THE SHAMA 



more like t'chat Vchat, This peculiar 

 sound is accompanied by a jerking up of the 

 tail. 



It never soars high into the air, nor is it 

 ever seen perched on the topmost branches 

 of trees ; but it makes it a point to keep 

 as near the ground as possible, generally 

 selecting low branches for perching. Prom 

 such a position, it is always on the look-out 

 for any insect which may stray into view. 

 As soon as it notices its prey, it comes down 

 to pick it up ; and if, in the act of swallow- 

 ing the worm, it happens to spot another, 

 it hops up to bag this one also. It is chiefly 

 insectivorous, its menu consisting of grass- 

 hoppers, small beetles, ants, flies and their 

 congeners. 



Solitary in its habits, it aggressively 

 drives away any member of its own commu- 

 nity, and on the approach of one, it will at 

 once attack the latter, fighting fiercely till 

 one gives ground. The unsociability of this 

 bii»d falsifies the proverb that birds of a 

 feather flock together. This peevish 



