THE SINGING BIRDS. 147 



black spots ; the wings and tail are brown ; the eyes are dark brown ; the beak blueish black, and 

 the feet deep grey. 



The Red-headed Shrike is very numerously met with in Southern Europe, where it not only 

 frequents woodland districts, but settles in the immediate vicinity of houses. As winter approaches 

 it leaves for warmer latitudes, and is very commonly seen in the forests of Central Africa, shortly 

 after the rainy season. In its mode of life this species resembles the Butcher Bird, but it subsists 

 principally upon insects, and only destroys small quadrupeds or birds when compelled to do so 

 through lack of other food. The nest is placed upon a tree, and constructed of dry stalks or green 

 plants, the interior being lined with moss and delicate fibres, feathers, hair, and wool. The five or 

 six eggs that constitute a brood are laid in May ; these have a greenish white shell, spotted with dark 

 grey or brown. When caged, the Red-headed Shrike soon becomes an attractive companion, owing 

 to its great facility for imitating the voice of almost any bird that it may hear. 



THE MASKED SHRIKE. 

 The Masked Shrike {Enneocto?ius perso?iatus) is of a blueish black upon the upper parts of the 

 body ; the breast is reddish yellow ; the brow, shoulders, throat, and rump are white ; the six centre 

 tail-feathers are entirely black, and the two outer ones pure white, with a black shaft ; the rest are a 

 mixture of black and white. The eye is brown, the beak and feet black. This species, according to 

 Lindmayer, appears in Greece at the beginning of May, and leaves again in the middle of August. 

 It is also met with in large numbers in Egypt and Nubia, remaining in the latter countries throughout 

 the entire year ; whilst such individuals as migrate from Europe penetrate as far as the interior of 

 Africa, and remain there during the winter season. Unlike other members of its family, it perches 

 upon lofty trees, from the summit of which its clear but monotonous voice is constantly to be heard. 

 The nest, which is small and delicately constructed, usually contains six or seven eggs of a yellow 

 hue, spotted with yellowish brown. This species subsists entirely upon insect diet. 



The THICK-HEADED SHRIKES (Pachycep/iali) are recognisable by their compact body, 

 powerful head, strong beak, short wings and tail, and powerful feet. All the species belonging to this 

 group are met with in New Holland and the islands of the Pacific, where they perch upon the 

 summits of lofty trees, and climb about among the branches, with the alacrity of Titmice. Insects 

 constitute their principal nourishment ; they also devour large quantities of caterpillars and worms. 

 Their movements are slow and their gait heavy. Their song varies according to the species, some 

 having loud but agreeable voices, whilst others utter a prolonged piping note, varied and repeated 

 in a very peculiar manner. The nest is round, beautifully constructed, and generally placed upon 

 the branches or in a hole of some tree ; it usually contains four eggs. 



THE FALCON SHRIKE. 

 The Falcon Shrike' (Fakunculus frontatus), a member of the group above described, is a 

 powerfully-formed and prettily-marked bird of about six inches in length : the beak resembles tiiat of 

 a Falcon, but neither the hook nor tooth-like appendages are well developed. In both sexes die 

 mantle is olive-green, and the under surface bright yellow ; the sides of the head are white, and 

 marked by a broad black line that passes from the nape across the eyes and over the brow ; the crest 

 and throat are black ; the exterior and secondary quills blackish brown, broadly bordered with grey ; 

 the tail is similarly coloured, but tipped with white. The eye is reddish brown ; the beak black, and 

 the foot blueish grey. The female is smaller than her mate, and of a brighter hue upon the throat. 

 We learn from Gould that this bird is found in New South Wales and Australia, where it alike 



