♂ tockus (erythrorhynchus) rufirostris (sundevall), 1850
the above specimen is likely from a farm near windhoek, namibia, and finch-davies had evidently been gaining experience of both the southern and damaraland species for some time:
tsumeb. S. W. A. 1. 12. 1916
i found this species common at tsumeb and otavifontein and it probably occurs all through northern damaraland and ovamboland; how far south it may be encountered in damaraland i cannot say but i collected some specimens at okanjande which appear to belong to this species; probaby about here it meets or merges into l. E. Damarensis. In habits the species exactly resembles the previous bird but i found it more universally scattered over the bush country, and not as confined to river banks. I have often seen it feeding on the ground, digging up the soil and dead leaves with its bill, evidently after insects. At otavifontein, when general botha's brigade was camped there in july 1915, it was exceedingly common, and very tame, flocks of them frequenting the horse lines, old camping grounds and slaughter places, presumably in search of insects. This specimen was particularly heavily marked with grey about the head and neck; many specimens are much lighter, but all considerably more marked than those from farther south [l. Damarensis]. [1]. Date: 9 April 1918.
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