201 Mr. F. A. J3arratt's Notes on the Birds 



59. PSALIDOPROCXE HOLOMELiEN'A. 



Both at Rustenberg and Macamac this bird was rather 

 scarce. I shot them in the forest as they flew up and down 

 in the open spaces. 



60. DiCRURUS MUSICUS. 



This Drongo Shrike I observed in great quantities in the 

 bush near the Magaliesberg mountains^ on the Rhinoster 

 river (Free State), in the bush about the Vaal^ and in many 

 other places in the Transvaal. They chase one another about, 

 occasionally making a swoop on some insect, returning to 

 a twig to enjoy their meal; at the same time any thing but 

 a musical chorus is kept up by them. 



61. COLIUS CAPENSIS. 



I noticed this bird in the Potchefstroom district, and 

 killed it on the Vaal river. I have also received it from Ma- 

 rico, but did not observe it at Macamac. 



62. COLIUS STRIATUS. 



This bird was often observed at Macamac and elsewhere on 

 my route from Potchefstroom to the Gold-fields. All the species 

 of this genus, as far as I could make out, closely resemble each 

 other in their habits. In British KafiFraria one cannot give 

 a Kaffir a greater treat than a few '' Mouse-birds,'^ as they 

 are called ; and if one of them flies from a bush, sticks and 

 knobkeries will be thrown with such precision that the poor 

 bird has very little chance of escape. 



63. Dryoscopus boulboul. 



Shot near Lydenburg. I also received it from Maca- 

 mac Gold-fields, near the Drakenberg mountains. It has a 

 peculiar habit of puffing itself out, which is thought by some 

 to be a habit it assumes in order to terrify other birds. It 

 is certainly very pugnacious^ and will not allow others to 

 molest it. 



64. Lanarius atrococcineus. 



This bright-coloured little bird I shot in some low under- 

 wood on the slopes of the Magaliesberg mountains. They do 

 not appear at all shy, and are very qviick in their movements. 



