60 Mr. F. Y. Kirhy on Birds 



Thej would alight on a tree and be " all over it " in a few 

 seconds, only desisting from their energetic search for food 

 amongst the leaves to dart down upon some passing insect, 

 after the capture of which they eagerly resumed their hunt 

 amongst the branches. This completed they flew off in a 

 paity to a distant tree. 



19. Platysteira PELT ATA, Simd. Wattle-Eye Flycatcher. 

 At Povarella. Of very retiring nature. Never showing 



themselves in the open, but keeping to cool dark spots in the 

 Oluse Bush, never far from water. Though shy, they allow 

 one to approach fairly closely, if the approach is made 

 cautiously, apparently trusting to their dark plumage to 

 escape observation. When moving about in the bush they 

 keep up a constant twittering ; their call being very insistent 

 in this respect reminding one of Apatis tlioracica wh'^n their 

 nest is approached. The birds were in pairs. [September.] 



20. TcHiTREA PERSPiciLLATA (Sw.). Paradise Flycatcher. 

 Seen at Murielas and Manta's. One which I shot at 



Murielas appeared to have marked difference in coloration 

 from the ordinary South African species. 



21. SiGMODUs RETZii TRICOLOR (G. R. Gray). Zambesi 

 Helmet Shrike. 



C'Ommon in open forest country, in parties of six or eight. 

 Rather quicker on the wing than Prionops and fly greater 

 distances. 



22. NiCATOR GULARLS, F. & Hartl. Yellow-spotted Bush 

 Shrike. 



Common along the Mungeosi River, where it frequented 

 the dense river- bush. It seldom takes to flight ; its call at 

 times is very mellow and musical. It would commence with 

 a few single call-notes which were followed by others ra})idly 

 altered, witli oriole-like richness of tones. 



23. Laniarus MOSSAMBICUS, Rchw. Mozambique Pufi- 

 back. 



Seen occasionallv in the scrub-bush around Murielas 



