DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, HABITS 



When the young birds arc fully fledged and able to provide for 

 themselves, the parents chase them off. When food is excep- 

 tionally plentiful, several pairs of fiscal shrikes will live in 

 harmony because they realise there is food for all. If the 

 food supply should only prove to be sufficient for one pair, 

 the weaker ones are driven off to find another hunting ground, 

 or to perish. 



The fiscal shrike is of exceptional economic value. It 

 preys on a great variety of insect pests, and eats various species 

 of hairy caterpillars which only the cuckoos, among other birds, 

 will touch. 



It renders good service by destroying weakly and diseased 

 birds. 



Black-headed Bush Shrike {Telephomis senegalus). 

 (Vol. I., p. 267.) 



Description. — Male : back olive-brown. Crown black. 

 Narrow black streak from the base of the bill, passing through 

 the eye. Eyebrow white, becoming ferruginous behind. 

 Wing coverts chestnut-red. Under parts greyish-white and 

 tinged with ocherous on the vent and thighs. Iris hazel. 

 Bill black. Legs greyish-brown. 



Total lengthy 8.40 ; tail, 4.00 ; wing, 3.40. 



Distribution. — Eastern Province of the Cape, and north to 

 Gambia. 



Habits. — This shrike is usually met with amidst shrubs 

 and patches of bush, in pairs. The nest is cup shaped, and 

 constructed of fibres and roots and covered with lichen. Clutch, 

 3 ; eggs white, with pale purple blotches and red-brown streaks, 

 chiefly at the larger end ; size, .95 by .72. 



Four-coloured Bush Shrike {Lanarius quadncolor). 



(Vol. I., p. 267.) 



Description. — Male : all the upper parts grass green. 

 Two centre feathers green with black ends ; the rest of the tail 



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