14 Messrs. SHEPPARD and WHITEA R’S Catalogue 
Shrike, like those of many other birds, are subject to some va- 
riation. The ground of them is sometimes blueish-white, some- 
times yellowish-white, and the spots are much larger and more 
numerous upon some than upon others. The beak of one of 
these birds which we shot, was coated over with cow-dung, 
doubtless from its having been searching therein for insects. 
We once saw a male Red-backed Shrike eager in chase of a 
Blackbird. We have heard a bird of this kind exactly imitate 
the cry of a young Owl; but are at a loss to conjecture its ob- 
ject, as it cannot be supposed to have done so with a view of 
decoying birds of that sort within its reach. - 
| Genus X. Muscicapa. _ 
1. M. Grisola (Spotted Flycatcher, Wall-bird). 
The plumage of the young is very different from that of the 
old birds, being all over spotted. | 
The form of the Spotted Flycatcher is altogether adapted for 
activity of wing : its legs are very short ; its breast broad: the 
bird narrows rapidly from breast to tail; and it has great length 
of wing in proportion to its size. 
This bird is known in Norfolk and Suffolk by the name of Wall. 
bird, from the circumstance of its frequently making its nest in 
2. M. albicollis (Pied Flycatcher). 
We have seen a specimen of this bird, which was killed near 
Cromer. 
