504 AVES— SHRIKE. 



^xed upon, and the combat ends with the destruction of the assailant as well 

 as of the defender. 



For this reason, the most redoubtable birds of prey respect them ; while 

 the kite, the buzzard, and the crow, seem rather to fear than seek the en- 

 /jagemcnt. Nothing in nature better displays the respect paid to the claims 

 of courage, than to see this little bird, apparently so contemptible, fly in 

 company with the lanner, the falcon, and all the tyrants of the air, without 

 fearing their power or avoiding their resentment. 



As for small birds, they are his usual food. He seizes them by the throat, 

 and strangles them in an instant. His name of nine-killer he derives from 

 the popular belief that he catches small birds to the number of nine, and 

 impales them on a thorn, before he begins to tear them to pieces to satisfy 

 his hunger. The fact is, that he pays no such attention to the regularity of 

 number, but, being a bold bird, capable of killing much bigger birds than 

 himself, he hangs his prey on a thorn, as a butcher does a beast on a hook, 

 that he may dissever it with more convenience to himself. 



During summer, such of them as constantly reside here, (for the smaller 

 red butcher-bird migrates,) remain among the mountainous parts of the 

 country ; but in winter they descend into plains and nearer human habita- 

 tions. The larger kind make their nests on the highest trees, while the 

 lesser build in bushes in the fields and hedge-rows. They both lay about 

 six eggs, of a white color, but encircled at the larger end with a ring of 

 brownish red. The nest on the outside is composed of white moss, inter- 

 woven with long grass; within, it is well lined with wool, and it is usually 

 fixed among the forking branches of a tree. The female feeds her young 

 with caterpillars and other insects while very young; but soon after accus- 

 toms them to flesh, which the male procures with surprising industry. Their 

 nature also is very different from other birds of prey in their parental care ; for, 

 so far from driving out their young from the nest to shift for themselves, they 

 keep them with care ; and even when adult, they do not forsake them, but 

 the whole brood live in one family together. Each family lives apart, and 

 is generally composed of the male, female, and five or six young ones; these 

 all maintain peace and subordination among each other, and hunt in concert. 

 It is easy to distinguish these birds at a distance, not only from their going 

 in companies, but also from their manner of flying, which is always up and 

 down, seldom direct or sideways. 



Of these birds there are above forty different kinds, foreign and domestic; 

 but the great cinereous butcher-bird is the least known in Europe. The little 

 butcher-bird, or red-backed shrike,i which is called a Jlusher, is about the 

 size of a lark, and has a large head. The back and upper side of his wings 

 are of a rusty color; the throat and breast white, with red spots, and the 

 head and rump cinereous. 



• Lanius coUurio, Gmel. 



