168 Dr. Hopkinson —Shrikes as Cage-birds


The Great Grey Shrike, Lanius excubitor,

Was (and no doubt will be again) a not uncommon and a

very attractive show bird. As many as four at one show are recorded

in the A.M. for 1908 (p. 158., Crystal Palace Show of that year).

Bechstein includes it in his book on cage-birds, giving some ten lines

to its " attractive qualities ", and mentioning its use as a " Sentinel "

in Falcon-catching. It also finds a place in some of the English cage-

bird books, such as Birchley, etc.


The Lesser Grey Shrike, Lanius minor.

I believe I have seen this bird on the show bench, but can find no

record. Bechstein gives quite a long account, and calls it a " very

desirable cage-bird ". Altogether this writer deals with four Shrikes,

the other two being the Woodcuat and Red-backed.


The Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio,


Besides being not uncommon as a show-bird, has the distinction

of being the only Shrike hitherto bred in captivity. A pair belonging to

Dr. Giinther nested in 1901, and between then and 1912 reared

altogether seven broods in captivity. See A.M., 1901. 339 : 1912, 335,

and elsewhere in the interim.


The Woodchat-Shrikk. Lanius senator.


This rare visitor to Britain lias made a very occasional appearance

at show r s, but except for one once brought me alive in the Gambia,

where it is a common winter visitor. I have never seen one in captivity.


Other members of the genus Lanius which my records lead me to

include are :—


1. The American Grey Shrike, Lanius borealis.


2. The Indian Grey Shrike. L. lahtora.


3. The Bay-backed Shrike. L. vittatus.


1. The Rufous-backed Shrike, L. erythronotus.


5. The Black-capped Shrike, /.. nigriceps.


6. The Brown Shrike, L. cristatus.


7. The Magpie-Shrike, Urolestes melanoleucus.


Of Nos. 4, 5, and 6 Mr. Frost brought specimens in 1912, and with

them came a Cuckoo-Shrike, Graucalus macii, one of the Campephagidce

(Bird Notes, 1921, inset 43). Vittatus, cristatus, and erythronotus appear



