BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



79 



lesser <5re\> Sbrifce, 



THE Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor, Gmelin) is a rare 

 abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the British Islands. 

 It is a summer visitor to Central and Southern Europe, 

 where it breeds, and winters in Southern Africa. The adult 

 male has the crown of the head, hinder crown, nape, hind 

 neck, mantle, scapulars, upper and lower back, pearl-grey; 

 rump, lighter ; tail, black, feathers more or less marked with 

 white ; two outermost ones on each side, all white ; frontal 

 band, feathers round eye, and ear-coverts, black ; wings, 

 black, with a conspicuous white spot ; cheeks, white ; under 

 parts, white, tinged with rosy on breast and flanks ; irides, 

 brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about eight 

 inches. The female shows less black on the front of the 

 head. 



