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Show 1866.] DR. H. D O H R N ON THE BIRDS OF PRINCE'S ISLAND. 325 of the latter place and of San Thome' assert that there is a deadly hatred between the Grey Parrots (Psittacus erythacus) of Principe and the Kites of San Thome', and that, if ever a Milvus visits the neighbouring island, hundreds of Parrots fall upon him and kill him, and that the Kites take revenge if perchance a Parrot should venture a trip to their kingdom. There must be some family reason for this strange degree of enmity, for they seem to live in tolerable peace together on the coast. I observed and collected the following birds :- 1. CYPSELUS ABYSSINICUS, Licht. Common in the neighbourhood of the town. 2. COTYLE EQUES, Hartlaub, n. sp.* Notaro toto cum alis et cauda fuscis ; tectricibus caudar superiori-bus pallidioribus : subtus alba, abdomine subflavescente; fascia pectorali lata dorso concolore; subalaribus albidis; rectrice extirna pallida, apice late albo, macula pogonii interni brunnea notato; rostro nigricante, pedibus plumbeis; iride nigra. Long, circa 0*14, rostr. a fr. 0'09, alae 012, caudae 006, tars. 0-013 m. Very rare; I saw only a few specimens near the sea-shore, and got one female for my collection. 3. HALCYON DRYAS, Hartlaub. The manner of life of this bird reminded me of our Owls. I often observed them in the daytime sitting motionless on a branch, as if they were fast asleep;, in dark shady localities. The small birds strongly dislike them ; I suppose that sometimes their children are not refused by the Halcyones for a meal. As soon as they are discovered in their retreat, lots of Nectarinear, Zosteropes, &c, are around them and amuse themselves with abusing them ; finally the Halcyon leaves the place with a short shrieking outcry. If not annoyed, he has a soft melancholic tune, which sometimes appeared to me like soft and weeping cries of a child. They usually feed upon big insects ; and I found often in their stomach pieces of snails, especially of Columna flammea. They live in the woods, in the neighbourhood of small streams. Their name on the island is " Chocho." 4. ALCEDO CJERULEOCEPHALA, Gmel. Common on the shore ; in a few instances I saw single specimens flying about in the interior of the island. The colour of the young bird is little different from that of old specimens; the bill is black, and the white spots on the throat and on the sides of the neck are very small. This species is as lively as H. dryas is indolent. The native name is "Pica-peixe." * Dr. Hartlaub, our first authority for African birds, has had the kindness to send m e descriptions of the new species which I collected.-H. D. |