206 
remaining until September or October. During 
its residence with us it is but partially distributed, 
being confined principally to the Southern and 
Midland Counties, becoming more rare as we pro- 
ceed northwards, and being hitherto altogether 
unknown in Scotland. It frequents the margins 
of woods, thickets, and tall hedges, as well as open 
downs and commons more or less covered with 
furze. It feeds on insects, small birds, and mice. 
It builds in hedges, &c., and lays five or six eggs 
of a light cream colour, sometimes tinged with 
blue, and marked with spots of a reddish brown 
and pale purplish grey. 
SHRIKE, WOO DCH A: 
LANIUS RUTILUS, Penn. 
This species, which is abundant in many parts 
of Africa, visits the European continent in spring, 
and leaves it in September and October. Several 
instances of its occurrence in this country are also 
recorded. Its food consists of imsects, and occa- 
sionally small birds and quadrupeds. In size, in 
most of its habits, and im its mode of feeding, the 
Woodchat resembles the common Red Shrike. It 
is said to build invariably in the fork of a project- 
ing branch of a tree. The nest is composed on the 
outside of sticks, and of white moss from the 
