of the Lydenhuri) District. 205 



65. Prionops talacoma. 



This bird somewhat resembles in its habits L. utrococcineus, 

 but, although frequenting the low bushes, does not confine 

 itself to the underwood, but comes out in the open and hunts 

 about for insects. Sometimes they are to be seen on a high 

 bush; but this is seldom the case. I shot my specimen at 

 Oliphants Nek, near Rustenberg, where I found them in flocks 

 of five or six together. 



66. Lanius collaris. 



Have seen this bird on the Rhinoster river a few miles 

 south of the Vaal ; and I have also received it from Macamac, 

 and shot it myself in the neighbourhood of Potchefstroom 

 and Bloemfontein. The peculiar habits of this bird in killing 

 its victims Avould astonish any one not acquainted with the 

 habits of Shrikes. I have seen the bare side of a bush in our 

 garden near Bloemfontein covered with locusts and some- 

 times as many as twenty insects in a state of decomposition ; 

 occasionally, too, bones are observed hanging about. I have 

 noticed this species frequently in British Kaffraria. 



67. Lanius collurio. 



Shot one in the Potchefstroom district ; and I think I have 

 seen it in the Colony itself. 



68. Oriolus galbula. 



I observed several of these birds in the bush near Rus- 

 tenberg ; and I think I saw them at Lydenberg Gold-fields. 

 I also received a specimen from Marico. They are rather 

 abundant, but at the same time so wary of approach that it 

 was some time before I got a specimen. They frequent the 

 tops of trees; and I have never observed them on the ground. 



69. Oriolus larvatus. 



I shot this species, after some trouble in approaching it, 

 about four miles west of Rustenberg. 



70. Amydrus morio. 



This species is found distributed at certain seasons through- 

 out the greater part of the Transvaal and Free State ; the 

 birds are generally to be found in the fruit-gardens. 



