LANIID.T<:. 



189 



Laniin.e. 



SUB-FAMILY I. 



The Butcher-hirds iwoper. 



Gbn. Chabac. — Bill moderate aVid strong, with the euhnen curved, and the 

 sides generally much compressed near the tip, which is mostly hooked and 

 emarginated ; the gape sometimes furnished with short bristles ; the nostrils 

 lateral and rounded ; the wings more or less long, and generally rounded ; 

 the tail of various lengths, and usually rounded; the tarsi rather short and 

 strong; the toes rather long and strong, with the lateral ones generally 

 unequal, the outer toe the longest, and united at its base, the hind toe long 

 and broadly padded. 



Fig. 



-THE LONG-TAILED BlTTCHEKBrRD. 



{Lunias coUurio.) 



The Butclier-birds are found tlirougliout Europe, 

 Asia, Africa, and America. They are usually seen 

 singly or in pairs, in woody or in bushy places. 

 Their food consists of various kinds of insects, which 

 they usually seize on the ground or from among the 

 foliage, and even occasionally pm*sue while on the 

 wing; they also attack lizards, small birds, and 

 quadrupeds, which they destroy by strangulation. 

 K 3 



