4.06 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
If this should turn out to be the case, the range of B,adyornis ater 
must be extended to Damara Land and even to Benguela; Senor 
Anchieta procured it at Caconda, as well as at Humbe on the 
Cunene River, where it is called Mungando. 
Adult male.—General colour above and below blue-black, with a 
dull gloss; quills and tail dark brown, the secondaries externally 
glossy black, the innermost entirely like the back;  tail-feathers 
blackish brown, externally glossed with black; under wing-coverts 
like the breast ; quills ashy below, decidedly lighter grey towards 
the base of the inner webs. ‘otal length, 7°9 inches; culmen, 0°7; 
wing, 4°5; tail, 3°8; tarsus, U°9. 
389. Prionops Tratacoma, Sinith. South African Helmet Shrike. 
Sir Andrew Smith first met with this species about 25° S. Lat., in 
flocks of six or eight individuals, frequenting low bushes, or hunting 
the ground for insects. It occurs throughout the Transvaal, and is 
sparingly found in small parties throughout the wooded parts of the 
Rustenberg district ; and Mr. Ayres, who has also procured it on the 
Limpopo, says they are extremely wild and difficult of approach after 
being shot at once or twice. Dr. Exton met with it in the Matabili 
country, and both Mr. T. E. Buckley and the late Mr. Frank Oates 
procured specimens at different places on their way to the Zambesi, 
where the species was also procured by Dr. Kirk during the Living- 
stone expedition. In Damara Land Mr. Andersson did not meet 
with it until he had passed Omanbonde in 20° 8. Lat., and Senor 
Anchieta has sent specimens from Humbe on the Cunene River, and 
from Capangombe and Huilla, while Sala met with it on the Rio 
Dande. It does not, however, according to Professor Barbosa du 
Bocage, occur north of the Congo. 
Mr. Andersson’s accounts of its habits are as follows :— It 
is always seen in flocks of from half a dozen to a dozen indi- 
viduals, which frequent secluded spots, where they restlessly hop 
from branch to branch on the bushes and the lower boughs of the 
trees, never remaining long on the same tree, but hunting most 
systematically for insects, which, with the occasional addition of 
young shoots and leaves, form their food. Whilst some individuals 
of the flock are examining a tree in search of insects, others keep 
moving slowly on, but rarely going further than the next tree. 
When the locality is open, those which first reach a tree fix their 
