Birds of Gazaland, Southern Rhodesia. 49 
Umswirezi (alt. 1000 feet), and again, a few days ago, I saw 
what I took to be an individual of this species in a small 
forest-patch close to Chirinda, uttering a musical call re- 
sembling the syllables “ pipit-yé! pipit-yé!”’; so that it will 
probably prove to be not uncommon. It is far more shy and 
retiring than the following species. ‘The crops examined con- 
tained three large caterpillars and the débris of small insects 
48. Lanitanius starkr. Southern Grey-headed Bush- 
Shrike. 
Commonly met with in the winter months in the open 
woods and occasionally on the outskirts of Chirinda, singly 
or in pairs; it isa comparatively bold species, always keeping 
to the higher branches, but often difficult to approach. ‘The 
crop examined contained the remains of a large green 
flower-beetle. 
49. Prionors ratacoma. Smith’s Helmet-Shrike. 
Not uncommon in the open woods, usually forming a 
member of the Drongo’s regiment, though it sometimes 
dispenses with this protection. <A flock of eight or nine 
individuals frequented a “ Manzhanshe”’-grove close to my 
homestead throughout the past winter accompanied only by 
a pair of Graucalus pectoralis and two Hornbills (Lophoceros 
melanoleucus). A stomach examined contained several grass- 
hoppers. The natives regard this species as a bird of omen : 
should it cross their path, when hunting, from right to left, 
all is well, and they can proceed with full confidence of 
success; should it, however, cross from left to right, nothing 
but the worst of ill-fortune can await him who is so foolhardy 
as to disregard the warning, and the only sensible course is 
to go straight home. It is one of the few birds the flesh of 
which the natives will not eat. 
50, Crareropus JARDINU. Jardine’s Babbler. 
Plentiful everywhere, except in the forest and the open 
short-grass country. A stomach recently examined contained 
beetles, a beetle-larva, seeds and skins of Cape gooseberries 
(Physalis), and a large hard bean-like seed. 
SER, IX.—VOL. I. E 
