S44 MK. A. LOVEIUUGE : NOTES ON 



CoRvus scAPULATUs Daucl. 



Pied Crow. At Lumbo, T found a broken egg-shell in a culti- 

 vated patch, and on enquiry found that the native proprietor had 

 pulled the nest down from a cocoanut palm ; after this I searched 

 and found a good many nests, one containing three very large 

 young ones and another some newly-hatched (Lumbo, x. 18). 



DiCRURUS AFER LUGUBRIS Rlipp. 



At Government Farm a White-shouldered Crow was giving 

 vocal expression to its feelings after the manner of its kind, 

 cawing hoarsely in the midst of a field of stubble. From a 

 nearby mango-tree, stooping like a hawk, came a Black Drongo, 

 and went straight for the croaker, who took to wing at the last 

 . moment. Its more active assailant landed on its back when 

 about 40 feet from the gi'ound and gave the Crow a good 

 pecking, then, clearing off, it returned triumphantly to its perch. 

 I searched for, but found no signs of a nest; possibly the Drongo 

 had an ear for music and disapproved of the raucous cries 

 (Morogoro, 20. xii. 16). 



Lanius collaris humeralis Stanley. 



This Shrike, which is very common at iSTairobi, breeds all the 

 year round, for at any season the 5'oung bii'ds may be seen on 

 the telegi-aph wires clamouring for food with shivering wings. 

 Nests with eggs were found oil the following dates : — One 

 (13.i. 15); two (22. V. 15); four (l.vi. 15); three (5. vi. 15). 

 Nearly all the nests were built in thorn-trees. There is no lack 

 of thorns for their larders, and grasshoppers appear to be the 

 most common food ; huge caterpilla.rs were also found, whilst on 

 one occasion a small frog {Rappia sp.) was found impaled on the 

 point of an aloe. A friend told me that he once found a small 

 blue weaver (^Urceginthi(,s sp.) impaled on a thorn and still 

 alive. With diabolical ingenuity the Shrike had twisted other 

 thorns across in front to prevent the bird freeing itself (Nairobi, 

 l.vi. 15). 



Laniarius sublacteus Cass. 



A nest of the Lesser Pied Shrike with one egg (Lumbo, 

 28.x. 18). 



Harpolestes senegala orientalis Cab. 



The Greater Red-winged Bush-Shrike was found nesting on 

 the 26th and 29th of March, 1917. In both instances only two 

 eggs were laid. The nests were very shallow, composed of a 

 base of small twigs and rootlets with a lining of much finer 

 roots. They were both in bushes, one being at a height of 4, 

 the other 5, feet from the ground (Morogoro, 29.iii. 17). 

 Nest with young about 7 feet from the ground (Morogoro, 

 4.iv. 17). 



