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GREAT GREY SHRIKE. 599 
the two Siberian species already alluded to, the Great Grey Shrike has 
several near allies. In China a Shrike is found (L. sphenocercus) which 
is ahighly developed form of L. lewcopterus, but has a longer tail and grey, 
instead of white, upper tail-coverts. In Turkestan L. mollis occurs, which 
is apparently the least changed descendant of the common ancestor of all 
these Shrikes. Throughout the American continent north of the United 
States L. borealis is found, immature examples of which are very difficult 
to distinguish from adult LZ. mollis from Turkestan. The only other two 
species belonging to the slender-footed broad-tailed group of Grey Shrikes 
are L. robustus from California and L. seebohmi from the Amoor, each of 
which is only known from a single example. In Spain, North Africa, and 
Southern Asia the stout-footed narrow-tailed Grey Shrikes occur, and are 
capable of being subdivided into many species and subspecies, many of which 
have been most unaccountably confused together by Sharpe and Dresser 
in the ‘ Birds of Europe.’ 
If the Great Grey Shrike ever was a resident in the British Islands, it 
must have been many years ago. A bird which is by no means uncommon 
across the Channel might naturally be expected to reside also with us. It 
does not object to cross the sea, as its regular appearance on Heligoland 
proves ; and a bird which is found in Norway and Sweden ought, one would 
think, to find a congenial climate in England. A tradition of its former 
residence in our island may perhaps be found in the ‘ Ornithology’ of 
Willughby, published in 1678, wherein he records of the Greater Butcher- 
bird :—“Moreover we are told that it is found in the mountainous parts 
of the north of England, as for instance in the Peak of Derbyshire, where 
it is called Wierangel”’ A bird so conspicuous may possibly have been 
exterminated at an early date ; but it could scarcely have had any formidable 
enemies except man. On the continent it holds its own against most birds 
of prey. Naumann writes :—“ This Shrike is an extremely courageous and 
bold bird, and seldom allows any great bird, even an Eagle or a Buzzard, to 
fly past his domains with impunity, persecuting them incessantly. His 
warning cry announces to the rest of the birds the approach of a bird of 
prey, whence is derived his name of sentinel (Wachter). In the breeding- 
season he is especially watchful, and no Crow or Raven dare approach his 
perch.” 
In many of its habits this Shrike resembles a bird of prey. He is 
described as sometimes hovering over a mouse like a Kestrel, and at others 
pursuing a small bird like a Merlin, and fairly flying it down. 
The Great Grey Shrike merits the name of Butcher Bird more than his 
smaller allies. He uses his hooked and notched beak, not only to tear up 
mice and little birds like a Raptorial bird, but also, because his feet and 
claws are comparatively weak, to assist in catching them. Even when he 
has caught his prey, unraptorlike, he seems to think his claws are not strong 
