12 BRITISH BIRDS. WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS 



through the wires of its prison ; from the nature of its food its cage needs constant 

 cleaning, otherwise it smells abominably ; its note of rage, char, char, is frequently 

 uttered, but nothing else. As it will not now learn its natural song, a few good 

 performers such as the Nightingale, Blackcap, Skylark, Grey Singing-finch, or the 

 Pekin Nightingale, should be kept in cages near by ; in order that it may study 

 their notes. 



One advantage in this bird is that however wild it may be, and however 

 intolerable the odour of its cage may be, the bird always appears to enjoy robust 

 health. Even if one is ill, and perchance no fresh food is supplied to this bird 

 for twenty-four hours, he makes no trouble of that, but only attacks his food more 

 vigorously when the opportunity comes. Moreover, having by foolish behaviour 

 so reduced his wings that he cannot reach his perch, he contentedly passes the 

 night on a box in a corner. These are redeeming points in his character. 



Fa in ilyL A NIIDsE. 



THE WOODCHAT SHRIKE. 



Lanitis pomcranus, SPARRM. 



HOWARD SAUNDERS observes that " On the Continent the Woodchat 

 breeds as far to the north-east as the line of the Baltic and the valley of 

 the Vistula, beyond which it is of accidental occurrence ; while southward it is 

 generally distributed throughout Europe, and in the countries bordering on the 

 Mediterranean is very abundant. Even there, however, it is only a visitor ; arriving 

 about the end of March, or early in April, and leaving again between August and 

 October. Eastward it breeds in South Russia, Turkey, Asia Minor, Palestine, and 

 Persia; while in winter it occurs in Arabia, and down the East African coast to 

 about 5 N. lat., also on the west side to the Gambia and the Gold Coast. Through- 



