“The swallow shrike is one of the commonest Philippine birds and it seems probable that this species occurs on every island of the group. It hawks after insects during the day, and may sometimes be seen hunting in great flocks just at sundown. Hundreds often roost together on the leaves of coconut trees. Called ‘git-git’ and ‘ala-git-git’ by the natives. We found it nesting in the coconut trees as a rule, but a nest in Negros was placed on the broken top of the trunk of a cotton-tree. The nest is composed of small grass-stems, twigs, and similar materials loosely woven together, and is lined with fine grass and with fibers from the bark of the cabo negro palm. The cavity of the nest is broad and shallow, measuring 75 to 100 mm. in width and 25 to 40 mm. in depth. The exterior dimensions vary greatly in different nests. Three or four eggs are deposited. Their ground-color is pale creamy white, usually very heavily marked with spots and blotches of very pale lilac and light chocolate-brown. These markings are usually more numerous at the larger end where, in rare cases, they almost entirely conceal the ground-color, while in others they are replaced by fine dots and small spots. The eggs are remarkably uniform in shape. They vary from 22.8 to 24.8 mm. in length and from 17.2 to 18 mm. in breadth.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
This attractive species was found breeding in abundance along the Baco River, Mindoro, in April, 1904. The nests were usually placed among the upturned roots of fallen trees which had become stranded in the river.
Family LANIIDÆ.
Bill strong, either compressed or at least as high as broad at nostril, never depressed; upper mandible with a notch, or with a notch and a tooth near tip; nostrils partly hidden by antrorse frontal plumes, the shafts of which are produced; wing moderate in length, flat, and somewhat rounded; first primary one-half of third or less, the second falling between the first and third; rectrices twelve, either long, or else moderate in length; front of tarsus covered with distinct plates; hind toe with claw less than culmen from base.
Subfamilies.
- a1. Bill strongly compressed except near base and with a strong tooth and a deep notch near its tip; shafts of chin-feathers not produced Laniinæ (p. [592])
- a2. Bill as high as broad, a slight notch near its tip; shafts of chin-feathers produced Pachycephalinæ (p. [599])
Subfamily LANIINÆ.
Bill strongly compressed, hooked, and with a strong tooth and deep notch on each side of upper mandible; inner webs of primaries slightly emarginate; rectrices graduated, usually as long as, or longer than, wing.