206 Mr. F. N. Chascu on the [Ibis, 



Lanius minor. Lesser Grey h>hrike. 



Plentil'ul enon<j;li in June and Julj-. Breeds freely. A 

 number of nests in the (ininiatna area. 



Lanius senator. A\ oodcliat. 



A numerous summer bird to be seen in most localities — 

 the Struma plain^ tiio hills near Lake Doiran, and the woods 

 at Mirova alike. Not so abunihant as the next species. The 

 dapper black and white plumage with rich sienna cap that 

 glows brick-red when the sun hits the bird's poll, renders this 

 Shrike very conspicuous. AVhen they first arrive in the 

 country and prior to nesting (I have no dates likely to be 

 first arrivals), they roam about in pairs, flying from one 

 }>ramble l)ush to another, keeping close to tlie ground in 

 their short flights. The Woodchat is by no means a restless 

 bird. A pair will take up their position on a clump ot: tall, 

 woody and thorny undergrowth, post themselves about tew 

 yards apart, and wait for coming events with great jiatience. 

 They will crouch on a hough wdth their white breasts towards 

 you and remain inactive for as long as six minutes by the 

 watch. I say " inactive,'.^ but really the birds are very 

 alert. The head is constantly moved, being cocked at every 

 conceivable angle as the bird looks for passing insects. If 

 an insect is caught by one of the pair, the less fortunate 

 bird will flit over to its mate to watoh the }»rocess of thrashing 

 the insect to death against a small twig, and then return to 

 its own " look-out " and resume the same seemingly indolent 

 but really alert position. The short note is pleasing, but the 

 call-notes are harsh. The white rump is very conspicuous 

 in flight. Nests between Karamatli and Gramatna. 



Lanius coUurio. Red-backed Shrike. 



A common summer bird. First seen 8 May. There were 

 plenty near our camp during the second week in October. 

 A diary note remarks their absence on 9 October, but I 

 expect the last birds had gone before I ap[)reciated the fact. 

 Stagnant water near the river, the extensive beds of red 

 popi)ies, and, above all, the high ground on the hillsides, 

 where there were no hedges but acres of short thorny 



