Birds in the Cradock and Tarkastad Districts 189 



Stenostira scita (Fairy Flycatcher). — This beautiful little bird 

 is common throughout both districts. It is very partial to the 

 bush found along all the river banks. The nest is a very 

 difficult one to locate as it is always well hidden and harmo- 

 nises wonderfully with its surroundings. It is a very small 

 cup of fine twigs and soft material, lined with wool and a 

 few feathers. The eggs, two to three in number are either 

 a uniform olive brown or with a ring encircling the larger 

 end of a darker shade of the same tint. I have taken nests 

 in October and November. 



Tchitrea perspicillata (Paradise Flycatcher). — This species I 

 have never observed in the Tarkastad district. In the Cra- 

 dock district it is fairly common in the parts of that district 

 bordering on the Bedford district. In the town of Cradock 

 it nests in the gardens but does not appear to extend its range 

 North of Cradock. It nests in December. 



Pomatorh^nchus tschagra (Tschagra Bush Shrike). — I have 

 records of this bird from the Cradock district only. There 

 it is a rare bird. I have three times come across its nest. 

 The nest is well hidden and is composed of twigs etc., lined 

 v^th roots. The eggs, two in number are white with spots 

 and short streaks and twisted lines of purple and bluish-grey 

 or red and bluish-grey fairly evenly distributed over the 

 whole surface. 



Pelicinius ze^lonus (Bakbakiri Bush Shrike). — The Kokivit is 

 well distributed over both distrcts. It breeds in the months 

 of October and November. 



Laniarius major (Greater Puff -back Shrike). — This fine Shrike 

 occurs in the Cradock district only and there in very limited 

 numbers. I took its nest at Halesowen in the month of Nov. 



Lanius collaris (Fiskal Shrike). — Jan Fiskal is a very common 

 bird in both districts being found everywhere. I found a 

 nest of this species on this farm built in the old skeleton of a 

 sheep hanging on a fence. I have records of nests taken 

 in Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. and January. 



