BRITISH BIRDS. 107 



that it possesses the most undaunted courage, 

 and will attack birds much larger and stronger 

 than itself, such as the Crow, the Magpie, and 

 most of the smaller kinds of Hawks : if any of these 

 should fly near the place of its retreat, the Shrike 

 darts upon the invader with loud cries, and drives 

 it from the nest. The parent birds will sometimes 

 join on such occasions ; and there are few birds 

 that will venture to abide the contest. Shrikes 

 will chase all the small birds upon the wing, and 

 sometimes will attack Partridges, and even young 

 Hares. Thrushes, Blackbirds, and such like, are 

 their common prey ; they fix on them with their 

 talons, split the skull with their bill, and feed on 

 them at leisure. 



There are three kinds found in this kingdom, of 

 which the following is the largest. 



