242 



Catalogue of the Birds 



[Oct. 



Sub Family CEBLEPYRINiE, Swainson. — Caterpillar catchers. 

 Genus CEBLEPYRIS, Cuv.—Sphiy rumped Shrike. 



60. — C. Papuensis.— Grauculus Papuensis } Temm.— Large spine rump. 



This bird prefers well wooded situations, though not a denizen of 

 thick jungle ; hence is most abundant in the Western Coast. It is also 

 found in the other ports of India in topes, avenues, palm groves, and oc- 

 casionally even enters gardens. It lives partly on insects, chiefly man- 

 tides, grylli, caterpillars, and soft insects, which it searches for among 

 the foliage of large trees; and partly on fruit, especially the fig of the 

 banian tree. It is rather ashy and wary bird ; flying before you from 

 tree to tree, uttering, as it alights, two or three rather sweet and mellow 

 notes ; but it has also a very harsh rattling scream. It flies in an undu- 

 lating manner, with few vibrations of its wings. Its flesh is eaten and 

 esteemed by some of the natives. 



Trides fine lake red; length about 12 inches; of wing 6^5 tail 5j 

 tarsus nearly an inch, 



61. — -C Jimhriatus, Terara. — Smaller spine rump. 



This, like the last species, is most abundant in woody country, and 

 therefore on the "West Coast, but is also found in the other parts of the 

 country in avenues or thick hedges, gardens, &c. It is to be met with 

 at all seasons on the Western Coast, but I think only repairs to the 

 Carnatic (I speak particularly of the country about Trichinopoly), after 

 the commencement of the rainy season there, in October or November: 

 at all events it is much more numerous then. This spine rump hunts sin- 

 gly, or in small families of both sexes, flying from tree to tree,slowly and 

 carefully examining the foliage, prying searchingtyall around, and un- 

 der the leaves, to discover a suitable morsel. It continues its search 

 hopping, flying from branch to branch, till the tree has been well in- 

 spected, when the flock flies off together to another tree. Its favourite 

 food is caterpillars, pupee, grubs, and soft insects, but also ants and co- 

 leopterous insects. My specimen, both of male and female, correspond 

 pretty exactly with the description in Lesson ' Manuel d' OrnithlogieJ 

 The females appear much more numerous than the males, but this may 

 partly be accounted for by the young males being clothed in the fe- 

 male garb. 



