264 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



mark of varying size black (distribution of black and white varies 

 greatly individually) ; primaries black with white bases (forming 

 bar about 10 mm. wide), tips of inner feathers white, outer feathers 

 with outer webs narrowly fringed whitish ; secondaries like 

 primaries, but with longer white tips and rather less white at base, 

 inner secondaries without white at base, sometimes all secondaries 

 with no white showing at base ; primary- and greater coverts 

 black, usually with small dull white tips ; median coverts black ; 

 lesser coverts grey with black bases. This plumage is acquired by 

 complete moult in Sept. -Nov., wing- and tail-feathers commencing 

 July. Summer. A moult confined to body -feathers takes place 

 March-May (sometimes June) new plumage being like winter. 



Adult female. Winter. Like adult male but breast usually 

 with faint brown wavy bars. Many specimens indistinguishable 

 from adult male. Moult as in male. Summer. Moult as male, 

 after which bars on breast usually absent, and when present very 

 faint. 



Nestling. (Not examined.) 



Juvenile. Male and female. Upper-parts grey washed brown, 

 feathers of hind-part of crown, nape, rump and upper tail-coverts 

 usually with dark brown wavy bars but these sometimes absent ; 

 whitish superciliary stripe very small ; lores and line through ear- 

 coverts blackish-brown ; under -parts white washed brownish, 

 breast and flanks with 'faint brown wavy bars, chin and throat 

 whiter with fewer bars, belly and under tail-coverts also whiter 

 and without bars ; tail-, wing-feathers and primary -coverts as 

 adult, but innermost secondaries tipped brownish ; greater coverts 

 black, tipped brown ; median coverts dark brown with tips greyish- 

 brown speckled dark brown ; lesser coverts greyish-brown speckled 

 dark brown ; all wing-coverts usually with dark penultimate 

 crescentic lines. 



The Great Grey Shrike (Lnnni.se. excubitor). 

 Note differences in wing-formula as compared with Lesser Grey Shrike, and less white. 



