160 



DENIZENS OF THE FOREST 



a bush, and lays three or lour eggs, generally of a creamy 

 pink colour marked with dots and streaks of various shades 

 of brown and grey. 



The commonest and most widely distributed member of 

 the family is the ordinary Fiskal (Lanius collaris) whose 



Fig. 90. — Fiskal Shrike on nest. 



shambles is a well-known sight to every South African. One 

 may chance upon a mimosa tree which has been used by 

 one of these birds as a larder, and find impaled on its long 

 thorns grasshoppers, lizards, &c. ; a barbed wire fence is 

 often requisitioned nowadays to fill the office. 



This bird is not liked by the aviculturist or canary-keeper, 

 as it is pugnacious, and has often been known to kill canaries 

 in their cages. 



