3 
next tree. Its nest it places on the highest available part of the olive-tree. It differs from that 
of Lanius minor in being smaller, and the grasses of which the nest of the latter bird is con- 
structed are finer and drier—also in the position of the nest being at the summit of the tree and 
not in the middle. The eggs are six to seven in number. Like all southern birds which arrive 
here late and breed with us, this Shrike leaves us very early, about the middle of August. It 
does not occur in the islands.” 
To the above*description of the eggs of this Shrike, by Dr. Tristram, we can add but little. 
We have now before us a series, in the collection of Mr. Dresser—some collected by Dr. Kriiper, 
and some by Dr. Tristram. Those collected by the former gentleman are much smaller: than 
those collected in Palestine by the latter, being 3% inch in length, 32 inch in breadth; and 
the spots, besides being larger in one specimen, are not collected so much in a zone as distri- 
buted over the egg. Those collected by Dr. Tristram measure $3 inch in length, and 23 inch 
in breadth. 
Dr. Kriiper (J. f. O. 1869, p. 30) gives the following notes :— 
“The commonest of the Shrikes found at Smyrna is certainly the Masked Shrike, which 
I had not yet had opportunities of observing. Although this bird was found several years ago in 
the olive-woods near Athens (and this year a young bird was sent to the Museum), I had not seen 
it in any parts of Greece I visited; and it was therefore of great interest to me to watch it ina 
wild state. On the 20th of April, when on a trip I made with Mr. Schrader to Cordilion, I 
heard in a vineyard a pleasant song which appeared strange to me, although some notes much 
resembled the song of the Olive-tree Warbler; but as this bird had not yet arrived, I surmised 
that it might be a Masked Shrike, which I had expected to meet with; and indeed it proved to 
be that bird, though we did not kill one on this day. Later on I procured both males, females, 
and young. ‘This year I first heard the song of the Shrike on the Ist of April; but most of these 
wanderers arrive after the middle of April. Their chief resorts are rich vineyards where there 
are ancient olive-trees, also Turkish cemeteries which are planted close with high cypresses. It 
affects plains; but I saw several pairs in the open places in the fir-woods above Burnova. At 
Turbali and Ephesus, perhaps on account of my short sojourn, I did observe it; but I saw it 
above Seidekevi. Like all Shrikes it sits generally on a dry open top of a tree, or a dead side 
bough, from which it utters its song, and continues it for long if undisturbed. Generally it is 
very shy, but can easily be approached if the ground is favourable. Its flight from one resting- 
place to another is bow-shaped, in performing which it descends close to the ground. Its food 
consists of several sorts of insects; and I have never observed it attack young birds. The young 
are easily reared, being very hardy; and we succeeded in bringing one, which we reared on meat 
(particularly fresh liver) and grasshoppers, alive to Athens. Its song is pleasing, and, as before 
stated, resembles that of the Olive-tree Warbler, which may arise from its frequenting the same 
trees as this Warbler, and, like other Shrikes, imitating the song of its neighbour. On the 
island of Naxos the Woodchat Shrike had got the song of the Olive-tree Warbler so exactly that 
I prophesied we should find this Warbler very abundant there. 
“Tn the position of its nest this Shrike is peculiar; for it chooses the upright half-dry boughs, 
in the centre of which it places its nest in such a manner that it is covered from above bya branch 
or pendent leaves. Often the nest is placed so far from the trunk of the tree that it cannot be 
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