Case 123. 



RED-BACKED SHRIKE {Lanius collurio). 



A summer visitor arriving early in May, and irregularly distributed 

 tlirougliout the wooded districts of England and Wales during the 

 summer months. The food consists of small mammals, birds, lizards, 

 bees, and other insects, and from its curious habit of impaling its prey 

 on thorns, this species and its allies are commonly known as " Butcher 

 Birds" (note the larder of the pair here shown). It has also been 

 suggested that by hanging up small mammals and birds in this way, 

 flies and other insects are attracted by their decomposition, and that 

 therefore the so-called " larder " is used as a bait to attract insects 

 upon which the Shrike feeds. The nest, made of moss and roots, lined 

 with dry grasses, hair and wool, is usually placed in a thorn bush or 

 thick hedge, five or six feet from the ground. Four to six eggs are 

 laid which vary greatly in colour and markings (see British Bird Egg 

 Cabinet, drawer 4). 



Case 124. 



REED BUNTING {Emberiza schoeniclus). 

 Local names : Blackcap, Reed Sparrow. 



Generally distributed and resident throughout the British Islands, 

 frequenting the vicinity of water and swampy places when bordered 

 by osiers, reeds or rushes. The food consists of insects and their 

 larvse, small freshwater animals, seeds and grain. The nest is usually 

 placed among tufts of rushes on or near the ground, and is made of 

 dry grass and dead flags, lined with hair and flowers of the reed. The 

 eggs, four to six in number, are purplish-grey, boldly streaked with 

 dark purplish-brown (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 5). Two 

 and sometimes three broods are reared in a season. 



Case 125. 



CORN BUNTING {Emberiza miliaria). 



A resident and locally abundant species, especially on the lowlands 

 of the Mersey valley, and in corn fields and other arable land. Seeds 

 and grain form the principal food. The loosely constructed nest, of 

 dry grass and roots, lined with hair, is always placed on the ground 

 among growing corn, clover or grass, or under the shelter of a low 

 bush. Four to five eggs of a dull purplish-white, blotched and streaked 

 with dark purplish-brown (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 5) 

 are laid about the end of Mav. 



