98 DENIZENS OF THE FOREST 



is the beautiful Crimson-breasted Shrike (L. atrococcineus) , 

 whose name will easily serve to distinguish it. 



It is fairly common in the bushveld north of Pretoria, 

 whence we obtained some good specimens. They are 

 very quick, and collecting them is often in consequence 

 no easy matter. Buckley records a nest taken on 

 November 7, built of soft dead reeds, containing three 

 eggs of a white ground, thickly spotted with light 

 brown. 



The commonest member of the genus is the well- 

 known Bakbakiri (Laniarius gutturalis), called by most 

 Colonials the " Kokevic," from its call. It is easily 

 recognisable by its yellow and green plumage and black 

 chest-band. The male and female are very fond of 

 calling to each other, their respective cries differing 

 considerably. Stark gives an excellent description of 

 these in his "Birds," vol. ii., "Fauna of South 

 Africa." 



The nest is like that of other shrikes, and usually 

 contains three verditer-blue eggs mottled with rusty 

 red. It is also an insect and worm feeder like the other 

 members of the family, and if it were not for the bird- 

 killing propensities of some of the members, we would not 

 have had the slightest hesitation in including them under 

 the chapter of " Friends of the Agriculturist." 



The next species is the beautiful Four-coloured Bush 

 Shrike (L. quadricolor) which is green above, and has 

 the cheeks and throat scarlet, followed by a broad band 

 of black : the remainder of the under-parts being yellow. 

 It is essentially an Eastern species, ranging from Natal 

 to British East Africa. 



They breed early in November, according to Millar, 

 and lay " two or three pretty white eggs delicately 



