280 



Lanhia aiiriculatus, Dresser, Birds Eur. iii. p. 407 (1871); Saunders, 



Ibis, 1871, p. 207 ; Gadoio, Cat. Birds B. M. viii. p. 283 (1883). 

 Lanius pomeranus, Wliitehead, Ibis, 1885, p. 37. 

 Phoneus pomeranus, Sharpe, Hand-l. iv. p. 283 (1903). 



The eggs of the Woodchat-Shrike are normally of a pointed oval 

 shape, in some cases the smaller end being blunt and rounded. 

 Many eggs possess a fair amount of gloss, some are entirely with- 

 out it. 



Thej' are exceedingly variable in colour and form. Of the many 

 types to be found, the following may be enumerated: — Ground-colour 

 of some shade of green, varying from the palest greenish white to a 

 clear but pale green, marked with olive-brown or yellowish brown 

 and lavender. Ground-colour greyish white, marked with pale 

 brown, or rarely with dark chocolate-brown, and violet-grey. 

 Ground-colour varying from cream-colour to pale buff, marked with 

 various shades of brown and dark grey. Ground-colour pinkish 

 cream-colour, marked with pale red and purplish grey. Ground- 

 colour salraon-pink, marked with chestnut and purplish grey. 



As in almost all eggs of the Shrikes, the tendency of the mark- 

 ings is to form a broad zone round the larger end, the remainder of 

 the shell being very sparingly spotted. The specks and blotches 

 forming this zone are sometimes distinct, but more frequently 

 confluent. 



The eggs vary in size from 'SI to 1 in length, and from '61 to '71 

 in breadth. 



