; „ 50 mm.
If we compare the above measurements with those below
for my form, the difference will be distinctly seen.
Tot. length, wing, tarsus, tail

143 mm. 52 mm. 18 mm. 72 mm. cT.
Irides reddish brown; bill black; legs brownish grey.

Apalis porphyrolaenid llcliw & Neum. — Rchw. III. p 605

3 (5(5 ad. 7. 5. Loodiani. — 2 (5(5 ad. 1. 7., 23. 7.; 1 Q ad.ll. 6.
Mount Elgon.

About 12 miles north of Londiani, about 8.500 feet above
sea-level we passed through a region where the bamboo grew
in small, sparse groves among different kinds of trees, which
here formed dense and extensive forests. In small flocks of

2

cT

June

3.

d

4.

cT

5.

cf

1.

9

2.

9

3.

9

— 245 — •

5—6 in number this lively, little bird was seen frequenting the
top-most branches of the trees.

On the eastern slopes of Elgon this species was not rare,
occurring also here for the most part in small flocks at an alti-
tude of 8.000 ft. to 11.000 ft.

Wing, tarsus,

50, 51.5, 52 mm. 18 ram. cTcT Londiani.
53.5, 54 mm. 19 mm. cTcT Elgon.

54 mm. 19 mm. 9 n

Irides nearest the pupil with a yellow ring, surrounded by
another of brown, or were entirely yellowish-brown; bill black;
legs pale flesh-coloured — faint brownish yellow.

Apalis pulchella (Cretzschm.). — Rchw. III. p. 610.

1 (5 ad. 23. 5. Mount Elgon. i

This little forest Warbler occurred on the fringes of the
forest at the foot of Elgon, about 6.500 ft. above sea-level. It
frequented the tops of some small acacias in the company of
Anthreptes collaris uyandae.

Wing 46 mm. Tarsus 15 mm.
Irides brownish red; bill yellowish brown; legs faint flesh-
coloured.

Camaroptera griseoviridis griseigula Sharpe. — Journ f. Orn.,
1911, p. 340-341 and 343.

Gamaroptera griseigularis. v. Someren : Ibis, 1916, p. 461. — Camaroptera
griseiviridis griseigula. M.-Praed : Ibis, 1917, p. 381.

1 (5 ad. 18. 4. Kiambu. _ 1 (5 ad. 7. 7. Mount Elgon. — 1 Q ad. 14 4
Kiambu. - 2 QQ ad. 28. 5., 7. 6. ; 1 (5 juv. 23. 7. Mount Elgon.

In the forest under-growth on the eastern slopes of Elgon
this form was fairly common and was found up to about 7000
feet above sea-level.

Zedlitz has dealt in a excellent manner with the genus
Camaroptera (Journ. f. Orn., 1911, p. 328—345) and has proved
that the East African form of this large "form-circle" of griseo-
viridis is griseigula. The northern range of this form should
go by Victoria Nyanza. But the Elgon specimens agree perfectly
with those from the Kikuyu-country, which in turn coincide
with Zedlitz's description oi griseigula^ whence the northern
range extends to Elgon.

V. Someren gives his specimens from West-Elgon only
the style of griseoviridis (Nov. Zool., XXV, 1918, p. 289) but,
on the other band, be names those from the Kikuyu-country

— 246 —

griseigularis, which is probably a slip of the pen, for the name
should be griseigula.

A cT specimen from the 7. 7. had large, swollen testes:
Wing, tarsus,

58, 59 mm. 23, 22 mm. cTd* ad.

54, 56, 56 mm. 21—22 mm. 99 ad.

56 mm. 22 mm. cT juv.

Irides light-brown — brownish red; bill dark-greyish brown —
blackish; legs faint brownish yellow-pale flesh-coloured.

Eremomela elegans elgonensis v. Someren. — Bull. Brit.
Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1920, p. 92.

2 (5(5 ad. 18. 5., 6. 6. Mount Elgon.

In the acacia-country and in the wooded districts below
the eastern slopes of Elgon this bird occurred very commonly.
Wing, tarsus,

57, 58 mm. 17 mm.

Irides light-brown — brownish red; bill black; legs brownish
yellow.

Phylloscopus trochilus trochilvs (L.). — Rchw. III. p. 644.
1 C ad. 18. 4. Kiambu.

I saw the European Willow Warbler in the forests around
Nairobi on several occasions.

Wing 60 mm.; tarsus 19 ram.

Irides dark-brown; upper mandible ^;reyish brown, lower
mandible yellowish brown; legs yellowish brown.

Turdinae.

Crateropus pleheius hypostidus Cab. & Rchw. —
Rchw. III. p 660.

Crateropus jardinei hypostictus. Neumann: Journ. f. Orn., 1914, p. 549. —
Crateropus kirki Sharpe. Ogilvie-Grant : Trans. Zool. Soc. London, 1910,
part 4, vol. XIX, p. 377.

1 (5 ad. 24. 7. Mount Elgon.

Occurred rather sparingly on the slopes below Elgon, where
it frequented the bush.

Neumann in his revision of this genus (Journ. f. Orn.,
1904, p. 548—555) has sepaiated 7 forms belonging to plebeius
but later on (Orn. Monatsber., 1906, p. 7) he described a new form:
kikuyuensis from East Africa, and yet another from Senegal:

— 247 -

permistus (Orn. Monatsber., 1906, p. 146). Moreover, Reiche-
n 0 w has described one from Adamaua, gularis (Orn. Monatsber.,
1910, p. 7) and another from A.madi (by Uelle in the Congo),
hypohrunneus (Journ. f. Orn., 1915, p. 129) But Neumann
includes two more new forms in the circle, platycircus Sws, and
iogoensis, thus we have to reckon with at least 13 allied forms.

Opinions concerning these forms are so widely different,
that there can be no question of discussing all of them here.
Reichenow (Journ. f. Orn., 1918, p. 106), for instance, con-
siders Tcilcuyuensis synonymous with hypostictus and according to
Og. -Grant (Zool. Res Ruw. Exp., 1910, p 377) kirki coin-
cides with the latter. But Reichenow points out that hypo-
stictus, which in Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 660 he makes a synonym of
emini, is an East African bird, occurring also in Angola, while
kirki is found in Nyanza and the Sambesi regions (Vogelf. Mittelafr.
Seengeb , 1912, p 366) Meumann again considers that
kikuyuensis is a mountain form, restricted to the Kikuyu country,
while not far from there, west of the Massai graves, occurs
cinereus and at Lake Naiwasha to the north-east emini. Thus,
three diflFerert forms within a rather small area of British East
Africa.

It is not easy to form a definite opinion as to the different
forms and their distribution and this "form -circle" therefore
seems to stand in need of a further careful, reducing revision.

I have, however, compared ray specimen with those in the
Berlin Museum and found that it agrees entirely with those
bearing the name of hypostictus there, therefore I give it this
name for the present.

Neumann's character for this form is, that the tail is
distinctly furnished with transverse bands (Journ. f. Ornith., 1904,
p. 549), but the specimens of kirki found in Berlin have these
transverse bands as well. In my specimen these bands are cer-
tainly not distinct, but are nevertheless visible. The lower sur-
face is pale-brown with a rusty-brown wash.

Wing 105 mm.; culmen 21 mm.; tarsus 34 mm.

Irides yellowish white; bill black, legs dark-grey (almost
black).

Crateropus melanops sharpei Rchw. — Rchw. III. p. 661.

1 (5 ad. 16. 5.' Soy. - 3 5(5 ad. 18. 5., 7. 6., 20. 6.; 2 gp ad. 6. 6., 19. 6.
Mount Elgon. — 1 C juv. 14. 5. Soy. — 2 QQ juv. 6. 6. Mount Elgon.

In the acacia- country and scrub below the eastern slopes
of Mount Elgon this race was very common. It always appeared
in small flocks of 4 — 5 in number — probably in families, as
out of such a flock I once shot four, three of which were young
birds and the four.th an adult. — and at times they associated
with Eurystomus afer rufohuccalis.

— 248 —

They are not very shy (Bohni, according to Re ichenow,
considers them to be very shy) and in their behavoii they recall
our own Turdus pilaris in many respects.

The plumage of the adult birds agree very well with Rei-
chenow's description. Still, one cf specimen has a brownish
patch on the fore -neck, another has such a one on the right
side of the body. The lower surface is in general a uniform
greyish brown. In one 9 specimen there is, however, a sug-
gestion of dark shaft- spots on the feathers, which is otherwise
a characteristic of the following form.

The young birds are all predominantly brownish above,
thus recalling melanops, and the feathers have not the light fringes
found in the adults, which give them a highly aberrant appear-
ance. The throat is more whitish (in the adults grey). Breast
and belly are mainly grey; flanks, crissum and tibia brownish
yellow (in the adults grey — faint greyish brown).
Wing, culmen, tarsus,

104, 110, 114, 117 mm. 19.6-21 mm. 34-35 mm. cTcT ad.

108, 114 mm. 20—21 mm. 35 mm. 99 ad.

107, 109, 109 mm. 18—19 mm. 34-3G mm. 99 juv.

Irides whitish yellow (in one d^ ad. pure white); bill black;
legs dark grey i?h biown — black (in the juveniles dink greyisli-
green).

Crateropus melanops clamosus v. Someren. — Bull. Brit.
Orn Clnh, vol. XL, 1920, p. 95.

1 Q ad. 22. 4. Lake Naiwasba.

This recently described form from Naiwasha differs rather
distinctly from sharpei in the characters mentioned by v.
Someren, viz. "darker grey on the upper and lower surface,
and the feathers of the breast and abdomen have dark centres".
The throat is whitish grey with dark shaft-spots to the tips of
the feathers.

v. Someren gives the wing to 115 — 1 30 mm., and al-
though the specimen before me does not reach the minimum,
but agrees in other respects with the above description and also
originates from the "terra typica", there is no doubt that it
should be referred to this form. The specimen is in moult.
Wing 110 mm.; culmen 21 mm.; tarsus 34 ram.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Argya ruhiginosa heuglini Sharpe. — Rchw. III. p. 673.

1 (5 ad. 27. 4. Mombasa.

This bird was found on the fringe of a palm grove in the
vicinity of Mombasa, where bushes and thickets grew densely.

— 249 —

The specimen is in moult and agrees fully with Reiche-
n 0 w 's description.

Wing 80 mm.; tarsus 28 mm.

Irides critron-yellow ; bill brownish yellow; legs pale greyish
yellow.

V. Someren mentions the bird from Meuressi (Turkana-
land) and gives the wing - measurement as 85 — 87 mm. (one
specimen 93 mm.). (Journ. E. A. Ug. N. H. S., 1921, No. 16,
p. 24.)

Tiirdns (iecJcerii clii oven sis (Shaipe). — lichw. III. p. 687.

1 (5 ad. 24. 4. Kikuyii. - 2 (5(3 ad. 7. 5. ; 2 &^ ad. 7. 5., 8. 5.;
Londiani. — 1 $ ad. 1. 7. Mount Elgon.

The first specimen of this bird was shot in a grove or
park situated close to Kikuyu Railway Station. In the districts
of Londiani this Thrush was common and occurred both in the
interior of the forests and on the bushy fringes thereof. On
the eastern slopes of Elgon I saw the race several times and
always in the middle of the forests among the entangling thickets,
where it was difficult to get within range. It occurred on Elgon
as far up |as 11.000 feet, where one specimen was shot, in the
company of Tarsiger elgonensis.

Lonnberg says of this bird (Birds coll. Sw. Zool. Exp.
B. E. A., 1911, p. 126) "that its distribution resembles that of
Turacus hartlaubi'\ which should be true. He has also found
a great difference, with reference to the colour of the lower
parts, between specimens from Kenia and the Escarpment, and
those originating from Kilimanjaro, the former being "more vi-
vidly coloured with a rich rusty red".

