54 
LANIADJE. 
proportions in the four great quarters of the 
world, but is wanting in its restricted sense to 
Australia, may be thus characterized : — 
Lanius — Generic Character. — Bill rather 
short, compressed ; mandible hooked, fur- 
nished with a strong and prominent tooth ; 
wings with the three first quills graduated, 
third and fourth equal and longest ; claws 
sharp, but not formed for grasping prey 
Type, L. excubitor. 
Europe, Asia, Africa, North America. 
Note. — Breed on trees, seize living prey, and 
use a thorn or cleft branch, as a support not 
afforded by their feet. 
THE GREAT OR ASH-COLOURED SHRIKE. 
Lanius exculitor. — Liks^us. 
PLATE I. 
Lanius excubitor, Linn Pie-Grieche Grise, Temm. Man. 
Ifc Great Grey-Cinereous-Ash-coloured Shrike, or 
Butcher Bird of British Authors. 
The Shrikes are generally of a size and form 
exhibiting a moderate degree of strength, and do 
not shew any indications of raptorial disposition, 
except in the strong and toothed form of the 
bill ; and in many of the species, the centre fea- 
thers of the tail being longest, an elegance and 
lightness to their shape and figure is imparted, at 
variance with the powerful form necessary for 
