12.2 



lUKD GALLEKY. 



Family XIV. Aktamid.i!. Swallow-Shrikes. 



[Case 7o.] i'j,e Wood-Swallows, as tliey arc .sometimes called, constitute a small 

 group of birds cliaracterised liy tlieir pointed greyisli-blue hill and long 

 pointed wings. In their actions and mode of life they closely resemble 

 the Swallows. AVitli the exception of one West African species, all are 

 found in the Indian and Australian regions and belong to the genus 

 ArtmuHs (2183 7). The common Australian species [A. svrdidus) has a 

 curious habit of hanging in great clusters, like a swarm of bees, from 

 the miderside of a branch. 



Family XV. Vangid^. Madagascar Shrikes. 



[C'af- 7ii.] This small family of Shrikes includes si.v genera and twelve species 

 all ])eculiar to Madagascar, lleprescntativc forms of Vuiujn (2188) and 

 Lcptopterus (2189) are shewn. 



Family XVI. Prioxopid.t.. Wood-Shrikes. 



[Case 76.] The Wood-Shrikes comprise a large number of species ranging from 

 Africa and Southern Asia to New Guinea, the Polynesian Islands, and 

 Australia. Most of the species are dull coloured birds, the predomi- 

 nating colours being brown, grey, and black. They frequent trees and 

 bushes, feeding on insects, mollusca, and fruits. Among these many 

 forms we may call attention to the so-called jNIagpie-Lark [GruJiinii 

 picat(i) (2190), a familiar bird about many Australian homesteads; 

 Riippell's Wood-Shrike {Eiirocej)h(ihi.s i-urppcUi) (2193), exhibited with 

 its nest, and the helmeted species of P/'/((//(y/a' (2202), both from Africa ; 

 the Jay-Shrike (Platylophus ardesiacus) (2201), with its remarkable 

 ong crest, from the ^Nlalay Peninsula ; and the peculiar Hypocoliiis 

 mnpi'Iiims (2205) from South-west Asia. The systematic position of 

 the latter bird (a pair of which are exhibited with tlieir nest) has 

 given rise to much discussion among ornithologists, some placing it 

 in one family and some in another. Probably it should be associated 

 ■with the Chatterers, which it resembles not only in its structure but 

 in its habits. Its eggs are white with greyish-black spots. 



Family XVII. Laniid^e. Shrikes or Butchek-Bikds. 



[Case 70.] The Shrikes are a nearly cosmopolitan family of birds, being found 

 everywhere except iu South America. The typical forms are character- 

 ised by tlieir strongly hooked notched bill, which somewhat resembles 

 that of a Falcon. The young in their iirst plumage differ from the 

 adult and have the jilumage barred. The smaller and weaker members 



