CVIII. 

 LANIUS EXCUBITOK. (Linn.) 



Great Shrike, Butcher Bird. 



The eggs of the three species of Shrike, differing as they 

 do greatly from those of other birds, bear a very close aud 

 beautiful resemblance to each other. 



Like the Red Backed Shrike this species builds its nest in 

 thick bushes aud high hedges ; it is large, and composed of 

 umbelliferous plants, roots, moss, and wool, lined with finer 

 roots and dry grass. The eggs are four or five, and it is said, 

 sometimes six or seven in number. Those which I have 

 seen differ but slightly from each other in colour and mark- 

 ings, and do not present the very beautifully spotted varieties 

 of the eggs of the Red Backed Shrike. 



To the liberality of my friend, Mr. H. Doubleday, T am 

 indebted for specimens of the eggs of this and the following 

 species ; also for the loan of others to Mr. Yarrell, and Mr. 

 Scales, of Norfolk. 



LANIUS RUFUS. (Briss.) 



WOODCHAT. 



The right of the Woodchat to a place in the list of the 

 birds of our islands, though considered by many as doubtful, 

 is however established upon good authority, as mentioned by 

 Mr. Selby. Of its nidification we have no satisfactory ac- 

 count. The eggs which I have seen bear a near resemblance 

 to each other. To Mr. Leadbeater I am indebted for the 

 specimen firom which my drawing is made. Plate CVIII. 

 Fig. 2. 



