xxix-report on the lowe-waldron expeditions to the ashanti forests and northern territories of the...

1937.1 Expeditions to the Ashanti Forests and Gold Coast. 635,

XXIX-Report on the Lowe- Waldron Expeditions to the Ashanti Forests and Northern Territories of the Gold Coast.- Part 1I.t By WILLOUGHBY P. LOWE, M.B.O.U.

Cuculus canorus gularis. Coll. no. 114, 9 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 11. i. 34 ; 174, 9 ad.,

Wenchi, Ashanti, 16. i. 34 ; no. 177, 3 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 18. i. 34 ; no. 183, 3 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 19. i. 34 ; no. 627, ? imm., Goaso, Ashanti, 29. xii. 34 ; no. *586, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 16. xii. 34 ; no. *659, 6, Wenchi, Ashanti, 1. i. 35.

Thc immature specimen of the African Yellow-billed Cuckoo, no. 627, was seen daily in the garden perched in flamboyant trees, constantly flying down to catch insects on the lawn. One of the commonest Cuckoos; no. 183 would soon have been in breeding condition.

Clamator afer. Coll. no. 140, 3 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 13. i. 34; no. 261,

8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 28. i. 34 ; no. 3 0 8 , s ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 3. ii. 34 ; no. 433, 9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 15. ii. 34 ; no. *858, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 5. ii. 35.

Levaillant's Cuckoo is abundant and present everywhere in the savannah ; it also occurs in open clearings amidst the forest. The r;! taken on 15 February had nearly finished laying. At this season of the year they were frequently met with in pairs, feeding on locusts in the cassava fields.

Chrysococcyx cupreus cupreus. Coll. no. 650, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 28. xii. 34 ; no. "1042, 9,

Mampong, Ashanti, 18. ii. 35. The lovely Emerald Cuckoos were seen on several occasions.

The females were both obtained in thick forest undergrowth, whilst several brilliant males were found in the tops of tall trees. On one occasion a male flew out into a clearing, which made an unforgettable sight with the brilliant sun shining directly on it.

t For Part I. see Ibis, 1937, pp. 345-368.

636 Mr. W. P. Lowe : Lowe- Waldron Expditiom to [Ibis,

Lampromorpha caprius. Coll. no. 172, $2 imm., Wenchi, Ashanti, 16. i. 34 ; no. *641,

We found the Didric Cuckoo almost daily in the forest 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 27. xii. 34.

and bush country.

Lampromorpha klaasi. Coll. no. 361, $ ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 7. ii. 34 ; no. 407,

$2 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 12. ii. 34; no. 413, 8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 13. ii. 34; no. 805, 9, Ejura, Ashanti, 28. i. 35; no. *628, 3, Goaso, Ashanti, 25. i. 34.

I consider that Klaas’a Cuckoo is the most abundant of the metallic species. These two females showed no signs of breeding.

Centropus leucogaster leucogaster. Coll. no. *584, 9 ?, Goaso, Ashanti, 15. xii. 34. The Great Coucal is probably a common bird, but w0

met with it only once in the forest.

Centropus senegalensis senegalensis. Coll. no. 79, Wenchi, Ashanti, 8. i. 34. We found the Senegal Coucal very common in the Northern

Territories of the Gold Coast, but always near water.

Ceuthmochares areus flavirostris. Coll. no. 103, $, Ejura, Ashanti, 12. ii. 34; no. 943, 9,

Mampong, Ashanti, 10. ii. 35 ; no. *1069, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 35.

The Senegal Green CoucaI was seldom seen, but probably overlooked in the green creepers, where it spends its time.

Turacus persa persa. Coll. no. 221, sex? Ejura, Ashanti, 24. ii. 34; no. 404,

9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 12. ii. 34 ; no. 106, 9 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 10. i. 34; no. *909, $2 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 8. ii. 35.

We found the Guinea, Touraco only in the large forest and gallery forests. Here they were very plentiful, constantly calling after the Clock-bird manner.

1937.1 the Ashanti Pores& and the Go@ Coast. 637

Turacus macrorhynchus macrorhynchus. Coll. no. 37, 3 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 29. xii. 33 ; no. 652,

9 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 28. xii. 34. The Black-tip Crested Lourie appeared to be a scarce bird.

I saw it only twice during our two visits, on both occasions in the forest a t Goaso.

The sex organs of no. 37 were enlarging.

[Corythseola cristata.] The Giant-crested Plantain-eater was generally distributed

where forest trees grew. Some were shot for food, but not preserved.

Crinifer piscator piscator. Coll. no. 374, 0 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 8. ii. 34; no. *715,

The Grey Plantain-eater was seen only in bush country, 0 ad., Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 9. i. 35.

and here it was not common.

Psittacus erithacus erithscus. Coll. no. 558, ad., Lake Bosomtwi, Ashanti, 28. ii. 34;

no. 557, 6 ad., Lake Bosomtwi, Ashanti, 28. ii. 34. Grey Parrots are local. They were noted a t Goaso, Mampong,

and Ejura, but were always either very shy or flying too high to obtain. At Lake Bosomtwi we ascended the highest ground and obtained two specimens. These two birds were paired, and we could tell the male from the female by its larger bill and darker coloration. It is to be hoped, now that the market for live birds in England is closed, that they will increase in numbers.

Poicephalus senegalus versteri. Coll. no. 351, 3 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 6. ii. 34 ; no. 417, 9 ad.,

Ejura, Ashanti, 13. ii. 34; no. 460, 3 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 17. ii. 34.

The Red-vented Parrots occurred chiefly in the forests, but were also found in the savannah near water. Sometimes noticed in pairs or small flocks of twelve t o thirty birds. The males have the under tail-coverts yellow, whilst the females are green.

638 I&. W. P. Lowe : Lowe-Waldron Expeditions to [Ibis,

Coracias abyssinicus. Coll. no. 184, 9 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 19. i. 3 4 ; no. "716,

We found the Abyssinian Roller generally distributed It is very fond of perching

8 ad., Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 9. i. 35.

throughout the open country. on telegraph wires.

[Coracias naevius naevius.] The White-naped Roller was seen almost everywhere

It was always seen in the open country north of the forest. singly, and rather wild as compared with other species.

Eurystomus afer afer. Co11. no. 434, 8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 15. ii. 34; no. 492, ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 34. The West African Broad-billed Roller seems to prefer the

damp ground, such as forest and gallery forests, where it was generally seen perched in pairs in some tall tree.

The organs of the specimen shot on 15 February was just, showing signs of enlargement.

Eurystomus gularis gularis. Coll. no. 260, 8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 28. i. 34; no. 341,

$! ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 5. ii. 34; no. 363, 9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 8. ii. 34; no. 364, 8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 8. ii. 34 ; no. *567, 3 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 15. xii. 34; no. *815, 8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 28. i. 35.

Paired birds of the Blue-throated Roller were seen daily along the Afrarn River.

