^Si^jsigg^jSi?^"^ . ^0 if FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ./. ^> ( ,4 , THE a^fj- o FAUNA OF SOUTH AFRICA EDITED BY W. L. SCLATER, M.A., F.Z.S. Director of the South African Museum, Cape Toivn. 'of. r^b^f^. ^^^-c^i THE BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA COMMENCED BY ARTHUR STARK, M.B. VOL. III. PICAEIANS, PAREOTS, OWLS AND HAWKS WITH 141 ILLUSTRATIONS BY W. L. SCLATER, M.A., F.Z.S. Director of the South African Museum, Cape Town Xon5on e; h. poetbe 7, PRINCE'S STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. 1903 LONDON PRINTED BY JOHN BALE, SONS AND DANIELSSON, LTD. 83-89, GT. TITCHEIELD STREET W. PREFATORY NOTE. The present volume contains an account of 183 species of birds included in the orders Picariae, Psittaci, Striges and Accipitres. For the contents of this volume I am alone responsible, although I have been able to make use of the late Dr. Stark's note books and journals. I must again thank my many friends and correspondents for help freely and generously rendered, and especially am I indebted to Mr. A. D. Millar of Durban, to Mr. Ivy of Grahamstown, and to Mr. John Wood of East London. As in previous volumes the illustrations with a few exceptions have all been drawn specially for this work by the skilful hand of Mr. Gronvold. The photograph of the Pied Kingfisher on page 75, was kindly lent to me by Mr. H. E. Harris. For the use of the blocks of figures 62 and 68, prepared from photographs given me by Mr. Ivy, I am indebted to the editors of " The Ibis " ; while the photographs of the nests of the Sea Eagle on page 313, and of the South African Harriers on pages 377 and 378, were given to me for purposes of reproduction by Mr. A. D. Millar and Captain Moore of the Army Pay Department respectively. As the volumes previously issued dealt only with the single order of Passeres I have here thought it worth while to append an artificial key of the rest of the Orders of Birds in order to assist the tyro to determine the position of an unknown form in the classification here adopted. ; VV. L. S. Vi. KEY KEY OF THE OEDERS. A. With four toes. a. Wings well-developed aud used for flight. c(}. Toes free from one another or only partially webbed. a^. Hind-toe jointed at the same level as the other toes. a°. Thighs and usually the upper portion of the shanks feathered. a\ No cere at the base of the bill Passeres and Picariae. bK A soft fleshy cere at the base of the bill. if. Toes zygodactyle, 2nd and 3rd for- wardly, 1st and 4th backwardly directed Psittaci (Parrots). b\ Oater or fourth toe reversible at will ; eyes and face more or less forvvardly directed Striges (Owls). c\ Toes normally ar- ranged 2nd, 3rd, 4th, forwardly, 1st backwardly di- rected. a". Bill and claws strong, curved, hooked and sharp pointed Accipitres (Hawks). b'\ Bill and claws weak and straight Columbge (Doves). KEY Vll. h'^. Lower portion of thighs and all the shanks naked without feathers ; bill very long, straight and pointed Herodiones (Herons) . b^. Hind toe raised at the joint above the level of the other toes. d°. Lower portion of thighs naked, without feathers. a^ Toes very long, middle one longer than the shank Kalh (Eails). ¥. Middle toe hardly ever equal to the shank . . . Limicolae (Waders) [in part] . ¥. Lower portion of thighs clothed with feathers ; spurs generally present, in the males, at least ... Gallinas (Game-birds). b^. Three front toes completely webbed, hind toe free. a?. Bill compressed or long and pointed Gavise (Gulls). b^. Bill depressed and flattened, never sharp-pointed Anseres (Ducks). c^. Bill bent downwards in the middle, lower mandible fixed, upper mandible movable Phoenicopteri (Flamingoes). c^ All four toes with lateral lobe- like expansions Pygopodes (Grebes). d}. All four toes turned forwards and completely webbed Steganopodes (Duikers). b. Wings without quills, not used for flight, modified as a swim- ming organ, three toes com- pletely webbed Sphenisci (Penguins). viii. KEY B. Three toes only ; hind toe absent ; toes free or not com- pletely webbed. a. Lower portion of thighs clothed with feathers. a^. Shanks covered with trans- verse scales before and behind Hemipodes (Button Quails). b^. Shanks covered with small scales Otidae (Bustards). h. Lower portion of thighs naked Limicolae (Waders) [in part] . C. Two toes only ; wing not used for flight Struthiones (Ostriches). LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT. PAGE Fig. 1. Diagram of the Pigeon with the feathers removed to show the arrangement of the feather tracts (after Nitsch) 2 . ,, 2. Diagram of the modifications of the deep plantar tendons of the feet of birds 2 ,, 3. Base of the skull of GorvuUur albicollis, showing the segithognathous arrangement of the palate bones 3 ,, 4. Base of the skull of Gnis pavonia, showing the schizognathous arrangement of palate bones 4 ,, 5. Base of the skull of ISerpentarius secretarius, show- ing the desmognathous arrangement of the palate bones 5 ,, 6. Base of the skull of Gathartes aura, showing the second type of the desmognathous arrangement of the palate bones 6 ,, 7. Base of the skull of i)ro;?icsMs, showing the dromaeo- gnathous arrangement of the palate bones 7 8. Foot of Upupa africana 10 9. Upupa africana 11 10. Tail of Irrisor viridis 13 11. Irrisor viridis 15 12. Wing of Cypselus africanus 20 13. 'Foot oi Cypsekis africanus 20 14. Cypselus africanus 22 15. Foot of Tachornis parva 28 16. Tail of ChcBtura stictilcema 30 17. Foot of Caprimulgus europczus 31 18. Caprivmlgus fossii 40 19. Wing of Cosmetornis vexillarius 43 20. Coracias ^nosamhicus 52 X. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT PAGE i'lG. 21 . Eurystomus afer 54 ,, 22. Foot oi Merops nicbicoides 56 ,, 23. Wing oi MerojJS nubicoides 57 ,, 24. Merops nubicoides 62 ,, 25. Tuil oi Dicrocercus Jiirimdineus 65 ,, 26. Foot oi Cerylerudis 73 „ 27. Cerylerudis 74 ,, 28. Geryle rudis, from a photograph from life taken by- Mr. H. E. Harris 75 ,, 29. Alcedo semitorquata 79 , , 30. Corythoruis cyanastigma 82 ,, 31. Halcyon albiventris 87 ,, 82. Foot oi CoUus striatus 94 ,, 33. Colius striatus 95 „ 34. Bucorax cafer 103 ,, 35. Bycanistes buccinator 107 ,, 36. Foot oi Lophoceros melanoleucus 109 ,, 37. Lophoceros melanoleucus 110 , , 38. Left foot of Hapaloderma narina 120 , , 89. Hapaloderma narina 122 , , 40, Left foot of Campothera sviiihi 123 ,, 41. Tsiil oi Campothera smithi 125 , , 42. Geocolaptes olivaceus 127 ,, 43. Campothera smithi 132 , , 44. Dendropicus cardinalis 186 , , 45. Mesopicios griseocephalus 140 ,, 46. TslH oi lynx ruficollis 142 ,, 47. lynx ruficollis 143 ,, 48. Tsbil oi Indicator sp)arrmani 145 ,, 49. Indicator sparrmani 147 50. Tail of Prodotiscus regulus 155 , , 51. Lybius torquatus 158 ,, 52. Bresist ie&ther oi Tricholcema leucomelas 160 ,, 53. Tricholama leucomelas 161 ,, 54. Stactolcema woodtvardi 165 ,, 55. Barbatula pusilla 167 ,, 56. Trachyphonus cafer 171 , , 57. Left foot of Cuculus gularis 172 , , 58. Wing of Cuculus gularis 173 ,, 59. Cuculus gularis 175 ,, 60. Oviter tdiA\. ied^jh&v oi Cuculus gularis 175 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT XI. PAGE Fig. 61 . Outer tail feather of Cuculus canorus 177 ,, 62, Nest of ilfoMiico?arwjoesi(ns, containing a young bird of Cuculus solitarius, from a photograph taken by Mr. Ivy 181 ,, 63. Chrysococcijx cupreus 189 ,, 64. Coccystes glandarius 193 ,, 65. Wmg oi Centropus bur chelli 201 ,, 66. Foot oi Centroptis burchelli 202 ,, 67. Head oi Ccntrojms biioxhelU 204 ,, 68. Nest and eggs of Centropus burclielli, from a photo- graph by Mr. Ivy 205 „ 69. Left foot of Ceuthmocliares australis 211 ,, 70. ,, ,, ,, Turacus corytliaix 213 ,, 71. Turacus corytliaix 214 72. Gallirex porphyreolophus 218 ,, 73. Schizorhis concolor 220 ,, 74. Left foot of Pyocephalus fuscicapillus 222 ,, 75. Wing oi Pceocephahis fuscicapillus 223 ,, 76. Pceocephalus fuscicapillus 227 ,, 77. Agapornis roseicollis 232 ,, 78. Sternum of Strix fiammea, showing the slight pos- terior notch 236 ,, 79. Claw of the middle toe of Strix flammea showing the pectination 236 ,, 80. Strix fiammea 238 ,, 81. Sternum of B?^&o 7;iflc?iZos? 37 396. trimaculatus (S«'aM!s.'> 38 397. fossil, JTar« 39 398. natalensis, Smith 41 Genus II. Cosmetornis 42 399. vexillarius (Go«Z(i) 42 PAGE Suborder III. Anisodactyli 45 Family I. Coeaciid^ 45 Genus I. Coracias 45 400. garrula, Linn 46 401. caudatus, Lwm 48 402. spatulatus, Triinen 50 403. mosambicus, Dresser 51 Genus II. Eurystomus 53 404. afer(La^7i.) 54 Family II. Meeopid^ 55 Genus I. Merops 56 405. apiaster, Linn 57 406. persicus, PaZ? 59 407. boebmi, Rcichen 61 408. nubicoides, Desm. d; Puch. 62 Genus II. Dicrocercus 64 409. hirundineus (Lzc/i^.) 65 Genus III. Melittophagus 67 410. meridionalis, Sharpe 67 411. buUockoides (Smith) 70 Family III. Alcedinid^ 71 Genus I. Ceryle .. 