489 



LANIUS. SHRIKE. 



Bill rather short, strong, pentagonal at the base, higher than 

 broad, much compressed toward the end : upper mandible with 

 its dorsal outline convex, the ridge rather narrow, the sides 

 sloping at the base, nearly erect toward the end, the nasal sinus 

 moderately large and anteriorly rounded, the edges slightly 

 overlapping, the notch distinct, with a marked projection be- 

 hind it, the tip considerably decurved, compressed, slender, 

 and acute ; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, 

 the dorsal outline ascending and convex, the sides convex, the 

 edges direct, the tip slender, curved a little upwards^ and 

 acute ; the gape-line somewhat arched. 



The mouth rather wide ; the upper mandible internally con- 

 cave, with a strong prominent median line ; the lower more 

 deeply concave, with a similar line ; the palate soft, flat, with 

 two longitudinal ridges. The posterior aperture of the nares 

 oblongo -linear, edged with small papillae. Tongue sagittate 

 at the base, tapering, concave above, its edges thin, the tip slit 

 and lacerated. The oesophagus of moderate width, without 

 crop or dilatation ; the proventriculus oblong, with short cylin- 

 drical glandules. The stomach elliptical, moderately muscu- 

 lar, its tendons round ; the inner coat thin and rugous. The 

 intestine short, its duodenal portion wider ; the cceca very 

 small and cylindrical ; the rectum very short, with an oblong 

 dilatation. Plate XXII, Fig. 1. 



Nostrils rather small, roundish, in the fore part of the nasal 

 membrane, which is covered with bristly feathers directed for- 

 wards. Eyes of moderate size ; eyelids feathered on the edges 

 only. External aperture of the ear roundish and rather large. 



The general form is compact ; the neck short ; the head 

 ovate, large, and flattened above. The legs are rather short, 

 and of moderate strength ; the tarsus rather slender, com- 



