LANIANJi:. 401 



ing two-thirds of all the primaries, and the outer Avebs and tips of 

 the secondaries ; the margins of the scapulars, the two external tail- 

 feathers on eachtside, and the tips of the two following, white ; also 

 all the lower plumage. 



Bill black; legs brown-black ; irides hazel-brown. 



Length 9| to 10 inches ; wing 4^ ; tail 4| to 5 ; bill at front | ; 

 tarsus 1^ ; weight 2 oz. 



The Indian Grey Shrike is very close to L. excubitor of Europe ; 

 but differs in having the forehead black, and in the white upon its 

 secondary quills. It is spread throughout the greater part of India, 

 but is not found in the damp province of Malabar, nor in Lower 

 Bengal. I observe that it is stated to be also an inhabitant of the 

 N^orth-east of Africa. 



It affects chiefly low, thin, and thorny jungle, or plains where 

 a few low trees or bushes are sparingly sprinkled. It is not often 

 found in cultivated ground, or near villages. It has the usual 

 habits of the tribe, sitting on the top of some low tree, on the watch 

 for a cricket, a locust, or for some young or sickly bird to come 

 near. It flies low, near the ground, from one tree to another, and 

 it has a harsh grating cry, but can also sing sweetly ; and, it is said, 

 imitates the song of other birds to bring them near. Mr. Philipps 

 states that he has seen it capture small birds ; and that, in the North- 

 west, it is occasionally trained to do so. He also relates that it is 

 sometimes picketed to the ground, closely attached to a Starling, and 

 the neighbouring bushes, twigs, &c, being well smeared with bird- 

 lime. All sorts of birds come to witness the supposed fight, and to se- 

 parate the combatants, and many are captured by the limed branches. 



I have seen the nest and eggs on several occasions, from February 

 to May. The nest is rather large, deeply cup-shaped, made of twigs, 

 roots, &c., and lined with hair or cotton, and the eggs, three to five 

 in number, are dull greenish-white, with a few spots and blotches of 

 greenish-brown and light reddish-brown. Burgess asserts that it 

 migrates from the Deccan during the monsoon ; but I saw it all 

 the year round at Jalnah, as well as in other parts of the country. 



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