LANIUS 267 
jerking their tails and fluttering their wings, more like Babblers 
than true Shrikes of the typical genus.” 
In Shoa this is an abundant species, for Antinori collected 
a dozen specimens at Kagima and Daimbi in April. He 
noticed them also in parties of eight to twelve individuals, 
flying from one tree to another, and screaming “ tiri tiri tiri.” 
Woosnam found this Fiscal very numerous all through 
the acacia country round the south end of Ruwenzori, and in 
the upper part of the Semliki valley. It was a conspicuous 
object, even from a distance, perched on the topmost branch 
of an acacia tree, or flying, as is their habit in a perfectly 
straight line from one tree to another. Its low note has a 
curiously musical sound, like several notes in harmony. In 
its more southern range, to the east of Lake Tanganyika, it 
was found by Béhm at Boga Katani, and named L. schalowi ; 
this was altered later by Reichenow owing to preoccupation to 
L. béhmi. The most southerly point of its range appears to 
be at the north end of Lake Nyasa, where in September, 
1904, Sir Alfred Sharpe collected five specimens. 
Genus IV. LANTUS. 
Bill robust, short, much compressed, strongly hooked and toothed; nostrils 
basal, nearly round, closed by an arched membrane and partly concealed by 
the frontal feathers ; rictal bristles numerous; wings moderate, the third and 
fourth quills about equal and longest; the first either shorter than the 
coverts or longer and about half the length of the second; tail moderately 
Jong and graduated, sometimes longer, but never twice the length of the 
wing. Tarsi stout, scutellated in front, posteriorly with two laminated 
plates; claws sharp and hooked. Plumage black, white and grey; sexes 
more or less alike, never distinguished by the chestnut flank-patch. 
Type. 
Lanius, Linneus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, i. p. 93 (1758) . . . ZL. excubitor. 
This is the typical and most widely distributed genus of the family, 
ranging over Africa, Europe, Northern Asia, India, and the northern part 
of America. Its members are all very similar in habits, mostly migratory, and 
have astrikingly characteristic plumage, all being grey above with the greater 
