Mr. Burchell on MaUiconotus atro-coccineus. 461 



Art. LIX. Description of Molaconotus atro-coccineus. 

 By William J. Burchell, Esq. F.L.S. 



This species being of interest as one of the late additions to 

 African zoology, and being at the same time one of the more 

 showy birds of the country, some more particular description of 

 it may not perhaps be unacceptable. 



For the purpose of preserving uniformity of nomenclature in the 

 Zoological Journal, I have here adopted the generic term Molaco- 

 notus as defined in the excellent paper on the Laniadce in the pre- 

 ceding Number of this work; although I have already mentioned 

 this birdu nder the name of Lanius.* It has, in colours at least, 

 a close affinity with Lanius burbarus ; from which it differs prin- 

 cipally by the white stripe down the wing, and by its head being 

 entirely black, instead of tawny or yellow : besides which there 

 are other marks which concur to prove them not only truly distinct 

 species, but probably of different groups ; although, at first sight, 

 appearing to exhibit great mutual resemblance. (See plate xviii.) 

 Whether this bird be left with the Lanii of Linnaeus, or sepa- 

 rated from them as a Malaconotus, the following short character 

 will perhaps be found sufficient for the purpose of distinguishing 

 this species from all those which have hitherto been described. 



Molaconotus atro-coccineus. Caput et corpus supra nigra ; 

 subtus, tota a ga\k ad crissum, coccinea. Alae utrinque 

 nigiae, linea albi longiludinaliter notatae, Cauda nigra ; 

 rectricibus duabus extimis aliquando macula flavorubente 

 in apice notatis. Uropygium sparse et indistinct^ albo 

 lituratum. 



And as a supplement to this character may be added. 



Pedes, rostrum, ungues, et irides, nigri. Nares setulis brevihus 



incumbentibus tectae. Plumaj tibialcs (femorales vulgo) nigra;, sed 



suffragini proxima; et interna-, aliquando albicantes vel flavicantes. 



Macula triangularis rosco-albida vel llavida, in apicibus rectricium 



• TraveU in Soutliern Africa, vol. I, p. 3S7. 



Vor,. I. %i 



