150 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



Laniarius barbarus), is of an uniform glossy black on the upper portion of the body ; the under 

 side, with the exception of the brownish yellow hump, is of a brilliant scarlet ; the eye is yellow, beak 

 black, and foot lead-grey. The length of this bird is nine, and its breadth thirteen inches ; the wing 

 measures four and the tail three inches and a half. The plumage of the Laniarius barbarus is exactly 

 similar, if we except a dull yellow patch upon the top of its head. 



THE FLUTE SHRIKE. 



The Flute Shrike {Laniarius JEthiopicus) is entirely black upon the upper parts of the 

 body, except a white line upon the wings ; the under side is pure white, shaded here and there with 

 rose-red ; the eye is reddish brown, the beak black, and the foot blueish grey. The length of its 

 body is nine and a half, and breadth twelve inches and one-third ; the wing measures four, and the 

 tail three and three-quarter inches. 



Like other members of this group the two species above described lead a very retired life 

 among the sheltering branches of their favourite trees, from whence their most strange and very 

 monotonous song is to be heard almost incessantly throughout the day. 



The HOODED SHRIKES are easily distinguishable from the last-mentioned group by their 

 comparatively long, graduated tails, short wings, in which the fourth quill exceeds the rest in length, 

 and remarkably long tarsi. 



It is at present uncertain if all the species of Shrikes inhabiting Western and Eastern Africa 

 can be included in this group. The coloration of their plumage is almost identical, and in their 

 habits they closely resemble each other, but considerable variety is observable in their size. All 

 make their homes amidst such thick brushwood as grows close to the ground, and they never 

 seek the shelter of the trees except when very closely pursued. If driven from their favourite 

 lurking-places amongst the bushes and long grass, they fly with rapid strokes of the wing to the 

 nearest shelter, keeping close to the earth as they hurry along, but occasionally hovering for a few 

 moments before concealing themselves. Whilst in search of insects, they run upon the ground with 

 a rapidity and ease far exceeding the powers of any other members of their family. 



Except the facts that these birds associate in small parties during the period of incubation, and 

 live alone or in pairs at other seasons, we are without particulars as to their nidification and breeding, 

 and have been unable personally to observe their habits. 



THE TSCHAGRA. 

 The Tschagra {Telephonus erythrepterus) — the species we have selected for description — is 

 brownish grey upon the upper part of the body, and light grey beneath. A broad black line passes 

 over the head, and another, somewhat narrower, crosses the region of the eye. These lines are 

 separated by a light streak, which is white upon the face, but becomes of a yellow tinge towards the 

 sides. The outer web of the quills is grey, but is so broadly bordered with reddish brown that 

 when the wings are closed they appear to be almost entirely of the latter hue. The upper 

 secondaries are edged with reddish grey; the two centre tail-feathers are grey, marked with dark 

 stripes ; the rest are black, tipped with white, those of the exterior have also a light border to the 

 outer web. The eye is reddish brown, the beak black, and the feet lead-colour, with a greenish 

 shade. In length the Tschagra does not exceed eight inches, its breadth is ten inches, the wing 

 measures three inches and the tail three and a half. It is, at present, uncertain whether the very 

 similar birds inhabiting Eastern and Western Africa are identical with this species. In colour they 

 are closely alike, but differ somewhat in size. 