I have myself made the same observation, the Kikuyu-
specimen being paler and also having the throat and fore-neck
with a reddish brown wash (all the feathers being fringed with
reddish brown). Likewise, the whole of the upper surface has
a dark brownish red hue. In all probability this bird is only
an occasional variation, although the difference from the others
is so great and conspicuous that I was tempted to believe that
the birds of the Kikuyu-country — provided it could be confir-
med that they resemble this specimen — represented a distinct
form.

Wing, tarsus,

112 mm. 33 mm. cf Kikuyu.

114, 118 mm. 33 mm. cfcf Londiani.

108, 114 mm. 32 mm. 99 „

109 mm. 32 mm. 9 Elgon.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs yellowish red.

— 250 -

Saxicolinae.

Thamnoloea alhiscapnlaia s?ihri(fipennis Rchw. —
Rchw. HI. p. 702.

Thavinolaea subrufipennis Rchw. v. Someren : Ibis, 1916, p. 465. —
Thnmnolaea albiscapulata subrufipennis. Sclater k M.-Praed : Ibis,
1918, p. 683.

1 g ad. 3. 6. Mount Elgon.

I saw this bird only ou one single occasion. In the scrub
below the eastern slopes of Kigon, outside one of the large caves
found here and there, ureat numbers of Hyrax were found
among the piled-up rocks and stones. While I lay wai-
ting to get a shot at these animals there suddenly flew out
of a crevice between two large rocks a female Thamnolaea sub-
rufipennis and began to run and hop about the stones in an
agitated manner. With tail uect and drooping wings it ran
back and foie but soon disappeared into the same crevice, from
which on later occasions some Eyrax appeared. The bird bad
its nest in an inaccessible position under the large rocks and
could reach the nest by different ways, in which I heard the
nestling twittering.

The female was in moult and this is the second case I
have met with out here of a nesting bird changing its dress
(vide Centropus senegalensis incertus). The specimen differs
somewhat from Reich enow 's description (op. cit.) in the
feathers of the throat and neck being greyish black with rust-
brown tips, becoming lighter towards the chin.
Wing 105 mm.; tarsus 28 mm.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

Myrmecocichla aethiop^ cryptoleuca Sliarpe. —
Rchw. III. p. 706.

Nanda kikumbu . . . ki-suaheli. — Yanga . . . ki-kamba.

2 (5^ ad. 14. 4. Kiambu. - 2 $6 ad- 10- 5. Eldoret. - 2 (5(5 ad. 6. 6.,

11. 7. Mount Elgon. — 1 Q ad. 14. 4. Kiambu. — 1 Q ad. 10. 5. Eldoret. —

1 P ad. 26. 7.; 1 ^ juv. 6. 6.; Mount Elgon. — 1 (5 juv. 9. 8. Eldoret.

This bird, common everywhere, was met with both in the
open grass-countiy and in the acacia areas and it was very abun-
dant in the bush country below the eastern slopes of KIgon.

In the series of 11 skins brought home there are scarcely
two which are alike. Thus, those from the Kikuyu- country
(Kiambu) are dark blackish brown above and below, and I cannot
discern any difference in the tint. These, then, seem to be true
cryptoleuca. Those from Eldoret are considerably lighter and

— 251 -

have hardly any black in the dark-brown plumage, while those
from Elgon have the head blackish brown, the rest of the body
dark-brown.

The young birds from Elgon are entirely black (not blackish
brown) and only the upper wing-coverts are edged with brown.
The feathers of the throat lack the pale brown tips, found in the
old birds.

In the original description of this form (Ibis, 1891, p. 445)
the tarsus is given as 1.3 ins (= 33 mm.); Reichenow (op.
cit.) on the other hand, gives 34— 3&mm. Of all the specimens
before me only 3 of them have 36 mm., one has 36 mm., all
the others have 37 mm.

Wing, tarsus,

115, 115 mm. 36, 37 mm. cTcf ad. Kiambu.

112, 118 mm. 36, 37 mm. cTcT ad. Eldoret.

117, 118 mm. 37, 37 mm. cTcT ad. Elgon.

109 mm. 35 mm. 9 "'!• Kiambu.

110 mm. 36 mm. 9 ^'^- Eldoret.
112 mm. 37 mm. 9 ad. Elgon.

Ill, 113 mm. 37, 37 mm. cTcT juv. Elgon, Eldoret.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

When I compared my specimens with true aethiops in the
Berlin Museum, it appeared that my cryptoltuca were, as a rule,
considerably darker and thus any difference in this respect
between these two races cannot be made the cause for a sepa-
ration of the West African from the East African. Prof, 0. N e u -
m a n n , who has examined a great number of both races, kindly
placed his notes at my disposal and from his investigations it
appears that "the black and white of the wings is more sharply
defined in the Senegal bird {aethiops) than in the eastern bird
(cryptoleuca). The bill is always longer and slenderer in the
eastern bird, shorter and stouter in the Senegal bird", which
agrees perfectly with all my specimens.

Finarochroa sordida rudolphi Mad. — Orn. Monatsber.,
1912, p. 175.

6 (5(5 ad. 28. 6.-30. 6.; 3 CQ ad. 28. 6.-30. 6.; 2 $6 juv. 28. 6.-29. 6.;
4 2Q juv. 28.6.-30. 6.; Mount Elgon.

This form, described from Elgon, is a pure bird of the
mountains which first begins to appear north of the E'nca-forest.
Here large, desolate grass areas extend upwards, where solitary
Composi^ae-plants in the form of shrub and several other plants
constitute the principal vegetation. Here and there small streams
flow along and on their banks the vegetation is richer. Every-
where there lay larger or smaller accumulations of rocks and
stones and it is mainly in the vicinity of these that this bird is

— 252 —

met with very commonly. The vertical southern range, on the
eastern slopes of Elgon, seems to be about 12.000 feet above
sea-level and the bird occurs right up to 14.000 feet level, i. e.
up to the summit of Elgon.

At the time — the end of June — when I visited these
regions this Stone Chat was almost always seen in small tiocks
of 4 — 5 in number and when alarmed they alighted just as often
on the branches of the small bushes as on the stones or rocks.
They were not very shy, and I could get very near them before
they took wing.

Neumann separates six forms belonging to this species
(Journ. f. Orn., 1906, pp. 290—293) but also combines the Elgon
form under ernesti, to which M a d a r a s z , however, has given
the name of rudolphi (Orn. Monatsber., 1912, p. 175). Thus,
we have at least 7 forms to reckon with.

M a d a r a s z characterises this form, by showing that it is
smaller than the Kilimanjaro-form hypospodida (to which form
R e i c h e n 0 w : Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 714, before M a d a r a s z
described it, refers Elgon specimens). S j o s t e d t gives the
wing-measurement for hypospodida from Kilimanjaro as 70 — 80
mm. (Wiss. Erg. Schw. Zool. Exp. Kilimanjaro-Meru 1905—1906,
Stockholm 1910, p. 168). As appears from the table below the
difference in size is null or very slight. On the other hand,
the other distinguishing features are good, i. e. lower surface
with strong brown wash; the black-brown band on the outer
tail-feathers narrower. According to Madarasz the wing is
71 — 74 mm., the tarsus 28 — 30 mm. Neumann has measured
three Elgon-specimens and gives 75—79 mm. as the wing-length.

In the series of 15 specimens before me it appears that
the adult specimens have a very dark- brown upper surface,
while that of the young birds is blackish brown. The three
outer tail-feathers are white with narrow blackish brown tips.
The fourth rectrix is, as a rule, white on the upper four-fifths
of the outer web, otherwise blackish brown. St)metimes the
white extends a little on to the inner web.

Further, in the young birds the feathers of the lower sur-
face are tipped with dark-brown, so that the lower parts look
as if they were furnished with uneven undulations. Moreover,
the wing-coverts and primaries are furnished with broad rust-
brown edges and tips.

Wing, tarsus,

69, 72, 75, 75, 75, 78 mm. 29—31 mm. cTd' ad.

72, 73, 73 mm. 29—31 mm. 99 ad.

70, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75 mm. 29 — 31 mm. juv.

Irides dark-brown; bill dark-brown — black (in the young
bird the lower mandible is yellowish brown); legs black.

- 253 —

Oenanthe pileata living stonei Tristr. — ' ' .
Rchw. III. p. 718.

Campicola Kvingstonei Tristr. Stone: Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad., 1905,
p. 171. - Og.-Grant : Ibis 1912, p. 390.

1 (5 ad. 22. 8.; 1 Q ad. 22. 8. Kendu.

At Kendu this bird was rather common and frequented the
withered grass-plains in the vicinity of a native village, in the
same localty as that in which Fyrrhulauda leucopareia occurred.

Zedlitz (Journ. f. Orn., 1916, p. 105) mentions under
pileata a cT- specimen from Kismaju (north-east British East
Africa) with a wing-measurement of 96 mm., and quotes Neu-
mann's opinion (Journ. f. Orn., 1900, p. 313) that the true
South Africa pileata is represented in Central and southern
German East Africa by the smaller and darker livingstonei Tristr.,
and in north-eastern German East Africa by alhinotata Neum.,
which is distinguished by the white tips to the tail-feathers. —
Zedlitz does not, however, consider this character to be any
systematic distinction but only an attribute of the entirely fresh
plumage. It is remarkable that Ogilvie-Grant calls his
specimens from Bechuanaland (Okwa, Lehutitu) livingstonei and
says of them that they are distinguished from typical pileata by
"their smaller size and shorter bill". Further, the same writer
points out that Livingstone's VVheatear is "found throughout the
Kalahary wherever open country, such as it loves, was met with".

If it is proved that South Africans, as a rule, have such a
high figure for the wing-measurements as Neumann states:
93 — 95 mm., and East African specimens keep about the figure
attained by mine, there should surely be good reason for sepa-
rating them. But as Zedlitz' specimen from the coasts ex-
hibits a wing-measurement of 96 mm., it should undoubtedly be
a good pileata, as the author himself thinks, and the South
African form thus be the coastal form in British East Africa,
while those from the interior parts of the country should belong
to livingstonei. Mack wort h-Praed gives the wing for a
specimen from the Tsavo-River at 88 mm. and styles it pileata
(Ibis, 1917, p. 382). Banner man also mentions pileata for
the first time from Mombasa, but does not give any figures (Ibis,
1910, p. 695). Stone names his specimens from Naiwasha,
livingstonei (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad., 1905, p. 771) and states
that "they are much greyer on the back than the South African
bird, C. pileata, and he also separates alhinotata from livingstonei.

The present specimens have the following measurements:
Wing, tarsus,

89 mm. 30 mm. cf.

84 mm. 29 mm. 9-

— 254 —

Both specimens are dark -brown on the upper surface —
head brownish black — and in cT the nape shades somewhat into
grey. In other respects they agree with Reich enow's de-
scription.

Irides dark-brown; bill and legs black.

Saxicola torquata salax Verr. — Journ. f. Orn., 1910, p. 176.

Saxicola salax Verr. v. Someren: Nov. Zool. XXV, 1918, p. 290. — Pra-
tt ncola salax Verr. Og. -Grant: Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp., 1910, p. 375. —
Pratincola salax axillaris, v. Somereu: Ibis, 1916, p. 466. — Pratincola
axiUaris. Gurney: Ibis, 1909, p. 504. — Pratuicala torqimta axillaris
Shell. Hartert: Journ. f. Orn. 1910, p. 176. — Pratincola torquata salax
Verr. Grote: Journ. f. Orn., 1921, p. 137. Lonnberg: Arkiv for Zool,,
Band II, No. 5, 1917.

2 <5(5 ad. 11. 4. Ngong. — 4 (5(3 ad. 20. 4., 22. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 2 ^^ ad.
24. 4. Kikuyu. — 1 (5 ad. 5. 5. Londiani. — 1 (5 ad. 10. 5. Eldoret. — 6 (5(5 ad.
19 5 —20. 6. Mount Elgon. — 1 2 ad. 24. 4. Kikuyu. — 4 gQ ad. 5. 5., 8. 5.
Londiani. - 4 <5C ad. 19. 5.-20. 6.; 4 QQ juv. 20. 5.-24 6. Mount Elgon.