72 412. rudis (Linn 73 413. maxima (PaZZ.) 76 Genus II. Alcedo 78 414. semitorquata, Swains 78 Genus III. Corythornis 81 415. cyanostigma (Rupp.) 81 Genus IV. Ispadina 83 416. natalensis (Snw^/j) 83 Genus V. Halcyon 85 417. swainsoni, Smith 85 418. albiventris ( Scop. ) 86 419. orientalis, Peiers 89 ^20. chelicnti (Stanley) 89 421. cyanoleucus (FieiiL) 91 422. senegaloides, Smi^Zi 92 SYSTEMATIC INDEX XV. PAGE Family IV. Coliid-e 93 Genus I. Colius 94 423. striatus, Gmel 95 424. capensis, G«ic^ 97 425. erytbromelon, Vieill 99 425a. erytbromelon lacteifrons, Shari)e 100 Family V. Bucekotid.e 100 Genus I. Bucorax 101 426. cafer (Sc/iZ.) 102 Genus II. Bycauistes 106 427. buccinator (re»M;i.) 106 Genus III. Lopboceros 108 428. melanoleucus (Z/fc/i^. ) 110 429. monteiri (iJar«.) 113 430. epirbiuus (S2«i(Z.) 114 431. erytbrorbyncbus{Tc;)J7U.) 116 432. damarensis, Shelley 117 433. leucomelas {Licht.) 118 Suborder IV. Trogones 120 Family I. Teogonid^ 120 Genus I. Hapaloderma 121 434. narina (S^e^j/j.) 121 Suborder V. Zygodactyli 123 Family I. Picid^ 124 Subfamily I. Picinoi 125 Genus I. Geocolaptes 126 435. olivaceus (G?)ieZ.) 126 Genus II. Campotbera 128 436. notata (Lic/ii.) 129 4.37. abingdoni (S"ii/!/i) 130 438. smitbi (iUaZ7j ) 131 439. bennetti ( Smith) 133 439a. bennetti capricornis, Strickl 134 Genus III. Dendropicus 135 440. cardinalis (Gj)ieZ. ) 135 Genus IV. Tbripias 137 441. namaquus {Licht.) 138 Genus V. Mesopicus ... 139 442. griseocepbalus (Bodd.) 140 Subfamily II. lyngince 141 Genus I. lynx 142 443. ruficollis, Wagl 142 B PAGE Family II. Indicatorid.e 144 Genus I. Indicator 145 444. sparrmani, Steph 146 445. major, Steph 149 446. variegatus, Less 151 447. minov, Steph 152 Genus II. Prodotiscus 155 448. regulus, Sund. 155 Family III. Capitokid.e 156 Genus I. Lybius 157 449. torquatus (Z)?(?H07iZ) 157 Genus II. Tricboltema 160 450. leucomelas (BofZd.) 160' 451. affinis (S/icZ/.) 162 Genus III. Stactolscma 163 452. leucotis(S?(7i^.) 168 453. sowerbyi, Sharpc 164 454. woodwardi, Shelley 165 Genus IV. Barbatula 166 455. pusilla (Z)H7;ton?) 166 456. extoui, Layard 168 457. bilineata (S^nfZ. ) 169 Genus V. Trachypbonus 170' 458. c&iex {Vieill.) 170 Suborder VI. Coccyges 172 Family I. Cuculidje 172 Subfamily I. Ciiciilina 173 Genus I. Cuculus 174 459. gularis, Steph 174 460. canorus, Linn 177 461. poliocepbalus, LaZ/j 178 462. solitarius, Steph 178 463. clamosus, LaZ/t 182 Genus II. Cbrysococcyx 184 464. smaragdineus {Sivains.) ... 185 465. klaasi (SZe^j/t.) 186 466. cupreus (BotZi.) 189 Genus III. Goccystes 192 467. glandarius (LMm.) 193 468. jacobinus (BofZfZ.) 195 469. hypopinarius, Cah. d: Heine 197 470. c^iet {Licht.) 19S 471. serratus {Sparrm.) 199' Subfamily II. Ccntropodina 201 XVI. SYSTEMATIC INDEX PAGE Genus I. Ceutropus 202 472. burchelli, Sioains 203 473. senegalensis {Limi.) 206 474. flecki, Eeic/t 207 475. cupreicauda, Reich 207 476. superciliosus, Hempr. d Ehr 208 477. nigrorufus (C?ty.) 209 Genus IV. Ceuthmochares 210 478. australis, Sliarpe 210 Family II. Musophagid.e 212 Genus I. Turacus 212 479. corythsiix (Wagl.) 213 480. livingstonii, Gray 216 Genus II. Gallirex 217 481. porphyreolophus (T'zfif.) ... 217 482. chlorochlamys, Shelley 219 Genus III. Schizorhis 219 483. concolor (.S»u'^/i) 219 Order III. PSITTACI 222 Family I. Psittacid^ 222 Subfamily I. Pionina 223 Genus I. Poeocephalus 223 484. robustus {Gmel.) 224 485. fusicollis (JuJj/) 226 486. fuscicapillus (7err.c£-(iesM.) 226 487. meyeri {Gretzsch.) 228 488. rueppelli (G. R. Gray) 229 Subfamily II. Falceornithina 2.30 Genus I. Agapornis 231 489. roseicollis( 'FieiW.) 231 490. lilianffi, Shelley 233 Order IV. STRIGES 234 Family I. Strigid^ 235 Genus I. Strix 235 491. flammea, Lmn 237 492. capensis, Smi^/t 2.39 Family II. Bubonid^ 240 Genus I. Asio 241 493. capensis {Smitli) 241 494. leucotis (Touni.) 243 PAGE Genus II. Syrnium 245 495. woodfordi (SniiWi) 245 Genus III. Bubo 247 496. capensis, Smith 248 497. maculosus (Fiei/^.) 249 498. lacteus (Tejmu.) 252 Genus IV. Scops 254 499. capensis, Smt^/i 254 Genus V. Glaucidium 256 500. perlatum(HeiH.) 257 501. capense {Smith) 259 Genus VI. Scotopelia 260 502. pell, Bp 200 Order V. ACCIPITRES 263 Family I. Falconid.e 263 Genus I. Falco ... 266 503. minor, Bp 268 504. biamicus, Temm 269 505. subbuteo, Linn 272 506. cvMier'x, Smith 273 507. ruficoUis, Sivains 274 Genus II. Tinnunculus 275 508. rupicolus (Z)a«(Z.) 276 509. rupicoloides(S"u7/t) 279 510. naumanni (Fleisch) 280 511. vespertinus (Linn.) 282 512. amurensis (Radde) 284 513. dickinsoni (ScZ.) 285 Genus III. Baza 286 514. verreauxi [Lafr.) 287 Genus IV. Poliohierax 288 515. semitorquatus(S»ti7/() 289 Genus V. Aquila 291 516. verreauxi, Less 292 517. rapax(Tcmw.) 294 518. wablbergi, Sund 296 Genus VI. Eutolmaetus 298 519. pennatus (G^HcL) 298 520. spilogaster (i^iJ.) 299 521. bellicosus(Z)fmfZ.) 301 Genus VII. Spizaetus 303 522. coronatus (Linn.) 304 Genus VIII. Lophoaetus 307 523. occipitalis (£)f«td) 307 Genus IX. Haliaetus 309 524. vocifer (DaMfZ.) 310 SYSTEMATIC INDEX PAGE Oenus X. Helotarsus 314 525. ecaudatus (Dawd ) 314 Genus XI. Gypohierax 318 52G. angoleusis (G»ic^.) 318 Genus XII. Gypaetus 320 527. ossifragus(Sat)i<7.) 320 Genus XIII. Circaetus 322 528. pectoralis, Smith 324 529. fasciolatus, Gray 326 Genus XIV. Asturiuula 327 630. monogrammica {Tenmi.) ... 327 Genus XV. Buteo 329 531. ]a.ka.l (Dated.) 330 532. augur, Riiijp 333 533. desevtovum (Grill) 333 Genus XVI. Milvus 335 584. segyptius (G7»eZ.) 336 535. korschun (Gmcl.) 338 Genus XVII. Elanus 339 536. ca3ruleus(Z)es/.) 339 Genus XVIII. Machserhamphus... 344 537. anderssoni (Gum.) 344 Genus XIX. Pernis 345 538. apivorus (Lwm.) 346 Genus XX. Accipiter 347 539. minullus (Daurf.) 348 540. rufi ventris, 5'»ii^/i 350 541. ovampensis, Gzirney 352 542. melauoleucus, Smith 353 Genus XXI. Astur 354 543. tachiro (Da«tZ.) ,356 544. polyzonoides (S»iii/j) 358 Genus XXII. Melierax 360 545. c&noms (Risl.) 361 546. mechowi Ca6 363 PAGE 547. ga.hav (Daiid.) 364 548. niger (Bonyi. & Vieill.) 366 Genus XXIII. Circus 366 549. cineraceus (Moni.) 368 550. macrurus (Cr7ueL) 370 551. maurus (Temm.) 372 552. Eeruginosus (Linn.) 374 553. mmwoxwa (Daud.) 374 Genus XXIV. Polyboroides 379 554. typicus, Smith 380 Family II. Vulturid.e 382 Genus I. Gyps 383 555. koVoii (Daiid.) 383 556. rueppelli (i3re7i77i) 386 Genus II. Pseudogyps 388 557. africanus (Salvad.) 388 Genus III. Otogyps 389 558. auricularis (Datul.) 389 Genus IV. Lophogyps 391 559. occipitalis (Btirch.) 391 Genus V. Neophron 393 560. percnopterus (Li)in.) 394 Genus VI. Necrosyrtes 396 561. ^ilesitas (Burch.) 397 Family III. Pandionid^ 398 Genus I. Pandion 399 562. haliactus (Lvm.) 400 Family IV. Serpentariid.e 402 Genus I. Serpentarius 402 563. secretarius (Sco^J.) 402 THE FAUNA OF SOUTH AFRICA. AYES. Order II. PICARIiE. The order Picariae contains a number of well-marked families, most of them separable by clearly-defined characters, whereas ifc is almost impossible at present to give a clear and definite diagnosis of the order itself. The members of this order agree with those of the Passeres, in that the young are hatched naked and helpless, and do not usually pass through a downy stage, and in that the toes are not webbed to any extent and are all placed on the same level. On the other hand, they differ from the Passeres in having a desmognathous palate (except the Woodpeckers and Swifts), and in having the deep plantar tendons connected by a vinculum. The following drawings are given to illustrate some of the more important anatomical characters used in separating the orders and families of birds, most of which are due to the genius of Nitsch, Huxley and Garrod. I. — The Pterylosis or arrangement of feathers on the hind neck and back. This, as a rule, consists of a median row of feathers separated by two parallel bare tracts running on either side. This arrangement holds good in the case of all Picarians, except the Hornbills. When this line of feathers is defined on the neck it may be forked on the upper back or on the lower back, or not forked at all (fig. 1, p. 2). II. — The variations in the arrangement of the deep plantar tendons in the tarso-metatarsus were first noticed by Garrod ; we may distinguish six modifications of these. (a) Passerine, in which the flexor perforans digitorum splits into three to supply the second, third and fourth toes, while the flexor longus hallucis supplies the hallux only, and is quite free from the other tendon (fig. 2a, p. 2.) 