Corythornis leucogaster bowdleri. Coll. no. *920, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35. Stomach containing beetles.

It also prefers moist ground.

Count Gyldenstolpe tells me that Laubmann (Anz. Om. Ges. Bay. 10. iii. 26) has described A . leucogaster neumanni on specimens from the Gold Coast (type from Abetefi Ashanti) in the Stuttgart Museum, but Gyldenstolpe had no material from Sierra Leone (terra typica of bowdleri) to compare with, and Bannermann has identified the present specimen as C . 1. bowdleri. The name proposed by Laubmann is not mentioned in vol. iii. of the ' Birds of Tropical West Africa.'

1937.1 the Ashanti Forests and the Gold Coast, 639

On referring the matter to Bannerman I am told that the name neumanni was accidentally omitted in his book, and should have been listed as a synonym of bowdleri. At any rate, the four specimens in the British Museum from Ashanti are in no way separable from the type-specimen of bowdleri from Sierra Leone which is in the British Museum. I have again compared the series, which supports Bannerman’s view that neumanni is a synonym of bowdleri. A specimen which more conforms to Laubmann’s description of neumanni, somewhet intermediate between batesi and bowdleri, has been obtained (as stated by Bannerman, vol. ii. p. 258) from the Warri Province of S. Nigeria, but this is the onlyintermediate example we have seen, and the locality is close to where the range of these two subspecies meets.

Ispidina picta picta. Coll. no. 405, Ashanti, 12. ii. 34; no. 419, $! ad., Ejura,

The beautiful little Pigmy Kingfisher was very common Ashanti, 13. ii. 34.

along the roads, sitting in. pairs on the telegraph wires.

Halcyon senegalensis senegalensis. Coll. no. 62, 8 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 3. ii. 34. The Red-and-Black-billed Kingfisher was very common.

This specimen was shot in a Bombax tree full of Sunbirds and Weavers.

Halcyon senegalensis fuscopileus. Coll. no.*1057, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 19.ii.35 ; no. 36, 6,

Goaso, Ashanti, 28. xii. 33 ; no. 491, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 34,

The Forest Senegal Kingfisher was observed in forest clearings and savannah country.

Halcyon malimbicus forbesi. Coll. no. 292, 8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 2. ii. 34. The Nigerian Blue-breasted Kingfisher was a common bird

around the Rest House, frequently seen perched on the tele- phone wire on the look-out for locusts.

640 Mr. W. P. Lowe : Lowe-Waldron Expeditions to [Ibis,

Halcyon leucocephala leucocephala. Coll. no. 27, 6 ad , Goasa, Ashanti, 26. xii. 33 ; no. 54, 6 ad.,

Goasa, Ashanti, 1. i. 34 ; no. 115, Q ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 11. i. 34 ; no. 254, 6 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 28. i. 34.

The Grey-headed Kingfisher is another common species, inhabiting open country and feeding largely on locusts. No. 254 appears to be a freak, having the usual black parts barred with blue.

Halcyon badius badius. Coll. no. 913, 6, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35 ; no. *861,

The Chocolate-backed Kingfisher was the least common of d, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35.

all the Halcyons. I noticed them in the forest near water.

Halcyon chelicuti chelicuti. Coll. no. 148, 6 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 14. i. 34 ; no. 149,

?ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 14. i. 34; no. 204, qad., Ejura, Ashanti, 23. i. 34 ; no.*742, 9, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 11. i. 35 ; no. *978, sex 2 , Mampong, Ashanti, 11. ii. 35.

The Striped Kingfisher prefers the open, woodland country, where i t is quite common. Curiously, this bird has a very pleasing song which closely resembles that of Tchagra senegala ; in fact, in the Gambia I followed up a singing bird, and, on arriving within ten yards, I was astonished to find it was a Kingfisher and not a Shrike that was singing. The bird was not alarmed by my presence and continued its song. No. 204 had just finished laying.

Merops nubicus. Coll. no. 153, 6 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 14. i. 34 ; no. 195,

8 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 21. i. 34. The Nubian Carmine Bee-eater is a bird of the open country,

and I never met with it in the forest. I believe they are to some extent migratory, as they were not seen until 14 January, when small flocks flying high began to arrive a t Wenchi.

Aerops albicollis albicollis. Coll. no. 88, Wenchi, Ashanti, 9. i. 3 4 ; no. 398, sex '1,

Ejura, Ashanti, 11. ii. 34 ; no. "966, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 11. ii. 35.

1937.1 the Ashanti Forests and the Gold Coast. 641

The White-throated Bee-eater is without doubt at this time of year the commonest bird in the country. It swarmed in the forest trees, and was also very common in the open country. They showed no signs of nesting.

Melittophagus pusillus pusillus. Con. no. 76, 9 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 8. i. 34 ; no 77, 3 ad.,

Wenchi, Ashanti, 8. i. 34; no. 78, sex?, Wenchi, Ashanti, 8. i. 34 ; no. *856, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 5. ii. 35.

The Little Bee-eater was very common in open bush country. Often perched on tall grms-stalks, and occasionally seen on telegraph wires along the roads.

No. 77 had sex organs beginning to enlarge.

Melittophagus gularis gularis. Coll. no. 897, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 8. ii. 35 ; no. 898, 8,

Mampong, Ashanti, 8. ii. 35 ; no. *642, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 27. xii. 34 ; no. *643, 8, Goaso, Ashanti, 27. xii. 34 ; no. *980, 3, Mampong, Ashailti, 11. ii. 35.

At Mampong there was a ridge of shelving rocks where these birds, then in breeding condition, doubtless nested. They used to sit on some small leafless tree, and dart out after passing insects.

The handsome Black Bee-eater was very local.

Dlcrocercus hirundineus chrysolaimus. Coll. no. 320, 2 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 2. ii. 34. The West African Swallow-tailed Bee-eater is always

Ejura was the only A flock of about thirty birds were

They were very shy, and after a long chase I senured

a local bird so far as my experience goes. place I met with them. seen. a single bird, which showed no signs of breeding.

Bycanistes fistulator. Coll. no. "839, 8. Ejura, Ashanti, 31. i. 35; no. "840, 8,

The Piping Hornbill is a common forest bird, though like The specimens

Ejura, Ashanti, 31. i. 35.

most Pied Hornbills not too easy to shoot. obtained had their sexual organs in breedmg condition.

[Bycanistes sharpii sharpii.] On two occasions along the Afram River, near Ejura,

I heard the laugh of the Laughing Hornbill, but the ground was such that it was impossible to follow them.

642 Mr. W. P. Lowe : Lowe- Waldron Expeditions to [Ibis,

Bycanistes cylindricus. Coll. no. 18, 6 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 22. xii. 33 ; no. *608,

3 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 20. xii. 34. The Brown-cheeked Hornbill appears to be one of the rarer

species, but it is difficult to discriminate between some of these large black and white birds, which are usually a good distance away, flying amidst foliage.

