158 THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE 



cockchafers, where they are to be had. The Rev. T. 

 Wood again ranks them with the Owls for usefulness. 

 A French naturalist also says they have every right to 

 be placed on the list of useful insectivorous birds. It 

 would seem to depend much on the nature of the 

 district whether this bird is to be welcomed or otherwise. 

 The Red-backed Shrike is 7 inches long. Its whole 

 shape and colouring still more its habits are those of 

 a true Shrike. Crown and neck a beautiful grey; 

 mantle reddish-brown ; the folded wings show no white 

 patch. Underparts pale rose colour, throat white; 

 across the eyes and towards the ears, is the broad black 

 band. The middle feathers of the tail reddish-brown, 

 the outside feathers white near the root. The breast of 

 the female bird is pale, crossed by brown wavy lines. 

 The upper mandible is serrated and has a slight hook. 

 The nest is usually placed in bushes ; it contains five 

 to seven eggs nearly white, with a ring of small darker 

 speckles, sometimes at the larger and sometimes at the 

 .smaller end. 



