times even white butterflies, and an instant return to the 
same perch. This is the spotted flycatcher. In Wales, 
Devonshire, Cumberland, and Westmorland, one may be 
fairly sure of meeting with the pied-flycatcher. He is, so to 
speak, a black and white edition of his relative, the spotted 
flycatcher—but the black areas in the female are represented 
by brown. There are, however, notable differences in the 
method of hunting, in the two species ; for the pied-flycatcher 
rarely returns to the same perch after his upward flight into 
the air, and he often feeds on the ground. 
In the straggling hedgerows of the wooded districts of 
south and central England, and in Wales, one may often 
come across the red-backed shrike ; a very handsome bird, 
with pointed wings, long tail, and low swooping flights. His 
red back will alone distinguish him. No other British bird 
wears such a mantle. And this is set off by a grey crown 
and nape, and black patches on the sides of the head. The 
topmost twig of a bush, or hedge, where he can sight his prey 
from afar, are his favourite perches. On the east coast of 
England, during the autumn, one may sometimes see the 
great grey shrike, distinguished readily by his large size, 
fan-shaped tail, and grey coloration, relieved by black ear- 
coverts, black wings and tail, “ blazed”’ with white, and 
white under parts. His flight is undulating and irregular, 
while just before alighting he gives a peculiar upward sweep. 
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