A ROADSIDE NATURALIST. 19 



view — that of procuring the insects of various species 

 that swarm in hosts over and about the fine old elms. 



Flycatchers are on the watch all the day long for 

 their food, which' they mostly capture in flight. They 

 will sit on rails and posts by the side of the road, 

 very contentedly apparently ; but they are watching 

 and waiting for their prey, and when it comes near 

 will seize it with' a snap that can be distinctly heard. 

 The red -backed shrike is the vigilant watchman of 

 the roads for insect-life, both flying and crawling. 

 He is sure to be near at hand, just off the road ; 

 his hawk-like form and his well-known " chack ! " are 

 familar to all those who regularly travel along the 

 highways. If you wish to see him in full force — 

 that is, two or three pairs of shrikes at work at the 

 same time — go to the foot of some railway embank- 

 ment which is close to the road. There you will 

 see them sitting in pairs, at stated intervals, watching 

 for prey. Trains do not frighten them ; they seem 

 to understand that the rumble and shake of the 

 ground gives them food. The vibration caused by 

 the passing train causes the insects to dart from 

 their shelters, and then the shrikes are busy. 



So well known has it become to all insect-feeding 



