Genus TELEPHONUS. 
Lanius apud Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii. p. 301 (1809). 
Pomatorhynchus apud Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 973. 
Turdus apud Lesson, Traité d’Orn. p. 411 (1851). 
Telephonus, Swainson, Classif. of B. 11. p. 219 (1837). 
Telephonus, Bonaparte, Cat. Parzud. p. 8 (1856). 
Telophorus apud G. R. Gray, Hand-l. of B. i. p. 398 (1869). 
THE species included in the genus Te/ephonus are essentially Ethiopian ; and one only, Telephonus 
erythropterus, is found in the southern portion of the Western Palearctic Region. In general 
habits these birds are said to differ not a little from the true Shrikes, and, unlike them, to be 
fond of secreting themselves in the underbrush instead of perching on the more exposed 
branches of the bushes and trees. ‘Their flight is feeble and uncertain; but they are strong on 
their feet, and run swiftly from one bush to another. ‘Their note consists of a harsh scream ; 
but they also utter a song consisting of a clear, prolonged, Blackbird-like whistle. They feed 
on insects of various kinds, which they obtain chiefly on the ground. Their nest is bulky, con- 
structed of twigs and roots, and lined with feathers; and they deposit several dull white eggs 
marked and spotted with purplish grey and reddish brown. 
Telephonus erythropterus, the type of the genus, has the beak stout and strong, the upper 
mandible notched at the point; nostrils small, roundish, placed in the anterior part of the nasal 
membrane; gape furnished with stout stiff bristles; wings moderately short, broad, first quill 
rather short, being nearly a third shorter than the second, which is about equal to the tenth, 
the fourth and fifth being longest; tail long, much graduated; legs and feet stout and strong ; 
tarsus covered in front with six plates and three inferior scutelle; claws moderately long, 
strong, curved, and sharp. 
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