430 Mr. T. Ayres on Birds observed 



30. Enneoctonus collaris (Linn.). Red-backed Shrike. 

 This species is scarce at the Gold-fields ; it is solitary in 



its habits, sitting stationary on the top of some low bnsh. 



[Tlic specimen sent is a male in immature plumage, shot 

 December 17.— J. H. G.] 



31. Dryoscopus BOULBOUL (Lath.). Boulboul Shrike. 



I think these Shrikes are always in pairs. They are not 

 at all uncommon, though seldom seen, as they frequent the 

 densest jungle and are retiring in their habits; their call, 

 however, is often heard. 



32. Laniarius rubiginosus, Sund. Olivaceous Shrike. 

 No doubt these Bush- Shrikes are amongst the mountains 



all the year round ; but they are particularly sly and difficult 

 to see_, especially during the breeding-season, when they make 

 the woods joyous with their varied songs and calls. Many of 

 their notes are very liquid, and remind me much of those of 

 the Nightingale. Often have I been very close to one of these 

 songsters^ and, though his song Avas pretty constant and he 

 was frequently moving from bush to bush, I could do no 

 more than catch a glimpse of him now and then, so skilfully 

 did he conceal himself. During the winter they are silent. 



Male adult. Iris bright hazel ; bill black ; tarsi and feet 

 bluish ash-colour. 



Female adult. Iris reddish hazel ; bill black, but under 

 mandible ashy at base ; tarsi and feet bluish ash-colour. 



Female immature. Iris dark hazel ; bill pale ash-colour, 

 dusky at the tip ; tarsi and feet bluish ash-colour. 



[The description of this Shrike given by Mr. Layard at 

 p. l()i of the first edition of the ' Birds of South Africa ' 

 appears to apply to the adult male only ; the adult female 

 sent by Mr. Ayres agrees with Levaillant's figure of that sex 

 (pi. 7Q. fig. 1), except that it Avants the blackish spots on the 

 head, though the ear-coverts are a darker grey than the crown 

 of the head. In another and, apparently, younger female the 

 buff tint on the breast is wanting, and the breast and flanks 

 are yellowish green, freckled with small transverse markings 