1 ' VOL. III. 2 PICAEI^ (b) Galiine, in which the flexor perforans dicjitorum supphes the second, third and fourth toes as before, while the flexor longus hallucis is connected with it by a vinculum and supplies the hallux only, or any one or more of the other digits as well (fig. 26). d'or\al necJc-tract. JorA: ofnec/c-r7acr. .fpinal-tract. Fig. 1. — Diagram of a Pigeon, with the feathers removed to how the arrangement of the feather tracts (after Nitsch). j/.d ^^^ -\V ///-"^/^Al ^•"^• Fig. 2 —Diagram of the modifications of the deep plantar tendons of the feet of birds : fU%, flexor longus halhicis ; fpd, flexor perforans digitorum ; a, Passerine ; b, Galiine ; c, Trogonine ; d, Picine ; e, Coraciine ; /, Upupiue. (c) Trogonine, in which the flexor perforans digitorum supplies the third and fourth toes only, the flexor longus hallucis leads to the first and second, and is also connected with the flexor perforans digitorum (fig. 2c). PICARI^ (d) Picine, in which the flexor perforans digitorum leads to the third digit only, and the flexor longus hallncls supplies the first, second and fourth digits, and is also connected with the flexor 2)erforaus digitorum (fig. ScZ). Fig. 3. — Base of the skull of CorvuUur albicollis showing the aegithognathous arrangement of the palate-bones : vo, vomer ; viaj), maxillo-palatines ; lac, lacry- mal ; pa, palatine ; spli.r, sphenoidal rostrum ; b.splt,, basi-sphenoid ; ^oig, pterygoid ; q, quadrate. (e) Coraciine, in which the two tendons are coalesced ; the flexor perforans digitorum supplies either the first, second and third, or all four digits ; the flexor longus hallucis supplies either the third and fourth, or second, third and fourth digits (fig. 2e). if) Upupine, — The flexor longus hallucis joins the head of the PICARIiE flexor perforans cligitorum which supplies the third toe ; so that while the fourth and second toes are supplied by the flexor perforans digitormn, and the first by the flexor longus halkicis, the third is supphed by a twig from both tendons (fig. 2/). pa- 6.s/^^ Fig. 4.— Base of the skall of Grus pavoiiia, showing the schizognathous arrangement of palate-bones: vo, vomer: mxiJ, maxillo-palatines; ^J^, pala- tine ; spli.r, sphenoidal rostrum ; 2^iUj pterygoid ; b.sph, basi-sphenoid. III.— The oil gland is situated on the dorsal side of the tail of the bird just at the root of the tail feathers ; it may be present or absent, and if present it may be surrounded by a tuft of feathers or nude. PICAIU^ IV. — The caeca are two little blind tubes springiug from the intestine at the commencement of the rectum or hinder part of the gut. In a broad way they are best developed in purely herbivorous birds, and small or short in meat- and fruit-eaters ; sometimes they are entirely absent. Fig. 5.— Base of the skull of Scrpentarius secretarius, showing the desmo- gnathous arrangement of the palate bones, the maxillo-palatines being coalesced across the middle line: jur^), maxillo-palatines; ^ja, palatine : si37t.r,_sphenoidal rostrum; ^j^g^, pterygoid; h.ptg.pr, basi-pterygoid process of the basi- sphenoid ; h.sph, basi-spheuoid. v.— Huxley first pointed out the value of the arrangement of bones of the palate as an important character in classification. He distinguished four types of modifications as follows : — b PICARI^ (a) Aegitliognathous. — Maxillo-palatines not coalesced with each other across the middle line of the palate ; vomer broad and truncated in front (fig. 3, p. 3). [h) Schizognatlious. — Maxillo-palatines not coalesced with each other across the middle line of the palate ; vomer narrow and more or less pointed in front (fig. 4, p. 4). 6.p^.for, Fig. 6. — Base of the skull of Cathartes aura, showing the second type of desmognathous arrangement of the palate bones, the maxillo-palatines being united below the ossified nasal septum : mxj), maxillo-palatines ; la, lacrymal ; spli.r sphenoidal rostrumT 2'«, palatine; hptg.pr, basi-pterygoid process of the basi-sphenoid ; ptg, pterygoid. (c) Desmognathous. — Maxillo-palatines either coalesced across the middle line or united by an ossified nasal septum ; vomer often absent (figs. 5 and 6, pp. 5, 6). {cl) Dromceognatlious. — Vomer expanded behind so as to prevent the palatines from articulating with the rostrum of the basi- sphenoid (fig. 7, p. 7). VI. — The presence or absence]of the basi-pterygoid processes on PICARI^ 7 the basi- sphenoid or upon its rostrum, which articulates with facets .on the pterygoids, is a character of considerable value in the diagnosis of certain groups of birds (fig. 5, p. 5). VJI. — Mr. Garrod laid great stress on the presence or absence of five muscles in the thigh of birds ; although subsequent research bro. Fig. 7. —Base of the skull of Dromceus, showing the dromseoguathous arrangement of the palate bones : vo, vomer ; lac, lacrymal ; sph.r, sphenoidal rostrum; pa, palatine; pfg, pterygoid; b.sph, basi-sphenoid ; g, quadrate; b.ptg.pro, basi-pterygoid process of the basi-sphenoid. has shown that this character is not one of primary value, yet it is still a useful one. These muscles are the ambiens, femoro-caudal, accessory femoro-caudal, semitendinosus and accessory semitendinosus. 8 PICAEI^ Key of the Families. (In this key, which is iQtended only for the easy recognition of the position of any particular unknown bird, only the external and easily recognisable characters are used. For the full anatomical details recourse must be had to the descriptions of each family.) A. Feet with three toes forwardly, the first or hallux backwardly directed. a. The third and fourth toes united along their basal joint at least (sjai- dactylous). «.'. With ten tail-feathers. ft'. Under wing-coverts normal ; tarsus scutellated posteriorly. n^. Head crested Ux>itpidcp,\).9. h^. Head without crest Irrisoridce, p. 13. b-. Under wing-coverts not covering the quills below ; posterior aspect of tarsus covered with small scales Bucerotidce, p. 100. ?/. With twelve tail-feathers. a-. Bill long, slender and curved ; ten primaries MeropidcB, p. 55. v. Bill long, but stout and straight ; eleven primaries Alcedinidce, p. 71. b. The third and fourth toes only united by a slight web not extending as far as the first joint ; claw of the middle toe pectinated Caj^rimitlgidce, p. 31. c. The third and fourtli toes quite free from one anotlier ; fourth toe reversible at will. «.'. With twelve tail-feathers Coraciidcs, p. 45. b\ With ten tail-feathers Mitsojjhagidce, p. 212. B. Feet with all four toes forwardly di- rected (pamprodactylous). a. Bill very small with wide gape ; secondaries very short and less than nine in number CijpselidcB, p. 19. b. Bill short and finch-like ; secondaries normal, more than nine in number Coliidce, p. 93. ' C. Feet with third and fourth toes for- wardly, first and second backwardly directed (lieterodactylous) Trogo7iidcB, p. 120. D. Feet witli second and third forwardly, first and fourth backwardly directed (zygodactylous). UPUPID.E UPUPA 9 a. With twelve tail-feathers. rt '. Ten primaries, the first short about half length of wing Picidcr, p. 124. h\ Nine primaries, the first nearly as long as the following ones Indicator idee (except Proto- discus), p. 144. h. With ten tail-feathers. a\ With ten primaries. a-. Rictal and chin bristles well developed Capitonidce, p. 156. 6'. Rictal and chin bristles not con- spicuous Cticulidce, p. 172. i'. With nine primaries, the first as long as the succeeding ones Protodiscus (Indicatoridce), p. 155. Suborder I. UPUP^. Toes somewhat syndactyle ; deep plantar tendons not free from one another as generally stated, but a slip of the posterior tendon, i.e., the flexoj- longus hallucis, joins the branch of the flexor perforans digitorum which supplies the third toe, so that while the fourth and second toes are supplied by the flexor j^erforans digitorum alone and the first toe by the flexor longus hallucis, the third toe is supplied by a twig from both tendons (fig. 2/, p. 2) ; palate desmognathous ; dorsal feather-tract defined on the neck, forked on the upper neck (fig. 1, p. 2) ; oil gland tufted ; caeca absent ; no ambiens or femoro-caudal muscles. Family I. UPUPID^. This family contains only a single genus, the characters of which ai'e given below. Genus I. UPUPA. Type. Upupa, Linn. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. i, p. 183 (1766) U. epops. Bill long and slender, curved from the base to the tip ; tongue very short ; nostrils rounded and widely open, placed nearer the culmen than the edge of the mandible ; head crested ; wings rounded 10 upupiD^ uruPA with ten primaries, the first about half the length of the second, the third, fourth and fifth the longest ; tail square, of ten feathers, shorter than the wings ; tarsus short, scubillated behind as in the larks; plumage dull, without metallic gloss. Pig. 8. — Foot of U^pupa africana. x \. The Hoopoes form a well-marked family and genus, containing some five species distributed over Europe, Asia, and Africa ; only one species comes within our limits. 382. Upupa africana. South African Hoopoe. Upupa africana, Bechst. Kurze TJehers. iv, p. 172 (1811) ; Sharpe, ccl. LayanVsB. 