72 



THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



consist chiefly of large beetles, butterflies, moths, and 

 grasshoppers, but it is also very destructive to small 

 birds ; in Switzerland, in the winter, I noticed that 

 the various species of Titmouse are a favourite prey. 

 In common with all the Shrikes of my acquaintance, 

 this species generally fixes its dead prey upon a strong 

 thorn, or in a forked twig, and pulls it to pieces, but 

 I have also seen it stand upon its victim and devour 

 it after the fashion of the true Raptores. The nest is 



GJ-reat <3-rey Shrike. 



large and rather loosely built of twigs and moss, with 

 a lining of wool ; it is generally placed in a fork of a 

 bough at some height from the ground, fruit-trees, 

 such as apple, almond, pear, and plum, being often 

 selected. The number of eggs I should say averages 

 five, but I have known of several nests with six. 

 When a pair of these birds have chosen a nesting- 

 locality, they will not allow another of their own 



