20 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
Famiry LANIIDA. 
RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 
Lantus conuurio, Linn. 
Pl. VI., figs. 1-6; and Pl. XXXVIL., fig. 7. 
Geogr. distr —Europe in the summer, as far east as the Ural 
Mountains, arriving in April or May and leaving again in August ; 
N. East and South Africa; generally distributed in Great Britain. 
Food.—Insects, small birds, and mice. 
Nest.—A rather large cup-shaped structure, not unlike some nests 
of the Greenfinch, but deeper ; formed externally of dry grass-straws 
and moss; lined with fine bents, wool, and horsehair. 
Position of nest.—Most frequently in a hawthorn bush or hedge; 
sometimes in the fork of a dwarfed tree, but seldom more than five 
feet from the ground, and frequently less. 
Number of eggs.—5-6; usually 5. 
Time of nidification.—V. 
I have found the nest of this bird tolerably common in 
Kent, more especially in the neighbourhood of Maidstone ; 
the nest, when placed in a tree, was invariably more 
solidly built than when in a hedge or bush; when the full 
compliment of eggs has been laid, and the hen has begun 
to sit, she will show the greatest rage at the removal of her 
eggs. 
The title of ‘‘ Butcher-bird” has been earned by this 
bird, from its custom of spitting its prey upon thorns 
when devouring it; curiously enough, though I have 
repeatedly found the nest, I never yet came across 
a single instance in which the larder was not empty ; 
the fact, however, is well attested that the Butcher-bird 
has acquired this savage habit in order the more easily to 
tear its prey to pieces. 
The red variety of the egg appears to be by no means 
common; I have only once taken a clutch, and on that 
occasion I had to fight my way through a very dense and 
tall hawthorn hedge in order to reach them, whilst, to add 
to my discomfort, I had to listen to the most unbridled 
language from the mother-bird. 
The Red-backed Shrike is single-brooded. 
