RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 39 



as occurring at Garway ; the Rev. Clement Ley met with a flock 

 in winter time on the Black Mountains (Woolhope Trans. 1869, 

 p. 72) ; and one was killed at Bredwardine in the autumn of 1877. 

 The specimens in the Hereford Museum came from the Forest of 

 Dean. The blue " Tom Tit " seems to be a favourite food of this 

 bird, but it devours other small birds, frogs, &c. 



This bird derives its name " Excubitor," (Sentinel) from its 

 habit of posting itself on the topmost bough of a poplar, or other 

 tall tree, to keep a look out for its prey ; and if a Hawk should 

 appear, it shrieks out a warning that is unmistakable. Its own 

 note is somewhat similar to that of a Kestrel, but it has a very 

 remarkable power of imitating the songs of other birds ; as the 

 Nightingale, Thrush, Robin, Swallow, etc. 



[Lanius major — Pallas's Great Grey Shrike.] 

 An occasional visitant to Great Britain on migration. 



[Lanius excubitorides — American Grey Shrike. 

 Of doubtful occurrence in England. 



[Lanius minor — Lesser Grey Shrike.] 

 A rare accidental visitor to England. 



LANIUS COLLURIO— Red-backed Shrike. 



The May-fly is torn by the Swallow, the Sparrow spear'd by the Shrike, 

 And the whole little wood where I sit is a world of plunder and prey. 



Tennyson — Maud. 



This bird, the " Butcher Bird," as it is sometimes called, is not 

 uncommon in particular localities throughout the county, and its 

 beautiful eggs are to be seen in almost every schoolboy's collection. 

 It usually visits the same locality, year after year. The Rev. 

 Clement Ley observed it in the same place, near Ross, for 23 years; 



