Shrike. INSESSORES. LANIUS. 151 



rial migration in September or October, as soon as the young 

 birds have acquired sufficient strength to undertake the jour- 

 ney. During its residence with us, it is but partially distri- 

 buted, being confined principally to the southern and mid- 

 land counties. 



It is common on the extensive Downs of Sussex, and the 

 adjoining hue of coast, particularly upon those which abound 

 with furze and thorn-bushes. It is also well known in Wilt- 

 shire and Gloucestershire, and I have seen it in different 

 parts of Wales. It is occasionally met with in Cumberland, 

 and the western parts of Yorkshire, where it has received the 

 name of Flusher, and a few instances have occurred of its 

 appearance as far north as the river Tyne. 



Its habits are similar to the preceding species, and it pur- 

 sues the same method with respect to its prey, which is chief- Food. 

 ly confined to insects, particularly those of the coleopterous Nest, &c. 

 order. It forms a nest of moss, intermixed with wool and 

 dry grass, lined with hair, in furze or thorn bushes ; laying 

 five or six eggs, of a pinkish- white, with small spots of wood- 

 brown, disposed like zones, chiefly at the larger end. The 

 young birds, when nearly fledged, soon give notice of the 

 place of their concealment, by becoming very clamorous up- 

 on any approach to the nest. The notes of this species are 

 varied, and its song is pleasing. 



Captain Mitford (whom I have before mentioned in this 

 work) had an opportunity of observing the manners of these 

 birds during the breeding-season, in the vicinity of Hastings, 

 in Sussex, where they abound ; and assures me that he never 

 observed any particular hostility displayed by them towards 

 the neighbouring smaller birds ; and that he has found the 

 nest of different species (Sylvia, &c.) within a very short dis- 

 tance of that of one of these Shrikes, which allowed them to 

 bring up their young without molestation. It may be reared 

 in confinement without difficulty, soon becoming tame. Mon- 

 tagu mentions having kept several, that shewed as much 

 docility as Goldfinches. They were fed with flies and other 



