LANIHXE. 157 



306. Lanius Collaris, GmeL; Guv., Vol. i, P . 



265 ; Le Fiscal, Le Vail., PL 61 and 62. 



GENERAL colour of the upper side, brown-black, with a white 

 streak, forming a V-like mark ; under sides dirty-white ; in 

 some specimens there is a rufous tinge on the thighs ; the 

 four inner tail-feathers are black ; the outer feathers more or 

 less white Length, 9" ; wing, 4J" ; tail, 4" 9'". 



This shrike is more abundant in the neighbourhood of Cape Town 

 than in any other part of the colony that I have visited. It appears 

 to affect the vicinity of habitations at all times, as in the very wild 

 country it is seldom seen. 



It is bold, daring, and rapacious, a deadly foe to cage-birds, canaries 

 in particular, entering into rooms regardless of the assembled family, 

 and tearing them from their cages. 



It preys upon all kinds of small living things ; and I have seen the 

 spikes of an aloe a favourite resort of these birds garnished with 

 snakes, locusts, small birds, hard-cased beetles, crabs, lizards, and 

 sometimes even a fish. I have been assured on good authority that 

 they sei^e gold-fish out of the fountains. 



It builds in trees and bushes, and constructs a nest of grass, lined 

 with fibres and hair. Eggs, four or five ; of a pale grey colour, blotch- 

 ed at the obtuse end, in the form of a ring, with greenish and reddish 

 spots : axis, 12'" ; diam., 9'". 



307. Lanius Subcoronatus, Smith, nW Zooi. 



S. Af., PL 68. 



CLOSELY resembling L. Collaris, but easily distinguishable 

 from it by the white forehead and patch over the eye. 



It also so closely resembles L. Collaris in all its habits, that it was 

 not found to be distinct until one was accidentally killed by the mem- 

 bers of Dr. Smith's expedition. 



Dr. Smith saw it first at Latakoo ; but I have received it from 

 Kuruman, where it was procured by Mr. R. Mofiat. 



308. LaniUS CorvinUS, Shaw ; Corvinella Cor- 

 vina ; Lanius Cissoides, VieiL ; Nat. Lib., Vol. IX., 

 p. 233 ; L. Mellivorus, Licht. ; GrieL* Zool., f. 2, p. 

 337 ; Le Grande Pie-grieche, Le Vail., PL 78. 



ABOVE, light-brown, striped with blackish ; beneath dusky- 

 white, with obscure spots ; tail long, curved ; flanks with a 

 concealed spot. Total length, 11" ; wing, 4J" ; tail, 6" 9'". 



Le Vaillant does not appear to have met with this species in his 

 travels ; but the editor of the " Naturalist's Library '' states he has 

 " received numerous specimens from Southern Africa. We have not 

 seen it. Bonaparte (Conspectus) says from Senegal. 



