On rare or unfigured Eggs of Palaarctic Birds. 523 



XXXV. — On some rare or unfigured Eggs of Palcearctic Birds. 

 By H. E. Dresser, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., &c .* 



(Plate XI.) 



Lanius cristatus. Brown Red-tailed Shrike. (PL XI. 

 figs. 6, 9.) 



(Dresser, Man. Paleearct. Birds, p. 240.) 



This Shrike inhabits Eastern Asia, and breeds in Danria, 

 where the eggs now figured were obtained by Dr. Dybowski. 

 It arrives in Dauria late in May, and commences nidification 

 about the middle of June. The nest is placed in a bush or 

 in the branches of a fallen tree about l£ metres above the 

 ground. The eggs resemble some varieties of Lanius collurio, 

 but are smaller and, as a rule, paler, with fewer and smaller 

 markings. In size they measure about 0"85 by 0"64 inch. 



Lanius Bucephalus. Bull-headed Shrike. (PI. XI. 

 figs. 10, 11, 12.) 



(Dresser, Man. Palsearct. Birds, p. 242.) 



The only country from which I have seen the eggs of this 

 Shrike is Japan, where the bird breeds not uncommonly, 

 placing its nest in thorny bushes, from about four to ten 

 feet from the ground. The eggs now .figured are out of two 

 clutches, one of which was taken from a nest placed in a 

 Cryptomeria on Fuji, about ten feet above the ground, and 

 the other on a Shikimi tree near Tokyo, six feet above the 

 ground. The eggs vary a good deal, some being pale whitish 

 with small and somewhat pale markings, whereas others 

 have a darker background and are boldly and more darkly 

 blotched. Those in my collection measure about 0*95 by 

 073 inch. 



Lanius raddii. Radde's Grey Shrike. (PI. XI. figs. 1, 



2,3.) 



(Dresser, Man. Palsearct. Birds, p. 244.) 

 Mr. Zarudny was the first to discover the nest of this rare 

 Shrike on his last expedition to Persia, and kindly sent me 

 four eggs, which are, I believe, the only authentic specimens 

 * Continued from 'Ibis,' 1004, p. 480. 

 SER. VIII. VOL. V. 2 N 



