Nests in Trees 



the nest was some natural outgrowth of the tree, of which 

 the bird had taken possession. But all these early 

 guesses were wrong, as naturalists discovered when they 

 watched the bird more closely. It was seen to search 

 diligently over every tree near its home till it met with 

 a fungus of the genus Boletus. Now this fungus, though 

 soft, is tough and leathery, but the fiery topaz deftly 

 moulds the uninviting substance into a comfortable, 

 serviceable nest of marvellous craftsmanship. 



A very remarkable nest, and one which forces itself 

 upon our attention, is that of the great grey shrike. The 

 bird seems anxious that we should all admire its handi- 

 work, for it always builds in the most conspicuous places. 

 Of the nest itself there is but little to say. It is large and 

 rough and loosely built of moss, wool and grass, and its 

 lining is of hair. 



Of far greater interest than the nest is the larder with 

 which it is always surrounded. Now the shrikes are 

 peculiar amongst birds of prey, in that they always 

 impale their victims on some nearby thorns. Accordingly 

 the nests are invariably built in thorn-bearing shrubs, such 

 as the blackthorn. Bees, beetles, even nestlings are the 

 common stock of this avian larder. Why, exactly, these 

 birds should have such curious habits is a moot point. 

 Some say that they cannot eat any flesh till it has been 

 well hung, but, as a fact, shrikes often kill and eat insects 

 without impaling them. 



A peculiar and erroneous story has been woven around 

 the red-backed shrike, another familiar bird, to the effect 

 that there are always nine impaled creatures round its 

 nest, and that after eating one it always catches and 

 impales another before venturing on a second meal. So 

 deep rooted has this fable become that the bird is called 

 the nine-killer in some parts of the country, in fact its 

 scientific name signifies as much. 



Formerly the great grey shrike was used in falconry, 

 though it was held in little esteem. In an old sporting 



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