8. Afr. pp. 134, 808 (1875-84) ; Barratt, Ibis, 1876, p. 198 ; Ayres, Ibis, 1879, p. 294 [Rustenburg] ; Butler, Feilden, and Beid, Zool. 1882, p. 207 ; Holuh d Pclzeln, Orn. Siid-Afr. p. 70 (1882) ; Symonds, Ibis, 1887, p. 328 ; Salvin, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 14 (1892) ; Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 112 (1896) ; Bendall, Ibis, 1896, p. 167 [Barberton] ; Soiverby, Ibis, 1898, p. 571 [Ft. Chiquaqua] ; Wood- ward Bros. Natal B. p. 81 (1899) ; Alexander, Ibis, 1900, p. 99 [Zambesi] ; Marshall, Ibis, 1900, p. 244 [Salisbury] ; Ivy, Ibis, 1901, p. 20. Upupa minor, Shaw, Genl. Zool. viii, p. 139 (1812) ; Jardine a?id Selby, III. Orn. pi. 142 (1839) ; Gurney, Ibis, 1865, p. 265 [Natal] ; Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 72 (1867) ; id. Ibis, 1868, p. 243 [Swellendam] ; Gurney, Andersson's B. Damaraland, p. 64 (1872). Description. Adult 7nale. — Head and back brick-red, the head with a long crest, the tips of the crest-feathers being black, the lower back and scapulars barred very pale brick-colour and black extending across the secondaries ; quills black, the innermost UPUPID^C UPUPA n primaries and outer secondaries with white bases forming a white patch on the wing, the inner secondaries edged with pale brick, lesser, median and greater coverts with black bases and white tips ; upper tail-coverts white with black tips ; tail-feathers black with a steel-blue gloss, with white bases just visible below the coverts, on the outer web of the outer feather the white is a little more extensive ; below, throat, breast and axillaries brick-red like the upper surface ; abdomen paler with a few darker streaks ; under tail- coverts white. Fig. 9. — Upitpaafricana, x \, Iris and bill dark brown ; legs grey-brown. Length (in flesh) 10-5 ; wing 5-20 ; tail 3-75 ; tarsus -80 ; culmen 2*0. The female is like the male, bat duller in colour and smaller in size, the brick-red fading into a dirty brown. Wing 5-0 ; tail 3-5 ; culmen 1-75. Distribution.— The South African Hoopoe is widely spread over South Africa from the neighbourhood of Cape Town where, how- ever, it is not common, and from Durban to the Zambesi. The 12 UPUPID^ UPUPA following are the chief recorded localities. In Cape Colony — the Cape, Swellendam, Knysna, Port Elizabeth, East London, Beaufort West, Middelburg and Gordonia divisions ; throughout Natal from Durban to Newcastle ; Kroonstad and Bloemfontein in the Orange River Colony ; Lydenburg, Rustenburg and Swaziland in the Transvaal ; Salisbury and the higher reaches of the Zambesi in Rhodesia, Bechuanaland and Damaraland. Beyond our limits it extends to Angola, Nyasaland and German and British east Africa. Habits. — The South African Hoopoe is easily distinguished from the well-known European bird by its completely black primary quills, those in the more familiar species are crossed by a band of white. Generally solitary or in pairs, it is sometimes seen in small flocks, especially about the time of migration. A favourite haunt is among the mimosa trees which line the banks of so many South African rivers ; here it can be heard sometimes with its well-known cry of "hoop hoop" or "poup poup," from which it derives its trivial name. When at rest the high crest is usually recumbent, but when excited it keeps on raising and lowering it. The Hoopoe feeds chiefly on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles and their grubs, in search of which it probes the damp ground with its long bill and scrutinises the crevices of rocks and trees. It is stated to be a very shy bird and difficult to approach. The South African Hoopoe appears to be migratory to a certain extent. Mr. Andersson stated that in Damaraland it is found only in the rainy season, i.e. (October to March) arriving in small flocks, which, however, soon disperse. In Mashonaland, too, Mr. Marshall states that they are found in small flocks in early spring, and finally Mr. Atmore notices that Hoopoes were to be found near Meiring's Poort (in the Oudtshoorn division of the Colony) between June and January only ; at present, however, it is not possible to give an exact account of their wanderings. Mr. L. Layard found this bird breeding at Grootevaders Bosch in the Swellendam division ; no nest was made but the eggs were laid on the mud used for cementing the stones of a rough wall. As in the case of the European bird the nest, or rather the place where the eggs were laid, was exceedingly foul and evil- smelling. Mr. Ivy informs me that these birds breed between October and January in the neighbourhood of Grahamstown, choosing a hollow tree or an ant heap in which to deposit their eggs, which are four to five in number. The eggs are very pale IRKISOKID^ 13 blue ovals, marked throughout with very fine indistinct pale brown mottlings, measuring 1-05 X 0-72. Mr. Millar, who has observed this bird nesting near Durban, states that when the eggs are first laid they are pale blue in colour, but that in two or three days they turn to a dirty white, which is certainly the colour of eggs preserved in collections. Fig. 10. —Tail of Irrisor viridis. Family II. IRRISORID^. Bill long, slender, and curved from base to tip ; tongue short ; nostrils elongated, with overhanging ledge, or operculum, half con- cealing the opening ; no crest ; wings rounded, with ten primaries; tail of ten feathers, wedge-shaped and much graduated, the central 14 IRKISORID^ IRKISOR feathers being a good deal longer than the wing ; tarsus as in the UjJupidcB, short and scaled posteriorly. The members of this small family are all confined to the Ethiopian Eegion Key of the Genera. a. Bill slightly curved, upper edge of nostril thickened Irrisor, p. 14. b. Bill strongly curved, upper edge of the nostril with a horny membrane Bhlnoiwinastus,'^.!!. Genus I. IRRISOR.* Type. Irrisor, Less. Traitc cVOrn. p. 239 (1831) I. viridis. Bill moderately arched ; nostrils open and slit- shaped, overhung by a thickened eave-like edge. Other characters as recorded above in the family diagnosis. This genus, which is confined to Africa, contains four species, only one of which is found within our limits. 383. Irrisor viridis. Kakelaar. Upupa viridis, A. A. H. Lichtenstein, Cat. rer. Nat. Hamh. p. 22 (1793). Promerops nioqueur, Lcvaill. Hint. Nat. Promerops, p. 8, pis. 1, 2, 3 (1807). Falcinellus erythrorhynchus {nee Lath.) Vieill. N. Diet. H. N. xviii, p. 163 (1819). Irrisor erythrorhynchus, Grill, K. Vet. Aliad. Hancll. Stochliohn, ii, no. 10, p. 40 (1858) [Knysna]; Gurney, Ibis, 1862, p. 27 [Natal]; * Mr. Ogilvie Grant has recently proposed to rearrange the species of this genus (Bull. B. O. C. xii, p. 36, 1901). He recognises three species in South Africa — I. erythrorhynchus found in west and north-east Africa, and extending to Natal : I. viridis also in Natal and the Colony : I. dama- rensis from Damaraland. They are distinguished by him as follows : — a. Back inetallic green. a'. Tail longer, 9 to 10 ins; white spot on the quills, 0-9 to 1*1 in width I. erythrorhynchus. W. Tail shorter, 7 to 8 ins ; white spot on the quills, about 0"5 in width I. viridis. b. Back sooty-black, with a purplish-bronze gloss ... I. damarensis. IRRISOEID^ IRRISOR 15 Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 72 (1867) ; id. Ibis, 1869, p. 364 ; Qurneij in Andersson's B. Daniaraland, p. 65 (1872) ; Sharpe, ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. pp. 137, 803 (1875-84) ; Ayres, Ibis, 1879, p, 294 [Rusten- burg]; Holub d PeU. Orn. Siid-Afrikas, p. 71 (1882); Shelley, Ibis, 1882, p. 245 [Umfuli river] ; W. Ayres, Ibis, 1887, p. 51 [Rovi Eancl] . Irrisor viridis, Salvin, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 17 (1892) ; Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 112 (1896); Sowerby, Ibis, 1898, p. 570 [Fort Chiquaqua] ; Woodward Bros. Natal Birds, p. 82 (1899) ; Alexander, Ibis, 1900, p. 99 [Zambesi river] ; Marshall, ibid. ip. 24:4 [Mashonaland] ; Ivy, Ibis, 1901, p. 20. " Kakelaar " {i.e., Chatterer) of Dutch ; " Hlebabafazi " of Natal Zulus (Woodward) ; " Inshlaza " of Matabele (Ayres). Description. Adult male. — Head, neck, upper back and scapulars glossy steel- green; lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts dark blue, with traces of gloss only on the upper tail-coverts ; wings Fig. 11. — Irrisor viridis, $. x |. steel-blue, a white spot on the inner webs of all the primaries, some of the greater coverts tipped with white, some of the median and lesser coverts tipped with coppery-red ; tail-feathers very strongly graduated, the two centre feathers steel-blue throughout, the next pair with a white spot on the outer web only, the others with white spots on both webs (fig. 10, p. 13) ; below, the throat and neck steel-blue, the breast and underside of the quills steel- green, the abdomen, flanks and under tail-coverts blue-black without steely gloss. Bill red ; iris very dark brown ; legs and feet red. Length about 130; wing 5-30; tail 6-30 to 9-00; tarsus 1-05; culmen 2-25. The adult female resembles the male but has a shorter and straighter bill ; culmen about 1-75. The young bird has a black bill and the head and back with