EDITORIAL GLEANINGS.
Two notices of changed feeding habits in birds found in South and East Africa have recently been published. The first, by Prof. E. Ray Lankester, appeared in 'Nature' (Aug. 16th), and refers to the common Rhinoceros-bird (Buphaga erythrorhyncha), as observed by Capt. Hinde, of the British East African Protectorate. This bird formerly fed on Ticks and other parasites which infest game and domestic animals; occasionally, if an animal had a sore, the birds would probe the sore to such an extent that it sometimes killed the animal. Since the cattle plague destroyed the immense herds in Ukambani, and nearly all the sheep and goats were eaten during the late famine, the birds, deprived of their food, have become carnivorous, and now any domestic animal not constantly watched is killed by them. Perfectly healthy animals have their ears eaten down to the bone, holes torn in their backs and in the femoral regions. The second report relates to the South African Vulture, and is contributed to the 'Field' of Sept. 1st by H.L. Lempriere, of Natal. He writes:—"It is probable that the disappearance of the enormous herds of game that used to roam at will over the veld has caused a change of habit in this bird, and that the scarcity of carrion has forced it to seek its food in a manner so unnatural and abhorrent as to cause every man's hand to be turned against it. Be that as it may, the fact remains that, as surely as the lambing season comes round, so surely large flocks of Vultures appear, and, circling and wheeling in the air above the ewes, seize the opportunity when the poor creatures are in their most helpless condition to attack them, pick out their eyes, and eventually kill both lamb and ewe with the most frightful torture conceivable. Only the most unremitting care and attention during the lambing season can prevent the most serious losses from this cause, and the rifle and shot-gun, and even poison, are freely used to destroy these repulsive birds. Nor are ewes the only victims. Foaling mares are killed in the same frightful manner, and I have personally seen a flock of Vultures following on the ground a heifer that was about to calve, awaiting their opportunity. The plaintive lowing of the terrified beast attracted my attention, and I was fortunately able, by the aid of a few well-placed bullets, to prevent another tragedy of the veld by dispersing the loathsome crew."
The breeding of the Cuckoo in the London district is now a well-established fact. Mr. C.J. Cornish, writing from Orford House, Chiswick
