O 



THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 



(Lanius colhirio.} 



UITE unlike any other of our summer 

 migrants in appearance, the Red-backed 

 Shrike, or Butcher-bird, as it is more frequently 

 called, differs from them all in habits, and from 

 the majority in having no song to recommend 

 it to notice. It is a curious bird in its way, shy 

 and retired in its disposition, and prefers tall 

 tangled hedgerows or the thick foliage of the 

 lower branches of the oak, where it can sit un- 

 observedly and dart out upon its unsuspecting 



