THE BUTCHER-BIRD. Ill 



when thus spitted, pulls them to pieces with its 

 bill. It is supposed that as nature has not given 

 this bird strength sufficient to tear its prey to 

 pieces with its feet, as the hawks do, it is obliged 

 to have recourse to this extraordinary expedient. 

 During summer such of them as constantly 

 reside here, (for the smaller red butcher-bird 

 migrates), remain among the mountainous parts 

 of the country ; but in winter they descend into 

 the plains, and nearer human habitations. The 

 larger kind make their nests on the highest trees, 

 while the lesser build in bushes in the fields 

 and hedge-rows. They both lay about six eggs, 

 of a white colour, but encircled at the bigger 

 end with a ring of brownish-red. The nest on 

 the outside is composed of white moss interwoven 

 with long grass ; within, it is well lined with 

 wool, and is usually fixed among the forking 

 branches of a tree. The female feeds her young 

 with caterpillars and other insects while very 

 young j but soon after accustoms them to flesh, 

 which the male procures with surprising industry. 

 Their nature also is very different from other 

 birds of prey in their parental care ; for, so far 

 from driving out their young from the nest to 

 shift for themselves, they keep them with care ; 

 and even when adult they do not forsake them, 

 but the whole brood live in one family together. 

 Each family lives apart, and is generally com- 

 posed of the male, female, and five or six young 

 ones : these all maintain peace and subordination 

 among each other, and hunt in concert. Upon 

 the returning season of courtship this union is at 



58 



