For the present purpose Africa is divided into everyreen, semi-arid and intermediate (deciduous) types of count?, all of which occur in all latitudes south of the Sahara. 'Breeding season' is limited to the months during which eggs are laid by the species concerned in the given area and all records are interpreted accordingly. As a basis for ascertaining the curve of breeding activity in a given area through the year the number of species laying in each month has been ascertained and calculated as a percentage of the total for all species for the whole year. A definite peak in the curve of breeding activity is evident everywhere except in certain areas within about four degrees of the Equator. In one part of this inner tropical belt there may be no distinct breeding season for must groups of birds (Congo), but in East Africa a double breeding season is the rule, with peaks coinciding with the two rainy seasons. Even so close to the Equator as 5°S, the (single) breeding season in evergreen forest is as restricted as in other types of country and its time-relation to the rains varies locally.