NOTES. Ill 



ceitainly suggested that the birds were breeding, and I feel 

 convinced that a thorough investigation would establish 

 the fact that M. melanope nests annually in a number of 

 suitable localities in the county. Howard Bentham. 



SUPPOSED SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE IN 

 NORFOLK. 



A CORRECTION. 



In our last issue (p. 75) I referred to the identification of 

 a Grey Shrike shot at Drayton, Norfolk, in December, 1890, 

 and recorded by Mr. J. H. Gurney as an example of Lanius 

 meridionalis {cf. Trans. Norf. and Norwich Nat. Soc, Vol. 

 VIIL, part III., pp. 352-3, and B.B., Vol. I., p. 124) as being 

 doubtfully correct. I have now, through the kindness of 

 Mr. E. M. Con nop, the owner of the specimen, been enabled 

 to examine the bird, and find it to be an undoubted Great 

 Grey Shi ike [Lanius excubitor excubitor). The upper-parts 

 are of a rather darker grey than is usual in specimens of this 

 species, but they are not nearly so dark as those of Lanius 

 meridionalis, while on the breast there is a tinge of pink, 

 but nothing like the strong pink wash of the Southern Grey 

 Shrike. Moreover, the wing of the bird in question measures 

 114 mm., while that of L. meridionalis very seldom reaches 110, 

 and is usually from 102 to 105 mm. The Southern Grey 

 Shrike also has a distinct white hne on the lores and forehead, 

 which is altogether absent in this specimen. 



I have submitted the specimen to Dr. Hartert who entirely 

 confirms my opinion, and tells me that there are equally dark, 

 and even darker, examples of Lanius excubitor from England 

 and western Germany in the Tring Museum. Dr. Hartert 

 also states that a faint indication of pink on the breast 

 is frequently found in not very old specimens of Lanius 

 excubitor, but nothing to approach the pink of L. meridionalis. 



The specimen recorded by Mr. Nichols from Sussex {supra, 

 p. 75) is therefore the only authentic example of Lanius 

 meridionalis obtained in this country. H. F. Witherby. 



WOODCHAT SHRIKE IN SUSSEX. 



On July 24th, 1911, an example of the Woodchat Shrike 

 iLanius pomeranus) was obtained at Winchelsea, and ex- 

 amined by me on July 25th, while in the flesh. It was an 

 adult male in fine condition. H. W. Ford -Lindsay. 



QUICK GROWTH OF A BROOD OF SWALLOWS. 

 On August 1st, 1911, I found the nest of a Swallov/ (H. rustica) 

 containing three eggs, and ten days later, on re- visiting the 



