THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE 
slate-grey ; the back and scapulars chestnut ; the wings 
black, margined with chestnut ; the wing-coverts black, 
broadly margined with chestnut. The two centre tail- 
feathers are black; the remainder have the terminal 
half black, tipped with white, the basal half white. A 
broad black band passes through the eye and meets across 
the forehead. ‘The under parts are greyish white, with 
a rosy flush. Bill black; tarsi and toes black; irides 
dark brown. Length 7$inches. ‘The female is nothing 
nearly so showy. ‘There is no black on the head, and the 
upper parts are nearly uniform reddish brown; over 
the eye is a pale buff streak; the under parts are buffish 
white, more or less barred with brown. ‘The nestling 
resembles the female, but is also barred on the upper 
surface. 
