THE SHRIKES. 



151 



moss interlaced together, and the small branches of neighbouring trees are introduced, 

 and twisted to form its seat and basis. The interior is profusely furnished mth feathers, 

 doAvn, and wool. The female laj-s from four to six eggs of a grayish white, spotted with 

 pale green olive and ash colour. The j'omig arc born naked, and never covered 

 ^vith down. 



This bu'd is much more common on the continent of Europe than in Britain, to 

 which its visits are not frequent. Its name of butcher bird is derived from the practice 

 to which it is accustomed of impaling its prey on sharp thorns or spikes, and leaving 

 them to be devoured at leisure, or tearing them in pieces with peculiar determination and 

 ferocity. The name of excuhitor, or sentinel, has also been given to this bird by Linnajus, 

 in consequence of the vigilance it manifests in watching against certain birds of prey 



BARITA. 



which it dislikes. The weight of this bird is about two ounces ; its length is ten 

 inches, and breadth fourteen. The bill is black and strong, and beset with bristles ; the 

 tail is composed of twelve feathers of unequal length, giving to it a wedge-like shapie, 

 and the whole of the upper surface is a fine blueish gray. 



The parents evince the greatest tenderness for their offspring, tending them carefully 

 during the entire period of infancy, and never quitting them imtil spring. These bii-ds 

 are seen to fly duriag the autumn and winter in small flocks, each composed of a single 

 family. These companies never unite together. These families, thus cognisable at a 

 distance, are also distinguished by a piercing cry, answering to the sound of troiii, troiii, 

 which may be heard very far off, and which they repeat incessantly when perched on 

 i\\e summit of trees or flying. Their mode of flight is pecidiar : it is neither oblique nor 

 horizontal at the same elevation, but continually up and down, by successive springs and 

 imdulations. They are always seen perched on the extremity of the most lofty and 



