146 INSESSORES. LANIAD^E. 



the aberrant forms, it is found of great breadth, and much 

 depressed at the base, approaching nearly in shape to that of 

 the Flycatchers of the preceding family. The Laniada^ are 

 all insectivorous, and some few belonging to the strong-billed 

 groups are partly carnivorous, destroying yovmg and weak 

 birds, and the smaller mammalia. According to Mr Swain- 

 son, who has analyzed the group of the Laniadae with the 

 acumen and indefatigable perseverance that so eminently dis- 

 tinguish him, the five following subfamilies compose its cir- 

 cle, viz. Tyrannina, Laniana, Thamnophilina, EdoUana, 

 and Cellepyrina, of which the typical genera are, Tyrannus 

 (Brisson), Lanius (Linn.), Thamnopliilus (Vieil.), Ocyp- 

 teriis (Cuv.), and Cehlepyris (Cuv.) ; all of which, it is al- 

 most unnecessary to add, are intimately connected among 

 themselves by strong and well defined characteristics. Of 

 the first subfamily {Tyranntna) we have not any examples, 

 this form being restricted to America ; of the second {Lmiia- 

 na) we have three species, belonging to the genus Lanius ; 

 the next three are also unknown in Europe. 



Subfamily LANIANA. 



In addition to the true Shrikes, or Butcher Birds, com- 

 posing the genus Lanius as now restricted, and which are 

 the typical representatives of the present tribe, this subfa- 

 mily contains various other genera, nearly allied to each 

 other, but departing in some points, either of organization or 

 habits, from the type. Such are the genus MalaconotoSy be- 

 longing to the African continent; that oi Falcunculus, dis- 

 covered in New Holland ; and various others, which lead the 

 way to, and connect the present with, other tribes and fami- 

 lies of the Insessores. Speaking generally of the genus now 

 before us, the bill may be stated as strong, and compressed ; 

 having the upper mandible more or less arched ; and being 

 armed with a prominent emargination or tooth. The legs of 