a purple, coppery gloss, while the lower surface is black with hardly 16 IRRISORID^ IREISOR any gloss at all ; the distal half of the greater coverts are also entirely white and form a much more prominent alar speculum than in the adult ; the culmen is also shorter ; in the ease of a male nestling it measured 1-15, as against 2-2 in the adult. Distribution. — The Kakelaar is found only in the southern and eastern districts of the Colony from Knysna onwards to Stocken- stroom, Grahamstown and the Transkei. It seems fairly abundant throughout Natal, the Transvaal, Mashonaland, Bechuanaland, and Damaraland in suitable localities. The following are the chief recorded localities in Cape Colony — Knysna, Port Elizabeth, Alexandria, Albany, Stockenstroom, Peddie, East London and Port St. John's ; in Natal — Durban, Pinetown, Newcastle, and Zululand ; in the Transvaal — Swaziland, Lydenburg, Eustenburg and Potchef- stroom; in Khodesia — Tati, Umfuli river and Zambesi valley. Beyond South African limits this hoopoe extends to Angola on the west and to Nyasaland, German and British east Africa. Habits. — The Kakelaar is only found in forest and bush districts ; here in small parties of four to eight birds they are not uncommon, chiefly frequenting the highest trees, unceasingly hunt- ing the crevices of the bark for insects, especially cockroaches, which form their favourite food ; they creep about like Wood- peckers, and thus frequently wear away their tails against the rough bark. All observers are agreed that their loud and harsh- resounding chattering, which is constantly maintained, is very tiresome and disagreeable. The birds are restless, shy, and extremely wary, and also are endowed with an exceedingly disagreeable odour which proceeds from the bodies of the birds themselves, and is specially noticeable during the breeding season. Mr. Ivy informs me that in the neighbourhood of Grahamstown he has found the the Kakelaar occupying the deserted nest of a Woodpecker in a Yellow- wood tree {Podocarpus) , and that three blue eggs are laid. This is further confirmed by Mr. Millar, who writes as follows : — "This bird is generally distributed throughout Natal, and may be found in small family parties, their presence being indicated by a constant chattering. Towards the end of September, 1899, I observed a small party of three inspecting the entrance of a recently constructed Black-collared Barbet's [Lybius torquatus) nest, about 20 feet from the ground. Upon taking possession and peering into the hole, it was evidently decided that the entrance was too small, in consequence of which first one and then another started pecking away with the object of enlarging it ; this led me to think the birds IREISOBID^ EHINOPOMASTUS 17 had determined to oust the Barbet and commandeer the premises for themselves. During the next three weeks I paid several visits, but was not satisfied that incubation had commenced. On October 22 I carefully approached the nest ; the cock bird was on sentry and, as soon as I showed myself, flew off with chattering, warning the hen who popped her head out of the hole to ascertain the cause ; being unable, however, to see me she disappeared. After waiting some little time I climbed the tree and started cutting away the nest with an axe, but it was not until striking several blows that the hen flew out of the nest, which I found to contain two elongate eggs of a beautiful verditer, measuring 1-0 x 0-6. " The clutch presumably consists only of two eggs as they were slightly incubated, and instead of being pure white and round, as stated by Sharpe and Layard, they are verditer and distinctly elongate. The nest was not lined in any way. " Collectors might easily be mistaken in the identification of eggs, unless very careful, when taking them from holes in trees ; I have frequently noticed holes that are constructed by one species of bird, yet laid in by another, and even occasionally by both birds at one and the same time." Genus II. EHINOPOMASTUS. Type. Rhinopomastus, S^nith, Zool. Joum. iv, p. 2 (1828) E. cyanomelas. Bill very slender and much curved ; nostrils elongated and completely overhung by a horny membrane or operculum. Other characters as recorded above in the family diagnosis. This genus, containing three species, is confined to southern, central, and east Africa. Only one species is found in South Africa. 381. Rhinopomastus cyanomelas. Scimitar-hill. Le Promerops namaquois, Tenim. Cat. Syst. du Cahinef cVOrn. pp. 74, 217 (1807) ; Levaill. Hist. Nat. Prom. pis. 5, 6 (1807). Falcinellus cyanomelas, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xxviii, p. 165 (1819). Upupa purpurea, BurcJiell, Travels, i, p. 326 (1822). Rhinopomastus smithii, Jardine, Zool. Joum. iv, p. 1, pi. 1 (1828). Ehinopomastus cyanomelas, Sharpe, ed. Layard. s B. 8. Afr. pp. 138, 809 (1875-84) ; Barratt, Ibis, 1876, p. 199 [Marico] ; Butler, Feilden, and Beid, Zool. 1882, p. 207 [Ladysmith] ; W. Ayres, Ibis, 1887, 2 VOL. Ill, 18 IRRISOBID^ BHINOPOMASTUS p. 52 [Rovi Rand] ; Sijmo7i(h, Ihis, 1887, p. 328 [Kroonstad] ; Salvin, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 24 (1892) ; Shelley, B. Aft: i, p. 113 (1896) ; Soioerhy, Ibis, 1898, p. 570 [Ft. Chiquaqua] ; Woodivard Bros. Natal Birds, p. 82 (1899) ; Alexander, Ibis, 1900, p. 100 [Zambesi] ; Marshall, Ibis, p, 245 [Salisbury]. Irrisor cyanomelas, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 73 (1867) ; Gurney, Andersson's B. Datnaraland, p. 67 (1872) ; Buckley, Ibis, 1874, p. 366 [Bamangwato] ; Hokib d- Pelz. Orn. Siid-Afrikas, p. 71 (1882). Description. Adult male. — Crown and back glossy purple, wings of a bluer shade ; across the primaries a white bar, always on the inner web, usually on the outer web also of the inner primaries, some of the inner greater coverts with white tips ; tail indigo blue, strongly graduated, the outer two pairs of rectrices with white spots at the tip of the feather ; below black throughout with hardly any metallic gloss. Iris brown ; bill and legs almost black. Total length about 10'5 ; wing 4*4 ; tail 5-1 ; culmen 1-90 ; tarsus 0-70. Female similar to the male but with the tips of the primaries somewhat greyer and the throat somewhat browner. Young like the female but with the throat and chest quite brown. The amount of white on the wings and tail varies considerably with different individuals. A male from near Upington on the Orange river in the South African Museum has no white on the tail and wing-coverts at all. Distribution. — This bird only comes just as far south as the Orange Kiver Valley and is therefore not found in the greater part of the Colony. It is rare in Natal but 'commoner in Zululand, and from there is found throughout the country to the Zambesi. The following are the chief recorded localities : In Cape Colony — Colesberg, Griqualand "West (whence came Burchell's type of U. purpurea), Upington on the Orange river, and Kuruman ; Natal — Ladysmith and Eshowe ; Orange Eiver Colony — Kroonstad ; Transvaal — the Marico and Lydenburg districts ; Bechuanaland — Kanye and Lake Ngami ; Ehodesia — Tati, Fort Chiquaqua and Zambesi ; Great Namaqualand and Damaraland to the Okavango. Beyond our limits the Scimitar-bill has been obtained in Angola, Nyasaland and East Africa as far north as Kilimanjaro and and Lamu. Habits. — This bird seems to be somewhat a rare one throughout South Africa and has not attracted very much notice ; it is found CYPSELID^ 19 usually singly or in pairs and not in small parties like the Kakelaar, frequenting forest as well as thorn country, where it runs up and down the trunks and branches of the mimosas, somewhat like a Tree Creeper in search of insects and their larvae which form its food. Marshall states that it not infrequently descends to the ground in pursuit of its prey and that the stomachs of individuals examined by him contained diptera, reduviid bugs and occasionally cteniform spiders and wasps ; while Ayres obtained a female which was regaling itself on white ants as they were ascending the tree trunk. Like a tit it will creep head forwards down a perpendicular tree trunk, and will also cling beneath a branch examining flower- buds for insects. Its flight is more graceful and floating than that of its ally the Kakelaar ; and though most authors state that it is a silent bird, the Woodwards speak of it as noisy and chattering, and that it has a peculiar plaintive cooing note which can be heard at a great distance off and to which it sometimes gives utterance when perched on the top of a tree. Mr. Millar tells me that he once found the young of this bird in the hole of a tree where they had evidently nested ; but that he had never been able to find the eggs, probably in consequence of the wary nature of the bird. I know of no other observations on their nesting habits. Suborder 11. CYPSELI. Deep plantar tendons coraciine, i.e., hallux