Mashonaland Birds. 227 



on returuiug to the spot I was struck by the difference in 

 its habits as it crept about in the undergrowth on a large 

 termite-heap, and then recognized it as the present species. 

 I can hardly doubt that this is a case of mimicry, for its 

 resemblance to the fearless, bullying Di'ongo must be of great 

 service to so feeble a bird, and there is a parallel instance in 

 India in the Drongo-Cuckoo {Surniculus lugiibris). The 

 stomach contained a grasshopper, three small caterpillars, 

 and two spiders. 



15. Pachyprora molitor. (White-flanked Flycatcher.) 

 Very common throughout the year, especially in mosasa- 



bush. The birds are usually seen in paii's, passing from tree 

 to tree, diligently hunting for small insects of all kinds, 

 and rising now and then to capture some flying beetle 

 with a loud snap of the beak. They have several calls, some 

 being rather harsh, but the most characteristic consists of 

 three pleasant notes on a falling scale, uttered slowly one 

 after the other. 



16. MuscicAPA GRisoLA. (Spotted Flycatcher.) 



Only a single example of this common European migrant 

 has come under my notice. 



17. Pratincola torquata. (South-African Stonechat.) 

 Abundant throughout the year, frequenting low bushes in 



open country, especially along streams. Gizzards contained 

 small beetles and ants. 



18. Hyliota attstralis. (Mashona Flycatcher.) 



A common resident, frequenting the open forests of 

 mosasa-trees {Brachystegia) , which afford a plentiful supply 

 of small phytophagous beetles, especially during the spring 

 months. It is by no means shy, as it diligently and 

 methodically searches the twigs of the low trees and bushes, 

 uttering its short call at intervals. 



19. Terpsiphone perspicillata. (Paradise Flycatcher.) 

 These elegant little birds are not uncommon in the denser 



parts of the bush, and are occasionally met with in parties of 



