AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 79 



so far as I know does 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 rufus 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 



