Descriptive List of Birds 



of the Himalayas this species does not ascend 

 above 5000 feet. It occurs at Almora. 



56. Lanius tephronotus : The Grey-backed 

 Shrike. F.477,J. 258, II. E. W. K. 



Very like the rufous-backed shrike in appear- 

 ance. It differs from it in that (i) the grey 

 of the head extends more than half-way down 

 the back, and the shoulders are grey ; (2) 

 the red of the lower back is chestnut rather 

 than rusty ; (3) it has no white wing-bar. 



This species is common in the Kashmir 

 valley but not in the hill stations, at any rate 

 in summer. 



Minivets 



Little birds that go about in flocks and keep 

 to the tops of trees. The cocks are usually 

 bright red and black and the hens vivid yeUow 

 and black. 



57. Pericrocotus brevirostris : The Short- 

 billed Minivet. F. 495, J. 273, —I, but with 

 a tail 4 inches long. E. W. 



Cock : Head and shoulders glossy black. 

 Back and lower parts crimson. Wings black 

 with a crimson band running along (not across) 

 each. Middle tail feathers black, the others 

 crimson. 



123 



