BIRDS OF THE WOODS 51 



Language. Song, not unlike the Gold Crest, but less 

 shrill ; a low " zit-zit." 

 Habits. Generally much like the Gold Crest. 

 Food. Insects and spiders principally. 

 Nidification. Breeds in Southern Europe. 



RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio). 



April to September. Common enough in certain 

 localities ; most abundant in southern counties, except 

 Cornwall ; rarer towards the north ; rare in Ireland. 



Haunts. Margins of woods, commons, and the like, 

 where there are good thick hedges. 



Plumage. Band passing from base of bill through 

 eyes to lores black ; upper parts grey, except mantle, 

 which is chestnut-brown. Wings dark brown, edged with 

 chestnut. Two central tail-feathers black, the rest 

 black at the end and white at the base ; chin, white ; 

 under parts buff suffused with rose. Bill and legs black. 

 Length 7 in. Female : upper parts reddish brown, 

 slightly barred ; no black on head, and pale buff eye- 

 stripe. Young almost similar to female. 



Language. A great mimic, uttering notes like several 

 other birds ; one note like a House Sparrow's attempt 

 at song. Call-note a harsh chirp. Alarm-note a harsh 

 " chack." 



Habits. It resembles the other Shrikes in its raptorial 

 habit of capturing its prey and spitting it on thorns 

 near its nest (hence Butcher Bird). When perched at 

 the top of some hedge or tree like a sentinel it utters 

 its chattering notes and jerks its tail. Flight undulating. 



Food. Small birds, mammals, and reptiles ; also bees, 

 wasps, beetles, &c. 



Nest. June. One brood only. 



