246 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



of a branch, that it may tear thorn in pieces at its leisure. On the 

 continent this bird is made use of by trappers of Falcons. It is fixed 

 to the ground, and gives notice by its loud screams of the approach 

 of a Hawk. Some suppose that it has on this account been called 

 'excubitor' the sentinel; but Macgillivray thinks it more probable that 

 it has obtained the name from its habit of remaining perched in one 

 position, on a twig or decayed branch, for a long time together, when 

 on the look out for prey. Few birds are more courageous than the 

 Great Shrike; it will attack those that are considerably larger than 

 itself, and will allow no Hawk or Magpie to approach its nest. 



On the continent this species is to be mot with in woods and forests; 

 it places its nest at a considerable elevation, in the fork of a branch, 

 forming it of grass, moss, and fine roots, and lining it with wool, 

 down, or hair. The eggs, from four to seven in number, are of a 

 greyish or reddish white colour, spotted at the thicker end with reddish 

 brown and purple. The parents exhibit a very strong affection for 

 their young, and raise loud cries if any intruder approaches the nest. 



The Great Shrike is said to have a 'very pleasing sort of warbling 

 song.' Its common call-note is likened by Meyer to the words 'shack, 

 shack.' Possessing considerable flexibility of voice, it imitates with 

 case the notes of other birds, for the purpose, it is supposed, of luring 

 them to destruction. A writer in "The Naturalist" says, "My first 

 acquaintance with the Butcher Bird was occasioned by hearing notes 

 not entirely familiar to me, though much resembling those of the 

 Stonechat. Following the sound, I soon discovered the utterer; and 

 while listening, to my surprise, the original notes were discarded, and 

 others adopted of a softer and more melodious character, never, how- 

 ever, prolonged to anything like a continuous song." 



The full-grown male of this species is from nine to ten inches in 

 length, and weighs a little over two ounces. The head, neck, back, 

 and wing coverts are ash grey, and the lower parts of the body white. 

 A black band runs from the base of the beak, under the eye, and for 

 some distance beyond. The wings and tail are black, the former 

 barred, and the latter edged with white. The female resembles the 

 male, but, as is frequently the case, has her plumage of a lighter tint. 





