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Show 1870.] ON EUROPEAN SHRIKES. 593 reasonable to suppose that Pallas had good grounds for the separation of his L. major; and the subject is well worth the investigation of ornithologists. We may be allowed to draw particular attention to the stress which Pallas lays on the conspicuous cross-barring, which forms so distinctive a character in Lanius borealis. Radde (Reis. Siid-Ost Sib. ii. p. 274) refers to Lanius major of Pallas, which he considers to be only L. excubitor. W e do not think he is right here ; for apparently he had no specimens from the locality where Pallas obtained his bird, and this must be an absolute condition for the correct settlement of the question. Von Schrenk never mentions it; and we consider that our suggestion recorded above will very probably be confirmed by future observation. 3. LANIUS ALGERIENSIS. Lanius algeriensis, Less. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 134 ; Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1853, p. 293; Tristr. Ibis, 1859, p. 159 ; Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 312; Taczan. J. f. O. 1870, p. 48. Lanius meridionalis, Malh. Cat. Rais. Ois. de l'Algerie, p. 9 (1846) ; Drake, Ibis, 1867, p. 425. Above dark blue-grey, the edge of the scapulars white ; least wing-coverts grey, the rest jet-black ; primaries black, white at the base, forming a very distinct white speculum, the secondaries paler on the inner web, conspicuously tipped with white ; tail black, the middle feathers just tipped with white, the others black at the base, but the white predominating towards the external feathers ; a narrow line over the forehead, loral space and ear-coverts black ; entire under surface grey, paler on the throat and just under the ear-coverts ; under wing-and tail-coverts whitish ; bill and feet black. Although closelv allied to Lanius excubitor and Lanius meridionalis, there is no doubt that the present species is quite distinct from both. The bill is slightly shorter and stouter than in either of these last-named species ; and the general appearance is such that we had no difficulty in distinguishing old and young specimens of Lanius algeriensis when mixed indiscriminately with a series of twenty specimens of Lanius excubitor of all ages. The back of the present bird is very much darker than that of any Lanius excubitor, while the uniform light plumbeous colour of the underparts effectually distinguishes it. The differences between Lanius algeriensis and Lanius meridionalis we have pointed out in treating of the latter bird. W e have quoted but very few references for this species, as so much confusion has existed with regard to its distinctness from L. meridionalis and L. dealbatus; but there is no doubt that Dr. Tristram and Mr. Salvin (I. c.) refer to the true L. algeriensis, as their remarks respecting the geographical distribution of the species in Algeria are fully borne out by the investigation of subsequent observers. The present bird seems to be a resident species in Algeria. Herr L. Taczanowski (I. ci) states that L. algeriensis is verv common on a large plain near the Fezzara Lake. In suitable localities it is found on the northern slope of the Atlas. |
