58 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 

 Lanius cbllurio. 



Unlike the preceding, this bird makes its appearance witli 

 great regularity about the middle of April, and is, in fact, a 

 summer immigrant. Although decidedly local, it cannot be 

 called uncommon. 



It may be seen occasionally between the South Downs and 

 the sea, but the north side of tliat range, throughout its 

 whole length, may, I think, be considered its favourite haunt. 

 Nevertheless it is fairly distributed throughout the inland 

 parts of the county, especially in the more open districts of 

 the Weald. 



The habit of these birds of stationing themselves on tbe 

 extreme point of the highest portion of a tree or bush renders 

 them very conspicuous. Any person travelling along the 

 roads may, year after year, at some particular spot, or Avithin 

 a few yards of it, observe a single male or female perched in 

 this position, probably on the lookout for any passing insect, 

 or on duty as sentinel. 



Its habits and food are very similar to those of the Great 

 Grey Shrike. In my younger days, when high hedges were 

 far more common than they are now, I have often found 

 in them the nest of the Red-backed Shrike. Owing to 

 modern ideas of agriculture, birds in general are losing such 

 places of security, and many are driven to build their nests 

 in situations liable to discovery, and to their consequent 

 destruction. 



I may observe in conclusion, that the eggs of this bird in 

 one nest, often differ so remarkably from those in another, 

 that they might easily be supposed to represent the product 