Bill and bare skin around eyes white, casque horn-colour, basal half cream ; feet dark brown ; iris brown ; bare skin under wings dark mauve.

No. 18 would soon have been breeding.

Bycanistes subcylindricus subcylindricus. Coll. no. 841, 0 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 31. i. 35. Total length 704 mm. Bill black, slight cream-coloured

mark on casque ; feet blackish brown ; iris very dark brown, eyelids and bare skin pink.

Coll. no. "645, 8, Goaso, Ashanti, 27. xii. 34 ; no. *844, $, Ejura, Ashanti, 1. ii. 35 (in breeding condit,ion) ; no. 846, $ ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 2. ii. 35.

Bill black, small patch of cream colour a t base of casque 26 rnm. in length ; feet very dark brown ; iris blood-red. The discovery of the Gold Coast Grey-cheeked Hornbill (B. subcylindricus) has already been commented on by Dr. Bannerman in the Bull. B. 0. C. April 1935. It is, I should consider, the most common Hornbill inhabiting the forests. Not a day passes without seeing these handsome birds in the tops of tall trees-sometimes a pair, or even as many as a dozen, feeding or playing with each other. They fly quietly as compared with Ceratogymna. They are, however, very wary, and when in the tall trees are completely out of range for a 12-bore gun. This probably explains why specimens have been SIOW in making their appearance in collections. I strongly advise a -22 rifle and telescope sight. I was interested to notice that this species, like Dichoceros bicornis, decorates its white plumage with yellow from the oil-sac.

[Bycanistes sp. 11 $, near Boku, Ashanti, 31. xii. 34. I had a clear view of a Hornbill that crossed the open road

The following half-way between Sunyani and Techiman.


description will identify the bird :-Entire head, neck, body, wings, and tail black ; bill black, casque (of considerable size) white. A bird, a trifle smaller than B. s. subcylindricus. It flew into the tops of the forest trees and was not seen again.

Lophoceros nasutus nasutus. Coll. no. 207, Q ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 23. i. 3 4 ; no. 286, ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 31. i. 34. We found the Grey Hornbill common everywhere, except

in the forest, feeding on insects,

[Lophoceros erythrorhynchus erythrorhynchus.] The Red-beaked Hornbill was seen only in the open dry

Here it was by no means common. country north of the forest.

Lophoceros semifasciatus. Coll. no. 232, 9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 26. i. 34 ; no. 284, Q ad.,

Ejura, Ashanti, 31. i. 34. The Allied Hornbill abounded in the forest region. They were

seen in pairs, and a t times as many as thirty together. No. 232 would soon have been breeding,

Lophoceros hartlaubi hartlaubi. Coll. no. 356, Q ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 7. ii. 34; no. 357,

6 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 7. ii. 34 ; no. *638, $ ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 26. xii. 34 ; no. *1041, 6 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 18. ii. 35 (breeding) ; no. 637, $, Goaso, Ashanti, 26. xii. 34.

The Dwarf Hornbill is probably tolerably common, but seldom seen on account of its retiring habits, for it is found in dense undergrowth. I have never seen more than two together. Sometimes both were males, or occasionally a pair. The feed on locusts, and even small lizards. No. 637 had enlarged testes, showing that it would soon be breeding. The only note we heard was a plaintive " eep, eep,"

Nos. 356 and 357 were a pair ; the female was about to lay four eggs.

Total length of male 390 mm., expanse 480 mm. Bill black, tip red ; bare skin amethyst flesh ; feet dirty grey ; iris red-brown, encircled with grey.

SER. X1V.-VOL. I. 2x7


Total length of female 330 mm. Expanse 440 mm. Bill black ; feet very dark grey ; iris deep red, bordered externally with two rings of grey.

No. 638 had been feeding on large locusts.

Lophoceros camurus pulchrirostris. COIL no. 538, 3 ad., Mampong, Ashonti, 25. ii. 34. The Upper Guinea Red-billed Hornbill seemed to be very

1 never saw but this solitary bird in thick scarce or retiring. forest, and it was in breeding condition.

Tropicranus albocristatus macrourus. Coll. no. 42, 3 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 29. xii. 33 ; no. 432,

3 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 14. ii. 34 ; no. 479, d ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 20. ii. 34; no. 535, 8 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34 ; no. 536, juv., Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34; no. *1009, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 15. ii. 3 5 ; no. *1040, 3, Mampong, Ashanti, 18. ii. 35 ; no. *1029, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35.

The Gold Coast White-crested Hornbill is another solitary bird. I never saw more than two together, and more often one sitting quietly in dense cover. I found this species and the Dwarf Hornbill very tame, and they allowed one to approach quite close to them.

A fledgling and its mother were brought in by a native, who said they were obtained from a hole in a tree. As they were alive, I p u t them in two cages temporarily. The young bird, which was evidently hungry, kept calling SO plainly, "mother, mother," that I could bear it no longer, and both had to be killed.

No. 536, juv., had bill dirty white, with a black elongated spot on both mandibles near eye ; feet greenish-crearn; iris dull white.

Ceratogymna elata. Coll. no. 17, 8 ?, Goaso, Ashanti, 22. xii. 33 ; no. 258,

$, Ejura, Ashanti, 23 ii. 34; no. "607, sex '?, Goaso, Ashanti, 20. xii. 34.

The Yellow-casque Hornbill is to be seen and its loud w-ing-beats heard daily in the forest. They occur singly

1937.1 the Ashanti Forests and the @old Coast. 645

or in pairs, and I once saw in a t,all tree six birds together, which later flew away in single file. I brought back a large fruit taken from the stomach of one of these birds, which Dr. G. Taylor, of the Botanical Department of the British Museurn, says belongs to the order Myristicacea

[Bucorvus abyssinieus.] A single specimen of the Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill was

seen about half-way between Wenchi and Bole. It is evidently an uncommon bird.

[Upupa senegalensis.] The Senegal Hoopoe is by no means common. We saw

single birds on several occasions a t Ejura and Wenchi, and as far north as Laura ; they were always very wild.

Phcenieulus erythrorhynchus guineensis. Coll. no. *662, $, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 4. i. 35. The Kakelaar was found only very locally in the dry bush

country. This bird came from a party of eight noisy birds.

Seoptelus aterrimus aterrimus. Coll. no. "763, $, Lawra, N.T., Gold Coast, 16. i. 35. We saw the Lesser Wood-Hoopoe only twice a t Ejura.

It was seen several times farther north, in the dry bush country, nearly always solitary birds.

[Tyto alba affinis.] We found the African Barn-Owl living under the roof of

As they are useful and well Mr. Rake's house a t Tamale, N.T. known I did not shoot one.

