THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE 
LANIUS COLLURIO 
LocaL names in surrounding counties: ‘ Butcher- 
bird ” (Essex). 
Sratus iN British Avirauna: A local summer visitor 
to England and Wales, from Derbyshire southwards ; of 
only accidental occurrence in Scotland and Ireland, 
although it has been recorded as having bred in the 
former country. 
Rapiat DistrRiBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Paut’s: I have no records of this bird from the more 
central districts, and its distribution normally does not 
commence until the four- or five-mile radius is reached. 
It is a fairly numerous summer visitor to suitable spots, 
breeding in the south from Dulwich, Barnes, Putney, 
Wimbledon, and Richmond outwards ; in the west from 
Osterley, Hanwell, Sudbury, Pinner, Perivale, Wembley, 
Harrow, Stanmore, and Elstree; in the north from 
Hendon, Barnet, Enfield, Waltham, and Epping ; in the 
east from Ilford and Dagenham; and in the south from 
Dartford, the Crays, Bromley, Croydon, Banstead, Merton, 
Ewell, and Epsom. As might naturally be expected, the 
bird becomes commoner in the}remoter and more rural 
suburbs, although I have remarked its persistent attach- 
ment to certain haunts after they have been considerably 
encroached upon by the builder. It has a habit of re- 
turning year by year to one particular spot to nest, and 
may be seen, like the Tree Pipit, summer after summer in 
certain trees and bushes. 
There are many ideal haunts for the Red-backed 
Shrike in suburban London—high hedges and well- 
timbered fields, open country with plenty of cover, in 
which the bird delights. It is one of the latest of our 
summer migrants, reaching England early in May, and 
1gI 
