5 
visiting its larder he was able to secure many rare species, some of which he only obtained 
thus, and never saw them again. 
Both Meyer and Morris (vide Morris, Br. B. i. p. 234) speak of this bird as an inhabitant of 
North America. ‘This statement, however, rests upon no good authority, and it is scarcely 
necessary to point out how utterly erroneous it is. 
The Red-backed Shrike arrives in Europe in April, or early in May, remaining to breed, and 
leaving again in August for a more congenial climate. At that time they depart in families, and 
old birds and young may be seen in the autumn on the south coast, preparing to take their flight 
abroad. Some of the young ones are then still fed by the parents. It inhabits fields over which 
bushes are scattered, but particularly loves the dense thickets of thorns which are often to be 
seen overgrowing some old quarry or gravel-pit. The male, who is more often observed than the 
female, sits on the highest point of the bush, uttering a monotonous clucking note, and when 
disturbed moves with a dipping flight, only to take up his position once more on the next 
available twig. They frequent hay-fields towards the close of the day, and from a telegraph-wire 
or hedgerow pounce down and capture the insects which then begin to make their appearance 
over the cut grass. They never affect the forests. 
The flight is a continuation of half circles, and renders it distinguishable from other Shrikes. 
Naumann gives its note as “gdch, gdck,’ and its call-note “krdu” or “ tdng,’ and says it is a 
more accomplished mimic than all the other Lanii, exercising this habit even in confinement. 
Professor von Nordmann says that it imitates the cry of the Quail. Mr. Collett remarks that 
the song of the male is sweet ; and he compares it to that of the Whitethroat, and says it mimics 
the song of birds that are found in the neighbourhood. 
Its mode of living is chiefly insectivorous, though it will occasionally devour field-mice 
and small birds. Of grasshoppers it is especially fond, and may be seen late in the summer 
evenings amongst the new-mown hay in the hay-fields hunting systematically after these insects. 
According to Naumann it is fiercer than Lanius rufus or L. minor, and not only catches young 
birds, but hunts down full-grown ones when it can succeed in so doing, and will steal birds out 
_ of snares. 
Mr. C. E. Diezel (J. f. O. 1856, p. 84) gives the following account of this Shrike attacking a 
lizard, witnessed by a friend of his:—‘‘ My friend, passing along a country road, witnessed a 
Red-backed Shrike fluttering wildly, and in vain attempting to rise from the ground, being 
prevented by a middling-sized lizard (Lacerta agilis), who held it fast. My friend’s dog rushed 
in and brought the bird to his master, the lizard still retaining his hold. On examination it 
proved that the lizard had bitten a firm hold on the lower mandible of the Shrike, and could 
no more release itself than could the Shrike from the lizard; and they had to be forcibly 
detached. This being done the lizard ran back into the hedge apparently uninjured.” 
Schlegel accuses this Shrike of stealing bees from the hives. 
The nest of the Red-backed Shrike is large for the size of the bird, and is composed of 
straws, moss, and dry bents, carefully lined with wool, fine moss, and horsehair. It is generally 
placed in a large bush, seldom above four or five feet from the ground, and only exceptionally 
as high as from eight to ten fect. The eggs, from five to six in number, are subject to consi- 
derable variation in colour and markings, the reason for which has given rise to much discussion 
9 
