54 LAKI^DJE. 



proportions in the four great quarters of the 

 world, but is wanting in its restricted sense to 

 Australia, may be thus characterized : 



LANIUS Generic Character. Bill rather 

 short, compressed ; mandible hooked, fur- 

 nished with a strong and prominent tooth ; 

 wings with the three first quills graduated, 

 third and fourth equal and longest ; claws 

 sharp, but not formed for grasping prey. 

 Type, L. excubitor. 



Europe, Asia, Africa, North America. 



Note. Breed on trees, seize living prey, and 

 use a thorn or cleft branch, as a support not 

 afforded by their feet. 



THE GREAT OR ASH-COLOURED SHRIKE. 



Lanius excubitor. . LINNAEUS. 

 PLATE I. 



Lanius excubitor, Linn Pie-Grieche Grise. Temm. Man. 

 fyc. Great Grey- Cinereous- Ash-coloured Shrike, or 

 Butcnef Bird of British Authors. 



THE Shrikes are generally of a size and form 

 exhibiting a moderate degree of strength, and do 

 not shew any indications of raptorial disposition, 

 except in the strong and toothed form of the 

 bill ; and in many of the species, the centre fea- 

 thers of the tail being longest, an elegance and 

 lightness to their shape and figure is imparted, at 

 variance with the powerful form necessary for 



