46 ON THE EUFOUS-TAILED SlIEIKES. [1867. 



Pelzeln has identified with the above species, but which possessed a narrow superciliary streak. 

 In badly prepared skins the superciliary stripe is often to be found obliterated ; and this was 

 probably the case in the Prince's type specimen. 



7. Laxius arexarius, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1846, xv. p. 304. Jerd., Eds. Ind. i. p. 407. no. 262. 

 Strickl., P. Z. S. 1850, p. 207. no. 40. 



Lanius siiperciUosus, Lath., Scinde variety, Blyth, Cat. Calc. Mus. p. 152. no. 874. 



Otomela aremria (Blyth), Bp., Rev. Zool. 1853, p. 437. no. 27. 



Enneoctonus arenarius, Blyth, H. & M., Cat. i. App. i. p. 394. no. 639 (ex Afghanistan). 



This species was described by its author from specimens obtained by Captain Boys " in the 

 country lying between Scinde and Ferozepore." I am only acquainted with specimens procured 

 in various parts of South-western Afghanistan, and which agree perfectly with Mr. Blyth's 

 description. If they prove identical, of which there can be little doubt, I am unable to account 

 for Mr. Blyth's original remark, that "it can scarcely be admitted as a separate species" (/. c); 

 Ibis, 1867, for, apart from its totally distinct colouring, its caudal structure is alone sufficient to separate 

 p. 224. -J. £j.Qjjj j^ cristatiis, Linn. Though a smaller bird, its rectrices are much broader than in the 

 Bengal bird, and the tail is less graduated. 



In the specimen before me the centre pair of rectrices, at about one-third of their length 

 from the end, display a well-marked irregular light-coloured transverse band — a good distinctive 

 character if found to be constant in all examples. Dr. Jerdon cannot have seen specimens of 

 this form, or he would not have included it among his list {I. c. iii. App. p. 875) of the 

 " somewhat doubtful " species. 



Dimensions. 



Long. Rostr. Al. Caud. Tara. 



Ex Bagh, S.W. Afghanistan ... -40 375 362 -93 



8. Laxius axderssom (Strickl.). 



Enneoctonns anderssoni, Strickl., Contrib. to Om. 1852, p. 145. no. 18 (ex Damaraland) ; 

 Mem. ii. p. 330. no. 18. Bp., Eev. Zool. 1853, v. p. 437, note. 



Founded on a specimen obtained by Mr. Andersson in the Damara country of Southern 

 Africa. Strickland mentions that it is allied to L. melanotis, Val. [L. cristatiis of this paper), 

 but that it "differs in the ferruginous ear-coverts, longer wing, shorter tail, &c." A peculiar 

 character seems also to be the absence of a black or brown ocular band. A white alar bar is not 

 mentioned; and as so important a character is not likely to have escaped the notice of so 

 accurate an observer as the desciiber, I include this species in this section. Yet it may 

 eventually prove to have been the female or young of a form belonging to another group of the 

 genus. 



This completes the number of Rufous-tailed Shrikes without an alar speculum kno\\-n to me. 



Lanius isahellinits, 11. & E. (Synib. Phys. i. fol. e, note), obtained in Arabia*, is an 



interesting transitional link, being a Rufous-tailed Shrike but possessing a white alar bar. 



• The late Jlr. Strickland (P. Z. S. 1850, p. 217. no. 46) records this species from Kordofan. 



