LANIUS ELEGANS 173 



Eedirs Thalab, situated to the east of Gafsa, are much frequented by 

 Grey Shrikes, as well as by Magpies and Bush-Babblers. These 

 thickets are, in fact, exactly suited to the requirements of all these 

 three species, affording, as they do, ideal nesting sites and a sure 

 refuge, whether from the birds' natural enemies or from the 

 inclemencies of the weather. 



The species occurs commonly in Algeria, south of the Atlas, as also 

 in Tripoli and Cyrenaica, specimens from all these countries being 

 identical with Tunisian examples. 



In Central and Southern Marocco, as mentioned in the preceding 

 article on L. algeriensis, another form of Grey Shrike, L. a. doclsmii, 

 occurs, ])ut it is quite possible that L. elegans may also be found in the 

 more desert inland districts of the Empire. 



In its habits L. elegans, like others of the family, seems to be 

 solitary and unsociable, being rarely found otherwise than singly or, 

 during the breeding season, in pairs. In the localities it frequents, 

 however, several individuals may be met with in comparatively a 

 limited area. Most wary and difficult to approach, the bird, if 

 followed, will often lead its pursuers a long chase, although rarely 

 making an extended flight, and owing to its conspicuous plumage is 

 easily observed as it fiies from bush to bush. The diet of this Shrike 

 resembles that of its allies, being composed chiefly of coleoptera and 

 other insects, lizards, and occasionally small mammals and young 

 birds. Thanks to the remarkable abundance of coleoptera in most 

 of the southern districts of Tunisia, Shrikes and other hard-billed 

 insectivorous birds have no difficulty in finding a plentiful supply 

 of food, and during the locust invasions, so common in North Africa, 

 they must positively feast. 



The notes of this species are rather grating and metallic, but 

 during the nesting season a fuller and more varied song is heard. 

 According to Mr. Aplin, the following syllables somewhat express the 

 bird's notes: "chow, cJiotc, chizzy " and " chrecchrcc," and some- 

 times " pchec-ar, dice, chee, chee," quicker at the beginning, and then 

 slowing down, and uttered by the bird with quivering wings. Both 

 male and female also utter a cry like " chittcree,'' probably a note of 

 alarm or distress, on their nest being approached, for they then end, 

 Mr. Aplin says, " by crying out almost like a domestic hen in trouble." 



L. eleqans commences nesting operations towards the end of 

 March, the breeding season extending throughout the months of April 



