INTEODrCTION. 121 



occasional visitant to this country. It feeds on mice, small 

 birds, frogs, lizards, and various insects. The commonest species 

 of the genus is the Eed-backed Shrike or Butcher-bird {Lanius 

 coUurio), and may serve as our type of the whole group. The 

 name of Butcher-bird has been no doubt occasioned from the 

 curious habit it has of impaling its prey upon sharp thorns or 

 fixing them into clefts. Tragments of its victims, pieces of 

 skin, with bleached bones of birds or mice, or the dry hard cases 



Kg. 131. 



The Eerl-backed Shrike {Lardus coUurio). 



of beetles may be seen suspended all about in the vicinity of 

 its nest, so that the bush supporting them may be compared to 

 a small butcher's shop. This habit is supposed to be due to the 

 feet of the Bird not being strong enough to hold its food satis- 

 factorily while tearing it with its sharp and toothed bill ; so 

 that it is convenient for it to have its prey securely fixed by 

 such an artifice. It may also be that the food is more welcome 

 after having become tender by keeping. There are about 266 

 species. 



