Ornithology of the Matopo District. 545 



pink. The varied notes of tliis bird, together with its better 

 known " duet-calls," are among the more familiar of our 

 avian sounds. 



142. J Laniarius atrococcineus. Crimson-breasted Bush- 

 Shrike. 



Sind. " isikwe ^' (vide post. Euplectes ocanthomelas) or 

 " ibilibomvu.*' 



I have frequently heard of the occurrence of this Shrike, 

 but have not noticed it personally. It will probably be 

 found on the southern and western slopes of the hills if 

 anywhere, as it is a common bird in the Mangwe district. 



143. X Malaconotus olivaceus starki. Southern Grey- 

 headed Bush-Shrike. 



Laniarius starki Scl. ; Scl. ii. p. 41. 



The '"' Spookvogel," as this Shrike is called by the Dutch, 

 is a rare bird ; I have only noticed it close to the Terminus 

 Hotel, June 11, 1911, and August 13, 1912. 



144. I Lanius coUaris. Fiscal Shrike. 

 Sind. '' iquola." 



Resident and not uncommon. I think this Shrike is, 

 however, addicted to local movements at times. A nest 

 found on the 26th of January contained three eggs of the 

 closely-freckled pinkish type, which measured from 23 to 

 25 mm. in length, and 17"75 to 18*25 mm. in width The 

 pink ground-colour of these eggs, when fresh, soon fades to 

 a buffy-cream colour. The site chosen was in a low stunted 

 "ilipana^' tree in open mimosa-strewn country, and was 

 placed about three feet from the ground. The nest was a 

 somewhat flimsy structure of various coarse grasses, lined 

 with very fine grass, but " white-ants " had got into the 

 structure, so that the eggs had been pushed up by their 

 workings until the cup had almost disappeared. The female, 

 as is the wont of this, at other times, bold bird, slunk off, 

 dropping down the tree for about two feet, and then flying 

 off low to perch in the top of a tree about sixty yards away, 

 where it remained a long time before venturing back. The 

 undulating flight of this Shrike is usually low, and only 



