LANIUS ALGERIENSIS. 
(ALGERINE GREY SHRIKE.) 
Lanius algeriensis, Less. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 134 (descr. orig.). 
Lanius meridionalis, Malh. Cat. Rais. Ois. de Algérie, p. 9 (1846, nec Temm.). 
Z.. saturate cinereus: scapularibus dorso concoloribus, albo terminatis, plagam distinctam albam formantibus : 
tectricibus alarum minoribus cinereis, majoribus autem nigerrimis : rectricibus nigris, primariis ad basin 
externe albis speculum album formantibus, secundariis interne versus basin albis et conspicue albo 
terminatis: cauda nigra, pennis duabus mediis omnino nigris, duabus proximis vix albo terminatis, 
reliquis graduatim albo plus terminatis usque ad duas extimas fere omnino albas: subtus cinereus, 
gutture cum genis et abdomine imo albidis: tectricibus subalaribus et subcaudalibus albis: rostro 
nigricante : pedibus griseo-brunneis: iride saturate brunnea. 
Above dark blue-grey, the edge of the scapulars white; least wing-coverts grey, the rest jet-black ; primaries 
black, white at the base, forming a very distinct white speculum, the secondaries paler on the inner web, 
conspicuously tipped with white; tail black, the middle feathers just tipped with white, the others black 
at the base, but the white predominating towards the external feathers: a narrow line over the forehead, 
loral space, and ear-coverts black; entire under surface grey, inclining to pure white on the throat, 
cheeks, and abdomen; on centre of the breast and belly a slight tinge of ochre; under wing- and 
tail-coverts whitish; bill and feet black. Total length 9-6 inches, culmen 0°75, wing 4°83, tail 48, 
tarsus 1°]. 
Young. General colour brown, suffused with grey where the feathers are changing colour; under surface of 
the body greyish, with brownish vermiculations on the upper part of the breast and flanks; the throat 
and abdomen whitish. Compared with Lanius excubitor of the same age, the plumage of the young 
Algerine Shrike is very much darker, while the stout bill and thickset leg are sufficiently conspicuous. 
WHEN compared with the Spanish Grey Shrike (Lantus meridionalis), the present species is at 
once to be distinguished by the colouring of the under parts, which are greyish without any 
tinge of pink, as in the Spanish bird. Viewing the two species side by side it will also be 
observed that the beak and leg of Lanius algeriensis are very stout, while the alar speculum is 
at least three times as large as in L. meridionalis. 
The Algerine Shrike is, as its name indicates, a native of Algeria, to which country it is 
absolutely confined. Mr. Osbert Salvin remarks that, ‘‘ whereas Lanius lahtora is confined to the 
northern slope of the Atlas, its place in Tunis and on the southern watershed is occupied by 
Lanius algeriensis. 1 frequently met with this bird in Tunis, at Souza, and other parts of the 
Regency, but lost sight of it on ascending the Atlas range.” Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., says that 
on his recent visit to Algeria he found this species ‘‘shy and hard to kill. It goes as far as 
Laghouat; but about a day’s journey south of that town the next species takes its place.” Dr. 
Taczanowsky’s remarks differ from those of Mr. Gurney as to the shyness of the species, as his 
experience proved them to be less shy than Lantus excubitor, like which bird they stick insects on 
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