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Show 598 MESSRS. DRESSER AND SHARPE [June 23, Asia, thus connecting its range from Palestine to India This species is undoubtedly the southern representative of Lanius excubitor in the western Palaerctic Region ; but we have not sufficient authority to state clearly the range of this last-named bird in the eastern portion of the Palaearctic Region to give the exact extent in this direction, so that the point where the two species meet has yet to be determined. Throughout Northern Africa, from Algiers to Egypt, it is not uncommon, and in Palestine is the common Shrike of the country, according to Dr. Tristram (Ibis, 1867, p. 364), who, however, on this occasion confounded the bird with Lanius excubitor, as we find from an examination of the specimens collected by him, and kindly lent to us for the present paper. In Algeria this species, according to Herr Taczanowski, takes the place of L. algeriensis on the southern slope of the Atlas and in the deserts. W e have the advantage of possessing in this country the type specimen of Lanius elegans of Swainson, which is preserved in the national collection. On a close examination this bird seems to be nothing more or less than Lanius lahtora, to which species we have accordingly referred it. Whether the identical specimen described really came from the Fur Countries as stated, can only be determined by further investigation in the locality whence the type specimen is said to have come ; and this question will, doubtless, be set at rest some day by the American ornithologists. It seems possible to us that the Shrike in question may have come from some other locality altogether, or it may be a straggler from Northern Siberia into North-western America. Before concluding our remarks on this species we may state that Dr. von Heuglin in his new work admits Lanius leucopygus, Hempr. & Ehr., and L. lahtora as two distinct species. The former name he assigns to the bird called L. dealbatus by most ornithologists: but we must protest against the resuscitation of the name L. leucopygus ; for on turning to the passage quoted (Symb. Phys. d, e) we fail to find any account of the species, and we cannot allow this name to take precedence of L. lahtora, as Hemprich and Ehrenberg do not seem to be very clear on the subject and evidently regard their L. leucopygus, whatever it may be, as a hybrid. 7. LANIUS PALLIDIROSTRIS. Lanius pallidirostris, Cass. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1851, p. 244 ; id. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1853, p. 257, pl. 23. Collyrio pallidirostris, Gray, Hand-1. of B. i. p. 391 (1869). Lanius pallidus, Antin. Cat. Coll. Ucc. p. 56 (1865). Head and back pale whitish grey; a line on the forehead and over the eye white ; loral space dusky grey ; ear-coverts black ; scapulars edged with white; least wing-coverts greyish white, the rest black; quills brownish black, white at the base, the external web of the primaries at their base white, forming a distint alar bar; rump and upper tail-coverts greyish white; centre tail-feathers black tipped with white, the white predominating towards the outermost |