At all places where our expedition stayed this Stone-chat
was one of the commonest birds, being found in the glades and
on the fringes of the forests.

In the neighbourhood of Londiani on the 8th May I found
a nest of this bird in a forest glade, overjirown with short grass.
It lay on the edge of a tuft, hidden in the grass. It measured
110 mm. in diameter and was 80 mm. high. The inner frame-
work measured 60 cm. The nesting material was composed, for
the most part, of brown, dry straw and hair. The nest was
sparingly lined with tufts of hair: Even thin roots of plants
formed part of the outer bowl.

The eggs were newly-laid and were three in number:

1. 20.2 X 13 5 mm. 90 mg.

2. 20 X 132 mm 90 mg.

3. 18.6 X 13.3 mm. 89 rag.

In colour and size they resemble much the' eggs of Pra-
tincola rubetra. The ground colour of the shell is dirty-green
with small, fine reddish-brown spots over the whole of the sur-
face, forming a kind of calotte at the thick end of one of the eggs.

Hartert has (Journ. f. Orn. 1910, p. 176-177) dealt
with the genus Pratincola in detail, and among other things
separated salax (West Africa) and axillaris (East Africa). In
my large series of 29 specimens all have the inner-web of the
wing dark-brown — li^'ht- brown. Not a single one has a white
inner-web like salax (according to Hartert). R c i c h e u o w
(Vogeif. Mittelafr. Seengeb , 1912, p. 369), however, mentions that
in East African specimens he has also found a white inner-web,
and therefore cannot ascribe to this difference no more than to
the other differences given by Hartert any systematic value.

— 255 —

On this account he styles both the East African and West African
specimens salax. This opinion is also shared by Lonnberg (Arkiv
for Zool., Band II, No. 3, 1917).

With regard to the extent of the reddish-brown patch on
the fore-neck Reichenow finds no difference between East
and West Africans although H a r t e r t says that in salax it is
2 — 3 cm. wide, but in axillaris only 1 — IV* cm. In this I agree
with Reichenow.

Ogilvic-Graut (Zool. Res. Ruw. Exp., 1910, pp. 375—
376) has already pointed out how this reddish brown band "varies
greatly in extent in different individuals, quite irrespective of
season", and the different instances he gives, along with a few
others, are represented in the present series of 16 cfcT (see
Plate). Lonnberg also mentions the same thing (op. cit.).
The most interesting are those which 0-G r an t correctly names
"quite young males in first plumage". In these the reddish
brown band is in some cases as wide as 15 cm. and besides,
the lower surface is more or less brown-spotted. Further, in
one of them the black feathers of the throat are tipped with
brown, as well as the feathers of the upper surface — from the
forehead to the upper wing-coverts.

Even 99 ^ai^y somewhat. In general the fore-ueck is a
deeper reddish-brown than the rest of the lower surface, but in
some the whole of lower parts are of the same dark colour as
the fore-neck.

That salax and axillaris are really two good forms, seems
to me doubtful. I have examined and measured 12 cfcT and
9 99 ^""om the collection at the Berlin iMuseum procured from
different parts of East Africa, and among these there are indi-
viduals with a white inner-web to the wings, others with brown,
and as the reddish-brown patch of the fore-neck is not of any
systematic value, I have, in the same manner as Re i c h e n o w.
Grote, Lonnberg, Ogilvie -Grant and others, called
my specimens salax.

Wing, Tarsus,

70, 74, 69, 70, 70, 7 1 , 68, 68 mm. 22 - 23 mm. cTcT ad. Ngong, Nai-

washa, Kikuyu.
70, 71 mm. 22—23 mm. cfcT ad. Londiani.

67, 68, 70, 70, 70, 72 mm. 22—23 mm. cTcT a. I. Eton.
67 mm. 22 mm. 9 'i<'- Kikuyu.

69, 70, 71, 75 mm. 23 mm. 99 ^d. Londiani.

66, 67, 67, 70 mm. 21—23 mm. 99 ad. Elgon.

66, 67, 70, 70 mm. 22—24 mm. 99 juv. „

Those measured in the Berlin Museum vary between: cTcT
67-73; 99 66—71 mm. (The type from Gaboon, cT 63 mm.)
Of these before me only one cT attains 74 mm. and one 9
72 mm., the others fall within the figures of the Berlin specimens.

— -256 —

Irides dark-brown; bill in cT black, in 9 dark greyish
brown; legs black.

Timaliinae.

Turdinus pyrrhoptcrns elgonensis Granvjk.

1 (3 ad. 7. 7.; 1 Q ad. 7. 7. Mount Elgon.

A rather rare bird on the eastern slopes of Pilgon. It fre-
quented the dense and impenetrable under-growth in the in-
terior of the forests at an altitude of 7.000 feet.

The following forms of pyrrhopierus have been described :

1. Turdinus pyrrhopterus pyrrhopierus (Rchw. & Neum.).

Wing 67—70 mm.; tail 53 mm.; culmen 15 mm.; tarsus
24 mm.
Hab. Mau, Nandi.

2. Turdinus pyrrhopterus kiwuensis Neum.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXI, 1908, p. 55.

3. Turdinus pyrrhopterus tanganjicae Rchw.

Journ. f. Orn., 1917, p. 391.
Hab. The forests west of Tanganjika^

The specimens before me differ from pyrrhopterus in not
being reddish brown above, neither are the upper wing-coverts
of that colour, but are olive-brown, thus resembling tanganjicae.

The throat is whitish grey (in pyrrhopterus, brownish).
The lower surface is wholly grey in the Elgon specimen, the
lower parts of the fianks with an olive-brown wash (in p. pyr-
rhopterus the upper parts are distinctly olive-brown). The under
tail-coverts are greyish brown ; in pyrrhopterus reddish brown.
The head is olive-brown with a greyish tint.

They differ from p. pyrrhopterus also in being considerably
larger.

Wing, culmen, tarsus,

78 mm. 15 mm. 25 mm. cf.

73 mm. 14 mm. 25 mm. cT.

Irides brown; bill dark bluish grey; legs bluish grey.

It is possible that Reichenow's description of pyr'
rhopterus (Vog. Afr. Ill, p. 738) refers to a young specimen and
that mine are only in a more advanced plumage. But the dif-
ferences between his type (in Berlin) and mine, with reference
to the dress and, not the least, as regards the size, are so con-
siderable, that I have given the Elgon bird a new name.

If p. tanganjicae is a good form, then mine approaches
that form, but the head is not predominantly grey as in the
former, nor do the measurements coincide. The type cT of tan-
ganjicae measures 72 mm. in the wing, and four other specimens

— 257 —

in Berlin have the following measurements: cT, 69 mm.; 99» ^6,
67, 69 mm.

Alcippe ahyssinica ahyssinica Riipp. — Rchw. III. p. 741.
1 (5 ad. 10. 7. Mount Elgon.

This bird inhabits the same kind of locality as the prece-
ding and is therefore very difficult to detect. Certainly there
are many excellent songsters among the Pycnonotidae but, in
my opinion, none can match this one, which is the finest master-
singer 1 have heard among African birds. Like some of those
mentioned previously he sings even after nightfall.

Wing 69 mm.; tarsus 23 mm.

Irides dark red; bill dark greyish brown; legs bluish grey.

Grote mentions the finding of this bird in Usambara and
gives the measurement for the length of wing as 66 — 67 mm.
He is unable to find any difference between these specimens
and others from Kikuyu and Kilmanjaro (J. f. 0., 1921, p. 137).

Erithacinae.

Co>sypha caffra iolaema Rchw. — Rchw. III. p. 754.

1 (3 ad. 24. 4. Kikuyu. - 3 (5(5 ad. 4. 6., 6. 6. Londiani. - 1 (5 ad. 12. 6.
Eldoret. _ 1 ^ ad. 14. 6. Soy. - 1 (5 ad. 19. 6. Mount Elgon. - 1 Q ad.
17. 4. Kiambu. — 1 9 4. 5. Londiani. — 2 QQ ad. 7. 6., 27. 6. Mount Elgon.

A by no means rare bird in the highland districts, occurring
everywhere on the bush-clad slopes and in the less dense forests.
It was found on Elgon up to an altitude of 8500 feet. Schuster
has described this bird's song very carefully and also gives some
information about the occurrence of the bird.

In the present series there are no great differences. Younger
birds are more olive-brown above than older, which are predo-
minantly slate-grey.

Wins tarsus

81, 85, 87, 87, 88, 88, 90 ram. 29—30 mm. cfcf

80, 81, 83, 85 mm. 30-31 mm. 99

Irides dark brown; l)ill black; legs dark brownish grey —
lead-grey.

Cossypha heuylini heuglini llartl. — Rchw. III. p. 758.

Itoloko . . . kikamba.
1 (5 ad. 23. 4. Lake Naiwasha. — 1 (5 ad. 24. 7. Mount Elgon.

On Elgon this bird was found in about the same kind of
locality as the preceding, although it does not seem to be common.

17

— 258 —

\. Wing, tarsus

96, 100 mm. 32, 33 mm.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Cossypha heuglini subrufescens Boc. — Rchw. III. p. 760.

1 (5 ad. 19. 9. Eiambu.

The specimen before me is in many respects like C. heug-
lini subrufescens, but in some respects it recalls donaldsoni.
Thus, the upper surface is dark slaty grey without the slightest
trace of olive-brown (approaching the latter form). Further,
the central tail-feathers are black and the outer-web of the
outer tail feathers blackish, much the same as in subrufescens,
but in contradistinction to the latter the next three consecutive
tail-feathers are also furnished with black edges on the outer-
web, the fifth is entirely black with rusty-brown streaks along
the shaft. I have compared my specimen with the subrufescens
specimens in the Berlin Museum but have not found any which
resemble mine in the uniform grey tint of the back. It is
possible that mine is only an aberrant bird of subrufescens,
which, according to Reichenow (op. cit.) were shot in the
Nairobi district, and therefore I have not given it a new name.
Wing; culmen, tarsus, tail

93 ram. 15 mm. 32 mm. 85 ram.

Irides, bill and legs as in the preceding.

Tarsigcr orientalis elgonensis Og.-Grant. — Bull. Brit. Orn. Club,
vol. XXVII. 1911, p. 57.

1 (5 ad. 1. 7. Mount Elgon.

Only once did I meet with this rare bird on Elgon. It
frequented the dense thicket of the undergrowth at an altitude
of over 10000 feet.

V. Someren (Nov. Zool., vol. XXV, 1918, p. 290) says of
this form that it differs from other closely related forms „by
the absence of an yellow on the tail-feather". But this is not
correct, for the original description says that „the outer tail-
feathers are black except at the extreme base, which is yellow",
and my specimen agrees with that description. On the other
hand I agree that the white spot above and in front of the eye
extends almost from the nostril to the posterior angle of the eye.
Wing, tarsus

85 mm. 27 mm.

Irides brown, bill black; legs greyish green.

List of Works referred to.

Alexander, Boyd ... .....

Exhibition of eight new species of African birds.
[Caprimulgus chadensis.)

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. 1908, pp. 88-91.

Antinori,0. t&T. Salvador!

Viaggio dei signori 0. Antinori, 0. Beccari ed A. Issel nel Mar Kosso, nel
territorio dei Bogos e regioni circostanti durante gli anni 1870—71.

Ann. Mus. Civ. di Storia Nat. di Geneva, vol. LV, nov. 1873, pp
366-520.
Bannerman,D. A.

On a collection of Birds made in Northern Somaliland by Mr. G. W Bury

Ibis 1910, pp. 291-327.
On a collection of Birds made by Mr. A. B. Percival in British East Africa.

Ibis 1910, pp. 676-710.
On three new species of birds from South-western Abyssinia.

[Anomalospiza macmillani, Eremomcla elegans abyssin., Ortygops

til /l.C'))l1liO,ft'i \

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXIX, 1911, pp. 37-39.
Report on the Birds collected by the late Mr. Boyd Alexander (Rifle Bri-
gade) during his last Expedition to Africa.
Part III. The Birds of Annabon Land.

