] 22 Laniadce. 



and concealment is the only order of the day. In Spain it is 

 known as Alcaudon real 'the royal (or great) tailed one ' ; in 

 Portugal as Picanso ; and in France as Pie-Grieche grise ' Grey 

 speckled Magpie.' In Sweden it is styled Sto'rre Torn Skata, or 

 ' Greater Thorn Magpie.' In other districts of the same country 

 Var Fogel, or the ' Wary Bird ;' and in Germany Wdchter, or the 

 ' Watcher,' as, on the approach of danger, it warns other birds by 

 its sharp cry. Hence, too, it derives its scientific name ' Excu- 

 bitor ' (sentinel) from the use to which it is put in Holland and 

 Germany by the Falcon-catchers, who, taking advantage of its 

 quickness in perceiving a hawk at a distance, and its alarm and 

 loud screams thereon, make it a valuable assistant in their calling. 

 I have the authority of Professor Skeat for saying that the name 

 'shrike' or 'shrieker' is derived from the shrill cry of all the 

 members of this genus. The provincial name of ' murdering 

 magpie,' in vogue in some parts, not inaptly describes its habits. 



28. RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Laniua collurio). 



Yery well known to the inhabitants of Wiltshire is this bold and 

 handsome bird, which frequents our woods every summer: it seems 

 to favour only the Southern and Western Counties, and this is 

 one of its most choice localities. Montagu speaks of it as ' not un- 

 common in Wilts,' and Selby as 'well-known in Wilts;' but, indeed, 

 I have often noticed it at Yatesbury, as well as in many other 

 parts of the county ; and so has the Rev. G. Marsh, who says 

 that, on the downs near Winterslow, he has very often heard it 

 closely imitating the note of the Wheatear, which abounds there, 

 but (he adds) he has never seen it preying on anything but 

 beetles and other insects : this, indeed, seems to be its general 

 diet, and bumblebees, grasshoppers, and all kinds of flies are 

 impaled on the bush it selects for the purpose. I fear it is 

 become more scarce than it was : certainly I have not seen it 

 for several years past. So, though I have not kept any accurate 

 record of a species I used to consider common, I may quote 

 some few particulars of its recent occurrence in Wilts. Thus, 

 the Marlborough College Reports mention a nest with eggs 



