300 Observations on the 



rather to the Meruladee, which are both insectivorous and baccivo- 

 rous. The Barbary shrike we know, on the testimony of M. Le 

 Vaillant, feeds entirely upon insects. 



We shall discover a further resemblance between Laniarius 

 barbarus, and the African Shining Thrushes, (G. Lamprotornis, 

 Tern.), by certain setaceous hairs or weak bristles, seated, in both 

 genera, on the upper part of the neck adjoining the occiput; but 

 which are so hid, as not to be distinctly seen without raising the sur- 

 rounding feathers, whose length they generally exceed ; these sin- 

 gular appendages are not, however, peculiar to the above genera, 

 but are more or less distinguishable in several others, and are 

 remarkably developed in the genus Tricophoras of M. Temminck. 



I have dwelled more particularly upon Laniarius, because a 

 good deal will depend upon the situation which Naturalists may 

 agree in assigning to it. For if this genus be admitted into the 

 circle of Thamnophilmce, it becomes obvious we establish a pas- 

 sage which leads directly to the Meruladcc ; or as Mr. MacLeay 

 would perhaps express it, the great circles of Laniados and Meru- 

 lados might here probably touch. While, on the other hand, if 

 the affinity between Prionops and Dicrurus be admitted, we may 

 pass, by the former genus, from the family of Thamnophilince to 

 the third great division of Shrikes, which will hereafter be noticed. 



We must now return to the American types of this division, 

 beginning with the genus Thamnophilus, which, I have already 

 observed, will comprise such only of the Thamnophili of M. 

 Vieillot as are natives of the new world. Of these birds, I possess 

 a very interesting series, which pass so insensibly by several inter- 

 vening forms into the true Myothera of Illiger, that I scarcely 

 know where to draw a line between such as should take their 

 station in the great circle of Laniadw, and such as more properly 

 may be associated with Myothera, in. the adjoining circle of 

 Merulados. This close affinity has been always remarked by the 

 two eminent Ornithologists whose labours we so often adyert to; 

 and I should have been more satisfied had this intricate part of 

 my subject already occupied their attention. Both these Natural- 

 ists are in charge of superb national museums, enriched by the 

 spoils of English collections (which have been successively disposed 



