THE EDINBURGH JOURNAL rr . OF NATURAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE. APRIL, 1831. ORIGINAL ARTICLES. ART. I. — Descriptions of New or Little Known Species of Birds, By Sir W. Jardine, Bart. F.R.S.E. F.L.S. M.W.S. F.Z.S. &c. The following descriptions have been written with the view of making known as early as possible those species of birds in my own collection, which appear to be undescribed, or to possess something remarkable in their external appearance and anato-mical structure. They will be continued occasionally, as arrivals from abroad, or other circumstances, may put me in possession of new or interesting materials. No. h-— Lanius melanoleucusy Jard. Pied Shrike. L. niger, scapularibus, uropigio, hypochondriis fasciaque remigum albis ; plumis capitis, colli jugulique^ elongatis, acuminatis ; cauda longissima. Three specimens of this elegant and curiously formed shrike were some time since received from our valued South African correspondent, Dr Smith. The accompanying notes mention that " they were killed in the vicinity of the Orange River, and that nothing was known of their history." From the latter cir-cumstance we may conclude that they are of considerable rarity ; and, though anxiously asked for, no specimens have been included among the numerous species we have since received from that country. In the true and typical shrikes, taking Lanius excuhitor of Europe, and the African Z. collaris, as examples, we have a somewhat robust form ; the bill strong, considerably hooked, and possessing a prominent notch, — the latter being in strict VOL. III. 2 D
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