FLYCATCHERS. 263 



Note. The Red-backed Shrike (Lanius coUurio, L.) was sent 

 to Count de BufFon from Lomsiana, and as (according to Tem- 

 minck) it is common in South America, there is little doubt but that 

 it may occasionally visit the warmer parts of the United States and 

 Mexico. 



This species is only 7^ inches in length, with a grey crown and 

 rump ; the back and coverts of the wings of a rufous chestnut color ; 

 the throat and abdomen white, the flanks and vent roseate, inclining 

 to rufous. Wings nearly, and 2 middle tail-feathers wholly black, 

 the other tail-feathers white for two thirds of their length. Tail 

 nearly even. The 2d primary longer than the 5th. — The feinale 

 sullied rust-color, with the breast and belly impure wliite with dusky 

 semicircular lines. 



The Red-backed Shrike breeds in Sweden in the latter end of 

 April. The nest is large, made in a low, thorny bush, formed of 

 wool and soft withered grass, &c., well put together. The ego-s 

 are 5 or 6, blunt, of a roseate tint with reddish spots ; or even 

 yellowish, with greyish-green spots in the form of a zone. The male 

 feeds his mate while sitting, and displays great courage in the de- 

 fence of his brood. They feed on large insects, flies, spiders, younor 

 mice, small lizards, grasshoppers, frogs, &c. 



THE FLYCATCHERS. (Muscicapa. Li?i.) 



In these the bill is of moderate magnitude, rather stout, angular, 

 considerably Avidened and flattened towards the base, which is guard- 

 ed with longish bristles ; the upper mandible is notched towards the 

 end, and bent at the tip. The Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and 

 partly hid in the advancing hairs. Feet, with the tarsus of the 

 length of, or a little longer than, the middle toe ; inner toe free, or 

 merely united at the base } hind nail more curved than the rest, and 

 larger than that uf the middle toe. Wings rather long and some- 

 Avliat sharp ; with the 1st primary very short, the 3d and 4th longest. 



These are, in Europe and North America, birds of passage, usually 

 arriving late, and retiring earlier or later in the autumn. They sub- 

 sist during summer almost wholly upon flies, moths, and other 

 winged insects, which they catch on the wing. They walk badly, 

 and scarcely ever descend to the earth after their food. In autumn 

 they feed much on berries of various kinds, (and here chiefly on 



