48 Mr. C. F. M. Swynnerton on the 



form a zone round the larger end, but occasionally round 

 the smaller. They measure from 24 to 26 mm. in length, 

 by 18 to 20 in breadth. Three eggs are laid, and the 

 sitting bird, at other times so bold, will slink quietly from 

 the nest at the very slightest alarm, seldom returning till 

 after a considerable interval. An adult female measured 

 9"1 inches in the flesh, and two birds in immature plumage 

 7"8 and 7"25. The stomachs contained beetles. 



71. Lanius subcoronatus. Coronetted Shrike. 



Rh. I have only secured one specimen of this Shrike, 

 which I cannot but think is merely an occasional variety 

 of L. humeralis. The nest and eggs, which I took on 

 October 30th, exactly resembled those of L. humeralis, the 

 former being built of everlastings, &c., not felted, and the 

 eggs being three in number and of the closely-freckled 

 type. 



72. Lanius collurio. Red- backed Shrike. 



Rh., P. During my recent trip to the coast, from 

 November to January, I found the Red-backed Shrike to 

 be one of the commonest birds throughout the low veld. 

 It was particularly plentiful at Arucate and between 

 Chibabava and that place, and right from Chimbuya, 

 through the Umtefu Hiver, Chibabava, and Muchukwana's 

 to Chironda, being usually met with at frequent intervals, 

 sitting alone on the tops of bushes or small trees on the 

 watch for passing insects. Between the two last-named 

 places nearly all the individuals that I saw were males in 

 full plumage, though previously, and particularly from Chim- 

 buya's to the Umtefu, I had seen little else than females or 

 young birds. I have not noticed this Shrike near Chirinda 

 later than April 2nd. 



Eight specimens averaged 7*11 inches, varying from G'G5 

 to 7-5. 



73. NiLAus BRUBRU. Brubru Shrike. 



Rh. I noticed one of these birds, the only '' Brubru " I have 

 yet seen in Gazaland, on the 29th of July in an open wood on 

 the western slope of Chii'inda. I found its nest nine years 