Strix woodfordii nuehalis. Coll. no. 510, 0" ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 34 ; no. 555,

sex ?, Mampong, Ashanti, 26. ii. 34 ; no. "942, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 10. ii. 35 ; no. "986, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 12. ii. 35 ; no. "1026, L? imm., Mampong, Ashanti, 16. ii. 35; no. *1095, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 35 ; no. "1106, sex 3 , Mampong, Ashanti, 27. ii. 35:

The West Africa Wood-Owl is without doubt the commonest Owl, for we obtained no fewer than eight specimens, and had

2 u 2


opportunities to have increased that number. We brought home one young bird from Goaso, now doing well in Sussex. They feed, like our Tawny Owls, largely on insects and rodents.

Otus senegalensis senegalensis. Coll 653, 3, Wenchi, Ashanti, 31. xii. 35. Scops Owls were heard everywhere, but they were very

difficult to obtain. I had just shot a small bird which fell into a thick mango bush, and as my boy was looking for it, this bird flew out and was shot. Its stomach contained remains of flesh and locusts.

At Bole they were particularly common, and Mr. Gutherie Hall tells me one came and sat on the rafters whilst he ate his dinner ! Again a t Tamale, Mr. Rake had two in his garden which passed the day regularly in small trees near the house. They were quit'e tame, and I was able to examine them daily with field-glasses a t a few yards range.

Jubula lettii. Coll. no. 464, 8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 18. ii. 34. We were pleased to find a specimen of the Akum Scops Owl,

in the gallery forest of the Afram River being mobbed by small birds, as it had not previously been recorded between Liberia and the Cameroons. I was surprised to find this bird had been feeding on green vegetable matter, exactly like squashed green peas. She had just finished laying. Total length in flesh 310 mm., expanse 800 mm. Bill yellow, cere greenish ; feet pale yellow ; iris yellow.

Glaucidium perlatum. Coll. no. "711, 8, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 8. i. 35. This was the only specimen we saw of the Pearl-spotted

It was being mobbed by small birds in open wood- Owlet. land.

Glaucidium tephronotum tephronotum. Coll. no. 546, 9 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34. The capture of the Gold Coast Yellow-legged Owlet is of

great interest, as it was originally supposed to be a South American bird. This specimen had just finished laying, and was captured in thick forest. Total length 170 mm.,


expanse 380 mm. Bill greenish-yellow ; feet orange, claws greenish-yellow, tips black ; iris yellow, eyelids, upper half yellow, lower dark green, which is very noticeable when the bird is alive. The stomach was empty. No other specimen was seen.

Bubo africanus cinerascens. cloll. no. 236, 3, Ejura, Ashanti, 25. i. 34. The Abyssinian Spotted Eagle-Owl was frequently heard

at Ejura and Mampong.

Bubo leucostictus. Coll. no. 537, $. ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34 ; no. *901,

9, Ejura, Ashanti, 8. ii. 35. The Akum Eagle-Owl seems to be strictly a bird of the

forest and gallery forests. It is probably common, but we got only two specimens. They feed largely on insects. Bill greenish-yellow ; feet yellow ; iris yellow.

Bubo poensis poensis. Coll. no. 522, 3, Mampong, Ashanti, 23. ii. 39; no. 525,

imm., Mampong, Ashanti, 23. ii. 3 ; no. 59, $. ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 2. i. 34; no. *893, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35; no. *970, 3, Mampong, Ashanti, 11. ii. 35 ; no. *1033, 6, Mampong, Ashanti, 17. ii. 35.

Fraser’s Eagle-Owl, though usually found sleeping in some forest tree, occasionally ventures out into an open clearing such as Goaso in the evening. It feeds on locusts and rodents. One specimen at Mampong had swallowed quite a large tree-hyrax.

Bill and cere blue ; feet whitish flesh ; three scales above claws blue ; iris dark brown. No. 525, juv., bill pale grey ; feet light grey ; iris dark brown.

No. 59. Total length lft. 39 in., expanse 3 ft. 8 in.

Caprimulgus ruflgena ruflgena. Coll. no. 12, $2, Goaso, Ashanti, 22. xii. 33. The Rufous-cheeked Nightjar was shot in thick forest,

and was the only one seen. It does not appear to have been found in the Gold Coast previously.

648 Mr. W. P. Lowe : Lowe-Waldron Expeditions to [Ibia,

Macrodipteryx longipennis. Coll. no. 28, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, xii. 33 ; no. 30, $! ad.,

Goaso, Ashanti, 27. xii. 33 ; no. 212, 8 ad., Ejnra, Ashanti, 24. i. 34 ; no. 283, 3. ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 31. i. 34; no. 362, 5. ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 8. ii. 34 ; no. 437, 9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 15. ii. 34 ; no. "616, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 22. xii. 34 ; no. *818, 8, Ejura, Ashanti, 29.i . 35 ; no. *819, 3, Ejura, Ashanti, 29. i. 36.

The Standard-wing Nightjar is by far the commonest species a t this season of the year. Some cvenings we saw as many as twelve males leaving their hiding places in the evening, one behind the other, for open feeding grounds. It was D fine sight, as they were in full plumage, Some birds nest towards the end of February.

Scotornis climacurus climacurus. Coll. no. 39, 8 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 29, xii. 33. The Long-tailed Nightjar, usually so common in Africa,

was a t this season very scarce-probably due to some local migratory movement. This specimen had very slightly enlarged testes.

Micropus apus apus. Coll. no. "974, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 11. ii. 35 ; no. "975,

9, Mampong, Ashanti, 1l.ii. 35 ; no. *976, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 11. ii. 35.

Quite a number were seen flying out of gun-shot with Palm-Swifts and anothcr black-looking Swift of a different species, probably Micropus batesi. After waiting a considerable time three birds came within reach and were secured. Mampong was the only place where these birds were seen.

The Common Swift appeased after ;I heavy rain.

Colletoptera amnis abessynicus. Coll. no.*782, 9, Laws, N.T., Gold Coast, 18. i. 35 ; no.*804,

sex '1, Yedji, N.T., Gold Coast, 27. i. 35. The Little African Swifts were nowhere so abundant as

as Wa, where they swarmed over the town and nested in colonies inside the buildings.


Cypsiurus parvus braehypterus. Coll. no. 80, 8 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 8. i. 34 ; no. 122,

sex ?, Wenchi, Ashanti, 12. i. 34; no. 151, Q ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 14. i. 34 ; no. 152, 8 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 14. i. 34 ; no. *967, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 11. ii. 35.

The West African Palm-Swift abounded wherever Borassus palms existed. This frail-looking bird on the wing is, never- thelees, a swift flier. Some specimens shot a t Wenchi were breeding.

Chaetura ussheri ussheri. Coll. no. 410, 9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 12. ii. 34; no. 411,

8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 12 ii. 34 ; no. *739, rfr ad., Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 11. i. 35 ; no. *740, 3 ad., Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 11. i. 35.

