WOODCHAT 



PA8SRE8. 



215 



LANIlDJi. 



LANIUS AURICULATUS, P. L. S. Miiller*. 



THE WOODCHAT. 



Lanius rutilus}. 



WHATEVER doubts might have existed formerly of the 

 propriety of including the Woodchat among the Shrikes 

 that visit England, there can be no question on this sub- 

 ject now, and it is thought that the species may have even 

 bred in this country. 



One of the earliest specimens recorded as British is that 

 noticed by Gilbert White in his letter to Pennant, dated 

 Selborne, August 30th, 1769, wherein the writer says that 



* Natursystem, Suppleui. p. 71 (1776). 

 t Latham, Iiid. Orn. i. p. 70 (1790). 



