. Zoology.

809 Lamproto't-nh. Several species of IN'ightjars occur, noteworthy among which is the remarkable Standard-Wing {Macrodiptn-j/x), bearing a large racket-shaped web at the end of an elongated wire-like fnther in eacli wing.

Colics, or "Mouse-birds," Kingfishers, Hornbills (chief among which is the great black-and-white Bucorax abi/ssinicm), Bee-eaters, Eollers and Cuckoos are well represented, as also are Larks and Wheatears. Shining little Sun-birds frequent the forests and enter the gardens in the towns.

Green parrakeets are common, and the grey parrot may be found on the Uganda boundary. Of birds of prey there are VuHures, Eagles. Falcons, Ospreys, Harriers, Buzzards, Hawks, and Owls in great variety — nmong whicli may be mentioned the Noisy River Eagle (Haliaetun vocifer), the Secretary Bird (Scrpnitarius I'cretariux), and the handsome Bateleur Eagle {Helotarsus ecaudatus).

The rivers abound witli Pelicans, Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Storks, Ibises, and Spoonbills. Among these the great carrion-feeding Adjutant or Marabou {Lcploptiltts cruiiieniferus) is conspicuous. Tlie remarkalile and very local Whale-headed Stork (Balceniceps rex) is found in the swamps of the Bahr-el-(ihazal and Bahr-el-Jebel, while the stately Saddle-billed Stork {EphippiovhjincJuia fencrjahmk) — iridescent black and white with long COURT OF THK PALACE, KHARTOUM, WITH BalccnicepS reX.

brilliantly-coloured bill— is more widely met with. Flamingoes are scarce ; Spur-winged and Egyptian Geese, and Whistling Teal, resident and plentiful. Tlieir nun)bers are swelled by large hosts of northern-breeding ducks, which arrive in the autumn and remaiu till the spring. Vast numbers of Plovers, Godwits, Whimbrels, Sandpipers, and Terns also winter on the Nile. Snipe occur, but in comparatively small numbers, the area of uTigated land being very limited, and the grasses of the Nile swamps being too high and thick for them.

Three species of Sandgrouse are very abundant; the commonest {Pterodes c.rM.<!tus) affords the best bird .shooting in the country— in the dry season they daily flight in thousands from the deserts to drink at the rivers. Doves and Guinea-fowl swarm in most parts ; Francolins are more l(«al and less plentiful. Quail are also found in parts.

A large Bustard (Eupodotis arahis) is plentiful and gives pretty rifle shooting. Three or four smaller bustards also occur. i • i The strikingly -beautiful Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) is resident and common, and in the winter immense flights of Common Cranes {Grun (jrvs) and smaller numbers of the Demoiselle {Grus rnrgo) spread over the country.

The Ostrich is generally distributed, but is most abundant in Western Kordofan.

Eeptiles.

The common African Crocodile (Crocodilus niloticus) abounds in the Sudan rivers. Large ]\Ionitor Lizards or " Waranas," reaching b or 6 feet in length, are not uncommon : among smaller lizards are various Chameleons Geckoes, and Skinks.