WOOD-SHBIKE. 227 



a prominent tooth near the tip. The tarsus is eleven lines 

 in length. 



The general appearance of this species differs much from 

 that of the other Shrikes ; the plumage of the adult male 

 is as follows : the beak is bluish horn-colour at the tip, 

 and flesh-coloured at the base, the legs slate-coloured, the 

 iris pale-chestnut. The feathers round the base of the bill 

 are white, as are all the under parts, and the scapulars of 

 the wing; the rest of the wing is dusky, with the excep- 

 tion of the bases of the larger quill-feathers, which are pure 

 white, forming a spot that at all ages distinguishes this 

 species ; the greater coverts are also narrowly tipped with 

 white ; the lower part of the back and rump are ash-grey. 

 The top of the head, nape, and upper part of the tippet, 

 are bright-chestnut. The forehead, lore, and ear-coverts, 

 are black, which colour extends to the shoulders in a broad 

 line, and covers the back ; tail dusky, some of the outer 

 feathers tipped and bordered with white. On the breast 

 and belly the white is beautifully tinged with pink. 



The female is reddish-brown on the upper part of the 

 body ; the under parts all soiled-white, all the feathers trans- 

 versely rayed with brown. The young birds of the year have 

 the iris greyish yellow. 



