48 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



plumage are not so pure, and the dull white of the 

 breast is marked with numerous greyish semilunar 

 lines. Young males resemble females. 



This species is not known to breed in England ; 

 but the eggs are said to resemble those of the 

 Redbacked Shrike, next to be described, except that 

 they are considerably larger. 



REDBACKED SHRIKE, Lanius collurio. The Red- 

 backed Shrike is much more common with us than 

 the last species, being a regular (though rather late) 

 summer visitor, not arriving in this country till the 

 end of April or beginning of May, at which time it 

 may frequently be seen perched on the top of some 

 bush, or on the highest twig in a hedge, like the 

 Stonechat. The top of a direction-post near here 

 I have also observed to be a favourite spot. 



The food of this bird is much the same as that of 

 the Great Grey Shrike ; but, being a smaller bird, 

 it naturally feeds more on the insect and less on the 

 animal and bird part, though it will take birds as 

 large as a Yellowhammer : like the last bird, too, it 

 fixes its food on thorns and branches, which has 

 given rise to the Latin family name of Lanius, or 

 Butcher : both these birds are localty known by the 

 name of " Butcher Bird." They eject the hair, 

 feathers and indigestible part of their food in 

 pellets, like Hawks and Owls. 



The nest is usually placed in a thick bush or 

 hedge ; it is made of coarse stalks of plants outside, 



