286 



ITALIAN SHRIKE. 



Lanius Ttalicus. L. canus, suhtus suhroseus, f route fascia oculari 

 alls caudaque cuneata nigris, rectricihus apice albis. 



Grey Shrike, subroseous beneath, with the forehead, eye-stripe, 

 wings, and cuneated tail black, the latter tipped with white, 



Lanius minor. Lin. Omel, Lanius Italicus. Lath. ind. orn. 



La Pie-Grieche d'ltalie, Buf. ois. PL Enl. 32./. 1. 



Extremely allied both in size and colours to 

 the L. Excubitor, but differs in having the fore- 

 head black, diminishing backwards into a streak 

 enclosing the eyes : the upper parts are of a fine 

 grejj the wings and tail black, with a spot of 

 white on the middle, as in the Grey Shrike : the 

 under parts are white, but strongly tinged on the 

 abdomen with rose or blossom-colour: bill lead- 

 colour: legs black. Buffon considers this as a 

 mere variety of the L. Excubitor, but Monsr. 

 Levaillant is of a different opinion, and affirms 

 that it constitutes a species truly distinct. 



♦ 



