132 BIRD GALLERY. 



Family XIV. Artamid^. Swallow-Shrikes. 



[Case 75.] The Wood-Swallows, as they are sometimes called, constitute a small 

 group of birds characterised by their pointed greyish-blue bill and long 

 pointed wings. In their actions and mode of life they closely resemble 

 the Swallows. With the exception of one West African species, all are 

 found in the Indian and Australian regions and belong to the genus 

 Artamus (2183—7). The common Australian species {A. sordidus) has a 

 curious habit of hanging in great clusters, like a swarm of bees, from 

 the underside of a branch. 



Family XV. Vangid.e. Madagascar Shrikes. 



[Case 76.] This small family of Shrikes includes six genera and twelve species, 

 all peculiar to Madagascar. Representative forms of Vamja (2188) and 

 Leptoptertis (2189) are shewn. 



Family XVI. Prionopid^. Wood-Shrikes. 



[Case 76.] Tlie Wood-Shrikes comprise a large number of species ranging from 

 Africa and Southern Asia to New Guinea, the Polynesian Islands, and 

 Australia. Most of the species are dull-coloured birds, the predomi- 

 nating colours being brown, grey, and black. They frequent trees and 

 bushes, feeding on insects, moUusca, and fruits. Among these many 

 forms we may call attention to the so-called Magpie-Lark {Grallina 

 picata) (2190), a familiar bird about many Australian homesteads; 

 Riippell's Wood-Shrike {Eurocephalus rueppelli) (2193), exhibited with 

 its nest, and the helmeted species of Prionops (2202)> both from Africa ; 

 the Jay-Shrike {Platylophns ardesiacus) (2201), with its remarkable 

 long crest, from the Malay Peninsula ; and the peculiar Hypocolius 

 ampelinus (2206) from South-west Asia. The systematic position of 

 the latter bird (a pair of which are exhibited with their nest) has 

 given rise to much discussion among ornithologists, some placing it 

 in one family and some in another. Probably it should be associated 

 with the Chatterei's, which it resembles not only in its structure but 

 in its habits. Its eggs are white with greyish-black spots. 



Family XVII. Laniid^. Shrikes or Butcher-Birds. 



[Case 76.] The Shrikes are a nearly cosmopolitan family of birds, being found 

 everywhere except in South America. The typical forms are character- 

 ised by their strongly hooked notched bill, which somewhat resembles 

 that of a Falcon. The young in their first plumage differ from the 

 adult and have the plumage barred. The smaller and weaker members 

 of the group are insectivorous, but the larger forms prey on small 

 mammals, birds, and reptiles. 



