240 TRE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



The Shrikes belong to the Laniince. The only three British species 

 included in this family are represented in our group — the Great Shrike, 

 the Red-backed Shrike, and the Woodchat. All these birds have full 

 compact bodies, short necks and legs, wings of moderate length, and 

 long tails. Their habit of hanging upon thorns the insects and small 

 animals they have captured for food, has given them the name of 

 Butcher Birds. Macgillivray says, "They are generally unsocial birds, 

 whose sympathies do not extend beyond the circle of their own family, 

 tyrannical, and consequently disliked by their neighbours of the insec- 

 tivorous tribes, many of whom exhibit as much alarm at their presence 

 as they would on approaching a hawk." 



The Kingfisher stands last on our list, but though last certainly not 

 least, for a more exquisitely plumaged bird can scarcely be imagined. 



"The emerald shines on his kingly head. 

 And his corset is of ruby red: 

 An emerald mantle is on his back, 

 Varied with waves of ebon black; 

 And a lovely band of the brightest blue 

 Gives to the whole a glorious hue." 



Most of the Alcedince are inhabitants of the warmer regions of the 

 globe. They have stout bodies, short necks, largo heads, short wings 

 and tails, and very small feet. The habits of our British Kingfisher, 

 fully described in the following pages, well represent those of the whole 

 family. 



