AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 79 



SO far as I know docs not attack small birds, which 

 show no fear of it as they do of the former bird. 

 The nest is always placed in a tree, composed of 

 strong bents and cotton-grass externally, with a lining 

 of fine grasses and moss. The eggs somewhat re- 

 semble those of the Red-backed Shrike ; but I have 

 never met with the red variety which is not uncom- 

 mon in that species. The Woodchat is a very familiar 

 and fearless bird, and seems often to prefer the vici- 

 nity of human habitations for its nest. In all its 

 habits this Shrike seems to me to approach closely to 

 the Flycatchers. 



In the 'Field' of January 13, 1883, there appeared 

 a communication from Mr. Elliot, above mentioned, 

 to the effect that a Woodchat had been picked up 

 dead near Stamford. I at once wrote to him on the 

 subject, and received the following reply : — " The 

 Woodchat noted in ' The Field ' was picked up dead 

 on the 9th inst. ; it is a female, and in fair condition, 

 the plumage is slightly soiled. It appears to have 

 been on the fallow land some time, and had been 

 dead at least two days before I received it ; one side 

 of the head was slightly decomposed ; it was in very 

 poor condition, and showed all the appearance of a 

 bird that is picked up in a long frost. The exact 

 locality, I believe, would be in Wothorpe parish, but 

 it is in the occupation of a Stamford farmer and 

 within 100 yards of Burghley Top, or deer-park, so 

 that in reality the bird was found in Northampton- 

 shire. This Lanius rufns I hope to place in my 

 collection of British small birds. I have had several 

 applications to purchase, also several gentlemen to 

 see, the bird; it will be there for show." I was 



