Ornithology of the Matopo District. 54<7 



150. Corvultur albicoUis. White-necked Raven,, 

 Sind. " lihwabai" or " ingwababa." 



The White-necked Raven is resident and common, and at 

 the same time one of our most noticeable birds. Although 

 usually found in pairs, it is often gregarious when feeding 

 on a carcase or other food, whilst parties may sometimes be 

 noticed flying at a good height towards sunset, evidently, from 

 their direction, returning from feeding grounds beyond the 

 hills — reminding cue forcibly of Rooks coming home to 

 roost in the Old Country. 



This Raven spends a lot of its time early in the wet 

 season, whnn the crops are sprouting, on the lands of the 

 neighbouring farmers; but, although certainly guilty of 

 some harm, it is not nearly so destructive in this respect as 

 the francolins, ducks and doves, whilst it often mitigates 

 its crimes by devouring countless grubs, harmful to the crops. 



151. t Dicrurus afer. Fork-tailed Drongo. 

 Sind. " sontengu " (Chubb). 



This Drongo was quite numerous in the " isiqwalapa " 

 around Fortusher from May to September 1908 ; but in 

 1912 1 did not notice this usually plentiful species until after 

 the middle of March. Later in the year however it was 

 common enough within the hills. 



152. t Oriolus notatus. Andersson's Oriole. 



This Oriole is a rare bird with us, and I have only seen it 

 on one or two occasions during the wet season. It shoidd 

 be looked for in the larger timber, within the thick foliage 

 of which it is an adept at hiding ; it is very hard to observe 

 satisfactorily. 



153. + Oriolus larvatus. Black -headed Oriole. 



Rather common on the surrounding veld, but more 

 plentiful in the hills. 



154. Creatophora carunculatus. Wattled Starling. 

 Dilophus caruiiculatus (Gmel.) ; Scl. i. p. 23. 



An immature specimen noticed on May 6, in company 

 with the " Makwezi,'^ Lamprocolius sycobius, on Vriegevicht 

 farm is my only record. 



