248 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII. 
two were obtained in October and the third bears no date. It seems certain 
that some kind of Grey Shrike nests in the Mesopotamian plain. Pitman 
records it between Baghdad and Musejib from July 14th onwards frequenting 
telegraph wires near some gardens, and Logan Home says he found an unfinished 
nest at Samara, whilst Livesay took Grey Shrikes’ eggs. I must here remark 
that it is perfectly useless taking the eggs of any Grey Shrike without obtaining 
the bird, and it may even be misleading. 
Zarudny records aucheri, pallidirostris, and assimilis (which he considers 
to be distinct from the latter) as winter visitors to the Karun district and palli- 
dirostris as a resident on the Zagros. 
(1) Kumait, 27-2-18, 13-11-17, ¢@ Amara, 16-12-17 (P. A. B.) ; Shaiba, 11-9-16 
(P. Z.C. and R. E. C.) ; Shat-al-Adhaim, 3-10-17, 8-11-17; Baghdad, 31-12-17 
(CABS E:): 
(2) Baghdad ; 10-10-17 (P. A. B.) ; Shat-al-Adhaim, 3-10-17 (C. R. P.). 
Aucheri have a distinct but narrow frontal line of black, grey on the sides of 
the breast and a large wing spot and usually no pink tinge on the breast ; in 
pallidirostris the pink tinge on the breast is well marked as a rule unless faded, 
no frontal black, smaller or no wing spot, usually paler upperparts and a more 
distinct supercilium ; the young birds in winter have the grey of the back over- 
laid with a pale sandy colour and appear to lack the dark crescent markings 
most other races shew. 
62. Woodchat Shrike. Lanius senator. 
Lanius senator niloticus, Bp. (Rey. Zoct., 1853, p. 489—-White Nile). 
This is a much earlier passage migrant in spring than the Masked Shrike 
and occurs in smaller numbers. Buxton first saw a few males at Amara on 
March 13th and after that date there are numerous records throughout the plains 
up to April 27th. The first autumn record comes from the oasis of Shaiba 
on August 9th and the passage lasts up to the middle of September, again no 
great numbers being recorded. Tomlinson in remarking that the species is not 
uncommon in spring says it also probably breeds up the Karun river as he saw it 
there early in June. Zarudny does not record it as nesting there, but says a 
few winter there! Here again, as so often, our records do not at 
al] tally with Zarudny’s. Woosnam got one on the Shuteit River on March 
8th. The status of this and other Shrikes in the breeding season requires 
further investigation. Zarudny says it breeds commonly in the Zagros. 
Ten specimens examined : Amara, 18-4-19 (L. Hoome); Amara, 13-3-18;d, 
Basra, 19-8-19 ; 9, Kurna, 17-3-18 (P. A. B.) @, Baghdad ; 19-3-18 (Harrison) ; 
d,Shaiba, 8-9-16; ¢.Sheik Saad, 5-4-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.), 2. Feluja, 
27-417 (C.. Rs PP); 9, Basra, 17-518 (CG, Be): 
All are typical niloticus with much white at the base of the tail ; only in one 
does the white not extend beyond the coverts. 
63. Masked Shrike. Lanius nubicus. 
Lanius nubicus, Licht. (Verz. Doubl., p. 47, 1823—Nubia). 
This species is a common spring and autumn migrant; first few noted on 
April 17th at Tekrit and Urfa ; at Feluja and Amara a sudden and marked 
influx took place on the 23rd and for a fortnight it was quite common. It occurs 
throughout the region south to /ao. The return passage takes place at the end 
of August and lasts till the third week in September. Pitman noted that this 
Shrike was shy and retiring making all use of thick foliage for concealment, not 
a usual habit in Shrikes, and not universal with this species. Possibly a few 
pairs remain to breed in the plains as Buxton records it in the first two weeks of 
June at Amara and on June 17th saw a bird carrying food or nest material. 
Ward (Field, Jan. 18th, 1919) records it as common at Samara breeding in the 
scrub. Zarudny says it breeds commonly in the Zagros. 
