LANIA.D.E. 



along a piece of water, "\ve observed a large dragon-fly flitting 

 over it, of tlie kind commonly called a horse-stinger, and 

 about four inches in length. While watching the sudden turns 

 and beautiful evolutions of the insect, Ave saw a kingfisher 

 in pursuit of it, and lost sight of both among the tall reeds. 

 After having walked for some time about an adjoining field, 

 we returned by the same way, and found the kingfisher still 

 flying over the rushes in pursuit of the dragon-fly. The 

 kingfisher's mode of attack was by darting in a straight line 

 at the insect, which seemed to escape by turning quickly 

 aside. 



The Red-backed Shrike is well known all over Europe, in 

 North America, and Africa ; in our climate it is a summer 

 visitor, retiring to warmer countries during winter. The 

 chosen locality is underwood, particularly where thorn bushes, 

 and larch and birch trees abound ; among trees of larger size 

 it is seldom found. 



The manners of the Red-backed Shrike are much like 

 those of the former species, and, in addition, they flourish 

 their outspread tail to the right and left when excited, which 

 appears as if they swung it in a circle. They sing very 

 frequently ; their note is pleasing, and they are often heard 

 to imitate the notes of other birds. Their food, which has 

 already been described, consists chiefly of insects of all kinds, 

 which they watch for perched on a dead branch of a bush ; 

 and as soon as they perceive any they fly after them, and 

 return again and again to their station. The present species 

 is by far more cruel than the Grey Shrike or Wood-Shrike ; 

 they not only consume young birds, but also old ones, which 

 they obtain in divers manners. We have an instance of a 

 male bird, dragging young pipits out of their nest. Their 

 habit of fastening their prey on a thorn is well known ; 

 also, that they are not satisfied to destroy what they want im- 

 mediately, but stock their larder for bad weather, which is 



