Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/427

Rh has contributed to the 'Daily Chronicle' an article on the Forests and Birds in Ashanti. While at Gambaga, the headquarters of the Northern Territories, "good ornithological work was done, and many important forms, including several rare desert Larks, were obtained not only in the district, but to the northward near the Anglo-French boundary, and also in the little-known country around Salaga, which lies close to Togoland, where the German officers have lately been doing much good scientific work. The Ornis of the Hinterland varies considerably to that of the forest region, but many of the same forms are still to be met with. The birds on the whole are not nearly so bright in plumage; the brilliant Golden Oriole, however, is present, but the effects of its plumage lose in the great expanse; its colours need the subtle light and shade of the forest to enhance their beauty. Many of the species obtained at Gambaga are Senegambian, but, besides these, several forms from Kordofan, Abyssinia, and Eastern Africa are represented. The fact of species in North-eastern Africa being found right away up in the Gold Coast Hinterland is very remarkable, and makes it difficult, till further investigation, to assign any sharply defined area for the distribution of West African birds. The movements of birds depend to a very great extent on the rainfall, which, in its turn, is influenced by geographical features, such as forests, deserts, or mountains. The courses of rivers must influence to a great extent the distribution of species. This is readily noticed by observing the vicinity and banks of African rivers, for there numbers of birds may be seen congregated and continually moving up and down the courses. A glance at the map will show what a network of watercourses there are from Senegambia to the Nile. For instance, the Senegal is practically within touch of the Niger, and the later with Lake Tchad; and so on. Furthermore, it must be remembered that tributaries, waterless in the dry season, become during the rains swollen rivers, and this is the period of the year when birds migrate. We know very little about the avifauna in the great bend of the Niger, Haussaland, and nothing concerning the regions about Lake Tchad and Darfur."

the Report of the South African Museum for 1900, just received, we much regret to read of the death of Col. J.H. Bowker, who died, at the age of seventy-three, at his residence near Malvern, in Natal. He was one of the oldest of South African naturalists, and since 1872 had constantly contributed to the Museum Collections; he was