We found Ussher’s Spine-tailed Swift very local and uncoin- mon. They were never observed in the forest country. These two Ejura birds were flying around the top of a dead palm with a hole in the toy, which may have been intended as a nesting-site, for when a Kite came and settled on the top it was furiously assailed by the birds, which, dashing swiftly a t it, and passing close to its head, soon frightened it away. At Bole a pair, both of which were secured used to fly daily over the bungalow. Total length in the flesh : male, 131 mm., expanse 352 nim.

[Chstura sabini.] We frequently saw Sabine’s Spine-tailed Swift sailing over

the tops of the tall forest trees at Goaso and Mampong, but i t was never possible to shoot one. In life the white posterior half of tho upper surface is very conspicuous.

Apaloderma narina eonstantia. Coll. no. 499 (head d), Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 34;

no. “850, 3, near Aframso, Ashanti, 3. ii. 35. The Gold Coast Trogoii is a very distinct race, and also

very iare. Like all Trogons, they love the dense foliaged forests, and are consequently very difficult to find. The damaged bird was brought in by tt native, but the Aframso bird is in good plumage.

650 Mr. W. P. Lowe : Lowe- Waldron Expeditiow to [Ibis,

Pogonornis dubius. Coll. no. 785,8, Tumu, N.T., Gold Coast, 20. i. 35. ; no. *686,

9, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 6. i. 35 ; no. 703, 8, Bole, N.T., ,Gold Coast, 7. i. 35 ; no. 727, 9, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 10. i. 35.

The Bearded Barbet is a common bird, often in pairs or small parties in company with Bulbuls in wild fig-trees.

Pogonornis bidentatus bidentatus. Coll. no. 810, $2, Ejura, Ashanti, 28. i. 35; no. 298, $2,

Ejura, Ashanti, 2. ii. 34. Several specimens of the Double-toothed Barbet used to

feed in the wild fig-trees growing near the Rest House. No. 298 showed signs of breeding soon.

Lybius vieilloti rubescens. Coll. no. 90, 8 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 9. i. 34; no. 90, 8,

Wenchi, Ashanti, 9. i. 34 ; no. 92, $2, Wenchi, Ashanti, 9. i. 34 ; no. 170, $?, Wenchi, Ashanti, 16. i. 34; no. 206, $2, Ejura, Ashanti, 23. i. 34 ; no. 303, 9, Ejura, Ashanti, 2. ii. 34.

Vieillot's West African Barbet is a very conspicuous bird in the dry bush country. Sometimes we saw them in pairs, but more often four or five together. They breed in January.

Tricholzema hirsutum. Coll. no. 465, 9 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 19. ii. 34 ; no. 1010,

6 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 18. ii. 35. The Hairy-breasted Toothbill is a forest bird. A very

retiring creature, sometimes met with in pairs in dense green bushes, where, unless it moves, i t is exceedingly difficult to see. Those seen never uttered a cry, nor did anything of interest. No. 465 had two more eggs to lay. Stomach contained green berries.

Gymnobucco calvus calvus. Coll. no. 60, 8 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 3. i. 34 ; no. 61, 8 ad.,

,Goaso, Ashanti, 3. i. 34 ; no. 1020, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 15. ii. 35 ; no. *603, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 17. xii. 34 ; no. *649, $!, Goaso, Ashanti, 28. xii. 34 ; no. "847, $2 juv., Mampong, Ashanti, 3. ii. 35 ; no. *851, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 4. ii. 35 ;


no. *885, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35 ; no. *924,$, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35 ; no. *1050, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 18. ii. 35 ; no. "1051, $2, Mampong, Ashanti, 18. ii. 35.

The ugly Naked-faced Barbet is certainly one of the commonest birds of the forest region. It is found in the forest trees, and nearly every small native clearing with dead trees generally proves an attractive nesting-site. In such places ten to twenty nests are often to be found, whilst on some dead branch a dozen birds are often seen together. They nest in January.

Gymnobucco pdi. Coll. no. 884, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35 ; no. *565,

2, Goaso, Ashanti, 15. xii. 34; no. "566, $, Goaso, Ashanti, 15. xii. 34 ; no. *587, 8, Goaso, Ashanti, 16 xii. 34 ; no. *588, 8 imm., Goaso, Ashanti, 16. xii. 34.

It is not easy without shooting to distinguish the Bristle- nosed Barbet, whilst it is also strange to find that two birds ao much alike, mixing together even at the same nesting-sites, as G . calvus and G. peli, should be distinct. I shall not be surprised to hear they interbreed, for I have shot them together.

Pogoniulus erythronotus. Coll. no. 548, $ ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34 ; no. *999,

$ ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 14. ii. 35 ; no. *1075, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 35 ; no. 1076, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 35.

The Red-rumped Tinker-Bird was the rarest of the small Barbets. I found them only in the forest-sometimes two or five together, climbing about in some creeper-clad tree. They were extremely tame, and would allow me to approach within a few feet.

Pogoniulus leucolaima togoensis. Coll. no. 220, 9, Ejura, Ashanti, 24. ii. 34 ; no. 418, $ ad.,

Ejura, Ashant,i, 13. ii. 34. The Togoland Yellow-rumped Tinker-Bird is fairly common,

and generally found with quantities of other birds in flowering Bombax trees. No. 418 was in breeding condition.


Pogoniulus subsulphureus chrysopygus. Coll. no. 50, 9 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 30, xii. 33 ; no. *1039,

9, Mampong, Ashanti, 17. ii. 35. The Gold Coast Yellow-throated Tinker-bird is YO easily

confused in life with other species that it is not safe to say much about it. No. 5 was found in :L flowering Bombax and had just finished laying.

Pogoniulus scolopaceus scolopaceus. Coll. no. 21, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 22. xii. 33 ; no. 533, $, Goaso,

Ashanti, 23. xii. 33 ; no. 634, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34 ; no. 639,6, Goaso, Ashanti, 27. xii. 35 ; no. 903, sex 2 , Mampong, Ashanti, 8. ii. 35 ; no. 589, 3, Goaso, Ashanti, 16. xii. 34; no.*604, 0, Goaso, Ashanti, 17. xii. 34 ; no. "888, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35 ; no. "933, 0, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35 ; no. "969, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 11. ii. 35 ; no. *1007, 6, Mampong, Ashanti, 14. ii. 35 ; no.*l064, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 14. ii. 35 ; no. *1064, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 20. ii. 35.

The Speckled Tinker-bird is very abundant and frequents the flowering Bombax, feeding in the flowers with Sunbirds and different species of Weavers. No. 21 had enlarged testes.

Trachylsmus goffini goflni. Coll. 973, 9, Mampong, 11. ii. 35. Gaffin's Baybet was met with only onc0, when a pair were

seen on the edge of a small clearing. They were in company with a number of Naked-faced Rarbets, feeding on berries. This bird had one more egg to lay.

Indicator minor alexanderi. Coll. no. *668, 8, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 5. i. 35. Alexander's Lesser Honey-Guide was apparently scarce,

They are occasionally as we got only a, single specimen. seen in wild fig-trees.

