LANTZIA RUFA 195 
black on the upper portion of the head; it has been referred 
to by Milne Edwards and Grandidier as a melanistic race of 
V. curvirostris. No doubt, in habits, the two species are very 
sunilar, both being known to the natives by the common 
name “ Vanga.” 
Genus V. LANTZTIA. 
Bill grey and rather wide; upper mandible hooked and notched, the 
base entirely covered with bristles down to the nostrils. Back, wings and 
tail uniform chestnut. Tarsi and feet grey. 
Type. 
Lantzia, Hartl. Vog. Madag. p. 194 (1877) 5 26 elou 0b . . DL. rufa. 
The genus is represented by one species, confined to Madagascar. 
Lantzia rufa. 
Lanius rufus, Linn. §, N. i. p. 137 (1766) Madagascar. 
Lantzia rufa, Milne Edw. and Grand. Hist. Madag. Ois. i. p. 418, pls. 
160, 160a, figs. 1, 161 (1885); Sibree, Ibis, 1891, p. 436. 
Vanga rufa, Gadow, Cat. B. M. viii. p. 105 (1883); Shelley, B. Afr. i. 
No. 659 (1896) ; Sharpe, Handl. B. iv. p. 263 (1903). 
Lanius madagascariensis (non Linn.) Temm. Tabl. Méthod. p. 19 (1838). 
Rufous Shrike, Lath. Gen. Syn. i. p. 180 (1781). 
Adult male. Entire head and neck black, with a bluish green gloss; 
remainder of the upper parts bright chestnut, with the inner portion of the 
quills dark brown; under surface of wings dull brown with rufous inner 
margins ; breast and under tail-coverts white. Iris red; bill and feet pearl- 
grey (Grandidier). Total length 7-8 inches, culmen 0:8, wing 4:1, tail 3-0, 
tarsus 0:95. Madagascar, g (Verreaux). 
Adult female. Differs from the adult male in having the sides and back 
of neck pearl grey, the cheeks, chin and throat white, and the crop and 
flanks tinged with grey. Total length 7-8 inches, culmen 0:8, wing 4:0, 
tail 3-6, tarsus, 0°95. Saralahan, ? (Crossley). 
Immature. Differs in having the entire upper parts rufous brown and 
the crop slightly shaded with that colour. The black first appears on the 
forehead and sides of head and the brown shade disappears from the crop. 
The Rufous Vanga is confined to Madagascar. 
Grandidier writes: “‘ These birds inhabit the forest, where 
they are to be seen in parties of five or six seeking their 
