444 REV. H. B. TRISTRAM ON THE BIRDS OF PALESTINE. [Nov. 8, 
so high as L. collurio. As plentiful by the Dead Sea as in Judea, 
Galilee, and Gilead. 
173. Lantus ExcusiTor, L. 
Very common and a permanent resident, both in the Ghor and on 
the maritime plains. 
174. LANIUS MERIDIONALIS, Temm. 
Confined to more southern localities, and a migrant, 
175. LANius MINOR, Gm. 
I shot this bird in 1858 near Jaffa, but did not meet with it on 
this expedition. It is mentioned by Hemprich and Khrenberg. 
176. LANiIus PERSONATUS, Temm. 
A migrant, returning in the beginning of April. Its nest is small, 
neat, and compact, resembling that of a Chaffinch, rather than those 
of other Shrikes. Very common in the wooded districts. 
177. GARRULUS MELANOCEPHALUS, Bonelli. 
Not uncommon in forests and olive-yards throughout the year. 
Never descends into the warmer regions of the Jordan valley. Par- 
ticularly abundant in the forests of Gilead and Bashan, (The 
Magpie is unknown in Palestine.) 
178. Corvus MONEDULA, JL. 
Abounds at Nablous, and occurs in the hilly districts of Central 
Palestine. 
179. Corvus cotzaris, Drummond. 
Takes the place of C. monedula in the Ghor and on the east of 
Jordan. Neither species observed in the south, 
180. Corvus AGRICOLA, noy. sp., mihi. 
Similis C. frugilego, sed capite et corpore subtus virescenti-nigris, 
nec purpureo-nigris, juguli plumis lanceolatis, sicut in Corvo 
capensi ; alias ut in C. frugilego; cauda rotundata et vires- 
centi-nigra; facie rarissime denudata. 
A comparison of my series (and we preserved eight specimens) 
with C. frugilegus, C. pastinator, and C. capensis satisfies me that 
this bird is far more distinct from the common Rook than C. pasti- 
nator of China. It has the peculiar green-black reflections of C. 
capensis over its whole body, and especially on the head, which is 
blue-black in our British bird and purple in the Chinese. Our spe- 
cimens were all obtained in winter and spring; yet in one only was 
the basal portion of the mandibles denuded entirely, and in another 
partially. It no way differs from our Rook in size; and is found 
chiefly about Jerusalem, Nablous, and the cultivated portions of 
Central Palestine. 