Indicator conirostris ussheri. Coll. no. 390, 6, Ejura, Ashanti, 11. ii. 34 ; no. 809, 6,

Mampong, Ashanti, 8. ii. 35 ; no. *1074, 3, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 35.

Bill black, base of lower mandible white ; feet dirty green ; iris brown. The Gold Coast Thick-billed Honey-Guide was


seen only occasionally. This bird sits motionless in a small tree in an open clearing. No. 390 had slightly enlarged testes. Measurements of no. 1074: wing 91, tail 61, culmen 11 mm.

Indicator edilis willcocksi. Coll. no. 945, $, Manipong, Ashanti, 10. ii. 35.;

Bill black : feet very dark grey ; iris dark brown.

no. *944, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 10. ii. 35.

1 was extremely fortunate to obtain two specimens of the Gold Coast Least Honey-Guide, known only by the female type described by Alexander from Prahsu, Gold Coast. I regret 1 can give no information about this bird except that the male ehowed signs of breeding.

Measurement8 of no. 944: wing 77, tail 51, culmen 8, tarsus 12 nun.

Prodotiscus insignis flavodorsalis. Coll. no. 33, 9 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 28. xii. 33 ; no. 53,

8 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 1. i. 34 ; no. 300, 9, Ejura, Ashanti, Ashanti, 2. ii. 34.

The Ivory Coast Sharp-billed Honey-Guide seems to be a solitary bird, often seen sitting amongst the lovely red blooms of a flamboyant tree, where it looks exactly like a small Flycatcher. No. 33 was breeding nnd had a soft- shelled egg.

Hitherto apparently not recorded from the Gold Coast.

Campethera maculosa. Coll. no. 280, 9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 31. i. 34; no. *956,

8 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 11. ii. 35. The Golden-backed Woodpecker seemed to be scarce ;

we met with it only twice, once in a forest clearing, but they prefer the dense forest, where they are more difficult to find.

Campethera nivosa nivosa. Coll. no. *1056, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 19. ii. 35. We came across the Buff-spotted Woodpecker only once.

It is possibly quite common, but Woodpeckers are often hard to see in very tall trees.

654 Mr. W. P. Lowe : Lowe- WaUron Expeditions to [Ibis,

Campethera punctuligera punctuligera. Coll. no. 729, 6, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 10. i. 35 ; no. 375,

6 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 29. ii. 34 ; no. 376, $, Ejura, Ashanti, 29. ii. 34 ; no. "730, $, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 10. i. 35 ; no. "731, Q, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 10. i. 35.

The Fire-spotted Woodpecker was common in the bush country, and the burning of the grass did not seem to interfere with it.

Dendropieos lugubris lugubris. Coll. no. 193, 9 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 20. i. 34. The Melancholy Woodpecker was a scarce bird ; we met

with i t only once in a gallery forest. The ovary was slightly enlarged.

Dendropicos obsoletus obsoletus. Coll. no. 86, 3 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 9. i. 34 ; no. 168, 9,

Wenchi, Ashanti, 16. i. 34 ; no. 169, 6, Wenchi, Ashanti, 16. i. 34 ; no. 205, $, Ejura, Ashanti, 23. i. 34 ; no. 427, $, Ejura, Ashanti, 14. ii. 34 ; no. *657, 3, Wenchi, Ashanti, 1. i. 35; no. *658, 9, Wenchi, Ashanti, 1. i. 35; no. *689, 9, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 6 . i. 35 ; no. *743, 9, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 11. i. 35.

The Little White-spotted Woodpecker was the commonest species in the savannah country, It was breeding in February.

Mesopicos goertae agmen. Coll. no. *667, $, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 5. i. 35 ; no. *690,

9, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 6. i. 35; no. *691, $, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 6. i. 35 ; no. 192, $ ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 20. i. 34 ; no. 373, 9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 8. ii. 34.

The West African Grey Woodpecker was a fairly common species in the dry open country. No. 192 had finished breeding.

Mesopicos pyrrhogaster. Coll. no. 817, juv. sex ?, Ejura, Ashanti, 28. i. 35 ; no. 325,

8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 4. ii. 34 ; no. 393, $ ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 11. ii. 34 ; no. 990, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 13. ii. 35 ; no. "618, d, Goaso, Ashanti, 23. xii. 34; no. "619, 1, Goaso, Ashanti, 23. xii. 34; no. "816, 3, Ejura, Ashanti, 28. i. 35; no. "989,


8, Mampong, Ashanti, 13. ii. 35 ; no. "1067, Q, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 35 ; no. *1068,6, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 35 ; no. *1079, 3, Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 35.

The Fire-bellied Woodpecker is the common Woodpecker of the evergreen forest. Nos. 989 and 990 were a pair, and killed at a single shot.

Iynx torquilla torquilla. Coll. no. 773, 0, Lawra, N.T., Gold Coast, 17. i. 35. The Wryneck was seen only once, but we might have seen

more if our stay had not been so short. I believe it is a mistake to consider i t more common in East Africa than the West. Dr. van Someren told me that the only specimen yet obtained was one I secured at Falabek, N.P. of Uganda, 13 February, 1913. Lately Major Cheesman has recorded it from Abyssinia (Ibis, April 1935, p. 329).

Smithornis capensis delacouri. Coll. no. 234, 6 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 26. i. 34 ; no. 343,

Q ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 5. ii. 34. I was pleased to find the Ivory Coast Broadbill a t Ejura, as

i t was previously known only from the type, a male specimen from Bandama, Ivory Coast. These birds behaved not unlike Trococercus nitens, frequenting the undergrowth, and moving round and round uttering a sound something like " tirrh, tirrh."

Mirafra buckleyi buckleyi. Coll. no. *760, 6 ad., Wa, N.T., Gold Coa.st, 15. i. 35. The West African Cinnamon Bush-Lark seemed scarce,

and we saw only one specimen.

Pinarocorys erythropygia. Coll. no. 87, Q ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 9. i. 35 ; no. 102,

8 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 10. i. 35 ; no. 119, 9 ad., Wenchi, Ashanti, 12. i. 35.

The Red-tailed Bush-Lark was seen only on newly burnt ground near the Rest House. What attraction newly burnt ground had is difficult to imagine. No. 102, 3, had finished breeding.


Reliocorys modesta giff ardi. Coll. no. "759, $, Wa, N.T., Gold Coast, 15. i. 35 ; no. "780,

$, Lawra, N.T., Gold Coast, 18. i. 3 5 ; no. "781, $?, Lawra, N.T., Gold Coast, 18. i. 35.

The pretty little Nigerian Sun-Lark WAS most common a t Lawra. It occurred close to houses as well aa in the open country. They wxe generally in pairs, and just about to nest. Always extremely tame, they allowad one to approach within a few yards. Nos. 759 and 780 had their sexual organs enlarging.

