170 LECTURE V, 



Striv demmutdy which is hardly superior to a 

 sparrow in size, and of an elegant grey co- 

 lour, freckled with very numerous dark-brown or 

 ^blackish specks. 



Ornithologists differ in some degree about 

 the next or fourth Linna^an genus of the Acci- 

 pitres or predacious Birds; some thinking that 

 it should rather be placed among the Picae or 

 Pies. Its habits however are strictly those of 

 Birds of prey. This genus is called Lanius, in 

 English Shrike or Butcher- Bird, which nanie is 

 given to it on account of its singular practice 

 of separating the limbs of such birds and other 

 animals as it kills, and fastening them on thorns, 

 by regularly transfixing each : this practice is 

 not only common to the several European spe- 

 cies, but is observed in those of Africa and Ame- 

 rica. The Great or Common English Shrike or 

 Buteher-Bird is the Lanius Excubitor of Lin- 

 nreus, and chiefly seen in the northern parts of 

 the kingdom. It is about the size of a Thrush 

 and of a grey colour, with black wings and tail, 

 and a black streak across each eye : the bill and 

 legs are also black. Some of the exotic species 

 of this genus are of very brilliant colours. 



