12 Mr. H. Leighton Hare on 



Naraaqua Sand-Grouse (Pteroclurus namag^ta) are very 

 plentiful at certain times of the year, though from all accounts 

 they are never seen in such large numbers as in former 

 years. They breed in the district, and their eggs were 

 frequently taken. The clutch consists of three eggs. 



The Speckled Pigeon (Cohimba plueonota). Cape Turtle- 

 Dove (^Turtur capicola), Laughing Dove {T. senegalensis), 

 and Namaqua Dove (CEna capensis) are all very common. 



The Bacbakiri Shrike (Laniarius (fuituralis), Fisca\ Sin'ike 

 [Lanius collaris), and Coronetted ShiiUe [Laniun suhcoroiiatus) 

 are all resident species. The Red-backed Shrike [Lanius 

 collurio) is a rather rare summer visitor. I once saw the nest of 

 a Bacbakiri constructed entirely (with the exception, perhaps, 

 of the inner lining) of green twigs plucked from a thyme- 

 bush. It certainly was a sweet-smelling abode ; incideutaJly 

 the thyme-bush was just about ruined when the birds had 

 finished with it. I fancy they must have found the scent to 

 their liking, because there was no lack of other good nesting- 

 material in the neighbourhood. It is sometimes rather 

 difficult to draw the line between the Fiscal and the C'oro- 

 netted Shrike. Where the wliite band across the forehead 

 and the white eyebrows are plainly in evidence, there is, of 

 course, no question about the identity, but some birds are 

 found with just the very faintest trace of a white eyebrow. 

 The breast of the Fiscal of these parts is pure white, and 

 shows no traces of the smoky colour to be seen in specimens 

 from the neighbourhood of the Cape. This bird destroys 

 many insects, and is a good friend to the farmer. Apart 

 from his cruel habit of impaling living locusts, beetles, &c., 

 on thorns or barbed wire, for which I suppose he cannot be 

 held to blame, the only bad trait in his character is his 

 fondness for pulling off the head of a caged canary whenever 

 he gets the opportunity to do so. He is a pugnacious bird. 

 Quite recently I came upon two indulging in a regular 

 " rouoh and tumble " on the ground. They rolled over and 

 over in the dust using beak and claws vigorously, surrounded 

 by a circle of Chats, Sparrows, Seedeaters, and Buntings, 

 who appeared to be enjoying the fun immensely. I do not 



