dirty-white; each feather with a dark-brown line down the shaft;
under tail-ooverts rufous; iris ashy-hazel. Length, 6 6 ; wing,
3" 6" '; tail, 2" 3"'.
Fig. Gray and Mitch. Gen. B. pi. 112.
Fam. PSITTAOIDiE.
173. A gapornis r o s e ic o l l is . Eosy-faced-Lovebird.
This little Parrot is not known to occur within the limits of the
colony, but it was found to be very plentiful on the Limpopo by Mr.
Ortlepp, who says that they are great favourites with the Boers, who
keep them as pets along with the little Nacht-apie (Galago moholi).
I t also probably occurs in the Zambesi region, as Dr. Kirk observes
that a smaller species of Parrot, which he believes to be the present
one, was found ffin one spot, limited to about twenty miles, on the
Shire, between Nyassa and the rapids. It was never seen elsewhere,
but was found there on two occasions. It is gregarious.” Sir J.
Alexander procured it in Namaqua Land, and Mr*. Andersson gives
^^0 following good account of its habits in South-"Western Africa.
“ This pretty little species is very generally distributed over
Damara and Great Namaqua Land, and is also found on the
Okavago and at Lake ISPgami. It is always observed in small flocks,
and seldom far from water, to which it resorts at least once in the day,
and is consequently not a bad guide to a thirsty traveller j though if
he be inexperienced, it would hardly avail him much, as it frequently
happens that the drinking-places resorted to by this and other
water-loving birds, are of but small compass and strangely situated.
This species is very swift of flight, and the little flocks in which it
is observed, seem to flash upon the sight as they change their
feeding-grounds or pass to or from their drinking-places; their
flight, however, is only for a comparatively short distance at a time.
They utter rapid and shrill notes when on the wing, or when
suddenly disturbed or alarmed. Their food consists of berries and
large berry-like seeds. This bird does not make any nest of its
own, but takes possession of nests belonging to other birds,
especially Philetoerus socius and Plocepasser mahali. I cannot say
whether it forcibly ejects the rightful owners of these nests, or
merely occupies such as they have abandoned; but in the case of
the first-named species, I have seen the Parrots and the Grosbeaks
incubating in about equal numbers under the shelter of the same
friendly roof. The egg is pure white, not unlike a Wbodpecker’s,
but more elongated.”
Mr. Andersson also procured it in Ondonga, and Mr. Monteiro
says that it is very abundant from Mossamedes to Novo Redondo.
Senor Anchieta has sent specimens from Capangombe and the river
Chimba in the same district, as well as from Humbe on the Ounene
river as well as from Kattenbella in Benguela, where also Mr. Sala
met with the bird : it probably occurs on the West Coast of Africa
as far up as the Gaboon, as a specimen from the latter locality is in
the editor’s collection.
General colour pale green; forehead and eyebrows red; face and
neck in front, rosy; lower wing-coverts, blue-green; rump and
upper tail-coverts, azure; tail scarlet, tipped with green, before
which is a sub-terminal black band, the centre feathers entirely,
green, the outer webs edged with green, “ bill greenish-white; legs
blue with the faintest tinge of green; iris intensely dark brown ”
[Andersson). Length, 6"; wing, 4.O'"; tail, 2 "; tarsus, 0-5,
Fig.. Bourjot, Perroq. pi. 91.
174. A gapornis pu l la r ia . West-African Lovebird,
This species is included in the present work on the strength of a
statement made by Dr. Reichenow in his account of the birds sent
by the German expedition to West Africa, viz.—that many specimens
of this small Parrot are exported from the Coast stations of
Benguela as well as Loango. We can understand its occurrence in
the latter locality, but we think that as A. roseicollis is the only
Lovebird known as yet to inhabit Benguela, some confirmation is
necessary before the present one can be received as a South African
bird; at the same time the Rosy-faced Lovebird certainly occurs in
Western Africa, above the Quanza, and it is by no means impossible,
therefore, that A. pullaria is also found both above and below this
river.
General colour grass-green, including the ear-coverts and sides of
neck; under surface of the body brighter green than the back;
frontal band, remainder of sides pf face and throat, red; rump
o