5 
them regularly frequented our camp for the sake of the morsels thrown outside the tent during 
the occupation of skinning, and in securing their dainties they behaved with all the coolness of 
London Sparrows.” Von Heuglin says that in North-eastern Africa he “often found the nest in 
the eyrie of the Osprey, or at least covered by the latter, more seldom placed on Samra or 
balsam-bushes. It is generally placed from four to eight feet above the ground, and resembles 
that of Zanius minor, but is less neatly built, besides being flatter and broader.” In India 
Jerdon states that “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 
or 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 occcasionally 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 birdlime. All sorts of birds come to witness the supposed 
fight and to separate the combatants; and many are captured by the limed branches.” 
With regard to its nidification in the same country he writes as follows :—“ I have seen the 
nest and eggs on several occasions from February to May. The nest is rather large, deep, 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.” 
Eggs of this Shrike in Dresser’s collection, obtained by the Rev. Canon Tristram in Palestine, 
are dull light stone-grey, marked with pale purplish-brown underlying shell-spots, and dull nut- 
brown overlying surface-blotches, and much resemble eggs of the Great Grey Shrike (L. excubitor). 
In size they measure from 1 inch by 28 to 125 by 33 inch. 
In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens :— 
E Mus. Sharpe and Dresser. 
a. Algeria (Fairmaire). 6, 9. Taggurt, December 27th, 1856 (H. B. Tristram). c, 2. Thebes, Upper 
Kgypt, January 24th, 1863 (S. Stafford Allen). d, 6. Gennesaret, March 9th, 1864 (H. B. Tristram). 
é, f,g. Etawah (W. E. Brooks). h, i,j, k,l. Punjaub (C. H. T. Marshall). 
E Mus. R. B. Sharpe. 
a, 2. Rairo, August 14th, 1868 (W. Jesse). 6. Senaar (Kotschy). 
E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 
a, 2. Berryan, December Ist, 1856 (H. B.T.). 6, ¢. Gardaia, December 5th, 1856 (4. B.T.). c¢, 2. Plain 
of Acre, December 9th, 1863 (H. B.T.). d,e, 5, 2. Jericho, December 30th, 1863, and January 2nd, 
1864 (H. B.T7.). f, 3. Engedi, January 23rd, 1864 (4. B. T.). g, 2. Tiberias, March 29th, 1864 
(H. B. T.). kh. Deyra Doon, between the lower Himalayas and the Sewalik ranges. 
38D 