Eremopteryx leucotis melanocephala. Coll. no.*772,$, Lawra, N.T., Gold Coast, 17. i. 35 ; no.*801,

3, Navarongo, N.T., Gold Coast, 21.i. 35; no. "802, 8, Navarongo, N.T., Gold Coast, 21. i. 35.

The Senegal Sparrow-Lark we found to be common a t Navarongo. They were always in pairs. One mde was seen to perform a love-flight, ascending about eighty yards and then descending in a zigzag manner to its mate.

Anthus campestris campestris. Coll. no 800, 6, Navarongo, N.T., Gold Coast, 21. i. 3 5 ;

no. "798, 8, Navarongo, N.T., Gold Coast, 21. i. 35 ; no. *799, $, Navarongo, N.T., Gold Coast, 21. i. 35.

Tawny Pipits were fairly common, and seen singly OT in pairs in this arid country.

Anthus trivialis trivialis. Coll. no. 219, $?, Ejura, Ashanti, 24. i. 34. Tree-Pipits were abundant ; often six or a dozen were seen

Macronyx eroceus croceus. Coll. no. "769, 8, Lawra, N.T., Gold Coast, 17. i. 35. The Yellow-throated Long-claw was evidently D scarce

Turdoides plebeja platycircus. Coll. no. 721, 8, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 9. i. 35 ; no. *720,

9, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 9. i. 35 ; no. "695, $, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 7. i. 35.

together, rising when disturbed to some neighbouring tree.

bird, for we only met with a pair a t Lawra.


Bill blackish-grey ; feet grey ; iris yellow, surrounded with red. The Senegal Brown Babbler was nesting at this season, and was noticed only singly or in pairs. They were very common and generally distributed.

Neumann named a race togoensis from Togoland, but it must be considered a synonym of platycircus. In the fourth volume of his ' Birds of Tropical West Africa ' (pp. 90-94) Bannerman gives reasons for the acceptance of three races of the Brown Babbler from West Africa, and has shown that in a species with such marked variation in the plumage far too many races have been described. His revision is sweeping, but is believed to be sound.

Phyllanthus atripennis haynesi. Coll. no. 294, 8 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 2. ii. 34. We found the Gold Coast Capuchin Babbler very difficult

to obtain. It was fairly common, but living in parties of a dozen or more in very dense cover, which they never leave, i t makes it almost impossible ever to see them. If a suitable place should occur, they may be driven across a path. On such occasions they only rise above the ginger plants for a moment and disappear, never to be seen again. Bill ycll?wish- green ; feet grey ; iris reddish-brown.

Illadopsis ruf escens. Coll. no. 910, 6, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35. The habits and appearance in life of this bird are entirely

different to the two following species. Like Ptyrticw p . strenuipes it has the same Thrush-like habits of living on the ground in dense undergrowth and scratching for its food. It was by kneeling on the ground and listening to these birds turning over the leaves that I was able to secure the specimens. The Upper Guinea White-breasted Thrush is a solitary bird, and never goes in parties like I. f. gularis or I . r . extrerna.

Apparently not recorded from the Gold Coast until now.

Illadopsis fulvescens gularis. Coll. no. 291, 9, Ejura, Ashanti, 1. ii. 34 ; no. 424, 9 1 ,

Ejura, Ashanti, 14. ii. 34.


The Upper Guinea Brown Thrush-Babbler travels about in parties in the thickest undergrowth of the forest. One may hear them daily, but they are seldom seen unless crossing a narrow footpath.

Illadopsis ruflpennis extrema. Coll. no. 41, ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 29. xii. 33 ; no. 543,

8 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34 ; no. *992,8 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 13. ii. 35 ; no. 620, 6 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 23. xii. 34.

The habits of this bird and Illadopsis f. gubris are very different to the foregoing species, obviously belonging to a dis- tin& genus. The White-breasted Thrush-Babbler seldom, if ever, goes on the ground. Its life is spent in the thick undergrowth of wild ginger and cocoa yams, the latter re- sembling large arum lilies. Here the bird spends its time climbing the smooth stalks, its sharp curved claws being especially adapted for the purpose. They travel about in the densely foliaged plants in small parties, and never once have I seen one on the branch of a tree, At times they will answer a sucking call as easily as a Reed-Warblor does. No. 41 was incubating. Iris light brown. Skin around eyes bluish.

Macrosphenus concolor. Coll. no. 73, 6 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 5 .i. 34 ; no. 414, 3 ad.,

Ejura, Ashanti, 13. ii. 34 ; no. 482, 9 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 20. ii. 34 ; no. 483, 6 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 20. ii. 34 ; no. 632, 8 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 25. xii. 34; no. 907, 9 ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 8. ii. 35 ; no. "577, 0, Goaso, Ashanti, 15. xii. 34 ; no. 599, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 17. xii. 34 ; no. "1097, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 27. ii. 34.

The Grey Longbill or Puff-backed Warbler is fairly common and generally distributed throughout the forest area, but its habit of creeping about in thick cover makes it a very difficult bird to study. They were nesting at Goaso a t the end of December. lc believe this bird, like M . kempi, has a puff- back, but I do not think it has such a long neck? as that species.

t See ' Revue Zoologique Africane,' vol. ix. 1921, p. 386; also ' The Birds of Liberia,' by Glover Allen, p. 724.


Pycnonotus barbatus inornatus. Coll. no. 3, 6 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 19. xii. 33 ; no. 89,.

$, Wenchi, Ashanti, 9. i. 34 ; no. 224, $2 ad., Ejura, Ashanti,. 25. i. 34; no. 477, $ ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 20. ii. 34; no, *708, 6, Bole, N.T., Gold Coast, 8. i. 35.

The Upper Guinea Bulbul is probably one of the commonest birds to be found in close proximity to human habitation. I ts cheery and varied notes are always a source of pleasure. It seems to be the first bird to call as the rays of light appear,, and the last after the sun has disappeared.

Trichophorus calurus verreauxi. Coll. no. 295, 8, Ejura, Ashanti, 2. ii. 34; no. *921, 8,

The Gold Coast Red-tailed Bearded Bulbul is fairly common,

Bleda syndactyla syndactyla. Coll. no. "914, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35. The Bristle-bill must be either very scarce or retiring.

We succeeded in obtaining only a single example, caught by placing limed sticks near water in the forest.

Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35.

frequenting the small bushes along forest paths.

Bleda canicapilla. Coll. no. 66, 6 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 4. i. 34 ; no. 544, 6 ad.,

Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34 ; no. 916, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35 ; no. "877, $2, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35 ; no. "878, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35.

The Grey-headed Bristle-bill we found only in the forest, where it was plentiful, but not too easy to b d . Specimens. with enlarged organs were shot in February. They feed on berries and insects.

