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Dr. Hopkinson —Shrikes as Cage-birds



The Great Grey Shrike, Lanius excubitor.


Was (and no doubt will be again) a not uncommon and a

very attractive show bird. As many as four at one show r are recorded

in the A.M. for 1908 (p. 158, Crystal Palace Show of that year).

Bechstein includes it in his book on cage-birds, giving some ten lines

to its “ attractive qualities ”, and mentioning its use as a “ Sentinel ”

in Falcon-catching. It also finds a place in some of the English cage-

bird books, such as Birchley, etc.


The Lesser Grey Shrike, Lanius minor.


I believe I have seen this bird on the show bench, but can find no

record. Bechstein gives quite a long account, and calls it a “ very

desirable cage-bird ”. Altogether this writer deals with four Shrikes,

the other two being the Woodchat and Bed-backed.


The Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio,


Besides being not uncommon as a show-bird, has the distinction

of being the only Shrike hitherto bred in captivity. A pair belonging to

Dr. Giinther nested in 1904, and between then and 1912 reared

altogether seven broods in captivity. See A.M 1904, 339 ; 1912, 335,

and elsewhere in the interim.


The Woodchat-Shrike, Lanius senator.


This rare visitor to Britain has made a very occasional appearance

at shows, but except for one once brought me alive in the Gambia,

where it is a common winter visitor, I have never seen one in captivity,

Other members of the genus Lanius which my records lead me to

include are :—


1. The American Grey Shrike, Lanius borealis.


2. The Indian Grey Shrike, L. lahtora.


3. The Bay-backed Shrike. L. vittatus.


4. The Rufous-backed Shrike, L. erytJironotus.


5. The Black-capped Shrike, L. nigriceps.


6. The Brown Shrike, L. cristalus.


7. The Magpie-Shrike, Urolestes melanoleucus.


Of Nos. 4, 5, and 6 Mr. Frost brought specimens in 1912, and with

them came a Cuckoo-Shrike, Graucalus macii, one of the Campephagidce

( Bird Notes, 1921, inset 43). Vittatus, cristatus, and erythronotus appear



