GREAT GREY SHRIKE. 51 



the capture of one of this species by bird-lime, is quoted 

 by Yarrell ("British Birds," 3rd edit., 1856) and runs 

 as follows : "A birdstuffer folloNving his occupation at 

 Gorton, near Manchester, and having arranged the 

 cage containing his call-birds, and placed his twigs well 

 smeared with bird-lime in the manner best adapted to 

 attain his object, he patiently waited the result. A 

 Grey Shrike flew to the cage, most likely for the pur- 

 pose of devouring the decoy-bird, and perching upon 

 the limed twig attached to its summit, became entangled 

 in the viscid material which covered it. The frightened 

 Shrike made vigorous efforts to disengage itself from 

 the unpleasant situation in which it was placed but 

 without avail : its struggles only tended to involve it 

 more completely in the tenacious toils with which it 

 Avas encumbered. At length it was secured, and placed 

 in a dark cage with the Piedpolls which had been pre- 

 viously captured : but the surprise and mortification of 

 the bird-catcher may be imagined, when on his arrival 

 at home, he found that the Shrike had killed all its 

 companions in captivity." Byerley also states (" Fauna 

 of Liverpool," 1856) that one was caught some years 

 ago striking at a noose set for Larks in the winter. 



[Oiie shot at Shaw Hill, Chorley, March 20th, 1880 ; 

 Lord Lilford's keeper shot one at Bank Hall, Bretherton, 

 February 11th, 1890.— E. J. H.] 



KED-BACKED SHEIKE. 



Lanius colll'Rio, Linnasus. 



A summer visitor ; still breeding regularly, though in 

 decreasing numbers, and stated by Blackwall to arrive 



E 2 



