238 THE SHRIKES 



the upper parts with dark grey ; the median coverts are similarly barred, but have 

 a spot of pinkish between the subterminal bars, while the major coverts are dull 

 greyish red, relieved by a narrow line of black running round the middle of the 

 outer vane. The inner secondaries are conspicuous on account of the margin of 

 madder-red down the outer vane. The throat is greyish white with grey vermi- 

 culations, and the breast and abdomen are similarly coloured, but without the 

 vermiculations. The fore-breast and flanks are of a buff-grey, barred with dark 

 grey. [w. p. p.] 



2. Distribution. During the breeding season it is distributed over nearly 

 all Europe, from 64 N. to the Cantabrian Mountains in Spain, Northern Italy, and 

 the mountains of Greece, while in Asia it inhabits the mountain regions of Asia 

 Minor, N. Persia, and Transcaspia. Local races have also been described from the 

 Caucasus, as well as from Corsica and Sardinia. In the British Isles it is a summer 

 visitor to the midland and southern counties of England and Wales, but is very 

 scarce on the extreme west (Cornwall and Pembroke) and in N. Lincolnshire. 

 North of lat. 53 it becomes rare, although on the west of the Pennines it has been 

 known to breed in Lancashire and the Lake district, and on the east side in West 

 Yorkshire. There is but one dubious record of its breeding in Scotland, viz. in 

 Lanark in 1893, and it has not been known to nest in Ireland. (For details of 

 distribution, see 0. V. Aplin, Trans. Norf. and Norwich Nat. Soc., v. 286.) The 

 winter home of this species is in tropical and Southern Africa, ranging to 

 the eastern Cape Colony, Pondoland, Natal, etc., which it reaches by way 

 of S.E. Europe, Egypt, Arabia, and thence by the Nile valley. In S. Spain and 

 Morocco it is of very rare occurrence. [F. c. B. J.] 



3. Migration. A summer visitor to the southern part of Great Britain ; 

 an occasional migrant farther north, sometimes remaining to breed. The Scottish 

 occurrences have not been numerous, although widely distributed, there being 

 records even from Shetland and the Outer Hebrides (cf Saunders, III. Man. B. B., 

 2nd ed., 1899, p. 151 : and Clarke, Annals Scot. Nat. Hist., 1907, p. 73 ; and 1910, 

 p. 199). The only Irish record is for County Down, 10th August 1878 (cf. Ussher 

 and Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, p. 44). The chief spring immigration appears to 

 occur by way of the south-eastern counties of England, from Hampshire to Norfolk. 

 Exceptionally a bird has been recorded as early as 13th April (1905), and a few 

 usually appear late in the month. The main influx sets in during the first week of 

 May, and is at its height until the middle of the month, after which it rapidly 

 dwindles. The birds settle down to their nesting duties very quickly. Their 



