490 LANIUS. SHRIKE. 



pressed, with seven anterior scutella, sharp behind, the long 

 lateral plates with several transverse divisions ; the toes rather 

 small, much compressed, the outer and middle toe united as 

 far as the second joint ; the first much stouter and compara- 

 tively long ; the two lateral nearly equal, the middle much 

 longer ; the claws rather long, arched, much compressed, later- 

 ally grooved, rather slender, and extremely acute. 



Plumage soft and blended ; the feathers ovate and rounded. 

 A row of stiffish bristles along the base of the upper mandible. 

 Wings of moderate length, broad, semiovate, rather rounded ; 

 quills nineteen ; primaries ten, tapering to a rounded point ; 

 secondaries broader and more rounded. Tail long, straight, of 

 moderate breadth, rounded, of twelve rather narrow rounded 

 feathers. 



The Shrikes are remarkable for the direct affinity which 

 they exhibit to the Falconine birds, in the structure of their 

 bill, and in their rapacious habits, most of the larger species 

 killing small birds, mice, and other animals. In their general 

 form, their plumage, and the structure of their feet, however, 

 they resemble the Turdinae and Sylvianae, to which they are 

 further allied in their mode of flight, in the structure of their 

 digestive organs, and consequently in feeding chiefly on insects 

 and soft fruits. Referring to British birds, we should find our 

 Shrikes more nearly allied to the ISIissel Thrush and Fieldfare 

 than to any other species ; and should scarcely suspect them of 

 having any affinity to the Flycatchers, with which, however, 

 the genus is connected by the intervention of several genera of 

 exotic birds, such as Edolius, Graucalus, and Tyrannula. Their 

 habit of perching on a twig or other elevated spot, whence they 

 sally forth in pursuit of insects, and the comparative shortness 

 of their toes, are also indicative of this affinity. 



They are generally unsocial birds, whose sympathies do not 

 extend beyond the circle of their own family, tyrannical, and 

 consequently disliked by their neighbours of the insectivorous 

 tribes, many of which exhibit as much alarm at their presence 

 as they would on approaching a hawk. But their boldness is 

 not directed solely toward the weaker birds, for they exhibit 

 great courage in defending themselves and their nests from 