Ibis 1915, pp. 227-234.
Part IV. The Birds of Cameroon Mountain.

Ibis 1915, pp. 473-526.
Part V. List of Birds obtained in the Manenguba Mountains (Cameroon).
Ibis 1915, pp. 643-662.
A review of the African Dicruridae in the British Museum.

Ibis 1920, pp. 439-445.
Remarks on rare and otherwise interesting Birds contained in collections
made by Mr. G. L. Bates in Southern Cameroon.
Ibis 1921, pp. 81-121.
Berger, A.

Liste der auf meiner mit Major Roth und K. v. Donuer unternommenen
Expedition gesammelten Vogelbalge.

Journ. f. Orn., 1911, pp. 503—521.
Bonhote, J. L.

The value of Subspecies to the Field-Naturalist.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Blub, vol. XL, 1920, pp. 89-91.

Brown, A. Samler& G. Gordon Brown

The South and East African Year Book and Guide for 1919.
25 th Issue. — 773 p., with 24 Maps. — London.
Butler, A. L.

Contributions to the Ornithology of the Sudan.
Ibis 1909, pp. 74-90.

17*

— 260 —

C a b a n i s , J.

Vortrag iiber Novitaten des Borlincr Zoologischen Museums. — (aus Bericht
iiber die V. Jahresversammlung.)

Journ. f. Orn.. 1880, pp. 349-352.
Cassin, John

Descriptions of new species of African Birds, in the Academy of Natural
Sciences, of Philadelphia, collected by Mr. P. B. Du Chaillu, in Equatorial
Africa.

Proc. of the Academy of Nat. Scienc. of Philad., vol. VIII, 1856,
pp. 156-159.

Chapin, James P.

The classification of the weaver birds.

Bull. Amer. Mus. N. H., New York, vol. XXX VII, 1917, pp. 243-280.
Chubb, E. C.

On the Birds of Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia.
Ibis 1909, pp. 140-172.

Clar ke, C 0 Ion e 1 St e ph e u s on

Description of two new species. Ilcteryphanlcs gohindi and Laniarius
quadricolor nigricauda

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXXI, 1913, p. 32.

Congreve, "W. M.

The nesting habits of some East African birds.

Journ. East Afr. and Ug. N. H. Soc, vol. III., Nr. 6, 1913, pp. 44-47.

Cranworth, Lord

Profit and Sport in British East Africa. — London 1919.

Dahl, Friedrich

Grundlagen einer okologischen Tiergeographie. — Jena 1921.

Dub ois, A.

Eemarques sur certains oiseaux supposes nouveaux.
Proc. Zool. Soc, London 1897, pp. 782-784.
Erlanger, C. Freiherr von

Beitrage zur Vogelfauna Nordostafiikas mit besonderer Boriicksichtigung der
Zoogeographie.

Journ. f. Orn., I 1904, pp. 137-244; II 1905, pp. 42-157; III
1905, pp. 433-499; IV 1905, pp. 670-756; V 1907, pp- 1-58.
Einige neue Arten aus dem tropischen Afrika.

[Pseudogyps ofricanns schillivgsi, P. a. fillleborni, P. a. zcchi.)
Orn. Monatsber., 1903, pp. 22-23.

Fischer, G. A. und Ant. Reichenow

Neue Vogelarten aus dem Massailand (Inneres Ostafrika).

(Charadritis venustus, FrancoUnus altiimi, lurtur pcn^picillata^ Poeo-
ccphalus massaicus, >ycobrotus reichenoioi.)
Journ. f. Orn., 1884, pp. 178-182.

Gengl er, J.

Die Balkan vogel. — Ein ornithologisches Tagebuch.
Altenburg und Leipzig 1920.
Grant, Claude

Three new subspecies from Africa.
[Poicephalus meycri neavei.)

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXXV, 1914, pp. 19-20.
Exhibition and description of new subspecies.

[Scopus umbretta bannermani, Halcyon leucocephnla ogihei and B.
senegalcnsis superflua, subspp. nov. described.)

Bull. Biit. Orn. Club, vol. XXXV, 1914, pp. 27-28.

— 261 —

Grant, Claude

On a collection of birds from British East Africa and Uganda, ^presented to
the British Museum by Capt. C. P. Cosens.

Ibis 1915, pp. l-7t); pp. 234-316; pp. 400-473.
Description of three new subspecies of African birds.

[Centropus superciliosus loandae, G. s. solcotrae, and Melittophagus
variegatus baiigweolensis.)

Bull. Brit. drn. Club. vol. XXXV, 1915, pp. 54-55.
Descriptions of nice new subspecies of birds from Africa.
[Jynx ruficollis conensi.)

Ibidem, vol. XXXV, 1915, pp. 98-102.

Grote, Hermann

Neue Vogelarten aus Ostafrika. . ,

{Uraeginthus bengalus mikindaniensis.)

Oso. Monatsber., 1911, pp. 162-163.
Beitrag zur Ornis des siidostlichen Deutsch-Ostafrika.

Journ. f. Oro., 1912, pp. 501-529; 1913, pp. 115-142.
Ueber einige Vogel dor deutschostafrikanischen Siidkiiste.

Ibidem, 1919, pp. 298-302.
Zur Kenntnis der geographischen Formeh des Alseonax murinus.

Ornith. Monatsber., 1920, pp. 112-115.
Ueber eine Vogelsammlung aus West-Usambara.

Journ. f. Orn. 1921, pp. 121-138.
Vogel der Ukerewo-Insel des Victoria-Nyanza.

Ibidem, 1921, pp. 406-426.
Nachschrift zu: Vogel der Ukerewe-Insel.

Ibidem, 1921, pp. 457.

G r a b n 8 r , P.

Lehrbuch derallgemeinen Pflanzengeographie nach entwicklungsgeschichtlichen
und physiologisch-okologischen Gesichtspunkten. Leipzig 1910.

Gurney, Gerard H.

Notes on a collection of Birds) made in British East Africa.
Ibis 1909, pp. 484-532.

Hartert, E.

Birds collected by Dr. Ansorge during his recent stay in Africa.

Under the African Sua by W. Ansorge, London 1899, pp. 325—355.
Description of two new forms of African birds.
{Nigrita dohertyi. Cisticola neuinanni).

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XII, 1901, pp. 12-13.
On Mirafra africana and allies.

Ibidem, vol. XI, 1901, pp. 63-64.
Oa the birds collected by William Doherty in the Kikuyu Mountains near
Escarpment station, in British East Africa.

Novit. ZooL, vol. IX, dec. 1902, pp. 620-625.
Die Vogel der palaarktischen Fauna.

Systematische Uebersicht der in Europa, Nordasien und der Mittelmeer-
region vorkommenden Vogel. Berlin 1903—1922.
Miscellanea Ornithologica. Critical, momenclatorial and other notes, mostly
on palearctic birds and their allies.
On the African forms of the genus Pycnonotus.

Nov. Zool, vol. 13, 1906, pp. 389-392.
Description of new genera, species and subspecies of Arican birds.
{Seriniis striolatus graueri.)

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XIX, 1907, pp. 81-85.
Remarks on the subspecis of Mirafra africana.
Ibidem, vol. XIX, 1907, pp. 92-94.

— 262 —

H a r t e r t , E.

Altes und Neues iiber die Gattung Pratincola Koch.

Journ. f. Orn., 1910, pp. 171-182.
Exhibition of a new form of Kite [Milvus milvus fasciicauda) from the
Cape Verde Islands, and remarks on Milvus aegyptiu/t pnrasitus Daud.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXXIII, 1913, pp. 89-90.
List of a small collection of Birds from Hausaland, Northern Nigeria.

Nov. Zool., XXII, 1915, pp. 244-266.
The value of Subspecies to the Field-Naturalist.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1920, pp. 87-88.
Captain Angus Buchanan's Air expedition. — IV. The birds collected by
Capt. Angus Buchanan during his journey from Kano to Air or Asben.
Nov. Zool., vol. XXVIII, 1921, pp. 78-141.
Hartert, E. und OscarNeumann

Ein bisher verkannter Bussard [Buteo orcophilus sp. nov.)
Orn. Monatsber., 1914, pp. 31-33.
Hartlaub, G.

Ueber drei neue Vogel Westafrica's.
{Ardea payesii Verr.)

Journ. f. Orn., 1858, pp. 41-43.
Systematische Uebersicht der Vogel Madagascars.

Ibidem, 1860, pp. 161-206.
Die Vogel Madagascars und der benachbarten Inselgruppen. Ein Beitrag
zur Zoologie der athiopischen Region. Halle 1877.

Ueber einige neue von Dr. Emin Bey, Gouverneur der Aquatorialprovinzen
Aegyptens, um Lado, Centralafrika entdeckte Vogel.
{Sorella Emini Bey n. sp.)

Journ. f. Ornithol., 1880, pp. 210-214.
Heuglin, M. Tb. von

Ornithologie Nordost-Afrika's, der Nilquellen- und Kiisten-Gebiete des Rothen
Meeres und des nordlichen Somal-Landes. 2 Bde. Cassel 1869—1873.
Jackson, F. J.

List of birds obtained in British East Africa. Part II. With notes by
R. Bowdler Sharpe.

Ibis 1901, pp. 33-97.
Notes on the East-African species of Macronyx and Tmetothylaceus.

Ibis 1905, pp. 101-104.
On two new species of birds from Equatorial Africa.
[Batis diops, Sylvietta toroenais.)

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XV, 1905, p. 38.
On a collection of Birds made by Mr. Geoffrey Archer during a journey to
the Ruwenzori range. With notes by R. Bowdler Sharpe.

Ibis 1906, pp. 505-570.
East Africa and Uganda francolins.

Journ. East Africa and Ug. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. I, No. 1, 1910, pp. 7—23.
Description of a new species of Cuckoo-Shrike {Campephaga martini) from
British East Africa.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXXI, 1912, p. 18.
Johnston, Sir Harry

The Uganda protectorate. 2 vols. London 1904.
Jordans, A. v.

Die Vogelfauna Mallorcas.

(Sonderheft aus "Falco", X. Jahrg. 1914.)
Jagerskiold, L. A.

Birds from the White Nile.

Res. Swedish Zool. Exped. to Egypt aud White Nile 1901, No. 3.
Upsala 1903.

— 263 —

Kothe, K.

Zoologische Ergebnisse der Expedition des Herm Hauptmann a. D. Fromm
1908/09 nach Deutsch-Ostafrika. 2 Aves.

Mitteil. aus dem Zool. Museum in Berlin, 1911, pp. 311—383.

Kleinschmidt, 0.

Beitrage zur Vogelfauna Nordafrikas mit besonderer BeriicksicMigUDg der
Zoogeographie.

Bearbeitung der von Carlo Freiherr von Erlanger auf seiner letzten
Forschungsreise gesammelten Arten der Gattung Corvus.
Journ. f. Orn., 1906, pp. 78-99.

L i n d b 1 0 m , K. G.

Mount Elgons grottor och folk.

Yymer 1921, pp. 139-184.

L6nnberg,E.

Birds collected by the Swedish zoological Expedition to British East Africa
1911.

Kungl. Svenska Vetenskaps Akad. Handl., Band 47, No. 5, 1911.
Birds collected by H. R. H. Prince Wilhelms Expedition to British East
Africa 1914.

Arkiv for Zoologie, Bd. 9, No. 14, 1915.
Notes on some interesting East African Birds.

Ibidem, Band 11, No. 5, 1917.
Birds collected in Eastern Congo by Captain Elias Arrhenius. • ' .

Ibidem, Band 10, No. 24, 1917. *

Klimatvaxlingars inflytande pa Afrikas hogre djurvarid.

Kongl. Svenska Vetenskaps Akademiens Arsbok for Sr 1918, pp.
247-288.
Mackworth-Fraed,C. W.

A collection of Birds from two Districts of British East Africa.

Ibis 1917, pp. 362-421.
A short systematic review of the African Francolins.
Ibidem 1922, pp. 105-136.
Madarasz, J. v.

