30 Mr. P. A, Sheppurd on Birds collected and 



rather heavy ; it is a much more wary bird than P. talacoma 

 and not so noisy. I do not think it is a resident here, but 

 on this point am not quite certain. Have only noticed this 

 bird here during the hot months : October to March. 



54. SiGMODUS SCOPIFRONS, Ptrs. Chestnut -crowned 

 Hehnet Shrike. 



On the evening of May 3rd I saw a flock of eight birds, 

 which I took to be S. retzii, on a large tree quite near the 

 house, out of w^hich I shot five, but on picking up the bodies 

 I found them to be a species quite new to me, although I 

 had seen one other before, shot by C;. H. B. Grant in this 

 district. The first bird T brought down was only w'ounded, 

 and its crying brought all the others to it. As they flew 

 round and settled on low dead branches they kept up a 

 constant chattering, in this resembling the next species. 



Its habits are very similar to retzii ; it keeps to the higher 

 trees, and with a very feeble flight travels from one to 

 another. I have only seen this species in thickly wooded 

 districts. I found small insects in the stomachs of those shot. 

 It appears to be a migrant, as I have not seen one for at 

 least two months. 



Feet and bill red, tip of bill orange-yellow. 



55. Prionops talacoma (Sm.). Smith's Helmet Shrike. 

 Found throughout tlie district, among low bush and 



forests, in flocks varying from 5 or to 12 or 15. It is 

 a very noisy bird and has a heavy flight. It is not very 

 shy and only flies for short distances, from tree to tree. 

 If a bird happens to be only wounded when shot, its crying 

 attracts the attention of the rest of the flock, which at once 

 come down to it, and continue hopping and flying round it, 

 keeping up a continuous chatter. When picking up a 

 wounded bird, I have had them flying so close that it would 

 have been an easy matter to have knocked them down with a 

 stick ; they do not attack the wounded bird in any way, but 

 after a minute or so leave it to its fate. These birds are very 

 restless, being continuously on the move. Their food consists 



