Mashonaland Birds. 235 



Mr. Ayres on the Umfuli. The stomacli of the former bird 

 contained beetles and locusts, and Mr. Ayres notes that the 

 crop of his bird contained a small mouse. 



52. Malaconotus sulphureipectus. (Yellow-fronted 

 Bush-Shrike.) 



This scarce bird was also obtained on the Umfuli river by 

 Mr. Ayres. 



53. NiLAUs CAPENSis. (Brubru Bush-Shrike.) 



A generally distributed resident, but nowhere very com- 

 mon, being found singly or in pairs searching the trees for 

 insects, in company with other small birds. 



54. Urolestes melanoleucus. (South- African Long- 

 tailed Shrike.) 



Not uncommon, though local, being usually found in flocks 

 of four to eight. They are noisy birds, having a very harsh 

 cry, and are fpnd of sitting in elevated positions, whence 

 they pounce on their prey, which is often captured on the 

 ground. I have found in their stomachs beetles, locusts, 

 and the soldiers and workers of a very large termite. 



55. Lanius collaris. (Fiskal Shrike.) 



This well-known bird does not seem to be nearly so 

 plentiful in this portion of Mashonaland as in other parts of 

 South Africa. 



56. Lanius collurio. (Red-backed Shrike.) 



A fairly common migrant, arriving about October, breeding 

 with us, and leaving again in April. It is a solitary species, 

 sitting on low bushes in open country, especially in the 

 vicinity of streams. It has been observed to feed on 

 beetles and the large females of Carebara ants. 



57. Salpornis salvadorii. (Salvadori^s Creeper.) 

 Distinctly scarce, and I have seen only single individuals 



at some intervals. It searches the bark of trees for insects, 

 much like the European Tree-creepers, commencing at the 

 foot and rapidly working its way up, then flying on to the 

 next tree. 



