RED-BACKED HllRlKE.—Eiineoctonvs coUurin. 



runs under the eyes and then expands into a bhack patch on the ear-coverts, 

 length of the bird is about ten inches. 



The total 



The Eed-Backed Shrike is a summer visitant to this country, and is very much 

 more common than the last-mentioned species. Its winter quarters seem to be situated 

 in Africa, and it reaches us at the end of April or the begining of May, passing through 

 Italy on its passage. 



During the time of its residence it may often be seen flitting about the tops of 

 hedges and small trees, evidently in search of its prey, and even at a considerable distance 

 may be recognised by its habit of wagging its tail up and down whenever it settles, in a 

 manner very similar to that of the wagtails. Usually it is seen in pairs ; but when the 

 eggs are laid, the male bird is generally engaged in procuring food while the mother bird 

 stays at home and attends to her domestic affairs. 



The food of the Eed-backed Shrike chiefly consists of the larger insects, such as 

 grasshoppers, beetles, and chaffers, and it is in the habit of impaling them on the thorns 

 near its nest, probably to save the mother bird the trouble of going to look for her own 

 meals. I have elsewhere mentioned that a not very common species of cocktail beetle, 

 the Staphylinus erythropterus is a very favourite prey of this bird ; and when I was 

 making up my collection of Wiltshire insects, I used to derive considerable assistance 

 from the labours of the Eed-backed Shrike. These impaled insects are stuck about the 

 bush in such numbers, and in so very open a fashion, that they form a ready guide to the 

 position of tlie Shrike's nest. Moreover, the parent birds are so solicitous about their 

 home, that as soon as they see a human being approaching their nest, they set up such a 



