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Show 1866.] DR. H. DOHRN ON THE BIRDS OF PRINCE'S ISLAND. 329 Young males are very much like the females; but as soon as the bill is full-grown it is much darker than that of the other sex, and from that moment they begin to change in plumage. They are very zealous for the multiplication of their race ; I observed them building nests and hatching in May and again in June, and I conclude from my specimens that they are also occupied with the propagation of their family in February. Their nest is always attached to the end of long and thin branches, or leaves of a palm tree. It forms a cone, 15 to 18 inches long and about 9 or 10 inches in diameter at the base ; the small aperture is underneath, and just large enough for the old bird. It is very thick, and constructed of a flat kind of grass in such a manner that not a drop of rain can pass through the roof. The eggs are two in number, light blue. 16. FOUDIA ERYTHROPS, Hartl. Swarms of from thirty to eighty specimens of this widely spread species are common. They usually live together with 17. AMADINA CUCULLATA, Swains. This species hatches from May to July; builds a large nest between the branches of small trees, 6-8 inches in diameter and 5-6 inches deep ; the eggs (four to seven in number) are white, very oblong, of the size of the eggs of Sylvia trochiloides. 18. PSITTACUS ERYTHACUS, L. Exceedingly common ; usually flying about in odd numbers, sometimes three or five together. When in town I observed them daily about half an hour before sunset crossing the northern part of the island in a southern direction ; and early before sunrise they used to return to the northern district, I do not know for what purpose, \ large quantities of food as well as of trees, well fitted for sleeping-places, being in every part of the island. 19. PSITTACULA PULLARIA, L. Said to occur on the island. I never observed it. 20. CHRYSOCOCCYX SMARAGDINEUS, Swains. These birds live during the dry season (from April to September) in the southern mountainous parts. They vary in size and in the colour of the tail. It seems to me that C. intermedins, Verr., is not different from this species. Their name in San Thome and Principe is " Sobo." 21. TRERON CALVA, Temm. Very common all over the island. Hatches in September. The young bird exhibits no remarkable difference. The iris of this species is light blue. 22. COLUMBA CHLOROPH^EA, Hartl., n. sp. Supra obscure nigricanti-virescens, nit ore viridi; nucha, collo PROC. ZOOL. Soc -1866, No. XXII. |