supplied by the flexor perforans digitorum ; palate aegithognathous or desmognathous ; dorsal feather tract defined on the neck forked on the upper back ; oil gland naked ; ambiens muscle absent. This suborder in addition to the Swifts and Goatsuckers includes a third family, the Humming birds {Trocliilidae) confined to the New World ; perhaps also the Frogmouths (Podargidae) from the Oriental and Austrahan regions, and the Oil-bird forming the family Steatornithidae from South America. Family I. CYPSELIDJE. Bill small and slightly hooked, gape very broad, wings long, the primaries ten in number being greatly developed and curved ; secondaries very short and less than nine in number ; humerus 20 CYPSELID^ very short; feet weak, small and usually pamprodactylous [i.e., all four toes anteriorly directed) ; tail of ten feathers only (this latter character an easily recognisable distinction from the Swallows with a tail always of twelve feathers) ; palate segithognathous, no Fig. 12. — Wing of Cypselus africamis. x \. Fig. 13. — Foot of Cypselus africanus. x t- caecan or semitendinosus muscle. The Swifts are all birds of strong flight and lay elongated white eggs in nests which are partly or wholly composed of the inspissated secretion of the salivary glands. The range of the family extends all over the world except the extreme northern and southern regions. Ke^j of the Genera. A. Tar sns feathered ; tail normal. a. All the toes directed forward at equal intervals Cyx:)selus, p. 21. h. Toes in pairs, the third and fourth outwards, the first and second inwards Tachornis, p. 28. B. Tarsus unfeathered ; tail with the shafts stiffened and projecting as spines beyond the webs of the feathers Clicetura,Y>- 29. CYPSELID.E CYPSELUS 21 Genus I. CYPSELUS. Type. Cypselus, Illig., Prodr. p. 229 (1811) C. apus. Tarsi feathered, outer and middle toes with three phalanges only ; all the toes directed forwards at equal intervals from one another, though the first or inner one is reversible at will ; toes unfeathered. Sexes alike. All the Swifts are birds of sombre plumage and of very powerful flight. As a rule the nests are made against rocks or buildings and built of feathers and other materials cemented together with saliva not with mud. This genus is distributed over the whole of the world except in the extreme north ; two species are found in South America but the Swift of North America is referred to another genus. Shelley recognises fifteen African species, several of which however, rest on somewhat uncertain evidence. Five South African forms are distinguished below. The names Apus and Micropus have been used for this genus, as having priority to Cypselus ; but there seems to be excellently valid reasons for ignoring both of them. Key of the Species. A. Larger, wing more than 6'0 ; back uniform. a. Abdomen and thi'oat white separated by a pectoral band C. afrlcanus, p. 21. b. Brown below, only a throat patch white. a'. Smaller, wing 6-6 to 6-7 C. ajnis, p. 23. 6'. Larger, wing 7'1 C. barbatiis, -p. 25. B. Smaller, wing less than 6'0 ; rump white. a. Tail deeply forked, difference between the inner and outer tail-feathers exceeding 1*0 C. caffer, p. 25. b. Tail nearly square, the difference between the outer and inner tail-feathers hardly per- ceptible C. affinis, p. 27. 385. Cypselus africanus. White-hellied S^uift. Le Martinet a gorge blanche, Levaillant, Ois. cVAfr. v, p. 143, pi. 243 (1806). Cypselus alpinus africanus, Temm. Man. d'Orn. p. 270 [note] (1815). Cypselus gutturalis, Vieill. N. Diet. H. N. xix, p. 422 (1818) ; Tristrmn, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 887 : Gtirney, Ibis, 1868, p. 460 [Natal] ; Laynrd, 22 CYPSELID^ CYPSELUS Ihis, 1869, p. 72 ; Gurneij in Anclersson's B. Damaraland, p. 46 (1872). Cypselus melba {nee Linn.), Grill, K. Vet. Ahad. Handl. ii, no. 10. p. 41 (1858) [Knysna and Oudtshoorn] ; Laijard, B. S. Afr. p. 50 (1867) ; Sharpe, ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. p. 95 (1875) ; Butler, Feilden, and Reld, Zoologist, 1882, p. 206. Micropus africauus, Hartert, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 410 (1892). Cypselus africanus, Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 105 (1896). Apus africanus, Hartert, Tierreich Podarc/. p. 84 (1896). Description. — General colour above, mouse-brown, a little darker on the wings and tail, lores nearly black ; below, a white patch on the throat and abdomen separated by a brown pectoral band ; sides of the body, under tail- and wing-coverts brown like the back. In some specimens the white feathers of the throat and abdomen have dark shaft lines. Iris dark brown ; bill black ; legs and feet brown. Fig. li.—Cyiischts africanus. x \. Length (in flesh) 8-0; wing 8-10; tail 3-40; culmen 0-40; tarsus 0'50. The sexes are alike ; the young birds have white edges to most of the brown feathers which gradually disappear. This bird is very closely allied to the Alpine Swift, from which it is stated to differ in its slightly smaller size (wing 8"1 against 8-45), its broader brown collar and its browner flanks. It will perhaps be best considered as a sub-species of the European bird. Distribution. — The White-bellied Swift is found all over south and east Africa in mountainous districts, extending as far north as Kilimanjaro, and perhaps into Shoa. In the Colony it is abundant, especially in Cape Town and on Table Mountain, where it arrives about August and stays till after Christmas ; it is also recorded from the Paarl in January, from Swellendam, Knysna in May (Victorin), Port Elizabeth and East CYPSELID^ CYPSELUS 23 London, and from near Upington on the Orange river in August ; Eeid describes it as visiting the north-west portion of Natal in considerable numbers, arriving there early in September, he also specially notes it from near Maritzburg in April and August. There is a specimen in the Pretoria museum shot close to that town in January, and in Damaraland Andersson obtained it at Otjimbinque in July and at Omaruru in November. Beyond our limits this species is recorded from Kilimanjaro and Shoa in southern Abyssinia. Habits. — The White-bellied Swift, even more than others of the same group, is a bird of very rapid flight and is seldom seen except in the immediate neighbourhood of mountains, where it probably returns not only to breed but also to roost. Like other Swifts its food consists entirely of insects, such as flies and beetles. Mr. Layard specially notices the fact that it has no note, if this is the case it shows a marked distinction from the Alpine Swift, the voice of which is stated to be louder than that of the smaller Common Swift. The evidence points to its breeding in South Africa, but is by no means perfect ; Levaillant originally stated that it built a nest among the rocks and laid four white eggs. Reid shot a female on the Incandu river in Natal on November 4, which contained enlarged eggs and appeared about to lay, while Dr. Stark in his diary, notes on November 1 : " Alpine and Common Swifts apparently breeding in the cracks of Bushman's Caves ; " these are situated on the Bushman's River pass between Basutoland and Natal 6,800 feet above the sea. Alpine Swifts are found in Central Europe only in summer, from April to September, when they breed ; during the northern winter they retire to the South. If the South African birds are those which have come from Europe, it seems unlikely that they would again breed in November in South Africa ; the probability therefore is that the European and South African birds are distinct races, the former spending the northern summer in Europe and visiting (October to March) Central /Vfrica, the latter spending the southern summer in South Africa, and visiting (from April to August) also Central Africa. 