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



and a Phasmn, a mantis, and beetles (including a small but 

 very destructive Colasposoma) Avere amongst the contents of 

 the stomachs examined. 



88. Crateropus kirki. Kirk's Babbler. 

 Singuni : "Idhlekedwana.'" 



E,h., P. A common bird in the grass-jungle of the Jihu 

 and the Inyamadzi, where I found it feeding along the open 

 road. During my last journey across the low veld I came 

 across several flocks, particularly at Chimbuya, between 

 Inyajena and Cliibabava, and at Indabila and Inyaraita. A 

 nest which I found in 1898 was formed externally of coarse 

 grasses, roots, and fine twigs, and lined with finer grasses 

 and fibres. It was well hidden in the thick fork, about 

 12 feet from the ground, of a P armarium and contained 

 three very glossy eggs, measuring 24*5 by 19-5 and 28-5 by 

 19 mm. They were of a uniform greenish-blue colour, with 

 almost the gloss of a Starling's. Three adult birds (C. kirki) 

 measured in the flesh 87, 9-25, and 9-5 respectively ; feet 

 dull ashy grey. One of my South Melsetter skins, which I 

 am unable to find, Avas identified last year by Capt. Shelley 

 as C. jardiiiei {' Ibis,' 1907, p. 49), so that both species 

 probably occur here. 



89. Pycnonotus layardt. Black-capped Bulbul, 

 Chindao: "Igweturi." Singuni: " Ipotwe." 



lib., P. Although some other bird may become temporarily 

 more plentiful in some particular locality, as were the \Vhite- 

 eyes last August in the Jihu, tiiis Bulbul is, on the whole, 

 by far the commonest bird throughout every part of Rhodesia 

 and Mozambique which I have yet visited, excepting only 

 in dense forest such as Ciiirinda, which, however, it may 

 frequently be found visiting. In the low veld I found it to 

 be commonest between Inyamita and Malata. It is a 

 delighti'ul cage-bird and bears captivity well, thriving ou 

 a fruit-diet, though delighted beyond measure when a 

 quantity of locusts or cockchaCcr-larvrc are thrown into the 

 aviary, or a sackful of leaf-mould fresh from the forest. At 

 the end of July, expecting to be away from home a good 



