162 



and to some extent it is also resident there. Kussoff also obtained it at Tashkend and Tschinas, 

 and Col. Biddulph shot a specimen at Maral Bashi in January 1874. 



In the western portion of its range Lanius leucopterus meets Lanius excubitor, of which a 

 pale form having, as a rule, more white on the wings and tail than in western specimens, and 

 thus exhibiting a tendency towards L. leucopterus, appears to predominate there. This form 

 has been described as specifically separable from L. excubitor, under the name of Lanius 

 homeyeri, by Dr. Cabanis (J. f. O. 1873, p. 75) ; but in this I cannot agree, as it has no definite 

 geographical range, and there is no character by which it is separable from L. excubitor, and all 

 that one can say is that in the eastern portion of its range Lanius excubitor has more white on 

 the wings and tail than, as a rule, is the case in examples from the extreme western portion of 

 its range ; but the pale form, so-called L. homeyeri, occurs in the extreme west, though not so 

 commonly as in the east, and typical L. excubitor is also found, together with the pale form, in 

 the east. 



How far east the present species ranges it is somewhat difficult to state with any degree of 

 certainty, but in China it is replaced by another form of Grey Shrike, Lanius sphenocercus, 

 which differs in having a much longer tail, in having less white on the wings and tail, and being 

 darker in general tone of colour, the rump being grey and not white. How far this species 

 ranges in China I cannot say, but it is said to inhabit Southern China, and I have a specimen 

 from Pekin in Northern China. 



According to Professor Bogdanoff, Col. Prjevalsky met with Lanius leucopterus in Mongolia 

 between the post of Ssaissansk and Putchen, and near Carashar ; and Mr. Pleske states that 

 Messrs. Grum-Grzimailo obtained a male at Dshimyssar in the Gutchen district, and a female at 

 Tschiktym in the Turfan district. It is found in Central Siberia, and Mr. Seebohm (Ibis, 1882, 

 p. 421) records two as having been obtained near Krasnoyarsk. 



In habits and mode of nidification the present species doubtless assimilates closely with 

 Lanius excttbitor, but I find no details on record respecting it. 



The specimen figured is the female above described, and is in my own collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens: — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, <J ad. Kaplan-kul, Ferghana, November 5th; b, ? ad. Kaplan-kul, November 25th (Severtzoff). 



E Mus. Brit, 

 a, ? ad. Maral Bashi, January 1874 {Col. J. Biddulph). 