Pinarochroa rudolphi n. sp. (P. hypospodia — nee Shell. — Sharpe,
Ibis 1892, p. 162).

Orn. Monatsber., 1912, p. 175.
Neue Vogelarten aus Afrika.

{Francolinus dawshanus n. sp.)

Ann. Mus. Nat. Hung., 1912, pp. 393—395.
Mearns, Edgar A.

Descriptions of fifteen new African Birds.

[Uraeginthus bengalus brunneigularis, Pycnonotus layardi fayi, P.
I. peasi.)

Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 56, No. 20, 1911.
Descriptions of seven new African Grass-Warblers of the Genus Cisticola.
{Cisticola prinioides kilimensis.)
Ibidem, vol. 56, No. 25, 1911.
Description of a new African Grass-Warbler of the Genus Cisticola.
[Cisticola prinioides wamhiigensis.)
Ibidem, vol. 60, No. 20, 1913.
Descriptions of three African Weaver-birds of the genera Estrilda and
Oranatina.

Ibidem, vol. 61, No. 9, 1913.
Descriptions of ten new African Birds of the^Genera Pogonocichla., Cossy-
pha^ Bradypterus^ Sylvietta, Melaniparus and Zosterops.
Ibidem, vol. 61,' No. 20, 1913.

— 264 —

Mearns,Edga'rA.

Descriptions of eight new African Bulbuls.

(Phyllastrephus placidus 1ceniensit\, StelgiiJocichla latirosiris 2>uUida
S. I. saturata.)

Ibidem, vol. 61, No. 25, 1914.
Descriptions of seven new subspecies and one new species of African birds
(Plantain-eater, courser and rail).
[Turacus hartlaubi medius.)
Ibidem, vol. 65, No. 13, 1915.
Descriptions of new African birds of the genera Irancolinus^ ChalcopcJia^
Cinnyris, Chalcomitra., Anthreptes, Entrilda, ■ Halcyon, Melittophagus
and Colius.

Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 48, 1915, pp. 381-394.
Mouritz, L. Beresford

Notes on the Ornithology of the Matopo District, Southern Rhodesia.
Ibis 1915, pp. 185-216, pp. 534-571.
Miller, W. De W.

A revision of the classification of the Kingfishers.

Bull. Americ. Mus. Nat. Hist., 1912, vol. XXXI, pp. 239-313.

Naumann, J. F.

Naturgeschichte der Vogel Mitteleuropas.

Herausgeg. von Dr. Carl Hennicke. Gera Uutermhaus.

Nea ve , S. A.

On the birds of Northern I^iodesia and the Katanga District of Congoland.
Ibis 1910, pp. 78-155, pp. 225-263.

Neumann, Oscar

Die schwarzstirnigen Nigrita-Artea.

Orn. Monatsber., 1898, pp. 62-63.
Bericht iiber die Mai-Sitzung. (Uebor einigo, dem Foicepluilus meycri
(Cretschm.) nahestehende Arten.)

Journ. f. Orn., 1898, p. 501.
Beitrage zur Vogelfauna von Ost- und Central-Afrika.

Journ. f. Orn., I. 1898, pp. 227-305; II. 1899, pp. 33-75; III.
1900, pp. 185-313.
Beitrage zu einer Revision der Laniarien.

Ibidem, 1899, pp. 387-417.
Neue und seltene Arten des Genus "Sigmodus" Temm.

Orn. Monatsber., 1899, p. 89-91.
Diagnosen neuer Vogelarten aus Siid-Aethiopien.
( Chloropeta natalensis umhriniccps.)
Ibidem, 1902, pp. 8-10.
Neue afrikanische Vogel.

[Astiir tachiro nyansae, Zosterops smithi.)
Ibidem, 1902, pp. 138-139.
Ueber einige afrikanische Vogel.
I. Ueber Malaconotus.

II. Ueber Bradypterus cinnamomeus Riipp. und Bradypterus cinna-
momens salvadori Neum.
Ibidem, 1903, pp. 87-91.
Neue afrikanische Species und Subspecies. —

Trrisor erythrorhynchus niloticus, berinus shclleyi, Criniger gracili'
rostris pjercivali.)

Ibidem 1903, pp. 180-185.
Ueber die afrikanischen gelbbauchigen Zoster op s-YormQn.

Ibidem, 1904, pp. 109-118.
Ueber Crateropus.

Journ. f. Orn., 1904, pp. 548-555.

— 265 —

Neumann, Oscar

Yogel von Schoa und Siid-Aethiopien.

Ibidem, 1904, pp. 321-410, 1905, pp. 184 - 243, 1905, pp. 335-360.
Neue afrikanische Subspecies.

[Antlius nicholsoni longirostris, Pycnonotus ' barbatus 'scJioanus,
Cisticola robusta massaica, Pinarochroa sordida schoana, P. s.
djamdjamensis.)

Orn. Monatsber., 1905, pp. 66-79.
Weiteres iiber (Irateropvs.

Ibidem, 1906, pp. 144-149.
Revisionen afrikanischer Vogelgruppen.

{Barbatula, Batis, Nilaus, Telephomis.)
Journ. f. Orn., 1907, pp. 343-379.
Neue Vogelarten aus Nordost- und Ostafrika.

[Estrilda astrild maftsnicn. E. a. nyasaac, E. a. iniansae.)
Ibidem, 1907, pp. 593-597.
Neue afrikanische Webefiaken.

[Lnqonosticta rubrirntn hildcbrandti.)
Orn. Monatsber., 1907, pp. 166-168. _
Exhibition and description of new African birds.

{Passer qriseus abyssinicus, Hnlcvon albiventris erlavgeri.)
Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXI, 1908, pp. 68-71.
Description of new species and subspecies of birds.

[Amadinn fasciata alexanderi, Mirafra africana harterti, Trochocercus
albonotatus swvnnertoni.)

Ibidem, vol. XXIII, 1908, pp. 43-47.
A revision of the genus CalamocicMa, Sharpe.

Nov. ZooL, vol. 1908, pp. 224-252.
Notes on African birds in the Tring Museum.

I List uf the Musoplmgidae.

II List of the African Psittacidae..
Ibidem, vol. XV, 1908, pp. 366-390. .

Neue afrikanische Charadriiden.

{Glareola fusca fulJe.bnrni\ Rhinoptiliis chalcopterus'obscurus.)

Orn. Monatsber., 1910, pp. 10-11.
Dio geographischen rormen des Hagedasch-Ibis,

Ornis, vol. Xm, (1905-1910), pp. 190-196.
Die geographischen Formen des Zwerghaubenfischers [Corythornis Kaup.)

Orn. Monatsber., 1915. pp. 155—157.
Materialien zu einer Revision des Genus Campcphaga Vieill.

Journ. f. Orn., 1916, pp. 146-154.
Zwei neue afrikanische Formen.

(Anthreptes longucninrei neglectus, Serinus flavivertex sassii.)

Orn. Monatsber.," 1922, pp. 13-14.
Nicholl, Michael J.

Contributions to the Ornithology of Egypt. No. II. Birds of the Province of
Giza Part 1, 2, and 3.

Ibis 1909, pp. 285-302; pp. 471-484; pp- 623-650.
Contributions to the Ornithology of Egypt. No. III. The Birds of the Wadi
Natron.

Ibis 1912, pp. 405-454.

Nicholson, F.

Geographical distribution of birds.
(Genus BJacronyx, Swainson.)

Manchester Mem. Lit. Phil. Soc, 53, 1909, No. 24, pp. 1—11.
Oberholser, Harry C.

Birds collected by Dr. W. Abbot in the Kilimanjaro region, East Africa.
Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 28, 1905, pp. 823-936.

— 266 —

0 g i 1 V i e - G r a n t , W. R.

Review of the genus Irrisor and a „key" to the species.

Bull. Brit. Ore. Club, vol. XII, 1901, pp. 36-38.
On the birds collected during an Expedition through Somaliland and
Southern Abyssinia to Lake Zwai. — With field-notos by the collector,
Mr. Alfred E. Beasc.

Ibis, 1901, pp. 607-699.
A new species of Oriole from Equatorial Africa.
[Oriohts percivnli.)

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XIV, 1903, pp. 18.
On the birds collected by the late W. G. Doggett on the Anglo-German
Frontier of Uganda.

Ibis 1905, pp. 199-212.
Description of a new species of Yellow Flycatcher (Chloropeta storcyi)
froDi Ej&st Afric3

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XIX, 1906, pp. 32.
Description of five new species of birds procured by the Ruwenzori
Expedition.

[Hyphantoruis feviini'nn.)

'Ibidem, vol. XXI, 1907, pp. 14-16.
Descriptions of five new species from the Congo Forests.
[Cryplospiza oculnris, C. salvarlorii, C. aiistralis.)

ibidem, vol. XIX, 1907, pp. 40-42.
On & collection of Birds made by Mr. Douglas Carrutheis during his
journey from Uganda to the mouth of the Congo.

Ibis 1907, pp. 264-317.
Zoological results of the Ruwenzori Expedition.
16. Avcs.

Transact. Zool. Soc. London, vol. XIX, part. 4, 1910, pp. 213—459.
Exhibition of a new species of flycatcher.
[Tarsiger dg on en sis )

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club. vol. XXYII, 1910, pp. 57.
On the Birds of Ngamiland. AVith Itinerary and Field-Notes by R. B. Woosnam.

Ibis 1912, pp. 355-404.
Remarks on Ehninin trrfisit'i and Ehninia longicauda.

Ibidem, vol. XXXIII, 1913, p. 135.
On a collection of Birds from Southern Abyssinia, presented to the British
Museum by Mr. W. N. Mc Millan.
Part I Passeres.

Ibis, 1913, pp. 550-641.

P e r c i v a 1 , A . B.

Distribution of game birds.

Journ. East. Afr. and Uganda N. H. Soc. vol. IV, No. 8, 1914,
pp. 151-152.

Pucheran, M.

Description de quelques especes nouvelles d'oiseaux de Madagascar.
Mag. de Zool., Paris, 1845, pp. 1—8.
Purvis, J. B.

Through Uganda to Mount Elgon.
London 1909.

Reichenow, A.

Monographie der Gattung Plnceus.

Zool. Jahrb. Bd. I, 1886, pp. 113-164.
Die Vogel Deutsch-Ost-Africas.

Berlin 1894.
Die Vogel Afrikas. 3 vol. -|- 1 vol. Taf.
Neudamm 1900-1905.

— 267 —

Rei c h'e n 0 w , A. *
Neue afrikanische Arten.
[Barhatuln kandti.)

Orn. Monatsber., 1903, pp. 23-24.
Neue afrikanische Arten.
{Cisticola araentca.)

Ibidem, 1905, pp. 24-26.
Drei neue Girlitzartcn aus Nordostafrika.

[Poliospiza erlanpcri, P. rnllariSylF. pachyrhyncha.)
Ibidem, 1905, pp. 146-147.
Beschreibung neuer Arten.

[Chnlcomitrn bnrgerti Rchw. Neum.)
Ibidem, 1905, pp. 179-182.
Neue Arten aus Afrika.

[Irrisor erythrnrynchnu mnrioitzi.)
Ibidem, "igOB, pp. 171-172.
Neue Arten.

{Ciaticola ucfandae.).

Ibidem, 1908, pp. 13-14.
NeuG afrikanische Arten.

{Phyllastrephuft schiihof.zi\ Ph. olivacengrisetis, Crateropus grisescens.)
Ibidem, 1908, pp. 46-48.
Von der Reise des Herzogs zu Mecklenburg.
[Riparia dvria.)

Ibidem, 1908, p. 81.
Einige neue Formen aus Kamerun,

( Loniarius ervthroqasfer chrysostictus.)
Ibidem, 1910, pp. 94-95.
Ueber eine Vogelsammlung von Rio Benito im Spanischen Guinea.
Mitteil. aus dem Zool. Mus. Berlin, 1910-1911, pp. 71-87.
Die ornithologischen Rammlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Kamerun-Ex-
pedition 1908 und 1909.

