by Drs. Finsoh and Ilai'tlaub as T. pnllidirostris, a spocios wo cannot
allow, for in the series sent by Mr. Sala from Galungo wore examples
with deep red and pale coloured bills, but belonging, as it seemed to
us, to the true T. melanoleucus. Whether this oliango in the colour
of this organ is due to ago or season we do not know, but it was
probably one of the pale-billed birds which Mr. Andersson described
as having the bill “ reddish-yellow.” He says that its food consists of
lizards and beetles.
Le Vaillant states that the nest is made in a large hole in a tree;
and that the eggs, four in number, are white.
Our friend Mrs. Barber thus writes of the singular habit which this
bird exhibits, in common with other species of the genus, of blocking
up the sitting female in her nest:—“ By the bye, do you know that
our Hornbills build their nests of mud and sticks in old broken and
hollow trees, or between the crowded stems of the tall Euphorbia in
our forests; and while the process of incubation is going on the
male bird builds the female into the nest, closing up the entrance in
such a manner that it is impossible for her to escape, leaving only a
small hole for the purpose of feeding her during her long imprisonment.
I do not know how long she is kept in durance vile; but we
have sometimes taken them out, and found them so cramped and weak
that they were unable to fly. This peculiar habit may be a precautionary
measure to protect the female during the season of incubation
; for it may be that during that time she is too weak and dull to
fly away from any approaching danger. Depend upon it that it is not
done in vain, and that there is a sufficient reason for this strange and
curious habit. We self-willed and presumptuous human beings often
act without reason or reflection; but the ‘ birds of the air5 and the
‘ lilies of the field5 are guided by a higher Power ! And if we do not
understand the wisdom of all their ways, it is because we have not
studied them sufficiently.55
Head grey, some of the feathers at the back rather elongated, and
centred with white, giving the bird when in some positions the appearance
of having a white half circle at the back; back dark brown,
each feather edged with lighter brown; wing-feathers very dark
brown, edged with white; tail same as wings, and broadly tipped
with white, with the exception of the two centre feathers; under side
with the exception of the throat and chin, dull white; bill large,
slightly casqued, red, with a narrow yellow band along the base ;
eyo-lashes vory stiff and projecting; bill 'red; tarsi and icot black;
iris yollow. Total length, including bill, 225/; bill, 3"; tail, IP ';
wing, 10 " V " .
Fig, Levaill, Ois. d5Afr. pis. 234, 235.
120. Tomare monxeiri. Monteiro’s HombilL
This beautiful species was first discovered by the well-known
naturalist, Mr. Joachim J. Monteiro, in Benguela, where he found it
pretty abundant. Mr. Sala also shot a specimen at Hatenbella on
31st December, 1869, but it does not appear to have been met with
by Senor Anchieta, Mr. Andersson5s account of the species is as
follows:—“ This Hornbill is not very abundant in Damara Land; it
is usually seen in pairs, but occasionally half a dozen individuals
may be found in close proximity to one another. It is a shy and
wary bird, and difficult to approach, except on hot days, when it
appears to suffer a good deal from the heat. About 8 or 9 o5clock in
the morning it may often be observed quietly resting on the top of
a tree; and it will also perch in such situations at other times when
alarmed, but takes its departure again on the least sign of danger.
It seldom flies far at a time, but if closely pursued extends its flight
each time it is dislodged, and thus soon distances its enemy. The
flight of this and other Hornbills is notunlike that of,a Woodpecker,
dipping and rising alternately. The present species feeds on flowers,
young shoots, berries, birds5 eggs, and insects; and, in fact, little
comes amiss to it. I have found much gravel in its stomach, and
have often flushed it from the ground, to which it resorts for the
purpose of picking up sand as well as food.55
Adult.—General colour above ashy brown; the lower back and
rump darker and more blackish; the win g-coverts spotted with white;
these spots being relieved by a circular margin of black, the greater
coverts broadly tipped with white; primary-coverts and primaries
black, the latter with two rows of spots, one at the tip of the outer
web and the other at about one third of the distance from the base
of the feather on the same web; innermost secondaries ashy-brown
like the back, the others pure white, with a certain amount of black
on the outer web of those nearest the primaries; four centre tail-
feathers black, the rest of the feathers white, with a little black near
the* base of the outer web of the external rectrices ; head and neck
grey all round including the throat and the fore-neck, slightly spotted
K