the bird to believe that it is really gregarious; it is, however, most
frequently found singly. This species, to some extent, seeks its
food (which consists of insects) upon the ground ; but, like the Bee-
eater, it will* also watch for and pounce upon its prey from some
commanding height. Besides frequenting the ground in search of
food, it also loveB to dust itself in the sand. When in a state of
rest the crest of this bird is generally recumbent, but on the least
excitement it is alternately elevated and depressed, not rapidly, but
in a graceful manner, with deliberation and ease. In Damara Land
the Hoopoe is not very difficult to approach within range ; yet there
is some difficulty in obtaining specimens, as the bird, the moment
it finds itself observed, flits about incessantly amongst the foliage,
or is lost to view by gliding rapidly to the opposite side of a tree.
Its flight is short, rising and dipping alternately.”
Mr. Monteiro found the Hoopoe very plentiful in Benguela, and
Senor Anchieta has forwarded specimens to the Lisbon Museum
from Biballa' in Mossamedes as well as from the Cunene River.
Adult male.—General colour deep rufous above and below, the
crest-feathers with broad tips of glossy black j middle of back barred
with black; rump white; upper taihcoverts black ; tail black, with
a broad white bar across it at about a third of the distance from the
base, extending higher up the outer feathers; wings black, the least
coverts rufous like the back, the greater coverts broadly barred with
white, inclining to sandy rufous where they adjoin the scapulars,
which are also barred with black and rufous j primaries entirely
black, without any white spot at all; seopndaries white, black for
the apical third with a subterminal white bar ; innermost secondaries
black, rufescent at base and on the edge, and having an oblique
broad bar of rufous extending up the feather ; entire under surface
of body rufous, the under tail-GOverts slightly inclining to white;
“ bill dusky, pale at base; tarsi and feet dusky brown ; iris dusky
brown” (Ayres) ; legs greenish black (Buckley). Total length, 9"8
inches; culmen, 2T ; wing, 5T ; tail, AO ; tarsus, 0'8.
Fern ale.—Differs from the male in being paler, and in having the
flanks broadly streaked with black. Total length, 9 inches ; wing,
5-2 ; tail, 4-0 ; tarsus, 0-65.
Fig. Vieill. Ois. Dor. pi. 2.
125'. I r r i s o r e r y t h r o r h y n c h u s . Red-billed Wood-Hoopoe.
This bird inhabits the forests of the Knysna, in which locality it
was noticed by Victoria from July to November. It was found by
Mr. Atmore on the head waters of the Gamtoos River in mimosa
thickets, and it is abundant in the forest-clad eastern districts, being
common at Port Elizabeth and East London, according to Mr.
Rickard. Numerous specimens were forwarded to us from Eland’s
Post by Mr. Atmore, who records it as plentiful in that locality. It
is generally seen in small flocks of from six to eight individuals,
frequenting high trees, about the topmost branches of which it
hunts unceasingly for insects. Its voice is harsh and resounding,
and has acquired for it the name of “ Fackela” among the Dutch,
which signifies the “ chatterer.”
It is a difficult bird-to shoot, being very shy and wary, and for
ever whisking round on its perch, taking special care, however, of
its long tail, by lifting it over the branches: its motions at these
times reminded us very much of the habits of the Pheasant-Cuckoos
(Gentropus). We never saw or heard of one of these birds being
observed on the ground. The residents in the Knysna district
informed us that they bred in hollow trees, and that their eggs were
pure white and round. Mr. Ortlepp confirms this, and states that
their nests have the same offensive smell as those of the Hoopoes.
In Natal, Captain Shelley says it is migratory, but appears to be
tolerably common about Durban some years. Mr. Ayres writes
respecting its habits in the same country:—“ The food of these birds
consists' almost entirely of a species of cockroach, which they take
from the crevices of rough-barked trees, and in search of which they
creep about the trunk and branches somewhat similarly to the
Woodpeckers : in this manner their tail-feathers frequently become
much worn. Erom four to eight of these birds are generally together,
and frequent bushy country: they have a loud chattering note,
and are extremely restless in their habits : they have a peculiarly
powerful and disagreeable smell.” We have seen a specimen in
Mr. P. Barratt’s collection, which he shot at Oliphants Nek on the
Megalies Mountains. In the Zambesi country, writes Dr. Kirk, “ it
is more local than J. cyanomelas, which it resembles in habits : near
the head of the Lower Shire Valley we found' it particularly abundant.”
Mr. Andersson writes as follows:—“ This species is not