plains, frequenting the forests, and living in small flocks. It returns
every night to the same roosting-place, leaving in the day in search
of fruits. It is very fond of a drupaceous species of Strychnos,
(resembling the S. potatorum of India,) the fruit of which is said to
be poisonous to man. Its cry is loud and harsh.”
Mr. D. G. Elliot who has given the best diagnoses of these large
African Hornbills, characterizes the present species as follows:—
“ Crest slightly spotted; secondaries black tipped with white; tail
feathers, except the median ones, also white for about an inch and a
half from the tip ; casque high and broadened on the ridge.” Total
length, 25 inches; wing, 11*5; tail, 9'5 ; tarsus, 1‘75.
Fig. Temm. PI. Col. 284.
118. B u c e r o s c r i s t a t u s . Crested Hornbill.
This large species is an inhabitant of North Eastern Africa, and
only claims a place in the present work from its occurrence in the
Zambesi Region, where it was collected by Dr. Kirk during the
Livingstone Expedition. We quote his account as follows: —
“ Native name, KaJcomira, a local bird, not known to the natives
from the interior; frequent on the River Shire. Year after year it
returns to the same roosting-places, living in large flocks. During
the breeding season, or after the rains have set in, these become
scattered in the forest, where the natives say the female hatches the
eggs in a hole under ground, in which she is plastered up by the male.
The vessel being at anchor near one of the roosting-places, we had
an opportunity of seeing their habits. Towards sunset, in the months
of August and September, they come in from different quarters in
pairs, the male always known by his large bill. On perching, they
uttered a loud cry, heard far off, and hopped from one branch to
another, always keeping in pairs. As night set in they became quiet,
and roosted on the branches of the large trees. Early in the morning
they were off again, an hour before sunrise, not to return until the
evening. The affection of these birds for one another seemed remarkable.
On one occasion, as a large male passed suddenly, I fired
and missed: but the bird fell from fear, and before it had fairly got
on the wing again, was secured and taken to the ship. It began to
get tame, and rather unwillingly took food; but the female came
every morning, when the others had gone to the forest, and remained
hovering about until 9 a.m., calling to its mate, which it saw on the
deck, to follow; at last she went off, but came back in the evening
to repeat the invitation. After five days the male became sulky,
would eat nothing, and died. No injury was found, and, but for the
female, there seemed no reason why it should not have lived.”
The following characters are given by Mr. Elliot for the species :
—Distinguished by its entirely black wings; tail black, except extreme
base and an apical band, which are white; spotted crest and
enormous casque. Total length, about 30 inches; wing, 14'5;
tail, 1 1 ‘6 ; tarsus, 2 '2.
Fig. Riippell, Atlas, taf. 1.
119. T o c k u s M E L A N O L E U C U S . Crowned Hornbill.
Buceros melanoleucus. Layard, A. S. Afr. p. 225.
This Hornbill has a wide range, extending from the Knysna along
the East Coast as far as Kisiludini, 5° south of the Line. How much
farther it goes we do not know ; but at this place we found it very
abundant, flying in small flocks or families, and feeding on berries and
fruits. At the Knysna, and in the Eastern province, it is also common.
Mr. Atmore writes from Geneva-fontein, George, March 16th, 1869 :
—“ My garden is now full of Hornbills, but as they eat nothing but
locusts, I do not shoot them; besides they are in bad plumage.”
Mr. Ayres writes concerning it in Natal:—“ I shot this Hornbill
whilst in the act of swallowing a large locust which it had taken from
the bough of a low bush. This bird did not appear to throw the head
back so much as I have noticed that some other species do. Its
stomach was full of locusts and caterpillars. These Hornbills are
generally found in companies of from ten to twenty; they mostly
frequent the coast districts, but occasionally during the winter
months they wander more inland.”
Dr. Kirk met with it in the River Shire valley in open bush and
low trees.
Mr. Gurney states that a specimen was procured by Andersson in
Ovampo Land, but no details as to its distribution in the Damara
country were given by that excellent collector. Mr. Chapman, however,
speaks of it as not very abundant there. Senor Anchieta has
collected the species at Humbe on the Cunene River, where however
it was less common than T. erythrorynchus. The same
ornithologist has sent it from Caconda in Mossamedes, and from
Biballa. The specimen from this former locality has been separated