LANIID^. 147 



thence northward as far as the Okavango ; but I nowhere 

 found it common. The few that I saw were either single 

 or in pairs, perching on the larger trees and hunting on 

 the branches with great assiduity for larvae and insects, 

 especially beetles and ants. 



The notes of this species are harsh and loud. It is 

 sometimes in the habit of elevating the lax feathers on 

 the back, which, when fully expanded, almost encircle 

 the bird ; this appears to occur under the influence of 

 amorous emotions, and also when the bird is aroused 

 by fear or curiosity. 



Measurements of a male and a female : 



Entire length 

 Length of foL 

 tarsus 

 mid 

 tail 

 bill 



184. TelophoniS gutturallS (Mull.). Bacbakiri Shrike. 



Le BacbaJciri, Levaillaiit's Ois. d'Afr. pi 67. 



Telophonus bacbakiri, Layard's Cat. No. 317. 



Telophoi-us ffutturalis, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 6043. 



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



Laniarius gutturalis, Sharpe's Cat. No. 465. 



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 ob- 

 served, into the thickest part of the nearest bush, and 



L2 



