RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 173 



to the size of the "bird, frequently measuring from six to 

 seven inches diameter ; it is usually placed rather high in a 

 strong hedge or thick bush ; the nest, shaped like a cup, 

 is generally formed of coarse stalks of plants on the out- 

 side, with some moss and fibrous roots within, and lined 

 with bents and a few hairs. The eggs are four or five 

 in number, about eleven lines long by eight lines in breadth, 

 generally uniform in size, but very variable in colour, 

 sometimes pale bluish white, spotted with hair-brown and 

 ash-grey, the spots confined to the larger end of the egg, 

 and frequently forming a band; occasionally they are 

 found of a greenish white, with darker spots; and in 

 many instances the eggs are pale reddish white, spotted 

 with two shades of darker red and reddish brown. 

 Three eggs are exceedingly well represented in Mr. W. C. 

 Hewitson's work. 



The parent birds are clamorous over their young brood, 

 and the little family keep together as long as they remain 

 in this country. 



The Red-backed Shrike is common about London, and 

 in most, if not all, the southern and western counties of 

 England and Wales, going northward from thence as far as 

 Cumberland ; but there, as observed by Dr. Heysham, it 

 is rare. It has not, I believe, been observed by Ornitholo- 

 gists in any part of Ireland. North of London, on the east 

 coast, it is found in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and York- 

 shire ; but occasionally only as far north as Northumber- 

 land and the south-eastern part of Durham. It has not, 

 that I am aware, been noticed in Scotland or its islands ; 

 yet it visits Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Russia. 

 From thence southward, it is found in Germany, France, 

 Spain, Provence, Italy, Corfu, Sicily, Malta, and the 

 Crimea. Specimens were sent by Keith Abbot, Esq., to 

 the Zoological Society from Trebizond ; it also inhabits 



