Mashonaland Birds. 
239 
singly or in pairs. The tail is fully expanded in flight, as 
the bird rises with its loud mewing cry. In the stomach of 
one bird I found four grasshoppers, one reduviid bug, and 
a number of beetles. 
76. Petronia petronella. (Yellow-breasted Sparrow.) 
Abundant at all seasons in bush-country. They occur in 
small flocks, feeding principally on the ground, though they 
will occasionally search trees and low bushes for insects like 
Tits; they also eat seeds, buds, &c. The true Sparrows 
( Passer ) do not appear to have been met with in Mashona¬ 
land up to the present. 
77. Poltospiza gularis. (Streaky-breasted Grosbeak.) 
I obtained a single specimen at Salisbury in 1894, and do 
not recollect having seen the species since. 
78. Serinus flayiventris. (Yellow-bellied Canary.) 
Common, congregating in considerable flocks during early 
winter. Like all its congeners, it has a sweet and well- 
sustained song. 
79. Serinus angolensis. (Black-throated Canary.) 
Not nearly so common as the preceding, which it resembles 
in general habits. 
80. Serinus icterus. (Golden-rumped Canary.) 
Occasionally met with in small flocks on the Umfuli river 
by Mr. Ayres. 
81. Emberiza orientalis. (Shelley’s Bunting.) 
On one occasion in the winter of 1898 I came across a 
small flock of these birds near Salisbury, but had no gun 
with me; the only other example I met with was one I shot 
on the Hanyani river the following September. This was 
identified by Capt. Shelley, who tells me that the species had 
not previously been received from the south of the Zambesi. 
82. Emberiza flaviventris. (Golden-breasted Bunting.) 
Not uncommon in woodland country, occurring either 
singly or in small flocks of five or six individuals. It feeds 
entirely on the ground, and will often permit one to approach 
within a few feet of it before rising, when it flies for onlv a 
