LANIIV&. 139 



I did not find this species in Great Namaqua Land, 

 but first met with it in the central parts of Damara Land, 

 from whence to the river Okavango and to Lake Ngami 

 it is not uncommon. It is found in flocks of a few indi- 

 viduals, which at times create a tremendous hubbub 

 amongst themselves, especially on the approach of a bird 

 of prey; and the moment this alarm is sounded, every 

 little bird in the neighbourhood precipitately betakes 

 itself to a place of safety. 



This Shrike usually seeks its food, which consists of 

 insects, amongst the branches of trees and bushes or on 

 the ground ; but it will also watch for its prey from some 

 elevated perch. 



The irides are of a chocolate-colour, and the bill, legs, 

 and toes of a dark horn-colour. 



Measurements of a female : 



in. lin. 



Entire length 17 4 



Length of folded wing 53 



tarsus 13 



middle toe 09 



tail 12 3 



bill 11 



176. NilailS bnibni (Lath.). Brubru Shrike. 



Le Brubru, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 71. 



Nilaus brubru, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Orn. 



1852, p. 145. 



Nilaus capensis, Layard's Cat. No. 312. 

 Lanius brubru, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 394. 

 Nilaus brubnij Sharpe's Cat. No. 456. 



This species is widely distributed, extending from the 

 Okavango River on the north to Lake Ngami on the east 



