The BUSH SHRIKES (Malaconoti) constitute a numerous group, inhabiting Africa and India. These birds are distinguishable by their comparative length of wing and shortness of tail; the formation of the latter varies considerably in different species. The beak is long, slender, and but slightly curved or incised; the tarsus high and weak. The thick plumage is brilliant in its hues, and unusually developed on the lower portions of the body. All the members of this family live either in pairs or small parties, amidst the leafy tops of forest-trees, or in such districts as are covered with a thick growth of brushwood. They feed exclusively on insects, but with this exception we are almost entirely without particulars as to their habits or mode of incubation.
THE FLUTE SHRIKE (Laniarius Æthiopicus).
The FLUTE-VOICED SHRIKES (Laniarius) are recognisable by their elongate body, short neck, head of medium size, and moderately long wing, in which the fourth or fifth quills exceed the rest in length. The rather long tail is rounded at its extremity; the beak is long, very decidedly hooked, and but slightly incised. The tarsus is high, the toes powerful, and armed with formidable claws.
THE SCARLET SHRIKE.
The SCARLET SHRIKE (Laniarius erythrogaster), a species inhabiting Eastern Africa, and replaced in the western and southern portions of that continent by a somewhat similar species (the Laniarius barbarus), is of an uniform glossy black on the upper portion of the body; the under side, with the exception of the brownish yellow hump, is of a brilliant scarlet; the eye is yellow, beak black, and foot lead-grey. The length of this bird is nine, and its breadth thirteen inches; the wing measures four and the tail three inches and a half. The plumage of the Laniarius barbarus is exactly similar, if we except a dull yellow patch upon the top of its head.
THE FLUTE SHRIKE.
The FLUTE SHRIKE (Laniarius Æthiopicus) is entirely black upon the upper parts of the body, except a white line upon the wings; the under side is pure white, shaded here and there with rose-red; the eye is reddish brown, the beak black, and the foot blueish grey. The length of its body is nine and a half, and breadth twelve inches and one-third; the wing measures four, and the tail three and three-quarter inches.