14 BRITISH BIRDS WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 
from four to six, usually five, and somewhat resemble those of the Red-backed. 
Shrike, but are usually slightly larger; the reddish variety which, in the better 
known species, is local but not uncommon, is very rarely met with in eggs of Z. 
pomeranus. 
Speaking of the Woodchat in Malta, Mr. C. A. Wright (Ibis, 1894, p. 59) 
says :—‘‘ Perched on the uppermost twig of some tree, its shining white breast forms 
one of the most conspicuous objects in the ornithological landscape in April. On 
the first appearance of danger, it flies off to another and more distant tree, and, 
taking up a similarly elevated position, scans the country round till the danger 
which had excited its alarm has passed away. It builds here in May and June, 
constructing a compact and well-formed nest in the fork of a carob or almond-tree. 
Its affection for, and the courage it displays in the protection of, its young are 
remarkable. Wary as it is at other times, on these occasions it seems to lose all 
fear; uttering piercing cries, it will fly close round the head of the intruder, and 
actually make a feint of dashing in his face.” 
Howard Saunders says :—‘‘ The note usually heard isa harsh krah kack krah ; 
but the male has also a low and rather pretty song in spring, and shows great 
capacity for imitating the notes of other birds.” Seebohm observes :—‘ Its song 
is by no means unmusical, and very gentle to proceed from such raptorial jaws.* 
It reminded me very much of the twittering of a Swallow, or the warble of a 
Starling. Some of its call-notes, however, are loud and harsh enough; and I at 
first thought it was imitating the notes of other birds, in order to attract them 
within reach; but inasmuch as the greater number of notes it apparently imitated 
were of birds far too powerful for it to grapple with, such cannot be the case.” 
Dixon says that he ‘‘met with this species (in Algeria) in all parts of the 
country wherever the vegetation was sufficient to afford it shelter.” 
Herr Mathias Rausch says of the Woodchat Shrike, that in many regions it 
is somewhat rare, and it costs a good deal of trouble to obtain a good bird. “It sings 
louder than the Red-backed, or the Lesser Grey Shrike, has moreover a certain 
roughness in its voice, which somewhat detracts from its imitations, and thus 
prejudices their distinctness.” Possibly it was this which led Seebohm to think 
that the cries of this species were imitations of rapacious birds. The mimicry 
practised by the Woodchat must, however, be fairly good, inasmuch as it was 
noticed even in Bechstein’s time; as pointed out by Charles Witchell (Evolution 
of Bird song, p. 174). 
Herr Rausch considers that, as a cage bird, the Woodchat belongs to the 
* In this respect it does not stand alone: the song of the S. American Pileated Jay is almost as gentle as 
that of a Mannikin, whilst his cries are shrill, harsh, or gruff.—A. G. B. 