Thescelocichla leucopleura. Coll. no. 271, 6 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 30. i. 34; no. 282,

9, Ejura, Ashanti, 31. i. 34; no. 293, 9, Ejura, Ashanti, 2. ii. 34 ; no. 394, $, Ejura, Ashanti, 11. ii. 34 ; no. 422, 9 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 14. ii. 34 ; no. *900, $, Mampong, Ashanti, 8. ii. 35 ; no. *1023, 6, Mampong, Ashanti, 15. ii. 35.

The White-tailed Green Bulbul, or " Talky-talky-bird '' of the natives, is everywhere common in the forest region. SER. XIV.-VOL. I. 2 x


They generally appear in small parties of six to eight birds, and keep up an incessant chatter. I have known native boys refuse to eat the flesh of these birds, fearing that if they did they would never stop talking ! They appear to nest at the end of February.

Pyrrhurus scandens scandens. Coll. no. 227, $! ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 25. i. 34; no. 228,

6 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 25. i. 34 ; no. 312, $? ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 5. ii. 34; no. 399, 3 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 11. ii. 34 ; no. 452, 3 juv., Ejura, Ashanti, 16. ii. 34.

(s : Bill, upper mandible dark grey, lower paler ; feet blue ; iris brown.

The Leaf-love seemed to be local, or a t any rate we only found it near a spring where there was a patch of bright green trees. They had just finished breeding, and young birds .had left the nest.

Pyrrhurus simplex. Coll. no. *1089, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 35. The Simple Bulbul, of which we obtained one specimen,

is no doubt fairly common. They mix with various other species in thick creeper-covered trees, feeding on berries. ‘This bird was breeding and the last egg about to be laid.

Baopogon indicator togoensis. Coll. no. 609, 3, Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 34; no. 925,

Q, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35; no. 1036, d, Mhmpong, Ashanti, 17. ii. 35 ; no. 1093,3, Mampong, Ashanti, 24. ii. 35 ; no.*862, $,Mampong, Aahanti, 6. ii. 35 ; no *911,8, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35; no *918, 3, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35; no. *935, 3, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35 ; no. *1035, (s juv., Mampong, Ashanti, 17. ii. 35 ; no. *1094, 8, Nsulu, Ashanti, 23. ii. 35.

The Togo White-tailed Greenbul is a denizen of the evergreen forest, frequenting both the low bush and tall trees. Some females were laying eggs the first week in February.

In the fourth volume of his ‘ Birds of Tropical West Africa,’ a proof copy of which I have been allowed to see, Bannerman shows that togoensis is a perfectly recognizable race which

1937.1 the Ashunti Forests and the Gotd Coast. 661

Sclater in the ' Systema Avium Bthiopicarum ' inadvertently places as a synonym of leucurus. The race togoensis is found in the Gold Coast and Togoland, while leucurus, according t o Bannerman, is restricted t o Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Phyllastrephus baumanni. COIL no. 455, 3, Ejura, Ashanti, 16. ii. 34. Baumann's Greenbul was obtained only once. It is a shy

bird, frequenting thick bushes, and so is no doubt easily overlooked. It showed no signs of breeding.

Phyllastrephus albigularis albigularis. Coll. no. 514, Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 34. The White-throated Greenbul is either rare or elusive,

as we succeeded in procuring only a single example from the forest. It showed no signs of breeding.

Phyllastrephus icterinus icterinus. CoU. no. 1090, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 35. The Icterine Greenbul appeared to be scarce.

Stelgidillas gracilirostris gracilirostris. Coll. 276, 6 ad., Ejura, Ashanti, 30. i. 34; no. 277, 0,

Ejura, Ashanti, 30. i. 34 ; no. 560, 9, Lake Bosomtwi, Ashanti, 28. ii. 34 ; no. 1073, Q, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 35 ; no. *997, Q, Mampong, Ashanti, 14. ii. 35 ; no. *1018, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 15. ii. 35 ; no. "1052, 0, Mampong, Ashanti, 18. ii. 35 ; no. *1060, sex '2, Mampong, Ashanti, 20. ii. 35 ; no. *1061, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 20. ii. 35 ; no. *1088, 0, Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 35.

The Slender-billed Greenbul is a common forest bird, seen daily in small bushes and undergrowth. They, like most Bulbuls, are very sociable, and six to eight are often found feeding together.

This specimen was obtained in some thick bushes near a small forest-stream.

No. 1088 had just finished laying.

Charitillas gracilis extremus. Coll. no. 69, 3 ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 4. i. 34 ; no. 319, 3 ad,,

Ejura, Ashanti, 3. ii. 3 4 ; no. 500, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 21. ii. 34 ; no. 532,3, Mampong, Ashanti, 25. ii. 34 ; no. *1049, d, Mampong, Ashanti, 18. ii. 35.

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662 Expeditions to the Ashanti Forests and Gold Coaet. [Ibis

The Gold Coast Little Grey Greenbul is another species found in the undergrowth of the forest, where it is common. No. 69 was the only one which was about to breed.

Andropadus curvirostris leoninus. COIL no. 570, sex 1, Goaso, Ashanti, 15. xii. 34 ; no. 629,

$2, Goaso, Ashanti, 17. xii. 34 ; no. 1038, d, Mampong, Ashanti, 17. ii. 3 5 ; no. "1031, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 16. ii. 3 5 ; no. *1102, Q, Mampong, Ashanti, 24. ii. 35.

Soft parts of no. 1031 : bill dark brown ; feet dirty olive ; iris red.

Bill of no. 570 black, yellowish at tip ; feet olive-grey ; iris reddish-brown.

The Sierra Leone Sombre Bulbul is a common species which was breeding at Mampong in the middle of February. This appears to be the first record for the Gold Coast.

Andropadus latirostris congener. Coll. no. 875, 6, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35 ; no. *912,

8, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35 ; no. *977, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 9. ii. 35 ; no. 508, d ad., Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 34.

The Upper Guinea Yellow-whiskered Bulbul is one of the rarer or less often seen varieties. We found i t to be a strictly forest, bird. No. 508 showed no indication of breeding.

Eurillas virens grisescens. No. 51, Q ad., Goaso, Ashanti, 30. xii. 33 ; no. 55, 6 ad.,

Goaso, Ashanti, 1. i. 34 ; no. 65, 9, Goaso, Ashanti, 3. i. 34 ; no. 70, 6, Goaso, Ashanti, 4. i. 34 ; no. 72, Q, Goaso, Ashanti, 5. i. 34 ; 110.466, Jad.,Mampong,Ashanti, 19. ii. 34 ; no.*1001, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 14. ii. 35; no. "886, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 6. ii. 35 ; no. *939, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 10. ii. 35 ; no.*994, Q, Mampong, Ashanti, 13. ii. 35 ; *1019,3, Marnpong, Ashanti, 15. ii. 35 ; no. *1086, 8, Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 35 ; no. *1087, 9, Mampong, Ashanti, 22. ii. 35.

The Upper Guinea Little Green Bulbul is a very common berry-feeding species which also nests in the middle of February.

[To be continued.]

xxix-report on the lowe-waldron expeditions to the ashanti forests and northern territories of the...

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