| Case 75. | 
Case 76. 
| Case 76, 
Case 76. 
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122 BIRD GALLERY. 
Family XIV. Arrtamipe. SwaLLow-Surikes. 
The Wood-Swallows, as they are sometimes called, constitute a small 
group of birds characterised by their pointed greyish-blue bill and long 
pointed wings. In their actions and mode of life they closly resemble 
the Swallows. With the exception of one West African species, all are 
found in the Indian aud Australian regions and belong to the genus 
Artamus (2188-1). The common Australian species (A. sordidus) has a 
curious habit of hanging in great clusters, like a swarm of bees, from 
the underside of a branch. 
Family XV. Vaneipe. Mapacascar SHrikes. 
This small family of Shrikes includes six genera and twelve species 
ull peculiar to Madagascar. Representative forms of Vanga (2188) and 
Leptopterus (2189) are shewn. 
Family XVI. Prronoripx. Woop-Sarikes. 
The Wood-Shrikes comprise a large number of species ranging from 
Africa and Southern Asia to New Guinea, the Polynesian Islands, and 
Australia. Most of the species are dull-coloured birds, the predomi- 
nating colours being brown, grey, and black. They frequent trees and 
bushes, feeding on insects, mollusea, and fruits. Among these many 
forms we’ may call attention to the so-called Magpie-Lark (Grallina 
picata) (2190), a familiar bird about many Australian homesteads ; 
Riippell’s Wood-Shrike (Hurocephalus rueppelli) (2198), exhibited with 
its nest, and the helmeted species of Prionops (2202), both from Africa ; 
the Jay-Shrike (Platylophus ardesiacus) (2201), with its remarkable 
long crest, from the Malay Peninsula: and the peculiar Hypocolius 
ampelinus (2205) from South-west Asia. The systematic position of 
the latter bird (a pair of which are exhibited with their nest) has 
given rise to much discussion among ornithologists, some placing it 
in one family and some in another. Probably it should be associated 
with the Chatterers, which it resembles not only in its structure but 
in its habits. Its eggs are white with greyish-black spots. 
Family XVII. Lanitox. Surekes or Burcuer-Birps. 
The Shrikes are a nearly cosmopolitan family of birds, being found 
everywhere except in South America. The typical forms are character- 
ised by their strongly hooked notched bill, which somewhat resembles 
that of a Falcon. The young in their first plumage differ from the 
adult and have the plumage barred. ‘The smaller and weaker members 
of the group are insectivorous, but the larger forms prey on small 
mammals, birds, and reptiles, 
