The Red-Backed Shrike ii 



brown, with underlying spots of bluish-ash ; sometimes the surface spots are wholly 

 wanting, the grey markings alone being in evidence ; the spots are usually almost 

 entirely confined to the broader half, rarely to the apical half; and, still more 

 rarely, irregularly scattered over the whole surface ; in most eggs they are largest, 

 and form an irregular zone, just above the middle. 



In Kent I found the pink variety of the egg extremely rare, indeed I only 

 once succeeded in taking a full clutch of this form by fighting my way edgeways 

 through a dense (six-foot thick) hawthorn hedge, the hen bird chacking away, and 

 making little frantic rushes at my fingers, as I gradually struggled nearer to the 

 prize. In some counties I am told that the pink form is the prevalent one ; it 

 certainly is the prettiest. 



I found the nests of the Red-backed Shrike most commonly in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Maidstone ; taking tliree in one morning from the forked branches of 

 stunted trees near the river : in such positions it was invariably more solidly built 

 than when placed in a bush or hedge ; in character it is not unlike some nests 

 of the Greenfinch, but deeper ; the outer walls formed of coarse grass-stalks and 

 moss, and the lining of fine bents, wool, and horsehair. 



As is well-known the name of Butcher-bird has been given to this species 

 owing to the habit which it has, in common with other Shrikes, of impaling its 

 prey upon thorns, in order, it is said, more readily to tear them to pieces : * per- 

 sonally I have never found any of its victims in this unpleasant condition, but 

 hundreds of observers have done so. Its food consists of insects, young and old 

 birds (even up to its own size) lizards, and mice : it seizes its prey suddenly, 

 dropping upon it when unsuspecting an attack ; for, although a migratory bird, 

 the Red-backed Shrike is not very powerful on the wing. 



The note of alarm and anger, as already hinted, is a harsh chack or char, the 

 call-note a harsh chirp, but the song, though short, is very pleasing. Herr Mathias 

 Rausch says (Gefiederte Welt, 1891, p. 446) "The best singer and mocker among 

 the rapacious birds is acknowledged to be the Red-backed Shrike or Thorn-piercer 

 (Lanius collurio). He is also the commonest and most widely distributed of all, 

 inasmuch as he may be found in a wild state throughout nearly the whole of 

 Europe. Especially good and varied singers are, however, only to be met with in 

 regions rich in birds. I have already owned Red-backed Shrikes, which copied 



• Considering that my bird swallowed five of the largest cockroaches I could find in succession, without 

 even dismembering them, I think this explanation can hardly be founded on fact: its swallowing capacity is 

 extraordinary, and one wonders, not only how it can get the food down its throat, but where it^manages to 

 stow it all away. 



The Rev. H. A. Macpherson informed me, however, that he had observed both the present species and 

 the Woodchat, and Great Grey Shrikes, when engaged in devouring insects piecemeal. He had kept all three 

 species in captivity, and was intimately acquainted with their habits in a state of freedom. 



