590 MESSRS. DRESSER AND SHARPE [June 23, 
4. Notes on Lanius excubitor and its Alhes. By H. E. 
Dresser, F.Z.S. &c., and R. B. SHarrs, F.LS., 
Libr. Z.S., &ce. 
In examining the European Shrikes with a view to determine the 
species which really belong to the European fauna, we have found so 
much confusion existing that we have thought it necessary to make a 
few remarks on the Great Grey Shrikes and their geographical dis- 
tribution ; and we take the present opportunity of adding some 
notes respecting all the species of true Lanius allied to our own 
Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor). With this view we have 
collected together a considerable series of Grey Shrikes from different 
parts of the world, and we venture to submit the following observa- 
tions for the careful consideration of ornithologists ; and, at the same 
time, we shall be extremely obliged for any additions or corrections 
to the views expressed by us in the present paper. 
The following diagnostic table will show the characters of all those 
species which we consider to be fully established :-— 
a, scapularibus conspicue albo marginatis. 
a'. rostro et pedibus nigris, vel nigricantibus. 
a". fascia alari alba duplici distincta  ..................00 1. excubitor. 
b". fascia alari alba una. 
a’. subtus semper vermiculatus  ............:ccseeee eee 2. borealis. 
b'"'. subtus haud vermiculati. 
wit 
a’, majores: supra saturate plumbei. 
aa, RUbbusPlumaAbeUs itt -ct-eaevcteaes ctanecete ts 3. algeriensis. 
66. subtus pulchre roseo indutus ............... 4. meridionalis. 
6’”’, minores: supra cinerel. 
ec. pedibus gracilibus: secundariorum po- 
gonio interno nigricante.................0.0 5. ludovicianus. 
dd. pedibus crassis: secundariorum pogonio 
NULORNO ALD OW courses canesscensnesteeac ceecs 6. lahtora. 
6’. vostro et pedibus pallide brunnescenti-corneis ......... 7. pallidirostris. 
8, scapularibus dorso concoloribus. 
a’. rectrice extima ommino alba ............0.ceecsseeeseosees 8. minor. 
u. rectrice extima versus apiceM Nigra...............seeeeee es 9. excubitorius. 
1. LANIUS EXCUBITOR. 
Above generally light blue-grey ; forehead, extending backwards 
over the eye, pure white; lores, feathers under the eye, and ear- 
covers black ; scapularies blue-grey, conspicuously edged with 
white; wing-coverts black, the least ones for the most part grey, 
the primary coverts and occasionally some of the greater coverts 
narrowly edged with greyish white; primaries black, white at the 
base on both inner and outer webs ; secondaries black, the outermost 
white at the base on both the inner and outer web, thus forming a 
double bar on the wing; the secondaries conspicuously, and the 
primaries occasionally, tipped with white, the latter sometimes 
narrowly edged with the latter colour on the outer web; rump and 
upper tail-coverts greyish white ; tail black, tipped with white, the 
latter colour gradually predominating towards the outer feathers, 