Ibidem 1910-1911, pp. 205-258.
Die Vogelfauna des mittelafrikanischen Seengebiets.

Wissenschaftl. Ergebn. der deutsch. Central- Afrika Exp. 1907—1908
unter Fiihrung Adolf Friedrichs, Herzog zu Mecklenburg. Bd. III.,
Zool. I. Leipzig 1912.
Die Vogel. Handbuch der systematischen Ornithologie. 2. Bde.

Stuttgart 1913-1914.
Neue Arten.

( Cetitropus senegdlensis tschadensis^ Crateropus jardinei hypo-
brunneus.)

Journ. f. Orn., 1916, pp. 124-129.
Neue afrikanische Arten.

[Barhntula leucolaema urungensis, Campepliaga quiscalinn munzneri.
Oru. Monatsber., 1915, pp. 90-92.
Neue Arten aus Afrika.
( Tnrdinus tangavjicac.)

Journ. f. Orn. 1917, pp. 391-392.
Vogelarten des afrikanischen Faunengebietes, die von 1905—1914 neu be-
schrieben worden sind.

Ibidem, 1918, pp. 61-110.
Neue Arten. Bericht iiber die Februar-Sitzung.

[Turtur cajncola suahelictis, iiber Scopus und Hirundo piiella.)
Ibidem, 1921, pp. 263-266.

R i c h|m end, Charles W.

Descriptions of ten new species of birds discovered by Dr. W. Abbott in
the Kilimanjaro region, East Africa.

— 268 —

Richmond, Charles W.

[Crithaqra strinlata afflnis, Chloropeta similis, Laniarius ahotti.)
The Auk. 1897, pp. 154-164.
Rothschild, W.

On Turturoena sharpei Salvad. and Osmotreron eoeretti sp. nov.

Nov. Zool., 1894, pp. 40-42.
Exhibition of a new species of Bush-Shrike {Laniarius dohertyi).

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XI, 1901, pp. 52-53.
Remarks on the species of the genus Bradynrnis: a new name, B. pallidus
sharpei^ proposed for the larger Abyssinian bird.
Ibidem, vol. XXXIII, 1913, pp. 65-66.
S c 1 a t e r , P. L.

Notes on rare or little-known Animals now or lately living in the Society's
Gardens.

Proc. Zool. Soc, London 1871, Sp. 489-496.
Sclater, W. R. and C. Mackworth-Praed

A list of the birds of the Anglo -Egyptian Sudan, based on the collections
of Mr. A. L. Butler, Mr. A. Chapman and Capt. H. Lynes, R. N., and
Major Cuthbert Christy, R. A. M. C. (T. F.)

Ibis 1918, pp. 416-476, pp. 602-720. 1919, pp. 668-707. 1920,
pp. 781-855.
Schiebel, Guide

Die Phylogenese der LantMs-Arten.

Untersuchungon iiber die gegenseitige Abstammung sJimtlicher Arten
der echter Wiirger auf Grund der Zeichnungsentwicklung des Feder-
kleides.

Journ. f. Orn., 1906, pp. 1-77; pp. 161-209.
Schuster, Ludwig

Ueber Ruf, Gesang, PaarungsQug und Gologe eiaiger ostafrikanischer
Vogel.

Orn. Monatsber., 1914, pp. 44—48.
Seth- Smith, L. M.

Notes on Birds around Mpume, Uganda.
Ibis 1913, pp. 485-509.
Sharpe, R. Bowdler

Descriptions of fourteen new species of birds discovered by Mr. F. J Jackson
in Eastern Africa.

Ibis 1891, pp. 117-123.
Diagnoses of new Species of birds from Central East Africa.

Ibis 1891, pp. 443-445.
On the birds collected by Mr. F. J. Jackson, F. Z. S., diiring his recent
Expedition to Uganda through the territory of the Imperial British East-
African Company. With notes by the collector.

Ibis 1891, pp. 233-260; pp. 587-602.
New species of African birds.

{Andropatns laetissimus^ Parisoma jacksnni.)
Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol, X, 1899, pp. 27-28.
Descriptions of several new species of birds from Africa.
[Cisticola ambiqua, Cratcropus hindci.)
Ibidem, vol. XI, 1900, pp. 28-29.
Descriptions of three new species from the Makinder Expedition to Mount
Kenia.

Ibidem, vol. XI, 1900, pp. 35-36.
Description of two apparently new species of birds from Sir Hany John,
ston's collection.

[Poeocephalus saturatus, Poqonociclila intcnsa.)
Ibidem, vol. XI, 1901, p. 67.

— 269 —

Sharpe,R. Bowdler

On new species from the Ruwenzori range.
[Cryptospiza ocularis.)
Ibidem, vol. XIII, 1902, pp. 7-10.
On further coUeclions of birds from the Efulen District of Camaroon, West
Africa. With notes by the collector G. L. Bates, Part IV.
Ibis 1908, pp. 317-358.
S h e 11 e y , G. E.

The birds of Africa. Vol. I-vol. V'^.

London 1896-1912.
Descriptions of four new species of birds from Niassa land, v •
[Malaconotus maningi.)

Ibis 1899, pp. 318-314. " '

Sjostedt, Yngve

Wissonschaftliche Ergebnisse der schwcdischen zoologischen Expedition nach
dem Kilimandjaro, dem Meru und den umgebenden Massaisteppen Deutsch-
Ost-Afrikas 1905-1906.

3 V5gel pp. 1—184. Stockholm 1910.
Someren, E. A. L. van und V. G. L. van Someren.
Studies of Birdlife in Uganda. (25 Plates.)
London 1911.
S 0 m e r e n , V. G. L. V a n.

The African brown-bellied kingfisher [Halcyon semicoertdeus).

Journ. East Afr. and Ug. N. H. Soc, 1914, vol. IV, Nr. 8, pp. 95-98.
Birds singing at night.

Ibidem, vol. IV, Nr. 8, 1914, p. 153.
Exhibition and description of six new birds from Uganda.
[Chlorocichla qracilirostris chagwensis.)

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XXXV, 1915, pp. 125-128.
A list of birds collected in Uganda and British East Africa, with notes on
their nesting and their habits.

Ibis 1916, 193-252, pp. 373-472.
Provisiocal Check list of the biids of East Africa and Uganda.

Journ. East Afr. and Ug. N. H. Soc, 1917, spec, supplem.
A further contribution to the ornithology of Uganda (West Elgon and district).

Kov. Zoo!., vol. XXV, 1918, pp. 263-290.
Notes on a collection of birds from Lamu and district, made by Mr. H. J.
Allen Turner.

Journ. East Afr. and Ug. N. H. Soc, 1918, vol. VI, No. 12, pp. 249-261.
Descriptions of 19 new species and subspecies from Africa.

[Coitus striatus mowbassicus., C. s. tigandensis, U. s. TciTcuyuensis.)
Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1919, pp. 19-28.
Descriptions of 16 new birds from Uganda and British East Africa.

{Gra'natina lanthogaster montana, Lagovosttcta rhodopareia umhri-
vcntcr, L. jawesoni taruensis., L. senegalla kikuyuensis^ Serinus
pseudobnrbatus.)

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1919, pp. 52-58.
Descriptions of 13 new species and subspecies from East Africa and Uganda.
[Ercnwniela elegans elgonensis, Prinia mistacea immutabilis^ Cra-
ter opus mclanops clamosus.)

Ibidem, vol. XL, 1920, pp. 91—96.
On a collection of birds from Turkanaland. With introduction by Capt.
Gemmel, Survey Dept., attchd. 6 th K. A. R.

Journ. East Afr. and Ug. N. H. Soc, 1921, No. 16, pp. 3—38.
Descriptions of new African birds.

[Par us niger purpurascens, Anthreptes collaris ugandae, A. c. tei-
tensis^ Poliospiza striolata ugandae.)

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XLI, 1921, pp. 112-115.

— 270 —

S 0 m e r e n , V. G. L. van.

Descriptions of new species and subspecies of African birds.

[Bradornis murinus suahelicus, Melaeornis lugubris ugandae.)
Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XLI, 1921, pp. 106-106.
Descriptions of new East African forms.

[Pentheiria laticauda suahdica, Centropus sitpercilosus intermedius.)
Ibidem, vol. LXI, 1921, pp. 121-126.
Stigler, Robert

Eassenphysiologische Studien in Uganda.

Vortr. d. Ver. zur Verbr. naturwissenschaftl. Kenntn. inWien, 59. Jahg.,
Heft 9, 1919.
Stone, "Witmer

On a collection of birds from British East Africa obtained by Gr. George
L. Harrison, Jr.

Proc. Acad. Nat. Scienc, Philadelphia, 1905, pp. 755—782.
Stresemann, E.

Avifauna Macedonica. Die ornitbologischen Ergebnisse der Forschungsreisen
unternommen nach Macedonieu durch Prof. Dr. Doflein und Prof. L. Miiller-
Mainz in den Jahren 1917 und 1918.

Mviachen 1920.
Sollen Subtilformen benannt werden?

Journ. f. Orn., 1919, pp. 291-297.
Stuart Baker, E. C.

The value of subspecies to the Field Naturalist.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. XL, 1920, pp. 80-87.
Swynnerton, C. F. M.

On the coloration of the mouths aud eggs of birds.
Ibis 1916, pp. 264-294, pp. 529-606.
'^T h e Red Book" 1919. The "Standard" British East Africa and Uganda
handbook and directory.

Compiled by the "East African Standard".
Nairobi and Mombasa 1919.
Z e d 1 i t z , 0. Graf.

Meine ornithologische Ausbeute in Nordost-Afrika.

Journ. f. Orn., 1910, pp. 290-394, pp. 731-807.
Nachtrag zu „Meine ornithologische Ausbeuto in Nordost-Afrika".

Ibidem, 1911, pp. 591-613.
Revision des Genus (Jamaroptera.
Ibidem, 1911, pp. 328-345.
Beitrag zur Systematik afrikanischer Vogelformen.

1. Serinu6 awyo/ois/s-Gruppe.

2. Estrtlda erythronota-Qvup^e.

3. Uratginthus cyanocephalus-Grup^e.

4. Calamonastes si'm/jZe.T-Gruppe.
Orn. Monatsber., 1912,- pp. 74—79.

Das Siid-Somaliland als zoogeographisches Gebiet.

Journ. f. Orn., 19'4, pp. 608-678; 1915, pp. 1-69; 1916, pp. 1-120.

Siibiect Index.

A.

Accipiter minullus tropicalis . . 67

Actophilus africanus .... 40

Alcippe ahyssinica abyssinica . 257

Alseonax infulatus 123

„ inioimus muiinus . . 123

Amadina fasciata aloxanderi . . 172

Amydrus mono riippelli . . . 155

Anas spaisa 32

Andropadus gracilirostris cbag-

wensis 207

„ gracilirostris perci-

vali 206

„ Jatirostris eugenius 208

Anhioga rufa rufa' ..... 29

Anomalospiza imberbis ... 184

Anthreptes collaris zambesiana . 214

„ „ ugandae . . 215

Anthus leucophrys 199

„ rufulus raalteni . . . 196

„ sordidus longirostris . , 198

Apalis ciaerea cinerea .... 243

., „ minor .... 243
„ melanocephala nigrodor-

salis 244

., porphyrolaema .... 244

„ pulchella 245

Apaloderma narina narina . . 96

Ardeola idae 46

Argya rubigmosa heugliui . . 248

Astur tacliiro nyansae .... 66

15.

Balearica regulorum gibbericeps 40

Barbatula bihneata bilineata . . 90

„ „ jacksoni . . 91

„ simplex leucomystax 90

Batis minor nyansae .... 127

„ molitor puella 127

Bradornis murinus suahelicus . 120

„ pallidas subalaris . . 121

Bradypterus cinnamomeus . . 239

Bubulcus ibis 47

Buphagus erythrorhynchus . . 150

Buteo augur 67

„ oreophilus 68

Bycanistes subcylindricus ... 98

c.

