264 Capt. G. E. Shelley on a Collection of 



13tli December. Iris pale gamboge-yellow ; eyelids bright 

 orange; bill black; tarsi and feet orange. 



Not common abont the Uravulij where we only met with 

 •one small flock. At the Tatin river, in Matabele country, 

 they were more plentiful, and are pretty common in some of 

 the wooded parts of the Transvaal. 



123. SiGMODus RETzii (Wahlb.) . 



(41) ? , Umvuli river, 12th August. Iris dark gamboge- 

 yellow ; eyelids blood-red ; bill, basal part crimson, gradually 

 changing to bright dark gamboge at the tip ; tarsi and feet 

 scarlet. Total length in the flesh 9'25 inches. 



These are scarce birds ; for we only met with them on three 

 occasions^ in small flocks amongst the woods of Umvuli, when 

 they were so wary that we only succeeded in getting one hen 

 bird. From what I could see, the male dift'ers very materially 

 in plumage. Their notes are loud, chattering, and harsh, and 

 they feed upon insects. In flight, and apparently in habits, 

 they much resemble Prionops talacoma. I have not seen 

 them in any other locality. 



124. BucHANGA AssiMiLis (Bechst.). 



(127) $ , Tatin river, 10th December. Iris beautiful lake- 

 red; bill, tarsi, and feet black. 



A common bird from the Umvuli river to the Transvaal. 

 I found it breeding at Matje Umschlope. 



125. DiCRURUs LUDWiGii, Smith. 



Mashoona, September and October. Seen, but not procured. 



126. Oriolus larvatus, Licht. 



(36) Umvuli river, 10th August. Iris bright crimson ; bill 

 light pinkish brown ; tarsi and feet ash-colour. 



Occasionally we saw a specimen and heard its loud call 

 amongst the trees ; but none, however, appear to remain. 



127. Oriolus xotatus, Peters. 



(80) Ganyani river, 20th September. 



Shy, but not uncommon in Mashoona land. 



