236 Catalogue of Birds C 0cT - 



if at all— more abundant on the table land than below the ghauts— fre- 

 quents open baubul jungle, or single trees on the open plain, or culti- 

 vated ground. Seldom approaches villages or cantonments, as the last 

 does, but has the same h.bits and food. 



Irides hazel brown— bill and legs black-length 9§ inches ; tail 5. 



50. L. erylhronotus.—Coll. erythronotus, Yig.—Latora, H.— Rufous- 

 backed Shrike. 



This shrike is a rare bird in the Carnatic, less so in the Deccan, com- 

 mon on the West Coast, an I most abundant on the Neilgberries. It pre- 

 fers a more woo led country than the two last species— frequents low 

 bushy ground or open spaces in the jungle, and has similar manners and 

 food to others of the genus. 



Length iO inches ; tail -H i irides hazel brown— bill and legs black. 



51. L. nigriceps.—Coll. nigriceps, Frank.— Black hend--d Shrike. 



I have hitherto only observed this species in Goomsoor, perched on 

 trees, at the edges of thick jungle. 



Irides deep brown— length 10£ inches ; tail 5. 



Sub Family DICRURINiE. 

 Gkx. TEPHRODORNIS, Swainson. 



1 think that this genus rather belongs to the Thamnophilina:, or bush 

 shrikes, judging from its manners ; but as Swainson looks upon it as the 

 union of the two families, it may retain its place among the « swallow 

 shrikes.' 



52. T. Sylvieola.—Nen sp.t—Pharee Latora, U.—Junjle wood 

 shrike. 



This apparently undescribed species inhabits the dense and lofty 

 foressof the Western Coast and ghauts. I have found it on the Coonoor 

 pass, as high as 5000 feet. It climbs and hops about the larger boughs 

 of trees, seeking for and picking insects of various kinds, but chiefly 

 coleopterous, off the bark.and occasionally making a swoop at one it has 



