226 
Mr. Guy A. K. Marshall on 
11. Prionops talacoma. (South-African Helmet-Shrike.) 
Not uncommon throughout the year in wooded localities, 
occurring in flocks of from six to twelve. They are inde¬ 
fatigable insect-hunters, searching for their prey close to or 
even on the ground. They are by no means shy, and 
may be readily approached. The flight is sustained only 
for a short distance, and a subdued but very pleasing call is 
frequently uttered, being generally started by one individual 
and at once taken up by the whole flock. The gizzards 
examined contained orthoptera and coleoptera. 
12. Sigmodus retzii. (Retzius^s Helmet-Shrike.) 
I observed a pair of these birds in a flock of the preceding 
species at Mazoe last Christmas, but unfortunately failed to 
secure one. Mr. Ayres met with a few on the Uinfuli river, 
13. Graucalus pectoral^. (Black-breasted Cuckoo- 
Shrike.) 
Though generally distributed, this bird is by no means 
plentiful, being met with only singly or in pairs. When 
undisturbed it moves very leisurely, but on being frightened 
it takes a low swooping flight, though for no great distance, 
rising as it settles; thus recalling the Little Grey Gos¬ 
hawk (Astnr polyzonoides ), for which I have occasionally 
mistaken it. On the Umfuli river I obtained a female 
agreeing with the description in having the throat white, 
succeeded by a narrow crescent of clear grey, but I have 
never seen one with this colouring round Salisbury. I 
have in my collection a specimen, sexed as a female, which 
is coloured exactly like the male; moreover, if my memory 
serves, in all the pairs I saw last breeding-season both birds 
were coloured alike, and Mr. Swynnerton is of the same 
opinion. This Shrike is a very silent bird, only occasionally 
giving vent to a short, low whistle. In the stomachs examined 
I found locusts, grasshoppers, and beetles. 
14. Campophaga nigra. (Black Cuckoo-Shrike.) 
Known to me by a single specimen only. The resemblance 
to the Common Dr on go is so great that I passed over the 
bird, even after a hasty glance through the binoculars, but 
