134 THE BIRDS OP KENT 



or the sunny portions of a wooden fence, are at this 

 time favourite resorts. They flit in close company 

 from bough to bough in front of an intruder, the male 

 parent bird uttering frequently his brisk chucl\ Mimicry 

 is also resorted to, the movements of the Spotted Fly- 

 catcher being then very closely imitated, and except for 

 his red-brown mantle and inordinately long tail he might 

 at first sight pass easily as that bird. When on a fence 

 this Shrike will often turn backwards round its perch, 

 and cling to the bottom of it after the manner of a Tit- 

 mouse. Several nests of this species may frequently be 

 found in close proximity to one another. A ' tiller ' (a 

 local name given to a young oak tree) or some other 

 favourable position, not far from the nest, is always 

 chosen as a look-out post, and this is resorted to for some 

 time before building is commenced. Incubation is per- 

 formed by the female, who leaves her nest and flies to 

 the 'tiller,' and is there fed by the male." 



This bird was seen at Capel, Orlestone, on June 9, 

 1902, and at Falconhurst, on May 25, 1906, a pair were 

 observed. Dr. A. G. Butler states that he took fresh 

 eggs as late as June 8 in Kent. Mr. E. T. Filmer says : 

 "It is a strong lover of the bushy slopes of the railway 

 about Orlestone. I have seen at least five or six nests 

 every year." 



WOODCHAT. 



Lanius pomeranus, Sparrman. Mus. Carls, fasc, 

 L, No. 1 (1786). 



The Woodchat is certainly a very rare summer visitor 

 to the county of Kent, and the number of authentic 

 instances of its occurrence are few. The earliest is 



