Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology. 163 



pointed, the third, fourth, and fifth longest, and of equal length. 

 Tail short, even. Feet slender ; claws acute. 

 T^^pe. Lanius capensis. Shaw. 



The unusual slenderness, and consequent weakness of the bill, 

 indicates this to be an aberrant form, leading to the next sub- 

 family. So far as I can judge from figures, there appear two or 

 three other African Laniadai which seem closely allied to this 

 type. 



Sub-familij Thnin ncphilina. 

 MALACONOTUS. 



MandibuUi infer lore emarginald, rictu barbafo. 



yllce breves. 



Cauda mediocris^ aqitalis, vel subrotundata. 



Pedes subfurtes ; tarsorum squamis lateralibus inlegris. 



Inferior mandible notched, rictus with stiff bristles. IVings short. 



Tail moderate, even, or slightly rounded. Feci rather strong, 



lateral scales of the tarsi undivided. 

 Type. La Fie-grieche blanchot. Le V^iill. Ois. d'Af. pi. 185. 



Sub-familif Dicruri/ia. 

 BRACHYPUS. 



Rostrum brcve^ compressum, emarginatutn, ciilmins arciiatu, 

 elevato ; gonijde recto ; riciu sciis rigidis barbulo ; setis nucha- 

 libiis obsolelis, 



Ala; mediocres^ rciitigibus 4'" et 5^'', a'quulibus, longissiinis. 



Pedes subfortes^ brevissiini ; tarsorutn squamis inlegris. 



Cauda mediocris^ rotundata. 



Bill short, compressed, notched ; culmen elevated, curved ; gonys 

 straight. Rictus defended with short bristles. Nuchal bristles 

 obsolete. Wings rounded ; the fourth and fifth quills equal 

 and longest. Tail moderate, rounded. Feet strong, very 

 short ; the scales entire. 



I. 2 