386. Cypselus apus. European Stvift. Hirundo apus, Lz?m. Sysf. Nat. i, p. 344 (1766). Cypselus apus (in part), Grill, K. Vet. Al-ad. Handl. ii, no. 10, p. 41 (1858) [Kuysna] ; Gum ey, Ibis, 1863, p. 321; Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 50 (1867) ; Sharqe, ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. p. 90 (1875) ; Ayres, 2i CYPSELID^ CYPSELUS Ihis, 1878, p. 407, 1880, p. 260 [Potchefstroom] ; Butler, Feilden, and Reid; Zool. 1882, p. 205 ; SheUey, Ibis, 1882, p. 242 [Mashonaland and Bechuanaland] ; Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 105 ; Woodward Bros. Natal B. p. 83 (1899) ; Marshall, Ibis, 1900, p. 245 [Mashonaland] . Micropus apus, Hartert, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 442 (1892). Apus apus, Hartert, Tierreich, Podarcj. p. 85 (1897). Description. Adult. — General colour above and below, brownish- black with a slight greenish gloss, especially in adult and newly killed examples ; crown a little paler ; chin and throat white, sometimes with slight indications of black shaft stripes ; under wing- and tail-coverts with slight indications of white edges to the feathers. Iris dark brown ; bill and legs black. Length about 7*0; wing 6-6 to 6-7; tail 3-20; tarsus -35; culmen 0-27. The young birds have white edges to most of the feathers and a whiter forehead. Distribution. — The European Swift is apparently found through- out South Africa during the southern summer months, arriving about August and .leaving in April. It has been constantly con- fused with Cypselus harhatus, a closely allied but resident species, so that it is difficult to give any details regarding its distribution. The Swifts so common in Cape ToW'U and the neighbourhood about which Layard has written, appear to be the resident Cape form, although not remaining in Cape Town throughout the year, and the only example referable to this species in the South African museum is one from the Orange river in the neighbourhood of Upington, while in the British Museum Catalogue a specimen is recorded from Matabeleland. The Common Swift is found throughout Europe and western Asia during the breeding season, and spends the winter in Africa and Madagascar. Habits. — Little has been noted about the habits of the Common Swift in South Africa, probably in this respect it does not differ from its close ally C. barbatus except that it does not breed in this country. In England it selects holes under the eaves of cottages, church towers, crevices in sea cliffs, and quarries, as sites for build- ing in ; the nest is made of a few bits of straw and grass glued together by a viscous secretion formed by the bird itself. It also frequently appropriates the dwellings of other birds such as martins and house sparrows. CYPSELID^ CYPSELUS 2o Two eggs, oval in shape, rough in texture, and dead-white in colour, are usually laid. Insects taken on the wing form the food of this bird, and the indigestible portions are rejected in the form of pellets. 387. Cypselus barbatus. Black Swift. Cypselus barbatus, P. L. Sclater, F. Z. S. 1865, p. 599; Tristram, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 887 ; Finsch, Trans. Zool. Soc. vii, p. 214 (1870) ; Gurneij, in Andersson's B. Damaraland, p. 47 (1872) ; ShcUcij, B. Afr. i, p. 105 (1896). Micropus barbatus, Harterf, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 447 (1892). Apus barbatus, Hartert, Tierreich, Fodarg. p. 86 (1897). (Many of tbe references to the preceding species probably partly or entirely refer to this present one). Description. Adult. — Closely resembling C. aims, but distin- guished by its somewhat larger size, its somewhat darker colour, and by the very conspicuous and well developed shaft lines on its somewhat dusky- white throat-patch. As a rule the feathers of the flanks and abdomen retain the white edgings found only in the young birds of the other allied species. Iris, bill, and legs black. Length about 7'5 ; wing 7-1 ; tail 3-0 ; tarsus 0-40 ; culmen 0-30. Distribution. — This bird, though very closely resembling the European species, appears to be resident in South Africa. It is certainly the l)ird alluded to by Layard as beiDg found round about Cape Town between August and April, as is shown by examples in the South African Museum. It appears, too, from the statements of Ayres and Reid, that a brown Swift is found all the year round in Natal; this is probably the present species, though it is quite possible that the European form may also co-exist with it.''' Habits. — Captain Eeid believes that this species breeds in the crevices of the rocky ravines near Newcastle, but he does not appear to have actually found the nests or eggs. In other respects this species does not differ from the European one. 388. Cypselus caffer. African White-rumpcd Sicift. Martinet t\ croupion blanc, Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. v, p. 146, pi. 244, fig. 1 (1806). Cypselus caffer, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 58 (1823) ; Grill, K. Vet. Akad. Handl. Stochh. ii, no. 10, p. 41 (1858) [Knysna and Oudtshoorn] ; * An example from Port St. John in Pondoland, shot in January, has recently been sent to the South African Museum. 26 CYPSELID^ CYPSELUS P. L. Sdater, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 600; Gurney, Ibis, 1865, p. 264 [Maritzburg] ; Layard, B. Afr. p. 51 (1867) ; Gurney, Ibis, 1868, pp. 50, 152 [Potchefstroom] ; Shelley, Ibis, 1875, p. 67 [Pinetown] ; Sharpe, ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. p. 92 (1875) ; Shelley, Ibis, 1882, p. 242 [Umfuli E.] ; Butler, Feilden, and Eeid, Zool. 1882, p. 206 [Newcastle]; Ayr es. Ibis, 1884, p. 222 [Potchefstroom]; Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 105 (1896). Micropus caffer, Hartert, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 450 (1892). Apus caffer tj'picus, Hartert, Tierrcich, Podarr/. p. 87 (1897). Description. Adult. — Above, head, wings, and tail ashy-black, some of the inner coverts and scapulars edged with almost pure white ; centre of the back, upper tail-coverts and below, black with a purplish-metallic gloss ; rump, chin, and throat white ; tail much forked, the lateral rectrices elongated and attenuated. Iris and bill black ; feet dusky. Length about 6'5 ; wing 5-70 ; tail, central feathers 1-80, lateral feathers 3*25 ; culmen 0-25 ; tarsus 0"35. Distribution. — This little Swift is found plentifully all over the Colony, Natal, and the southern Transvaal, but appears to become rare in Mashonaland, and is not included by Andersson among the birds found in Damaraland. Beyond our limits this bird is represented by a closely-allied species, only differing in its slightly smaller size, found in the mountains of Abyssinia and the Bogos country, and apparently wintering on the Congo. South African localities are : Cape Colony — Cape Division, October to January (S. A. Mus.), Stellenbosch, September (S. A. Mus.), Caledon, October (Bt. Mus.), George (Layard), Knysna and Oudtshoora (Victorin), Grahamstown, August (Layard), and Peddie, January (S. A. Mus.), Orange Eiver near Aliwal North (Whitehead) ; Natal — Umgeni near Durban, October to February (Millar), Pinetown (Shelley), Maritzburg, December (Ayres), Newcastle, October (Butler) ; Transvaal — Potchefstroom (Ayres) ; Ehodesia — Umfuli Eiver (Ayres). Habits. — This little Swift appears to be a partial migrant, being observed, as a rule, only during the summer (October to March) in its best known haunts, but more observations are required to determine its exact movements. It is a tamer and more domestic bird than most of its congeners, resting about houses and showing little or no fear of man. Its flight is not so rapid as is that of the Black Swift. This bird appears to appropriate for its own use the nest of a Swallow (usually Hirundo cucullata) under an eave or verandah, and drives off the rightful owner; four to five eggs are CYPSELID^ CYPSELUS 27 laid (Millar says only two) ; these are white, of an elongated and somewhat truncated shape ; they measure about 1-0 x 0*6. Mr. Millar sends me the following note: — "During the summer months, from October to February, these Swifts are plentiful on the Natal coast land, and may frequently be seen stealing the nests of the smaller Stripe-breasted Swallow {Hinuido puclla), but I have never yet noticed them building their own nests. On a cliff at Newlands on the Umgeni river, where the swallows largely con- gregate for nesting in October, dozens of these Swifts may be seen robbing the swallows of their nests." 389. Cypselus aflBnis. Indian Siuift. Cypselus atiinis, J. E. Gray and Hardwivlie, III. Ind. Zool. i, pi. 35, fig. 2 (1832) ; P. L. Sclater, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 603 ; Dresser, B. Eurojje, iv, p. 591, pi, 267 (1874) ; Sharpe, ed. Layard's B. Afr. p. 94 (1875) : Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 105 (1896). Micropus affinis, Hartert, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 453 (1892). Apus afiSnis, Hartert, Tierreich, Podarg. p. 8.7 (1897). Description. — " Tail very even ; head, wings, and tail dark brown with a slight metallic gloss ; back black with steel-blue gloss ; chin, throat, and a band across the wings, white. " Iris deep brown ; bill black ; feet brown. " Length 5-1 to 5-5 ; wing 5-0 to 5*4 ; lateral tail-feathers 1-6 to 1-9 " (Hartert). This is a rather variable species in both shade of colour and dimensions, but the variations do not seem to be geographical. Distribution. — The Indian Swift has only once been obtained in South Africa. This was some years ago by Mr. H. Jackson, at Nelspoort in the Beaufort West division of the Colony. Beyond our limits it appears to be found throughout the greater part of Africa including German east Africa, Abyssinia and Senegambia, and thence through Palestine and Persia to India and Ceylon. Habits. — Mr. Jackson found this Swift breeding in the neigh- bourhood of Nelspoort ; the nests were composed of feathers agglu- tinated together, and were found in clusters fixed to rocks, and this variation from the habits of the previous species led him to think that the present bird was distinct. Mr. Blanford states that in India " this Swift is highly gregarious, and is commonly seen about old buildings and in towns. Its flight is similar to that of C. apus, but less powerful and its call shriller. Its nest consists of feathers, grass, or straw, cemented with saliva. Generally several 28 CYPSELID^ TACHOKNIS are found clustered together. It also sometimes (like C. caffer) lays its eggs in deserted swallow's nests. The eggs, generally three in number, are white, not glossy, long ovals, measuring 0-87 X 0-57." Genus II. TACHORNIS. Tachornis, Gosse, B. Jamaica, p. 58, pi. 9 (1847) ...T. phoenicobia. The birds of this genus differ from the true Swifts in having the toes in pairs, although still all pointing forwards, the first and second form an inner pair, the third and fourth an outer ; toes unfeathered, size small. The nests are always attached to the Fig. 15. — Foot of Tachornis parva. x t- leaves of palms or, where palms are used for thatching, to the roofs of such huts. The genus is spread over Africa, southern Asia as far as Java and China, and the West India Islands. One species, with a race recognised as a sub-species, is found in Africa and described below. 