. On safari : big game hunting in British East Africa, with studies in bird-life . in the Transvaal—andsome species of which are also abundant on the Laikipiaand high plateaux of East Africa. These are large birdsof very extraordinary appearance, with huge head-tuftsthat almost conceal the short pigeon-like beak, loosefluffy plumage, and long flirting tails. They abound onthe bush-veld of the Transvaal, two species in particular—the grey loury {Turacus concolor), whose note is a 272 ON SAFARI liarsh Kva, kva, and a resonant mnsical call, clear asthe human voice, Go way, go way ; and the hand-s
. On safari : big game hunting in British East Africa, with studies in bird-life . in the Transvaal—andsome species of which are also abundant on the Laikipiaand high plateaux of East Africa. These are large birdsof very extraordinary appearance, with huge head-tuftsthat almost conceal the short pigeon-like beak, loosefluffy plumage, and long flirting tails. They abound onthe bush-veld of the Transvaal, two species in particular—the grey loury {Turacus concolor), whose note is a 272 ON SAFARI liarsh Kva, kva, and a resonant mnsical call, clear asthe human voice, Go way, go way ; and the hand-some purple-crested loury [Gallirex) with crimsonedwing; besides the curious mop-headed green loury,Turacus corythaix. It is the first-named that is byfar the most troublesome. I acquit these birds of anydirectly malicious intent when perpetrating their mis-chiefs. Their food consisting of plantains, berries andarboreal fruits, they have no conceivable interest eitherin the big game or its hunters: yet should one of thesebirds perceive a human being, it raises an outcry that. TURACUS CONCOLOR. speedily brings up any other louries within hearing, allvying with each other in strident clamour. Any gamewithin a mile at once decamps. Another bird-group equally abundant and character-istic of the South-African bush-veld is that of theshrikes (Laniidce). Far away in the wilderness, onehears a not unmusical chorus; gentle at first, the notesgrow louder and wilder till they climax in raucous key,and the performers hurriedly depart, to alight in a masson some bare tree. Then one sees that they are magpie-like birds, black and white, with very long tails. Theseare sociable shrikes,^ and must be counted among the ^ From a specimen brought home, I find that the correct name is* long-tailed pied shrike {Urolestes melanoleucus). BIG GAME AND ITS BIRD-PEOTECTORS 273 worst of detrimentals. Altliougli, as just indicated,these shrikes hold frequent impromptu concerts entirelyon their own accou
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Keywords: ., bookauthorchapmana, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookyear1908