Calamocichla leptorhyncha parva 238

Calandrella cinerea saturatior . 204
Camaroptera griseoviridis grisei-

gula 245

Campephaga nigra nigra , . . 131

., quisqualina martini 131

Campothera caillauti caillauti . 93

„ taeniolaema ... 93

Caprimulgus natalonsis chadensis 116

Centre pus mon. occidentalis . . 77

„ senegalensis incertus . 78

„ superciliosus superci-

liosus 80

tinnunculus tinnuncu

Cerchneis
lus .

Ceryle maxima

„ rudis rudis ....
Chalcomitra amethystinus kirki
„ senegalensis aequa

torialis ....
„ senegalensis inaesti

mata ....
Cbalcopelia chalcospilos . .
Charadrius asiaticus asiaticus
„ hiaticula hiaticula

„ tricollaris ,

„ varius . ,

Chonalopex aegyptiacus
Chloropeta massaica

„ similis . .

Chlorophoneus abbotti ,
„ dohertyi

„ sulphureopectus

suahelicus
Chrysococcyx klaasi
Ciconia ciconia ciconia . . .
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster verre

auxi 151

71
107
106
217

218

218

57

34

35

35

35

33

125

126

135

135
83

44

— 272 —

Cinnyris mariquensis microrhyn-

chus 220

„ mariquensis suahelicus 220

„ mediocris 220

„ reichenowi 221

„ venustus falkensteini . 219

Cisticola brachyptera brachyptera 237

„ reichenowi . 237

„ chubbi 236

„ erytbrops erythrops , 238

„ prinioides prinioides . 228

„ robusta ambigua . . . 234

„ strangei holubii . . . 232
„ subruficapilla aequato-

rialis 231

„ terrestris hindei . . . 235

„ „ ugandae . . 236

„ tinnions subrufescens . 233

Coccystes cafer 82

„ jacobinus pica ... 82

Colius striatus mombassicus . . 95

„ „ ugandensis . . 96

Columba arquatrix arquatrix . 48

„ guinea longipennis . . 48

Coracina caesia pura .... 130

Corvinella corvina affinis . . . 141

Corvultur albicollis 144

Corvus albus 142

„ capensis minor .... 143

Corythornis cristata galerita . . 105

Cossypha caffra iolaema . . . 257

„ heuglini heuglini . . 257

„ „ subrufescens 258

Coturnix delagorguei .... 61

Crateropus melauops clamosus . 248

„ ,, sharpci . 247

„ plebeius hypostictus . 246

Cryptolopha mackenziana . . . 124

Cryptospiza ocularis .... 173

Cuculus solitarius 83

Cyanomitra obscura neglccta . . 210
„ verficalis viridisplen-

dens 216

D.

Dendropicos fuscescens massaicus 94

„ lafresnayi lepidus . 94

Dicrurus adsimilis divaricatus . 144

Dioptrornis fischeri 122

Drepanoplectes jacksoni . . . 171

Dryoscopus affinis 139

,, cubla hamatus . . 139

„ gambensis nyanzae . 139

Emberiza flaviventris flaviventris
Ereniomela elegans elgonensis .

Erolia minuta

Euplectes capensis xanthomelas
Eurystomus afor rufobuccalis
Estrilda astrild massaica . . .
nyanzae

195
246

38
168

97

175

176

nonnula 177

E.

Elanus coeruleus ....
Elminia longicauda teresita

71

127

F.

Francolinus hiidebrandti altumi . 60

„ kikuyuensis ... 61

„ squamatus maranensis 59

„ uluensis .... 61

Fulica cristata 42

Gallinago media ....'.. 38

„ nigripennis .... 39

Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica . 29

Glareola ocularis _. 33

Gymnobucco bonapartei cinerei-

ceps 89

Gyps riippelli erlangeii ... 62

H.

Hagedashia hagcdash nilotica . 43

Halcyon albiventris erlangeri . 104

„ chelicuti chelicuti . . 103
,, leucoccphala leucoce-

phala 104

Helot irsus ecaudatus .... 68

Himantopus h. himantopus . . 37

Hiruudo angolensis 118

„ emini 120

„ gnseopyga gryseopyga . 118

„ puella unitatis .... 119

„ senegalonsis 119

Hoploptorus speciosuS .... 36

„ spinosus .... 35
Hydrochelidon leucoptera leucop-

tera . 29

Hyphantornis abyssinicus femini-

nus IGO

Hyphantornis nigriceps . . . . 161
Hyphanturgus ocularis suaheli-
cus 160

Hyphanturgus stephanophorus . 159
Hypochaera ultramarina purpu-

rascens 183

I.

Ibis aethiopica 43

Indicator indicator 83

— 273

Indicator minor conirostris . . 85

„ variegatus variegatus . 84

Irrisor bollei jacksoni .... Ill

' „ erythrorhynchus marwitzi 110

. „ ,, niloticus 111

Ixobrychus minutus payesi . . 46

lynx ruficollis cosensi .... 92

■ . L.

Lagonostieta jamesoni taruensis . 179

„ rubricata hildebrandti 178

„ senegala kikuyuensis 178

Lamprocolius ch. chalybaeus . 152

„ purpureas ametliy-

■ stinus 154

„ splendidus . . . 154

Laniarius aethiopicus ambiguus 137

■ „ „ major . 138

„ erythrogaster orythro-

; ■ gaster ..,,., 138

, : „ liihderi . . . . . 138

Lanius collaris humeralis , . . 140

„ coUurio coUurio .... 141

Larus cirrhocephalus .... 28

Limnocorax niger 41

Lobivanellus senegallus lateralis 36

Lophoactus occipitalis .... 67
Lophoceros melanoleucos suahe-

licus 101

Lophogyps occipitalis .... 62

Lybius albioauda 87

„ bidentatus.aequatorialis . 86
„ melanopterus melanopte-

rus ....... . 86

„ senex ....,,. 87

„ torquatus irroratas . , 88

M.

Macrodipteryx vexillarius fiille-

borni , , 117

Macronyx ameliae wintoni . , 202

„ croceus 200

Melaeornis lugubris ugandae . . 122

Melooichla mentalis amauroura , 227

Melittophagus buUockoides . . 109

„ lafresnayei oreo-

bates 107

„ pusillus cyanostic-

tus ......... 108

Merops superciliosus superciliosus 109

Milvus migrans aegyptius ... 69

„ „ parasitus ... 69

Mirafra africana athi .... 203

„ „ tropicalis , . 203

Motacilla flava campestris . . 196

„ longicauda .... 196

Motacilla vidua

Muscicapa striata striata . .
Musopliaga violacea rossae
Myrmecocichla aethiops crypto
leuca

195
123

75

250

Nectarinia erythrocerca . . , 222

„ famosa cuproonitens . 223

„ kilirriensis .... 223

„ tacazze ..... 224

Neisna quartioia nyansae . . . 179

Neophron monachus .... 65

Nigrita emilia schistacea . . . 173

Numida coronata ?nsorgei . . 58

Nyroca capensis ...... 32

Oedicnemus oedicnemus vermi-

culatus . 36

Oena capensis . 57

Oenanthe pileata Hvingstonei . 253

Oriolus auratus auratus . . . 145

„ notatus 146

„ larvatus rolleti , , „ . 147

„ percivali 149

Ortygometra pusilla obscura . . 42

Otis melanogaster 39

Othyphantes reichenowi nigro-

temporalis 158

„ reichenowi 157

Parisoma lugens jacksoni . . . 130

Parus albiventris , 227

„ niger purpurascens . . . 226

Passer (Sorellal emini-bey „ . 186

„ griseus ugandae , . . 186

„ rufocinctus 186

Penthetria laticauda suehelica . 170

Pholia sharpei 151

Phyllastrephus tephrolaemus ki-
kuyuensis . . . 205
„ fiavicollis pallidi-

gula ..... 205

„ cabanisi succosus 206

„ placidus . . , 206

Phylloscopus trochilus .... 246

Pinarochroa sordida rudolphi. . 251

Platalea alba ....... 44

Ploceus icsignis iasignis . . . 156

„ „ ornatua . . . 156

Pogoniulus pusillus affinis , . 91

Poicephalus fuscicapillus ... 75

18

- 274 —

Poicephalus gulielmi massaicus . 72

„ meyeri saturatus . 73

Pratincola torquata salax . . . 254

Prinia mystacea iramutabilis . . 240

Pseudogyps africanus africanus . 62

Pternistes leucoscepus infuscatus 59

Pterocles gutturalis saturatior . 42

Pycnonotus tricolor fayi . . . 210

„ „ micrus , . 208

Pyromelana nigrifrons .... 167

„ nigroventris . . . 167

Pyrrhocheira walleri elgonensis . 155

Pyrrhulauda leucopareia . , , 203

Q.

Quelea cardinalis ...... 166

„ sanguinirostris aethiopica 165

R.

Rhinopomastus cyanomelas scha-

lowi 114

Rhinoptilus chalcopterus obscurus 34

Eiparia cincta cincta .... 117

„ paludicola ducis . . . 117

Schoenicola apicalis 239

Scopus umbretta bannermani . 45

Serinus albifrons albifrons . . 190

„ „ kilimensis , . 190

„ angolensis reichenowi . 187

„ dorsostriatus dorsostria-

tus 193

„ flavivertex flavivertex . 191

„ mozambicus barbatus . 193

„ pseudobarbatus .... 194

„• striolatus affinis . . . 187

„ „ ugandae . . 189

„ „ affinis ugandae 189

„ sulphuratus sharpei , . 192

Serpentarius serpentarius ... 66

Sigmodus retzii graculinus . . 132

Sitagra melanocephala dimidiata 162

„ jacksoni 161

Spermestes cucuUata cucullata . 172

„ nigriceps nigriceps . 173

Spinas citrinelloides kikuyuensis 194

Spreo superbus 151

Stigmatopelia lugens funebra , . 51
„ senegalensis aequa-

torialis .... 49

Streptopelia capicola tropica . . 53

„ decipiens permista . 52

„ fulvopeotoralis . . 54

Streptopelia semitorquata erythro-

„ phrys 49

„ semitorquata elgo-
nensis 50

Struthio massaicus 28

T.

Tarsiger orientalis elgonensis . 258

Telephonus australis emini . . 132

„ senegalus erythro-

pterus . 134

„ „ orientalis 133

Terpsiphone perspicillata suahelica 128
„ „ plumbei-

ceps 129

Thalassiornis leuconotus ... 31
Thamnolaea albiscapulata subru-

fipennis 250

Tricholaema diademata massaica 88

Tringa glareola glareola ... 38

„ hypoleucos * . . . . 37

„ ochropus ochropus . . 38

„ stagnatilis 37

Trochocercus albonotatus albono-

tatus 128

Turacus hartlaubi medius ... 76

Turdinus pyrrhopterus elgonensis 256

Tardus deekeni elgonensis . . 249

Tarturoena delagorguei sharpei . 55

Tympanistria tympanistria ... 56

u.

Upapa africana 109

Uraeginthus bengalus branneigu-

laris 180

Uraeginthus bengalus loveni . . 181

„ „ ugandae . 181
„ ianthinogaster mon-

tana 182

Urobrachya phoenicea phoenicea 269

V.

Vidua Serena 183

Vinago calva salvadorii ... 47

X.

Xanthophilus bojeri 165

,, xanthops . . . 165

Zosterops virens jacksoni . . . 212
„ „ kikuyuensis . . 213

Explanation of Plates.
PI. 1.

Streptopelia fulvopedoralis Granvik.

PI. 3 and 3.

The variation in Saxicola torquata salax Verr.

PL 4.

cf ad. and Q ad. of Othyphantes reichenowi nigrotem-
poralis Granvik.

PI. 5.

Ploceus insignis ornatus Granvik, cT ad. Kiambu 18. 4.
1920 and Apalis cinerea nigrodorsalis Granvik, cf ad. Kiambu
19. 9. 1920.

PI. 6.

fig. 1. Lake Naiwasha. — The surface of the water is
covered by water-lilies. — April 1920; foto: H. Granvik.

fig. 2. From Lake Naiwasha. — Here and there grow
the papyros in dense forests among the water-lilies. — Foto:
H. Granvik.