390. Tachornis parva. Palm Sivift. Cypselus parvus, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 58 (1823) ; P. L. Sclater, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 601 ; Gurney in Andersson's B. Damaraland, p. 48 (1872) ; Sliarpe, ed. Laijard's B. S. Afr. p. 94 (1875). Cypselus ambrosiacus, Temm. PI. Col. 460, fig. 2 (1828). Tachornis parva, Hartert, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 463 (1892) ; Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 107 (1896) ; Hartert, Tierreich, Podarg. p. 81 (1897) ; Alexa7idcr, Ibis, 1900, p. 93 [Zambesi Eiver]. Description. Adult. — Above and below, mouse-coloured, slightly darker on the wings and tail, which have traces of greenish-metallic gloss ; chin and throat paler than the rest of the under parts with darker shaft lines; tail much forked, the outer rectrices considerably produced and attenuated. Iris dark brown ; bill black ; legs and feet brown. Length about 7'0 ; wing 5'30 ; tail, central feathers 1"50, lateral feathers 3-80; culmen 0-20 ; tarsus 0-40. In the young bird the throat is uniform and all the feathers especially those of the upper surface have rusty edges. CYPSELIDJE CH53TURA 29 The tail varies a good deal in length. Distribution. — -The type of this species was obtained in Nubia ; it is spread over Africa to Senegambia in the west and through east Africa as far south as the Zambesi and Damaraland, A somewhat darker form separated as a sub-species (T. gracilis) extends over the wooded districts of west Africa and is also found in Madagascar. Within our limits the Palm Swift has been obtained at Ondonga and Ovaquenyama in Damaraland by Andersson, and on the Zambesi near Senna by Alexander. Habits. — This Palm Swift like the other species of the genus is nearly always associated with palm trees. Alexander found a colony of them on the Zambesi ; they had taken possession of the palm trees, which grew near a village, around which they flew incessantly. Heuglin (Orn. N. 0. Afr. p. 145), gives a good account of the habits of this bird in the upper Nile valley ; he states that they build their nests in the leaf sheaths or against the folds of the downward hanging leaves of the " Dom " palms {Hypliene thebaica). The nest is composed of wool and feathers held together by a sticky secretion probably provided by the bird itself from its salivary glands. They are untidy looking objects and sway about in the wind ; the cup of the nest is not very deep and it is difficult to understand how the eggs are prevented from tumbling out. Brehm suggests that they are glued by the secretion to the nest ; the eggs are two in number, cylindrical in shape, rough in texture and of a yellowish-white colour. In their other habits they resemble other Swifts but they appear to be non-migratory birds. Genus III. CHiETURA. Type. Chsetura, Stephens, Gen. Zool. xiii, pt. 2, p. 76 (1826) ...C. pelagica. Tarsi as long as the middle toe and claw, and unfeathered ; the outer and middle toes with the normal number of phalanges ; the toes arranged as in Cypselus with regular intervals ; tail short and even, the shafts of the feathers strongly stiffened and projecting beyond the webs as prominent spinous points ; wings extending far beyond the tail. The Spine-tails are widely spread from Amoor-Land throughout Asia except in the west, Australia, Tropical Africa and the whole of America; one species just enters our limits on the Zambesi. 30 CYPSELID^ CH^TUKA 391. Chaetura stictilsema. Beichenoiv's Spine-tail. Cypselus stictilsemus, Beiclienow, Orn. Centralbl. 1879, p. 114. Chaetura stictilaema, Hartert, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 492 (1892) ; Eeichenoiv, Voff. D. Ost-Afr. p. 142, fig. 66 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 104 (1896) ; Alexander, Ibis, 1900, p. 93 [Zambesi]. Description. — General colour dark brown, a white band across the rump above and the abdomen below, separated from one another by the dark coloured sides of the body ; chin and throat dull white with dark brown edges to the feathers; primaries, secondaries and rectrices narrowly margined with white, often not very obvious when the plumage is abraded. " Iris black ; bill, legs, and feet black. Fig. 16. — Tail of Chcpinra sticHlcpma. " Length in the llesh 5-5 ; wing 5-7 ; culmen 0-3." (Alexander.) This bird can be at once recognised by the shafts of the tail feathers, which are very stiff and produced into perceptible prominent spinous points. Distrihution. — The type of this species was obtained at Ualimi in Useguha, a district in German east Africa, by Dr. Fischer. The bird has also been noticed near Mombasa. Eecently an example has been shot by Capt. Alexander near Zumbo on the Zambesi. Habits. — Capt. Alexander states as follows: — "Only once ob- served near Zumbo, on November 8, when a small party of six birds appeared and remained in the vicinity for two days, leaving again on the third day. The flight is remarkably powerful, while at the same time the rump is very conspicuous." Mr. Blanford, speaking of the Indian species, states that he believes the Spine-tails are absolutely the swiftest of living birds ; they far exceed the other Swifts in this respect. They are usually seen in small flocks and CAPEIMULGID^ CAPRIMULQUS 31 roost and breed, so far as is known, among rocks ; the eggs are white and devoid of gloss. Family II. CAPRIMULaiDiE. Bill short, weak and flexible ; gape very wide ; nostrils tubular ; wings long, the second quill usually the longest ; three toes anteriorly directed, the claw of the middle toe usually pectinated on the inside ; fourth or outer claw with only four phalanges ; plumage soft and generally finely mottled. Palate schizognathous ; skull with basipterygoid processes. The Nightjars are spread over most of the tropical and temperate regions of the world. Key of the Genera, a. None of the wing-feathers elongated ; first pnmary shorter than the second Caprimidgus, p. 31. h. Nmth primary enormously elongated in the breeding male ; first primary longer than the second Cosmefornis, p. 42. Genus I. CAPRIMULGUS. Type. Caprimulgus, Limi. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. i, p. 346 (1766) C. europseus. A row of very strong rictal bristles along the edge of the upper mandible; no feathers of the wing or tail unduly elongated; wing long and pointed, first primary slightly shorter than the second and I Fig. 17. — Foot of Caprimulgus europaius. third, which are the longest; tail slightly rounded; tarsus usually feathered to a certain extent in front ; claw of the middle toe strongly toothed along the inner edge ; no powder down patches. 32 CAPRIMULGID^ CAPRIMULGUS Plumage of various shades of brown and white, with somewhat varying marldngs even in the same species. Sexes usually distinct, the males being characterised by white spots on the primaries and by white tips to the outer tail-feathers. This genus is spread all over the world, except in the polar regions. Twenty-one African species are recognised by Shelley, seven of which are found within our limits. Key of the S-pecies. A. Tips of the outer tail-feathers white. a. Outer web of the outer tail-featliers not white or pale brick, a'. Scapulars obviously different from the back and rump by their dark centres and buff margins. o?. No trace of a rufous collar on the hind neck, the three outer wing-quills only, with white spots C. europcpiis, <^ , p. 82. Ir. A distinct rufous collar on the bind neck ; the four outer wing-quills with large white or pale brick spots. a^. Blackish above ; collar very narrow C.jyectoraUs,