Birds of Britain 



and the white bases to the tail feathers and primaries, 

 which latter form a broad bar. An unfailing characteristic, 

 however, of this species, distinguishing it from all other 

 Shrikes, is the wing formula ; the first or bastard primary 

 being very short, while the second nearly equals the third 

 and longest primary. Length 8'5 in. ; wing 46 in. 



THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE 



Lanius collurio, Linnaeus 



Arriving during the early part of May, this species is 

 fairly common in our southern and south-eastern counties 

 and in Wales during the summer months. In the northern 

 counties its appearances are irregular, and on one occasion 

 only has it been seen in Ireland. 



One can somehow feel but little affection for this fine 

 but cruel bird; it is not his fault to be in that stage of 

 evolution in which as an insect-feeder he aims at higher 

 prey than that with which he is successfully able to deal. 

 Bold and pugnacious, he sits on the top of some thick haw- 

 thorn hedge, dashing down from his point of observation on 

 some mouse, bird, or lizard nearly as large as himself. 



After a tussle the hapless victim is carried off and 

 impaled on a thorn near its captor's nest, to be eaten at a 

 future time ; it is these larders of impaled victims that have 

 earned for him the name of Butcher Bird. Beetles, bees, 

 and insects of all kinds are also included in his menu, and 

 young half-fledged birds are considered a great delicacy 



102 



