I 12 



.BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 



FLUSHER, OR LESSER BUTCHER BIRD. 



(Lanins Collurio, Linn. Pic-gricchc ccorchcur, 

 Temm.) 



THIS bird is seven inches and- three-quarters 

 long, breadth twelve inches and a quarter. The 

 bill is black; irides hazel; the head and lower part 

 of the back light grey; the upper part of the back 

 and coverts of the wings are bright rusty red; the 

 breast, belly, and sides of a fine pale rose or bloom 

 colour; throat white; a stroke of black passes from 

 the bill through each eye; the two middle feathers 

 of the tail are black, the others white at the base ; 

 the quills are brown ; the legs black. 



The manners of this species are similar to those 

 of the ash-coloured Shrike : it frequently preys on 

 young birds, which it takes in the nest; it likewise 



