222 OUR NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



arises from the explosion of gunpowder. He 

 observes that he has found the same peculiarity in 

 the nuthatch. 



Though the great shrike, from its comparative 

 unfrequency in our woods, contributes little to 

 their minstrelsy, yet a smaller species, the Flusher 

 or Red-backed Shrike* {Lanius coUurio),is a regular 

 visitant to our island, and a common bird in several 

 parts of it ; while as a singer it deserves great 

 praise. It may often be seen and heard in the 

 neighbourhood of London, and is frequent in Kent, 

 Surrey, Sussex, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and 

 some other counties haunting the borders of woods, 

 or dwelling among the furze, broom, or brambles 

 of our open downs. Like its congener, it is a true 

 butcher-bird, though it is inferior in size and 

 power to the great shrike. It has been known to 

 kill birds as large as a finch, and is much feared 



* The Red-backed Shrike is seven inches and a half in length. 

 Head, neck, and rump grey ; back chestnut-red ; wing-feathers 

 black, edged with red ; tail-feathers white at the base, black 

 towards the extremities, but tipped with white ; a band of black 

 along each cheek ; under parts pale red ; beak and feet black. 

 The female has the upper parts dull reddish-brown ; the under 

 parts greyish-white, barred with minute dai'ker lines ; the black 

 stripe on the cheek is absent. 



