320 BLACK-HEADED SHRIKE. 



of an olive green^ paler beneath, having no appear- 

 ance of the black pectoral zone, and the tail shew- 

 ing but indistinctly the colours it afterwards ac- 

 quires. The character of this species perfectly 

 resembles that of the European Shrikes, and its 

 ravages among the smaller birds are very con- 

 siderable. The male and female are generally 

 seen together: they build in thick bushes, the 

 female laying four or five eggs, and both sexes 

 performing the task of incubation by turns. The 

 young follow the parents for a very considerable 

 time after leaving the nest. 



BLACK-HEADED SHRIKE. 



Lanius melanocephalus. L. oUvaceus, capite nigro, cauda fascia 



lata nigra apice flava. Lath. ind. orn. 

 Olive- coloured Shrike^ with black head, tail marked by a broad 



black bar, and tipped with yellow. 

 Black-headed Shrike. Lath, syn^ 



Length about six inches: bill black, legs dusky. 

 Native of New Holland. 



