RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 151 



and from this makes predatory sallies. The top of a hedge, 

 tree, post or telegraph wire is his favourite perch ; he does not 

 always stand erect, but rests with flexed legs, the breast leathers 

 hiding his feet ; his head moves from side to side, or, without 

 shifting his position, he turns his neck, looking upward, his 

 chin toward his tail, which is constantly in motion, raised and 

 deflected to maintain his balance, or, under excitement, swung 

 rapidly from side to side. He launches into the air and dodges 

 after a passing insect, but often his flight is rapid and direct, 

 with head held forward with determination; the prey when 

 captured is carried to the perch, held with the foot and dis- 

 membered. Now and then an insect is lifted, parrot-like, to the 

 bill, or a beetle will be held and hammered on the ground ; 

 bees, wasps and other insects with lethal weapons are smartly 

 smashed into impotence. Mice and small birds are suddenly 

 dashed upon and struck down, for in fair competition of speed 

 either can evade him ; he will beat along the hedgerow like a 

 hawk, poising with vibrating wings above a likely bush, then 

 glide on. Mice, lizards, small birds and large insects are, for 

 convenience, impaled upon a thorn or barbed wire before 

 butchery ; the spike is generally driven through the neck. 

 Where there is a convenient array of hooks the shambles 

 become the '* larder," but it is doubtful if the bird ofien revisits 

 the remains when the choice bits are extracted ; the game- 

 keeper shoots the Shrike, for young Pheasants are not in- 

 frequently hanging in the larder. Nestlings of various species 

 are slain, and the domineering bird will make passes at Thrushes 

 or other birds which he really dare not tackle, but often he is 

 mobbed and driven off by the pluck of small birds ; I have seen 

 a male Shrike retire discomfited before a couple of Whitethroats. 

 The flight is jerky and uneven, and the harsh tchack^ from 

 which the name is derived, is frequently uttered. The male has 

 also a sharp chirp, and in summer, during courtship, he has a 

 short, pleasant warbHng song ; Mr. Kearton has described the 



