156 BIRne OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



305. MeloenorniS Ater ; Melwnomis Atronltens, 

 Lickt. ; Bradyornis Atra, Sund.,. Ofvers. Kongl. Vet, 

 Ak. Forhandl, p. 105. 

 All black, with a blue gloss. Length, about 8". 

 Said to inhabit Kaffraria (Wahlberg). — Sed non vidi. 



The Fifth Family, LANIIDiE, or 

 Butcher-Birds, 



have the bill more or less long, strong, and straight, with 

 the culmen curved, and the sides compressed to the tip, 

 which is generally hooked and emarginated ; the gonys long 

 and ascending ; the gape sometimes furnished with short 

 bristles ; the wings moderate and rounded, or pointed ; the 

 tail more or less lengthened, and usually rounded ; the tarsi 

 strong, and more or less long ; the toes moderate ; with the 

 hind toe long, and broadly padded beneath ; the claws long, 

 curved, and very acute. 



The Sub-Family, LANIIN-ffil, or Butcher-Birds, 



have the bill moderate and strong, with the culmen curved, 

 and the sides generally much compressed near the tip, which 

 is mostly hooked or emarginated ; the gape sometimes fur- 

 nished with short bristles ; the nostrils lateral, and rounded ; 

 the wings more or less long, and generally rounded ; the 

 tail of various lengths, and usually rounded ; the tarsi rather 

 short, and strong ; the toes rather long, and strong, with the 

 lateral ones generally unequal ; the outer toe the longest, 

 and united at its base ; the hind toe long, and broadly 

 padded. 



Genus LANIUS, Linn. 

 Bill more or less long, and broad at the base, with the cul- 

 men curved, and the sides much compressed to the tip, which 

 is hooked, and strongly emarginated ; the gonys long and 

 ascending ; the gape furnished with a few short bristles ; 

 the nostrils lateral : the opening rounded, and partly hidden 

 by the projecting bristles ; wings moderate and rounded, with 

 the fourth quill the longest ; tail more or less long, narrowed, 

 and graduated ; tarsi rather longer than the middle toe , 

 strong, and covered in front with broad scales ; toes mode- 

 rate, with the lateral ones nearly equal ; the outer slightly 

 united at the base ; the hind toe long, and broadly padded ; 

 the claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



