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Distribution. — Easfcern Asia, in- 

 cluding China and Japan. Breeds in 

 southern Siberia, and winters south to 

 the Yangtse Valley. 



The Gray-backed Shrike (Lanius 

 fcephronotus) is recorded as of doubtful 

 occurance in the Yangtse Valley. It 

 differs in having the tail and upper tail 

 coverts reddish brown, with more or 

 less of a rufous wash to the whole 

 upper plumage in young birds. 



THE EED-BACKED SHRIKE. 



LANIUS SCHACH, LINN. 



Description. — Length eleven inches. 

 Forehead, and the region about the 

 eyes and auriculars, black. Crown 

 gray. Back gray, more or less mixed 

 with rufous. Under parts light gray, 

 washed with rufous. Wings black. 

 Tail dark brown, graduated, and about 

 five inches long. 



Distribution. — Central and South 

 China. A common resident in the 

 Yangtse Valley. 



Nest and Eggs. — This species nests 

 in the low, brush-covered hills. It 

 builds, in a bush or a clump of sword 

 grass, a large, deep, cup-shaped nest, 

 of twigs, roots, leaves, and dry grass, 

 lined with fine grass, and grass tops. 

 There are from four to six yellowish 

 green eggs, spotted various shades of 

 dark red and gray, the spots being 

 much heavier at the larger end. 



THE PHILIPPINE RED- 

 TAILED SHRIKE. 



LANIUS LUCIONENSIS, LINN. 



Description. — Length seven and one 

 half inches. 



