294 Observations on the 



ist has followed the classification of Ray ; but In the second, he 

 adopts that of Brisson, by placing the Shrikes and Thrushes in the 

 same order. 



The Lanianw are Falcons of the Insect world, pursuing and de* 

 stroying vast numbers of those countless multitudes that swarm in 

 tropical countries. Some of these birds are so fierce and cruel as 

 to destroy from mere wantonness ; and have been called Butcher- 

 birds, from their singular habit of impaling their victims on thorns 

 and cleft branches, where they are left to be devoured at leisure. 

 It is this particular group, preeminent in strength to all the other 

 Linnaean Shrikes," that may be considered the type of the whole 

 family : they are distinguished by a short, arched bill, furnished 

 ivith a strong projecting tooth near the tip; which is acute, and 

 altogether very analogous to the true Falcons. To these birds we 

 shall restrict the genus Laniusy and taking the Lanius excubitor 

 of Linnaeus for the type, proceed to notice what other birds will 

 most approximate to this form ; first observing, that they are found 

 to inhabit the temperate latitudes of the old and the new world. 



I am as yet unacquainted with any species of Lanius from Austra- 

 lasia, and am therefore led to believe, that its situation is filled 

 in that fifth division of the globe, by the genus Falcunculus of M. 

 Vieillot ; the Frontal Shrike is the only example of this type we 

 yet know of. It is distinguished from Lanius by having longer 

 and more pointed wings, and an even tail, both indicating a greater 

 power of flight, and in consequence, some difference of economy. 

 Another deviation from Lanius may be seen in the Sourdrou of 

 M. Le Vaillaint, introduced in the Ois. d'Jfrique, (2. pi. 76. f. 2.) 

 though in reality a native of America ; it is tlie Tanagra Guia- 

 nensis of Latham, and it is remarkable for its round, naked nos- 

 trils, and the tooth of its bill being nearly obsolete ; it has the 

 wings of Lanius^ and the tail of Falcunculus ; this type I have 

 called Cyclarhis.* I am unacquainted with any other kindred 

 birds from the new world; while of the African types (which ap- 

 pear numerous and interesting) I have seen but few : judging from 

 the figures contained in the Oiseaux (fjifrique^ I should think it 



* The characters of such new Genera as may be proposed, will be given in 

 the next numbL-r, aceonipauicd by figures of their bills, &c. 



