SIX MONTHS’ BIRD COLLECTING IN EGYPT. 155 
in his collection, and rather darker under tail-coverts. At 
the same time some individuals of C. odsoleta are much 
darker than others, as remarked by Dr. Adams, and the 
pink tinge noticed by Mr. Smith (“ Attractions of the Nile,” 
II, p. 247) varies much in Egyptian specimens. 
51. PALLID SHRIKE, Lantus lathora, Sykes; 
“ Deknasch surreti.” 
I saw some, birds of the year, on the desert side of the 
Faioum, upon the tamarisk bushes; and just before leaving 
England, I was shown four or five at Mr. Cutter’s shop, 
which had been sent to him from the Delta, but it certainly 
cannot be common. 
52. RED-BACKED SHRIKE, Lanius collurio, Linn. 
I bought a female of M. Piacentini, killed at Ramleh 
near Alexandria. 
53. WOODCHAT, Lantus auriculatus, Miller; L. niloticus ; 
“ Deknasch.” 
First shot March 26th, and soon became common. Its 
actions are not sprightly. It is often seen alone on the top 
of a plant. Does not as a rule fly far, or perch high. 
54. MASKED SHRIKE, Lantus nubicus, Lichtenstein. 
The Masked Shrike arrived at Minieh on the Ist of 
March, and soon became extremely common. It varied 
much in intensity of colour, some of the earlier specimens 
being much blacker than later ones. I suppose these were 
more advanced in summer plumage. The sexual difference 
was certainly not sufficient to account for it. The Wood- 
