877. L a n i a r i u s t r i v i r g a t u s , Smith.
Smith’s Red-winged Bush Shrike.
At one time we were inclined to believe that the present bird was
only the young of the preceding species, but having now examined
a very large series we are convinced that it is quite distinct. It is
a smaller bird than L. senegalus, and may be distinguished by its
ochraceous under tail-coverts, which are of the same colour as the
flanks. The ashy-brown head uniform with the back, and bordered
on each side of the crown by a black streak, also marks the species.
First discovered by Sir A. Smith to the north-east of Kurrichaiue,
between 24° and 25° S. Lat., it is now known to extend over the
greater part of Southern Africa, but does not occur within the Cape
Colony. Mr. T. C. Atmore forwarded a male from Griqualand, and
we have received it from Mr. Moffatt at Kuruman, as well as from
Lieut. Trevelyan at Kingwilliamstown. Mr. Guillemard pronounces
it to be the commonest Shrike in the Transvaal, and Mr. Ayres
found it equally numerous near Rustenberg, with L. senegalus, and
inhabiting similar situations. Mr. T. E. Buckley procured the
species in Bamangwato, and it was shot by the late Mr. Frank
Oates on the Crocodile River and also near the Metli River, on his
way to the Zambesi, where Dr. Kirk also procured the species. From
South-Western Africa Mr. Andersson gives the following note:—
“ This species is by no means uncommon in Southern Damara Land,
and it also occurs in the parts adjacent; it confines itself to dense
thickets or low bushes, where it hops about incessantly, flitting
rapidly from twig to twig, and passing out of sight directly you have
caught a glimpse of it. It is generally found either singly or in
pairs. Two nests of this bird, which I found in the month of
January, were composed of stalks of plants loosely put together,
and lined with stalks of a softer kind. One nest was placed very
low in a low bush, the other about five feet from the ground in a
thorn bush; each nest contained three eggs.” Mr. Monteiro found
it abundant in Benguela, and Senor Anchieta has also procured it at
different localities in that province. At Humbe it was called by the
natives Himba, and at Capangombe, Embolio and Kissandassuela.
It likewise ranges into Angola proper, having been sent from the
Rio Bengo by Dr. Welwitsch. In West Africa it is replaced on the
Gold Coast by the nearly allied L. ussheri, Sharpe.
The length of the present species is about 1\ inches; wing, 2-9
to 3T ; culmen, 0'75 to 0'8.
Fig. Smith, Zool. S. Afr. pi. 94.
!N"ote by the Editob.—The following is a list of the Red-winged Bush
Shrikes at present known:—
1 . L a n i a b i u s e b y t h b o f t e b u s , Shaw. S a b . Cape Colony.
2 . L a n i a b i u s c u c u l l a t u s , Temm. Hah. Algeria and Morocco.
3 . L a n i a b i u s s e n e g a l u s , L . Hab. Western, Southern, and Eastern
Africa. _
4 . L a n i a b i u s b l a n e o b d i , Sharpe. Similis L . senegalo sed subcaudalibus
cineraceis albido terminatis distinguendus. Long. tot. 7 6, alae 2 95—3-08. Hub.
N.E‘. Africa.
5 . L a n i a b i u s b e m i g i a l i s , F . and H. Hab. N.E Africa.
6. L a n i a b i u s t b i v i b g a t u s , Smith. Hab. S. Africa.
7 . L a n i a b i u s u s s h e b i , sp. n. Similis L . trivirgato, sed subtus cinereus, gula
et abdomine albis, subcaudalibus cinereis albo terminatis nec p&llide cinereis
distinguendus. Long. tot. 7'3, alae 2-8.
8. L a n i a b i u s m i n u t u s , Hartl. Hab. West and East Africa.
9 . L a n i a b i u s a n c h i e t i e , Bocage. Hab. S.W. Africa.
378. N i l a u s b r u b r u . Brubru Bush Shrike.
Nilaus capensis, Layard B. S. Afr. p. 159.
This little Shrike occurs in Natal, where it is apparently not very
plentiful, but it is more common in the Transvaal, and according to
Mr. Buckley is frequent in the Matabili country; it ranges to the
Zambesi. Mr. Andersson states that it is “ widely distributed,
extending from the Okavango River on the north to Lake N’garni
on the east and the Orange River on the south. It is nowhere
B numerous but is scarcer near the last-named river than in the other
localities above referred. Its usual resorts are forests or large
tree's amongst which it hops about incessantly in search of insects.
I do not think that I have ever seen more than a pair together.”
Many specimens have been sent by Senor Anchieta from Humbe,
on the Cunene River, and one example from Huilla; at the former
place it rejoices in the native name of Kandilanakiuna.
Top of the head, and all the upper parts, black; the latter
mottled and marked with white; tail black and white; wings the
same; superciliary eye-streak white; throat, chest, and centre of
belly white ; sides of body, from the shoulders, rufous. Length, 6";
wing, 3" 4"'; tail, 2W 7".
Mr. Andersson gives the soft parts as follows:—“ The iris is a
fine rich brown, with a very slight tint of red; the bill varies some