Ornithology of Gilgit. 433 



This specimen is, I believe, correctly referred to L.homeyeri. 

 It differs from L. lahtora in many particulars, too numerous to 

 mention. From L. excubitor it differs in having more white on 

 the lores, wings, and tail, the size of the feet and the breadth 

 of the tail-feathers being the same as in that species. 



51. Lanius ERYTHRONOTUs (Vigors). 



In my collection are specimens of this Shrike shot in Gilgit 

 from the 18th April to the 28th December ; but the last bird 

 must be considered very late in migrating, as this species 

 leaves us, I think, in October. 



52. Lanius cristatus, Linn. 



This species must be expunged from the Gilgit list. In 

 the rufous-tailed Shrikes there are two distinct sections, 

 characterized by the shape of the tail : — one (A) embracing 

 cristatus, ph(jenicurus, and allies, in which all the rectrices are 

 narrow, the outer pair decidedly more narrow than the next, 

 and over three quarters of an inch shorter than the uropy- 

 gials ; and another (B), which includes isabellinus, phoeni- 

 curoides, speculigerus, and collurio (female and young), in 

 which the tail-feathers are broad, with the outermost pair as 

 broad as the next, and not more than half an inch shorter 

 than the centrals. Now I examined the specimen secured by 

 Major Biddulph, and identified in his list as L. cristatus. It 

 certainly belonged to section B, and was one of the three 

 following species ; but which of these, I am not prepared to 

 say without further examination. 



Lanius isabellinus, Hempr. & Ehr. 



Lanius arenarius, Blyth. 



This Shrike only passes through Gilgit on migration. I 

 obtained an adult specimen on the 27th April, which mea- 

 sured — length 7*4 inches, wing 3-5, tail 3"1, tarsus 0'94; 

 third and fourth quills equal and longest, second interme- 

 diate in length between the sixth and seventh ; fifth, sixth, 

 and seventh primaries with a small spot of white on both 

 webs at base ; head and back pale sandy ; lower surface 

 cream-coloured, slightly tinged with rufous; lores white, 

 with a small dark spot in front of the eye. 



