GREAT GREY SHRIKE. 65 



The bird had entered a stable for shelter, and was struck down 

 when attempting to escape, on the door being opened. 



Temminck, in his Manuel d' Ornithologie, states that the food of 

 this species consists of moths, beetles, and other insects, and that 

 it also sometimes takes small birds. He does not, however, in- 

 form us whether the insects are pursued while in flight. 



INSESSORES. LA NIA D^E. 



DENTIROSTRES. 



THE GREAT GREY SHRIKE. 

 LANIUS EXCUBITOR. 



THROUGHOUT the eastern counties of Scotland, the Grey Shrike 

 appears to be a regular winter visitant. In the midland counties 

 it occurs less frequently; while on the west coast, especially of late 

 years, I have not succeeded in tracing its occurrence except at 

 irregular and uncertain intervals. Six or eight examples were 

 taken in the winter of 1865-66 in the counties of Argyle, Renfrew, 

 and Lanark all of which I had an opportunity of examining.* 

 That particular season, indeed, was somewhat remarkable for the 

 unusual number of this species taken almost everywhere. That 

 these formed part of an extensive migratory flock can scarcely be 

 doubted, as small detached parties were observed keeping company 

 for a short time after their arrival as many as half-a-dozen having 

 been seen together in one place. In Forfarshire I procured three 

 or four specimens which were shot near Kirriemuir, and the species 

 was also noticed near Crieff, as well as other parts of Perthshire. 

 It has likewise become a well known bird in East Lothian of late 

 years. 



It is a somewhat remarkable fact that nearly the whole of the 

 Scottish specimens that have come under my notice have the under 

 parts irregularly barred, or minutely freckled, and have but one 

 spot on the wing, precisely like the figure of L. borealis given 



* Writing in 1835, Mr Patrick states that Grey Shrikes were often shot near 

 Hamilton, and that they appeared chiefly in autumn, sometimes attacking the 

 call-birds of the bird-catchers in their cages. They were also seen occasionally 

 thirty years ago in the parish of Dalziel. Last year two or three Shrikes 

 were caught by the Glasgow bird-catchers, with bird-liine, within two or three 

 miles of the city. 



