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Capped Wheatear ( Saxicola pileaia), known to the Boers as the

‘ Schaapwachter,’ which has a lovely song, is a clever mimic, and

consequently a general favourite ; it is found throughout the

colony.


I do not think it would be worth while to speak of the

Warblers of S. Africa, as these birds are never easy to keep ; and

would, I feel sure, be far less so to import, excepting perhaps

in a private steam-yacht; the Sun-birds also may I think be

profitably omitted from the present paper, with the exception

perhaps of the Tit-like little Cape White-eye ( Zosterops capcnsis )

which is common throughout the colony, and ought to be no

more difficult to bring over than the Chinese species: the Tits

and Flycatchers may also be passed over.


Of the Shrikes, the handsome pied species known as the

South African Long-tailed Shrike (Urolcsles me/anoleucus) might,

I think, be obtained ; as it has a tolerably wide range, and is

generably distributed, though somewhat local, thoughout the

bush-veldt (according to Mr. Thomas Ayres) : but undoubtedly

every possible effort should be made to secure the gorgeously

coloured Natal Bush-Shrike (. Laniarius quadricoloi '), which is not

uncommon in the dense bush along the coast: in colouring it

surpasses, to my mind, the charming Fruit-suckers of India.

Less beautiful, but still a handsome bird, is the Ruddy-breasted

Bush-Shrike (. Laniarius rubiginosus ), a most delightful songster,

which appears to be common at the Knvsna; the Bacbakiri

Bush Shrike (A. gutturalis), which is common at Cape Town and

Port Hlizabeth, would also be a desirable acquisition.


The Pied Wood-Shrike (. Bradyornis silens) is said to be a

sweet singer and clever mimic ; it is common about Rustenberg

and occurs less plentifully over the whole of the Cape Colony.

The African Drongo {Buchan^a assimilis) is plentiful throughout

the coast district of Natal; it is especially fond of bees, of which

it eats great quantities. The South African Black-headed Oriole

(Oriolus 1 arvahis ), which is common along the south-east coast

of the colony, might perhaps be imported without much

difficulty.


The Crows of South Africa appear to be neither numerous

in species, nor especially attractive.


Of the Starlings the abundant and widely distributed

Wattled Starling ( Dilophus carunculatus) should make a most

interesting cage-bird. As regards the Glossy Starlings, we are

all familiar with several in captivity. The Red-shouldered

Glossy Starling is abundant throughout the eastern parts of the



