









430 Mr. T. Ayres on Birds observed 
30. EnnEoctTonus coLzaARis (Linn.). Red-backed Shrike. 
This species is scarce at the Gold-fields; it is solitary in 
its habits, sitting stationary on the top of some low bush. 
[The specimen sent is a male in immature plumage, shot 
December 17.—J. H. G.] 
31. Dryoscorus Boutsout (Lath.). Boulboul Shrike. 
I think these Shrikes are always in pairs. They are not 
at all uncommon, though seldom seen, as they frequent the 
densest jungle and are retiring in their habits; their call, 
however, is often heard. 
32. LANIARIUS RUBIGINOSUS, Sund. Olivaceous Shrike. 
No doubt these Bush-Shrikes are amongst the mountains 
all the year round; but they are particularly sly and difficult 
to see, especially during the breeding-season, when they make 
the woods joyous with their varied songs and calls. Many of 
their notes are very liquid, and remind me much of those of 
the Nightingale. Often have I been very close to one of these 
songsters, and, though his song was pretty constant and he 
was frequently moving from bush to bush, I could do no 
more than catch a glimpse of him now and then, so skilfully 
did he conceal himself. During the winter they are silent. 
Male adult. Iris bright hazel; bill black; tarsi and feet 
bluish ash-colour. 
Female adult. Iris reddish hazel; bill black, but under 
mandible ashy at base; tarsi and feet bluish ash-colour. 
Female immature. Iris dark hazel; bill pale ash-colour, — 
dusky at the tip; tarsi and feet bluish ash-colour. 
[The description of this Shrike given by Mr. Layard at 
p. 164 of the first edition of the ‘ Birds of South Africa’ 
appears to apply to the adult male only ; the adult female 
sent by Mr. Ayres agrees with Levaillant’s figure of that sex 
(pl. 76. fig. 1), except that it wants the blackish spots on the 
head, though the ear-coverts are a darker grey than the crown 
of the head. In another and, apparently, younger female the 
buff tint on the breast is wanting, and the breast and flanks 
are yellowish green, freckled with small transverse markings 

