THE GREAT Bl'TCHER BIRD. 81 



PIES. 



The birds of this group have the beak a little flat, more or 

 less hooked, generally in the form of a knife, and of a middling 

 size. The feet are in general strong and short; the lower 

 part, being much divided, may be used for walking or climbing. 

 Their food consists of insects, worms, the flesh and remains of 

 animals, seeds and fruit. In a few species the note is pleasing; 

 several may be taught to speak ; and some are admired for 

 their handsome plumage. 



THE GREAT BUTCHER BIRD, 



Lanius Excubitor, Linn^us ; Dcr gemeine VViirger, Bechstein ; La Pie- 

 Gri^che grise, Buffon. 



It is a little larger than the Redwing {Turdus Iliacus, 

 Linn.) Its length is nine inches, of which the tail measures 

 three and three-quarters ; the wings, when folded, cover one- 

 third of the tail. The beak is eight lines in length ; the iris 

 is very dark brown ; the shanks iron grey. All the upper 

 ])art of the body is of a fine ash colour, shadmg off to white 

 above the eyes, on the forehead, the shoulders, and tlie rump. 

 The tail is wedge-shaped, white at the point, and black in 

 the middle. 



Habitation When wild, this species generally frequents groves, 



thickets, and the borders of forests ; it is also found among brambles, 

 and on lonely trees, always perched on the top. It never quits the abode 

 it has once chosen, either in winter or summer. "When caught it must 

 >)e kept in a large wire cage. Its liveliness and desire for prey prevent its 

 being permitted to mix with the other birds. 



Food. — In its wild state, it feeds in summer on grasshoppers, crickets, 

 beetles, and other insects, even lizards, uad sinulj adders, tind wlicn those 



