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Show 590 MESSRS. DRESSER A N D SHARPE [June 23, 4. Notes on Lanius excubitor and its Allies. By H. E. DRESSER, F.Z.S. &c.; and R. B. SHARPE, F.L.S., Libr. Z.S., &c. In examining the European Shrikes with a view to determine the species which really belong to the European fauna, we have found so much confusion existing that we have thought it necessary to make a few remarks on the Great Grey Shrikes and their geographical distribution ; and we take the present opportunity of adding some notes respecting all the species of true Lanius allied to our own Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor). With this view we have collected together a considerable series of Grey Shrikes from different parts of the world, and we venture to submit the following observations for the careful consideration of ornithologists ; and, at the same time, we shall be extremely obliged for any additions or corrections to the views expressed by us in the present paper. The following diagnostic table will show the characters of all those species which we consider to be fully established :- a. scapularibus conspicue albo marginatis. a', rostro et pedibus nigris, vel nigricantibus. a", fascia alari alba duplici distincta 1. excubitor. b". fascia alari alba una. a'", subtus semper vermiculatus 2. borealis. b'". subtus haud vermiculati. a "". majores : supra saturate plumbei. aa. subtus plumbeus 3. algeriensis. bb. subtus pulchre roseo indutus 4. meridionalis. b'"'. minores: supra cinerei. cc. pedibus gracilibus : secundariorum pogonio interno nigricante 5. ludovicianus. dd. pedibus crassis: secundariorum pogonio interno albo 6. lahtora. b'. rostro et pedibus pallide brunnescenti-corneis 7. pallidirostris. b. scapularibus dorso concoloribus. a', rectrice extima omnino alba 8. minor. b'. rectrice extima versus apicem nigra 9. excubitorius. 1. LANIUS EXCUBITOR. Above generally light blue-grey ; forehead, extending backwards over the eye, pure white; lores, feathers under the eye, and ear-covers black ; scapularies blue-grey, conspicuously edged with white; wing-coverts black, the least ones for tbe most part grey, the primary coverts and occasionally some of tbe greater coverts narrowly edged with greyish white ; primaries black, white at the base on both inner and outer webs ; secondaries black, the outermost white at the base on both the inner and outer web, thus forming a double bar on the wing; the secondaries conspicuously, and the primaries occasionally, tipped with white, the latter sometimes narrowly edged with the latter colour on the outer web ; rump and upper tail-coverts greyish white ; tail black, tipped with white, the latter colour gradually predominating towards the outer feathers, |
