Mashonaland Birds. 225 



It lives principally on orthoptera and coleoptera, which are 

 usually taken on or near the ground. The nest is built iu 

 trees, from 10 to 20 feet from the ground, suspended in a 

 horizontal fork, and loosely composed of fine twigs, roots, 

 and fibres. The eggs are three in number, and of two types 

 of colouring: (1) ground-colour either white or salmon- 

 pink, with pale brownish-red blotches and spots and faint 

 underlying grey markings, chiefly collected in a broad ring 

 round the larger end; (2) ground-colour pure white, with 

 scattered minute black spots forming a loose irregular ring 

 round the larger end. The shape varies also, some spe- 

 cimens being equally thick at both ends (22 X 18 mm.), and 

 others distinctly tapering (25 x 17 mm.). 



8. EuRocEPHALus ANGUiTiMENs. (Smith's Wood-Shrike.) 

 I have seen a single example of this bird, shot on the 



Hanyani river, 12 miles south of Salisbury. 



9. Bradyornis MURiNUs. (Mouse-coloured Wood-Shrike.) 

 A specimen obtained at Salisbury in 1894 was identified 



by Dr. Bovvdler Sharpe as belonging to this species. I have 

 not observed it since. 



10. Bradyornis mariquensis. (Marico Wood-Shrike.) 

 A common woodland species, though of solitary habits. 



It prefers the lower branches of trees, where it sits gazing 

 pensively downward, ready to pounce on any passing insect, 

 though its movements are generally listless. It frequently 

 feeds on the ground, and when flushed its flight is remarkably 

 Finch-like. On one occasion I saw no fewer than five of these 

 birds with three Drongos, sitting on a low bush by an ants*- 

 nest, out of which a swarm was rushing aimlessly about, 

 as is their custom after rain, and every few moments one 

 of the birds would drop in their midst, snatch up a few, and 

 hastily retreat to its perch, always with a number of ants 

 attached to its legs, for these insects are very pugnacious. So 

 preoccupied were the Shrikes that they allowed me to come 

 within three or four yards without taking any notice of me. 

 Stomachs contained ants, caterpillars, and beetles. 



