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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