HOOPOES 37 



There are two species found in South Africa, the Black 

 Cuckoo-Shrike (C. nigra) and the Yellow-shouldered Shrike 

 (C. hartlaubi). The male of the former is entirely glossy 

 black, the latter has a lemon-yellow shoulder patch. The 

 females of both birds are of a greyish colour, barred with 

 black, the feathers of the wings and tail being edged and 

 tipped with yellow. Length, Si to 9 inches. 



These birds are inhabitants of most of the forest and 

 bush regions of South Africa, where they construct a small, 

 shallow, saucer-like nest of fine twigs and ptylandsia covered 

 on the exterior surface with grey lichen. The nest is saddled 

 on a lichen-covered bough, which renders it extremely 

 difficult of detection. The lining of those found by us was 

 composed entirely of ptylandsia. 



The eggs invariably number two, those of the Black 

 Cuckoo-Shrike being of a light greenish-blue slightly tinged 

 with yellow, spotted with lavender and purple of a dark 

 shade; while those of the Yellow-shouldered species are 

 light greenish- buff, spotted with blackish and blotched with 

 dark and light lavender. 



The Grey Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina ccesius) is of a general 

 dark bluish-grey colour, with a broad black mark between 

 the bill and the eye. Length, 10| inches. It frequents the 

 topmost branches of high forest trees. 



The Cuckoo-Shrikes are very useful birds, feeding on 

 caterpillars, locusts, and other insect pests, and should be 

 protected as much as possible, as they are not particularly 

 plentiful. 



HOOPOES 



The South African Hoopoe (Upupa africana) is a well- 

 known bird in its brick-red plumage, black and white wings 

 and fan-like crest, which it raises and depresses at will. 



