92 HISTOKV OF 



fear than seek the engagement. Nothing in nature better dis- 

 plays the respect paid to the claims of courage than to see this 

 little bird, apparently so contemptible, Hy in company with the 

 lanner, the falcon, and all the tyrants of the air, without fearing 

 their power, or avoiding their resentment. 



As for small birds, they are its usual food. It seizes them by 

 the throat and strangles them in an instant. When it has thus 

 killed the bird or insect, it is asserted by the best authority, that 

 it fixes them upon some neighbouring thorn, and, when thus 

 spitted, pulls them to pieces with its bill. It is supposed, that 

 us Nature has not given this bird strength sufficient to tear their 

 prey to pieces with its feet, as the hawks do, it is obliged to 

 have recourse to this extraordinary expedient.* 



During summer, such of them as constantly reside here, for 

 the smaller red butcher-bird migrates, remain among the moun- 

 tainous parts of the country : but in winter they descend into 

 the plains, and nearer human habitations. The larger kind 

 make their nests on the highest trees, while the lesser build in 

 bushes in the fields and hedge-rows. They both lay about six 

 eggs, of a white colour, but encircled at the bigger end with 

 11 ring of brownish red. The nest on the outside is composed 

 of white moss, interwoven with long grass j within it is well 

 lined with wool, and is usually fixed among tlie forking branches 

 of a tree. The female feeds her young w ith caterpillars and 

 other insects while very young ; but soon after accustoms them 

 to flesh, which the male procures with surprising industry. 

 Their nature also is very different from other birds of prey in 

 their parental care ; for, so far from driving out their young 

 from the nest to shift for themselves, they keep them w ith care ; 

 and even when adult they do not forsake them, but the whole 



* The red-backed shrike or lesser butcher-bird is about 7 inches long. Tts 

 bill is black ; the head and lower part of the back, and coverts of the wing-s, 

 are of a bright rusty red ; the breast, belly, and sides, are of a fine pale rose 

 or bloom-coloiu- , the tlu-oat is white ; a stroke of black passes from the bill 

 through each eye ; the two middle feathers of the tail are black, the others 

 are white at the biise ; the quills are of a bro\vn colour ; and the legs are black. 



The female, like all other birds of prey, is larger than the male ; it builds 

 its nest in hedges or low bushes, and lays six white eggs, marked with a 

 reddish-brown circle towards the larger end. 



This bird preys on young birds, which it takes in the nest ; it likewise 

 feeds on grasshoppers and beetles. It inhabits Great Britain, aiid various 

 ojicr temperate countries of Europe. 



