58 CLARKE: THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



The occurrence of quite a young bird of the year at Kilnsea, in 

 the East Riding, on the 26th of August, 1877, recorded in the 

 Field (1877, p. 281), is unprecedentedly early. Remaining 

 throughout the winter, it has at that season occurred in most 

 parts of the county, but cannot be said to frequent any locality 

 regularly, though the list of recorded occurrences is very 

 voluminous. Taking its departure on the advent of spring, we 

 must look upon the shooting of one at York whilst in the pursuit 

 of Fieldfares, on the i8th of April, 1849 (Zoologist, 1849, P- 2452) 

 as a late occurrence. 



During an ornithological excursion in Dutch Brabant in 

 May, 1879, I obtained several nests of this bird, all of which 

 were placed in the small detached pines which are scattered 

 over the extensive heaths of that province. Each pair of birds 

 had its own limited district, as it were, from which others of 

 the race were seemingly strictly excluded. The nest, placed 

 about five feet from the ground, was a considerable structure of 

 dry grasses and a profusion of feathers. One nest had a quantity 

 of fine heather, rag, string and worsted in its composition. The 

 usual number of the eggs was seven. 



LANIUS COLLURIO L. 

 Red-Backed Shrike. 



A rare casual summer visitant. 



This bird is of much less frequent occurrence in the county 

 than the Great Grey Shrike. It has been recorded to breed in a 

 few instances, but does not now, so far as my knowledge extends, 

 repair annually to any single locality, though formerly it seems to 

 have ranked as a somewhat regular visitor, for the late Mr. Henry 

 Denny, who was an excellent naturalist, in his Leeds Catalogue, 

 1840, cites this species as "not uncommon" in several localities 



Trans.Y.N.U., 1879 (pub. 1880). Series B 



