MR. J. H. GURNEY ON THE SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE. 353 
lathora, L. algeriensis and L. meridionalis, Tern, (the latter 
a female from Mr. Howard Saunders’ collection labelled 
“Malaga, 14. II. 73”) it appears that it comes nearest to 
L. meridionalis, which is generally known as the Southern 
Grey Shrike. Its head is much darker than a typical 
L. exhibitor's, and its back is a couple of shades darker. 
The breast also, which has probably faded, is still slightly 
suffused with pink. Another point is that the scapulars, 
which in a typical L. exhibitor are tipped with white, are in 
this bird only slightly tipped with grey. 
1 only find one previous announcement of the Southern 
Grey Shrike in England, viz., near Colchester, in November, 
1875, by Dr. Brce, who records it in ‘ The Field ’ of Nov. 13th, 
1875, mentioning the dark ash-colour of the back and head, 
and roseate tint of the under parts, which seem to indicate 
correct identification, but Mr. M. Christy says the specimen 
is lost sight of (B. of Essex, p. 105). 
Although the home of L. meridionalis is Spain and 
Portugal, it appears to be not uncommon in the South of 
France, its occasional appearance in England might therefore 
be predicted. Up to 1895 it had occurred once in Heligoland. 
I have taken the opportunity of again examining the Grey 
Shrike in the Museum which was some time ago provisionally 
identified as L. algeriensis (‘ Zoologist,’ 1899, p. 126), and am 
confirmed in thinking that it was rightly assigned to that 
species. It was shot at Ranworth as long ago as February, 
1857, and whatever it was then it is now a somewhat dirty 
specimen. On the whole this bird agrees very well with 
a male of L. algeriensis shot in Algeria in February. 
In ‘ The Ibis ’ for 1892. pp. 288, 374. will be found a useful 
key by Mr. H. E. Dresser to L. exhibitor and its allies, in 
which he endeavours to point out what are the best marks 
of distinction between several closely allied Pakearctic species 
of Shrike. 
It is to be expected that among such nearly allied birds 
hybrids should sometimes occur, and it is possible that Mr. 
Connop’s Shrike is one of these, in which case the parents 
were no doubt L. meridionalis and L. exhibitor. 
