VIGORS' RAVEN SHRIKE (_Thamnophilus undulatus_ or _Thamnophilus
Vigorsii_) is a large bird about fourteen inches long; its wing measures
five and its tail six inches. The plumage of the male is entirely black
upon the upper side, streaked with white upon the back, wings, and tail;
the lower parts of the body are of an uniform dark grey, somewhat paler
upon the throat. The female is almost exclusively yellowish brown, the
top of the head being blackish brown, and the back, wings, and tail
striped alternately with black and reddish yellow. Burmeister found the
Bush Shrike inhabiting the wooded highlands of Rio de Janeiro and Santo
Paulo, occasionally in the vicinity of the towns and villages. Such as
he observed hopped about amongst the branches at some distance from the
ground, repeatedly uttering their monotonous cry. They exhibited no fear
of molestation, and would allow a sportsman to approach quite close, even
if armed with his gun.
We are somewhat better informed as to the habits of the species of Bush
Shrikes mentioned by Azara and the Prince von Wied. These are described
as resembling both the Shrikes and the Ant Thrushes (_Pitta_) in form and
general appearance. All lead a retired life amidst the bushy foliage of
their native forests, and usually prefer the darkest and most secluded
localities, seldom quitting these retreats except when flying from one
bush to another. The larger species are occasionally met with in the
open country, but there, as elsewhere, they keep within the shelter of
the brushwood, and only leave their favourite haunts for a few minutes
morning and evening. Towards other birds they exhibit little sociability,
but are much attached to their mates, each couple keeping together
throughout their lives. The voice of the various species is so very
similar as to render it almost impossible to distinguish the one from
the other by the ear alone. The Prince von Wied describes their cry as
resembling the sound produced by the rebound of a ball from a stone or
other hard body, followed by a deep bass note. In some few instances the
call is perfectly monotonous. The Bush Shrikes subsist almost exclusively
upon insects, but they also destroy small reptiles and young birds. The
nest, which is carelessly formed of blades of grass and moss, lined with
feathers, is concealed so cunningly as to render its discovery difficult,
even by the sharp-eyed natives. The eggs are laid about December; they
are of a dirty yellow colour, marked with a wreath of olive-brown spots
at the broad end.
* * * * *
The DRONGO SHRIKES (_Edolii_) constitute a family of birds found
extensively throughout Africa, Southern Asia, and New Holland; they
appear to form the connecting link between the Shrikes and the
Fly-catchers. All the various members of this family have slender
bodies, long wings and tails, broad beaks, and short feet. The fourth
and fifth wing-quills exceed the rest in length; the tail is composed
of ten feathers, and is more or less deeply forked at its extremity.
The large thick beak is surrounded with bristles at its broad base; the
slightly-curved upper mandible is incised at its edges and terminates in
a hook; the tarsi are short, the feet small but muscular, and armed with
strong claws. The plumage is dark-coloured, thick, harsh, and possesses
a very peculiar gloss. Most species are black, others blue, and some few
light or deep blue upon the back and whitish beneath; the eye is always
bright red, and the beak and feet black. All the members of this family
are very similar in their habits and mode of life.