12 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS 
through the wires of its prison; from the nature of its food its cage needs constant 
cleaning, otherwise it smells abominably ; its note of rage, char, char, is frequently. 
uttered, but nothing else. As it will not now learn its natural song, a few good 
performers such as the Nightingale, Blackcap, Skylark, Grey Singing-finch, or the 
Pekin Nightingale, should be kept in cages near by; in order that it may study 
their notes. 
One advantage in this bird is—that however wild it may be, and however 
intolerable the odour of its cage may be, the bird always appears to enjoy robust 
health. Even if one is ill, and perchance no fresh food is supplied to this bird 
for twenty-four hours, he makes no trouble of that, but only attacks his food more 
vigorously when the opportunity comes. Moreover, having by foolish behaviour 
so reduced his wings that he cannot reach his perch, he contentedly passes the 
night on a box in a corner. These are redeeming points in his character. 
Family—LANHUDA. 
THE WoopDCHAT SHRIKE. 
’ 
Lantus pomeranus, SPARRM. 
OWARD SAUNDERS observes that ‘‘On the Continent the Woodchat 
breeds as far to the north-east as the line of the Baltic and the valley of 
the Vistula, beyond which it is of accidental occurrence; while southward it is 
generally distributed throughout Europe, and in the countries bordering on the 
Mediterranean is very abundant. Even there, however, it is only a visitor; arriving 
about the end of March, or early in April, and leaving again between August and 
October. Eastward it breeds in South Russia, Turkey, Asia Minor, Palestine, and 
Persia; while in winter it occurs in Arabia, and down the East African coast to 
about 5° N. lat., also on the west side to the Gambia and the Gold Coast. Through- 
