WOODCHAT SHRIKE. 169 



In size, in most of its habits, and in its mode of feeding, 

 the Woodchat resembles the common Red-backed Shrike, 

 and, like that species, is said to imitate the voice of several 

 different small birds. Mr. Hoy says, "it differs from Lanius 

 collurio in the choice of situation for its nest, placing it 

 invariably on trees, and preferring the oak. The nest is 

 fixed in the fork of a projecting branch, and is composed 

 on the outside of sticks and wool, mixed with white moss 

 from the bodies of the trees, and lined with fine grass and 

 wool. Eggs four or five in number, rather smaller than 

 those of the Red-backed Shrike, and varying much in 

 markings ; the ground colour being pale blue in some, in 

 others, a dirty white, surrounded near the larger end with 

 a zone of rust-coloured spots ; in some, again, the mark- 

 ings and spots are of a paler colour, and more dispersed 

 over the egg. It is not a wild bird, often building close 

 to houses and public roads. It is abundant in some parts 

 of the Netherlands, and arrives and departs about the same 

 time as Lanius collurio" 



This Shrike does not visit the higher northern parts of 

 the European Continent ; but is found in Germany and 

 France, in which countries it appears in spring, and leaves 

 in autumn, as might be expected, though M. Le Vaillant 

 says that he had shot the Woodchat in winter in Lorraine. 

 M. Vieillot has remarked that the Woodchat makes choice 

 of odoriferous plants for the construction of part of its 

 nest ; and M. Lichstenstein has noticed the same thing 

 in reference to Lanius minor. 



The Woodchat visits Switzerland, Provence, Italy, 

 Corfu, Sicily, Malta, the Morea, and Egypt. It is abund- 

 ant in North Africa, and is found at Senegal, and as far 

 south as the Cape of Good Hope, in both of which latter 

 localities it is said to be stationary all the year. 



