from the colony of Natal. . 31 



in diameter, and alights again exactly on the spot from whence 

 he started. 



161. Dryoscopus cubla (Shaw). PufF-Shrike. 



Male and female. Iris reddish yellow ; tarsi and feet slate 

 colour ; bill of the male black ; that of the female, upper man- 

 dible black, lower mandible bluish slate colour, black at the tip. 

 These Shrikes inhabit the dense bush, and are to be found gene- 

 rally dispersed within a range of fifteen miles from the coast. 

 Insects form their principal food. Their notes are loud and harsh. 

 The snow-white lax feathers on the back, when expanded, give 

 these birds a most beautiful and curious appearance ; the puff 

 appears completely to encircle them, and when thus flying away, 

 they look, at first sight, like a white ball, with a black spot in 

 the centre. This power is most frequently used during the 

 courting season, and also occasionally when alarmed. 



162. NiLAUs CAPENSis (Shaw). Brubru Shrike. 



Male. Iris very dark red ; bill black, with the exception of 

 the basal half of the under mandible, which is bluish slate colour ; 

 tarsi and feet dark ash. The only bird I have seen of the kind. 

 Flight dipping, something similar to the smaller Cuckoos. I 

 am ignorant as to its habits. 



163. CoRVUs CAFER (Licht.). Caflfre Raven. 



Male. Bill black, tip white; tarsi and feet black. These 

 birds are very numerous in Natal ; they are generally dispersed 

 over the colony, and perform the part of scavengers. If an ox or 

 other beast dies, numbers of them immediately appear, generally 

 before the Vultures, which they drive away as long as they are 

 able. They are bold birds, and carry away chickens and eggs. 

 Some people have had full-grown fowls killed by them. 



164). EsTRELDA ASTRiLD (Linn.). Wax-bill Finch. 



Male BXid female. Iris brown; bill bright red; tarsi and feet 

 dark brown. This species of Finch is by far the most common 

 in Natal; during the winter months immense flights of them 

 may be seen. They are fond of frequenting cultivated ground, 

 especially that on which the weeds have been allowed to grow 

 and seed, where they find abundance of food. I have seen them 



