In its structure it closely approaches the true shrikes, but in its habits may be compared to many birds.

I have frequently observed it, hunting a field, hovering over one spot like a hawk, and then proceeding on to another.

When seen thus suspended in the air, it might very readily at a short distance be mistaken for one of the Rapacious order; its stoop, however, is very inferior in force and rapidity to that of a hawk.

At other times the Saurophagus haunts the neighbourhood of water, and there, like a kingfisher, remaining stationary, it catches any small fish which may come near the margin.

These birds are not unfrequently kept either in cages or in courtyards, with their wings cut.