THE KED-liACIvKI) SHRIKE. 



15-: 



Araong the more remarkable of the foreign genera, there is one termed V((ii(ja, distin- 

 guislied by the .size, conipres.scd form, and hooked point of the bill, whieh is exeeedingly 

 strong and powerful. This very singular bird from Australia {Vaiiijd Dafnwtof), derives 

 its name from its daring ferocit}' ; it is often known as the New Holland butcher-bird. 



Mr. "W. C. L. Martin says, " "We have seen one of these birds in captivity, when a 

 mouse or small bird has been exhibited in its presence, dart with the utmost eagerness 

 and impatience about its cage, uttering, at the same time, a clamorous chattering, and 

 evincing the utmost state of excitement. If the mouse were jjlaced within its reach, it 

 would seize it behind its head with astonishing rapiditj' and address, by means of its bill, 

 and strangle it with every indication of exulting triumph. The victim being thus 

 despatched, it would next proceed to tix its body tightly between the wires of its cage, 

 putting the head out at one space, turning it over the wire, and bringing it in at the 



r.4RD.\I,0TUS CEISTATUS. 



FALCUNCULUS. 



next space, so as to render it capable of bearing a firm pull, before proceeding with its 

 work of tearing it to pieces. 



" Xo doubt, when at liberty, the Vangn Besirucfor impales its victims upon a sharp 

 spire, or fixes them between the prongs of cleft branches, in order to devour them, as is 

 the case with the European shrike, and it only adopted the mode described because such 

 instruments were not accessible. This, however, was not the only singular trait in the 

 bird alluded to. The voice of the Vaiiffci Destructor is full and musical, and its imitative 

 powers of a first-rate description ; it copies with great precision a tune, the airs of other 

 animals, the voices of parrots, and the notes of birds. The wi'iter heard the individual 

 alluded to perform a part of one tune in particular, ' Over the water to Charlie,' which it 

 executed with great spirit and melody whenever excited." 



The birds, of which the above are engravings, are nearly allied to the shrikes. 



