240 :Nrr. Guy A. K. Marsluill on 



short distance, dropping abruptly into the grass again. It 

 is probably mainly graminivorous, hut beetles and large 

 green caterpillars have also been observed in the stomachs 

 examined, 



83. Fringillaria tahapisi. (Rock-Bunting.) 



Fairly common, resembling E. jiaviventris in habits except 

 that it takes more readily to trees wheu flushed ; it is 

 apparently more strictly graminivorous, the only insect 

 found in four specimens being a single melolonthid beetle. 



84. DiLorHUs carunculatus. (Wattled Starling.) 

 These wandering birds are very erratic in their appearance, 



arriving in small flocks, remaining about for a few weeks, 

 and then going off" again. I have noticed them chiefly in 

 winter and early spring. Although locust-swarms have 

 been more or less prevalent in Mashonaland for the last 

 six years, I have never seen them being systematically 

 attacked by these birds, and during the visits of the Starlings 

 last year there were practically no locusts about at all. It 

 is also worth noting that I have not even heard of the 

 occurrence here of Glareola melanoptera Nordm,, which is 

 the species best known as the " Locust-bird." 



85. Pholidauges verreauxi. (Verreaux's Glossy Starling.) 

 I first met with this lovely species on Umfuli river, but it 



was decidedly scarce there, an occasional pair only being met 

 with; during September and October 1898, however, they 

 visited Salisbury in some numbers to feast on the spring 

 crop of wild figs, which attract a number of frugivorous and 

 insectivorous birds. Their cries are somewhat harsh, but 

 the male frequently utters a very sweet, plaintive whistle. 



86. Lamprocolius sycobius. (Peters's Glossy Starling.) 

 Abundant at all seasons, often congregating in considerable 



flocks. They live almost entirely on fruits and berries, but 

 may occasionally be seen feeding on the ground, apparently 

 picking up insects. 



87. Buphaga africana. (African Oxpecker.) 



This well-known bird is fairly common in most parts of 



