\c 



5 



438 



REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. 



[parti. 



briaties. Feet strong and well developed ; the tarsi longer than middle toe 

 and claw, with seven or eii;ht scutellse anteriorlj, the lateral plates usually 

 with a tendency toHuhdivision inferiorly, especially the outer, which is some- 

 times divided regularly its entire length in C. excubitoroides, although this 

 character is not the same even on opposite feet of the same specimeu. Lateral 

 toes nearly equal, reaching about to hase of middle claw ; the toes quite 

 deeply cleft, the inner nearly to its base, but adherent to half the basal joint 

 of middle ; externally this joint is united nearly throughout to one and a 

 half joints of outer toe ; these basal joints somewhat abbreviated, so that 

 the iuuer is rather longer than middle. 



There is a slight variation in form in American species of Cotlurio, 

 the legs being shorter and the bill longer proportionally in borealis 

 than in the others. In excubitoroides the legs are longer both 

 absolutely and relatively than in any American species, or C excu- 

 bitor of Europe. There is much diflFerence in specimens, and even 

 in diflferent feet of the same specimen in regard to the subdivision 

 of the lateral plates (especially the outer) of tarsus, this sometimes 

 being quite regular, as much so as anteriorly, at other times quite 

 the contrary ; frequently the plates are entire, except at the lower 

 end. 



The type of the genus Lanius, as established by Linnaeus in the 

 10th edition of Systema Naturse, is the L. cristatus of India and 

 Java, which, according to Cabanis, is congeneric with the L. collurio, 

 the type of Bole's genus Enneoctonus. Lamus should, therefore, 

 replace Enneoctonus for tho long-winged European Shrikes, and 

 another name adopted for the larger European and American forms. 

 In the "Birds of North America," 1858, 1 used the name Collijrio 

 of Moehriug for this group, following G. R. Gray, but as I now admit 

 no genera of authors prior to or contemporaneous with Linmeus, 

 who did not adopt the binomial system, as established by him, not 

 even those of Linnaeus himself prior to 1768, it becomes necessary 

 to take the next in order, namely, Collurio of Vigors. 



The following synopsis will exhibit the characters of tlie North 

 American Shrikes, as well as of their close ally, C. excubitor of 

 Europe : — 



Oenbkal Color. — Bluish or plumbeons-ash above ; th« outer edges of scap^^ 

 lars, sometimes the forehead and rump, paler. Beneath white, !«<iiu»?times 

 with waved transverse dark lines. A broad black stripe from side of upper 

 bill through eye (extending more widely beneath than above it, souietiiufs 

 wanting above) to end of ear coverts. Wings (e.\cept lesser coverts*) and 

 tall black ; the former with a white patch acioss l)ase of primaries (some- 

 times on inner wobs of secondaries) ; the secondaiins tipped with wiiitn; 

 tho tail with broad white tips to the lateral feathers, the concealed base* 

 of which ore also usually whit«. 



*?:.'■ 



