GREAT GREY SHRIKE. 599 



the two Siberian species already alluded to, the Great Grey Shrike has 

 several near allies. In China a Shrike is found {L. sphenocercus) which 

 IS a highly developed form of L. leucopterus, but has a longer tail and grey^ 

 instead of white, upper tail-coverts. In Turkestan L. mollis occurs, which 

 is apparently the least changed descendant of the common ancestor of all 

 these Shrikes. Throughout the American continent north of the United 

 States L. borealis is found, immature examples of which are very difficult 

 to distinguish from adult L. mollis from Turkestan. The only other two 

 species belonging to the slender -footed broad-tailed group of Grey Slirikes 

 are L. robustus from California and L. seebohmi from the Amoor, each of 

 which is only known from a single example. In Spain, North Africa, and 

 Southern Asia the stout-footed narrow-tailed Grey Shrikes occur, and are 

 capable of being subdivided into many species and subspecies, many of which 

 have been most unaccountably confused together by Sharpe and Dresser 

 in the ' Birds of Europe." 



If the Great Grey Shrike ever was a resident in the British Islands, it 

 must have been many years ago. A bird which is by no means uncommon 

 across the Channel might naturally be expected to reside also with us. It 

 does not object to cross the sea, as its regular appearance on Heligoland 

 proves ; and a bird which is found in Norway and Sweden ought, one would 

 think, to find a congenial climate in England. A tradition of its former 

 residence in our island may perhaps be found in the ' Ornithology' of 

 Willughby, published in 1678, ^\ herein he records of the Greater Butcher- 

 bird : — "Moreover we are told that it is found iu the mountainous parts 

 of the north of England, as for instance in the Peak of Derbyshire, where 

 it is called Wieranijel." A bird so conspicuous may possibly have been 

 exterminated at an early date ; but it could scarcely have had any formidable 

 enemies except man. On the continent it holds its own against most birds 

 of prey. Naumann writes : — " This Shrike is an extremely courageous and 

 bold bird, and seldom allows any great bird, even an Eagle or a Buzzard, to 

 fly past his domains with impunity, persecuting them incessantly. His 

 warning cry announces to the rest of the birds the approach of a bird of 

 prey, whence is derived his name of sentinel (Wachter). In the breeding- 

 season he is especially watchful, and no Crow or Raven dare approach his 

 perch." 



In many of its habits this Shrike resembles a bird of prey. He is 

 described as sometimes hovering over a mouse like a Kestrel, and at others 

 pursuing a small bird like a Merlin, and fairly flying it down. 



The Great Grey Shrike merits the name of Butcher Bird more than his 

 smaller allies. He uses his hooked and notched beak, not only to tear up 

 mice and little birds like a Raptorial bird, but also, because his feet and 

 claws are comparatively weak, to assist in catching them. Even when he 

 has caught his prey, unraptorlike, he seems to think his claws are not strong 



