+] 
386 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
especially about Cape Town; I also found them plentiful at Port 
Elizabeth ; but did not meet with them in Natal. They are 
generally seen in pairs, or in small family parties, frequenting the 
low bushes, and often running on the ground.” Victorin records 
it from the Knysna, and Mr. Rickard states that it is very common 
at Port Elizabeth, and is also found near East London : we have 
also had it from Eland’s Post from Mr. T. C. Atmore. Lieut. 
H. Trevelyan shot specimens near Kingwilliamstown. In the 
Editor’s collection was a specimen from Natal, whence also Mr. 
Ayres has forwarded specimens. Mr. Andersson gives the follow- 
ing account of this Shrike: “ This species is sparingly met with in 
Damara Land, and only in a few localities; but as the traveller 
proceeds southward it becomes more numerous, till on reaching 
Cape Town it is found in every garden. In Damara Land I have 
usually found it very shy and retired in its habits, quickly escaping, 
the moment it finds itself observed, into the thickest part of the 
nearest bush, and thence moving hurriedly on as near to the ground 
as the locality will admit, so that it is often difficult to flush it a 
second time. At the Cape, on the contrary, it is very familiar, and 
is frequently seen perched on the garden walls, whilst it utters a 
succession of ringing calls which the Dutch liken to the word 
‘ Bacbakiri ;? but its notes and calls are in fact very varied. This 
Shrike feeds chiefly on insects, but it is said occasionally to kill and 
devour young birds; it hunts for its prey amongst low bushes and 
on the ground, and runs with great swiftness. It is usually found 
in pairs, but for some time after the breeding season the parents 
are accompanied by their families, which they tend with much care. 
This species builds in thick bushes; and the eggs, which are four 
or five in number, of a greenish-blue colour, spotted with reddish 
brown, especially round the thicker end, are incubated by both 
parents.” Mr. Monteiro met with this species in Benguela, and 
Anchieta has forwarded five specimens to Lisbon from the Rio 
Coroca in Southern Mossamedes. 
Adult. — General colour above dull olive-green, the wings 
uniform with the back, slightly more yellowish-green on the outer 
webs of the quills and greater coverts, all the quills light sepia on 
the inner web ; two centre tail-feathers dull olive, the next on each 
side blackish, more or less shaded with olive and slightly tipped 
with yellow, all the others jet-black, very broadly tipped with 
