the Birds of Zululand. 219 



fond of papaws, loquats, and other soft fruits. The Green 

 Bulbul {Androjjadus imporUmus) is heard everywhere in the 

 bush-lands, pouring forth its blithe song from the topmost 

 branches of tall trees ; it has also a loud shrill call-note. It 

 makes its presence known either by chirping or singing when 

 most other birds are silent, and so earns its scientific name. 

 It creeps nimbly among the foliage, clinging to the nether 

 side of the branches, searching for insects or picking off the 

 berries. Colius striatus goes about in small flocks, which 

 are generally found in the scrub on the outskirts of the bush. 

 They have the peculiar Parrot-like habit of crawling about 

 the branches with their heads downward. During their 

 short and rather heavy flights they utter a stridulous cry, 

 which seems to be the only sound, they make. The Coly has 

 curious short fur-like feathers, from which the Dutch call it, 

 not inappropriately, the " Muisvogel,"' or Mouse-bird. It 

 measures, including the long stiff tail, 12^ inches. 



There are plenty of Hawks here, as in most parts of South 

 Africa. Buteo jackal, which gets its scientific name from its 

 cry being supposed to resemble that of the jackal, is a heavy 

 sluggish bird, and often remains for a long time motionless 

 on the branch of a high tree ; but should a rat or a small 

 monkey approach, it is suddenly grabbd before it is aware 

 of the proximity of its dangerous foe. We once procured 

 a young bird of this species and kept it tame for several 

 months, when we gave it its freedom ; but it continued to 

 visit us and was always glad of a feed of raw meat. 



The African Goshawk {Astur tachiro) is very bold and 

 destructive to poultry : we have seen it dart down and carry 

 off a full-grown fowl within a few yards of the spot where 

 we were standing. When pursuing a flock of Pigeons, its 

 plan is to separate one from the main body, and if it manages 

 this, it soon succeeds in bearing off its prey. 



Accipiter minvUus is a beautiful little Hawk, not larger in 

 the body than a Thrush, but although so small it is quite as 

 fearless as its larger cousins. A specimen we obtained was 

 taken while vigorously assailing a hen with a brood of 

 chickens, which she was doing her best to defend ; it had 



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