214 DENTIROSTRES. 



INSESSORES. 

 DENTIROSTRES. LANIADJE. 



PLATE XLII. 



ASH-COLOURED SHRIKE. 

 Lanius excubitor. (Li?in.) 



The Butcher-birds are by some authors ranged imme- 

 diately after the birds of prey, with which some of their 

 qualities ally them ; by others, they are located among 

 the insect-devouring tribes ; others again, place them at the 

 head of that section. It is an intricate and difficult question 

 to determine which position is the most natural and proper, 

 and one, besides, that would, if ascertained, hardly repay 

 the labour of investigation. 



Five species are recognized as belonging to Europe, of 

 which three are periodical visitors with us ; many others 

 are found in other parts of the world, and all are distin- 

 guished by the courage and ferocity they exhibit in the 

 capture and destruction of their prey, which is effected, not 

 like the Raptores, by means of their claws, but by their 

 beak. Small birds, reptiles, and insects, form their food ; 

 and their habit of hanging up on a thorn their prey when 

 taken, and then dissecting and tearing it in pieces, is 

 supposed to be the origin of their generic name. 



The Laniadse are connected with the tribes with which 

 we find them arranged by Temminck, Selby, and other 

 authors, by their agreeable song, by their insect food, by 

 their manner of flight, and the kind of country they frequent. 