PL 7.

fig. 3. In the Bamboos. — Mount Elgon, June 1920. —
Foto: H. Granvik.

fig. 4. Just above the Erica -zone in the fringes of the
subalpine region on about 12.000 feet. (Small bushes of Erica
and abundant vegetation of „eternells" (Antennaria)). Mount
Elgon, June 1920. Foto: H. Granvik.

PL 8.

fig. 5. The highest plateau of Mount Elgon. (On the
slopes a rich vegetation of Senecio Johnstoni). Foto H. Granvik.

fig. 6. The subalpine region of Mount Elgon. Foto: H.
Granvik.

18*

— 276 —

PL 9.

fig. 7. Nest in a small Acacia of Ceniropus senegalensis
incertus Granvik. — Mount Filgon, June 1920. — Foto: H. Granvik.

fig. 8. The same nest (with eggs) „in situ". — Foto:
H. Granvik.

PI. 10.

fig. 9. Nest ,,in situ" of Frinia niystacea immutahilis v.
Somer. Mount Elgon, July 1920. ~ Foto: H. Granvik.

fig. 10. Nesting place of Turacus hartlaubi medius Mearns. —
Mount Elgon (eastern slopes), June 1920. — Foto: H. Granvik.

lournal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderheft

T.I

Streptopelia f ulvopectoralis Granvik

Kendu (Victoria Nyanza), Aug. 1920

S ad.

Explanation of Plate 3.

The variation in Saxicola torquata salax Yerr.

1. cT juv. Mount Elgon 16. 7.

2. cf (near ad.) Mount Elgon 23. 6.

3. cTiad. Kikuyu 24. 4.

4. cf ad. Mount Elgon 19. 6.

5. cf ad. Londiani 10. 5.

6. cT ad. Lake Naiwasha 22. 4.

7. cf ad. Mount Elgon 28. 5.

8. cf ad. Ngong 11. 4.

9. cf ad. Lake Naiwasha 20. 4.

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loumal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderheft

T.4

Othyphantes reichenowi nigrotemporalis Cranvik

Mount Elgon, June 1920

<? ad, and 9 ad.

lournal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderheft

T.5

Above: S ad. Ploceus insignis ornatus Granvik
)elow: <3 ad. Apalis cinerea nigrodorsalis Granvik

Journal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderheft

T. 6

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Journal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderheft

T. 7

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Journal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderheft

T. 8

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Journal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderheft

T. 9

m\y

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Journal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderheft

T. 10

tjH

Journal fiir Ornithologie

EL60N

2 ■' ^ C^'-'^itK LONDIANI'

KENDU

X

Sketch Map of K(

(British East/

Journal fiir Ornithologie 1923, Sonderhefl

T. 11

Sketch Map of Kenia Colony

(Bpitish East Africa)

Scale 1 in 5,500000

Addenda.

Add to Melaeornis luguhris ugandae (p. 122): f .

As regards 31. I. ugandae v. S o m e r e n says (op. cit.)
among other things that it differs from edoloides (the Senegal
form) in being less blue black in colouf and smaller in size.
But in Nov. Zool., XXIX, 1922, p. 93 the same writer says
"lacking the bluish-black gloss". — The question is then,
whether the former description is to be used or the latter. My
specimen indeed has a faint blue-black gloss and so if ugandae
is a good form — as seems to me to be the case — my specimen
must be ugandae. (v. S o m e r e n has also seen my bird and
named it so). — The author quoted says that ugandae is as mall
bird, but he does not give any measurements (in comparison
with other allied forms) to prove this statement.

Add to Dicrurus adsimilis (p. 145):

Banner man (op. cit.) has also stated that the generally
light quill-lining is a character subject to a certain amount of
variation and that freshly moulted quills have a much darker
lining than old quills. — Prof. 0. Neumann on the contrary
thinks that the true divaricatus from Senegal, differing in the
almost whitish lining is well distinct irom the East-African bird
which should be called Dicrurus adsimilis fugax Ptrs.

Corrigenda.

2, line 5 Chief of the

7, line 29 Uraeginthus

8, line 8 paraphernalia

9, line 10 microrhynchus

9, line 28 'i Str. ^emitorquata ery-

10, line 39 / throphrys

11, line J 4 water is very

14, line 24 Jynx rufic. cosensi

20, line 7 difficult to get near it . .

21, line 4 At this

28, line 14 and farther

29, line 38 females, agrees
34, line 38 Eupoda

36, line 9 They are

43, line 17 an opportunity

47, line 40 a slight hint

51, line 3 always above

51, line 21 brown tinge

54, line 1 transverse band

54, line 14 as follows

57, line 11 the latter having

59, line 29 and 34 Praed

62, line 35 1980-2240 mm.

69, line 17 all greater

70, line 8 length

73, line 15 brown and

73, line 20 the pupil is

74, line 40 difficult indeed
74, line 47 different dresses

77, line 41 Central Abyssinian

78, line 23 Immediately

79, line 20 was known

81, line 8 form however I dare not

instead of

express any
instead of

p. 82, line 36 the rectrices are a

p. 85, line 9 total length

p. 85, line 44 West-African

86, line 4 whether we can

87, line 4 forms a 36 cm.

91, line 15 are somewhat

92, line 5 Jynx ruficollis cosensi
95, line 18 found in the
95, line 37 I might as well
97, line 9 in the third
97, line 14 roseate-lilac coloured

chief of
Ureginthus
paraphanelia
macrorhynchus
Str. sem. semitor-

quata
water very
J. r. cocensi
difficult get
On this
and further
females, agree
Eupodoa
The are
an occasion
a slight tint
almost over
crown tinge
transversal band
as follow
the latter being
Pread

1980-2240 m.
all higher
lenght
brown ad
the pupilis
difficult indieed
diffrant dresses
Central Abyssinia
Immediatly
was kown

formv however I dare

not ex pressany
the rectrices a
total legth
westafrican
wether we can
forms 36 cm
somewhat
J. r. cocensi
found in

It might as well
in the tird
roseate-lilae coloured

— 279 —

97, line 16
97, line 34
99, last line
101, line 6
line 9
line 12
line 24
line 25
line 10
line 17
line 41
line 22
line 22
line 20
line 37
line 40
line 23
line 42
line 28
line 20
line 3

line 37
line 19
line 28
line 17
line 4
line 28
line 5
line 39
line 3
line 23
line 10
line 10
line 22
line 40
line 28,
line 11
line 46
line 13
line 11
line 7
line 9
line 26
line 12
line 42
line 33
line 5
line 17-
line 14
line 4
line 10
line 11
line 17
line 21
tine 11
line 20
line 39
line 23

Eurystomus

the latter character

this dwelling

with slightly

sharply set off

East Africa

streaks of the

colour of

cription

of another

and loss of

arctieincta

differs in

jacksoni

is an astonishing

length

The length

now to another

poor flier

also put

probability the are also minor

Dicrurus

remarks see

is a young bird

Podocarpus

and never

at Kisumu

the northern limit

Nile find

Weaver-bird

coastland

transition-dress

almost a band

alexanderi

later on
39, 44 salvadorii

or skinned

massaica

Penthetria

those from the

and agrees

the crater-lake

his specimens

as farther

as it agrees

so pronounced

He came
-19 mm

brown, that

various phases

in the depths

and the

specimen agrees

minor occurs

bird were procured

them they are

down on the shores

Sunbird were

instead of Eurystomusf

„ „ which later character

„ „ his dwelling

„ „ with slight

„ „ sharply sett of

„ „ Best Africa

„ „ streak of the

„ „ colour on

„ „ scription

„ „ of an other

„ „ and lost of

„ „ arcticinata

„ „ differs to

„ „ jaksoni

„ „ is an astounding

„ „ lenght

„ . „ The lengthe

„ „ now to the other

„ „ poor flyer

„ „ also puts

„ „ probability that is also
a case of minor

„ „ Dierurus

„ „ remarks on

„ „ is a joung bird

„ „ Podocorpus

„ „ and newer

„ „ Kisum

„ „ the northern limit

„ „ Nile discovery

„ „ Weever-bird

„ „ Coastland

„ „ transition-dres

„ „ almost to a band

„ „ alexandri

„ „ later one

„ „ salvadori

„ „ or skined

„ „ massiaca

„ ,, Coliuspassei

„ „ those in the

„ „ and agree

„ „ the rater-lake

„ „ his specimen

„ „ as further

„ „ and it agrees

„ „ so pronunced

„ „ He came

„ „ cm

„ „ brown, this

„ „ various phase

„ „ in the dephts

„ „ an the

,, „ specimen agree

„ „ minor oocurring

„ „ bird was procured

„ „ these they are

„ „ down at the shores

„ 1, Sunbird was

— 280

p. 224, line 40 the more commonly it occurs instead of

p. 225, lino 7 and 15 Abyssinian „ „

p. 225, line 29 as has boon already „ „

p. 225, lino 30 this characteristic n n

p. 228, lino 13 approach „ ,,

p. 228, lino 17 merge into „ :,

p. 229, line 14 was difficult „ „

p. 229, line 23 alpine creature „ „

p. 229, line 38 Smithsou. Misc. „ „

p. 230, line 39 area while there are such „ „

p. 233, line 39 bird as South Africa „ „

p. 233, line 40 uniformly rufous „ „

p. 234, line 2 ditto

p. 235, line 1 westside ,, „

p. 235, line 12 differ distinctly „ „

p. 235, line 15 these particulars „ „

p. 236, line 1 especially on the lower „ „

p. 237, line 15 of the colour „ „

p. 237, line 19 agree better ., „

p. 238, line 5 edges, so that „ „

p. 238, line 6 appears darker ,, „

p. 239, line 41 styled his „ „

p. 242, line 4 question whether there are not „ „

242, line 6
242, line 20

242, line 29

243, line 4
243, line 10
248, line 2
248, line 4
248, line 33
250, line 8
250, line 14

250, line 17

251, line 11
251, line 44

p. 253, Une 8
p. 253, line 13
p. 253, line 32
p. 254, line 45
p. 255, line 24
p. 256, line 30
p. 257, line 16
p. 263, line 15
p. 265, line 45

In certain
between two lines

North-East Africa

occurring ,, i

district „

grey „

having a „

behaviour „

agrees very „

wing as „

on a single „

rufipennis, which „

ways, through „

only 3 have „

where lie larger „

same locality „

central „

form will thus „

difference any more „

of the lower „

not least „

Kilimanjaro „

by the Swedish „

Nicoll 1,
places mistakes have also slipped

it occurs 'more com-
monly
Abessynian
as already
this character
approaches
merges into
was diffiicult
alpine being
Smihson. Misc.
are and there being so
bird to S.A.
uniform rufous

West — side

differs distinctly

these characters

especially the lower
, to the colour
, agreeg better
, edges, whereby
, appear darker
, given his
, question as to whether

there are
I Nord-east Africa
, occuring
, destrict
, greyish
„ have a
, behavoir
„ agree very
, wing to
, on one single
I, rufipennis, and
, ways, in

, only 3 of them have
„ where there lay larger
,, same Iccalty
„ Central
„ form thus
„ difference no more
„ of lower
„ not the least
„ Kilraanjaro
„ by the Swedish
„ Nicholl
in the deviding of words

I here take the opportunity to express my thanks to ray friend, Mr.
Owen Morton, Malmo, who has translated this work into English and rendered
assistance in reading the proofsheets.

Druck vou Otto DornbUUh Nachf. in Bernburg,

JOURNAL

fiir

ORNITHOLOGIE.

GEGRUNDET VON J. CAB AN IS.

Im Auftrage der

Deutschen Ornithologischen Gesellschaft

herausgegeben

Dr. Erwin Stresemann,

Qeneralsekretar der Deutschen Ornithologischen Gesellschaft.

71. Jahrgang.
Sonderheft.

Mit 11 Tafeln.
Ausgegeben am 15. Februar 1923.

Berlin 10;33.

In Kommission bei R. Friedlander & Sohn,

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