226 LANIAD.E. 



us was in such a locality, where young oaks constitute the 

 greater part of the surrounding trees : the place was also 

 sheltered and hilly. 



The Wood-Shrike breeds in temperatures similar to our 

 own, and may, perhaps, frequently visit this country, although 

 the anxiety of landholders to preserve game excludes the 

 general naturalist from seeking them where they are most 

 likely to resort, namely, pheasant preserves and young planta- 

 tions, which are not visited during the breeding-season, ex- 

 cept by the keepers. 



The nest consists of fibrous roots and twigs, intermixed 

 with tree moss and dry grasses, and is lined with wool, fea- 

 thers, and hair ; the eggs found in them are generally five 

 or six, in shape and colour like the one represented in our 

 plate, No. 44. Both parents incubate them, and the young- 

 are hatched in a fortnight. The young birds are reared with 

 beetles and other insects. 



The food of the adult consists chiefly of the larger insects, 

 and sometimes young birds ; they take their food either 

 from the ground or on the wing, as soon as they perceive 

 it from their watching-place. Worms, grubs, and other 

 larvse of insects are also sought by them. 



The character of the Wood-Shrike is not very amiable 

 as regards his neighbours, whom he pursues with cries and 

 menaces ; the smaller birds stand in awe of him, and the 

 larger, among which are reckoned pigeons, magpies, etc., 

 are pursued and tormented by him. 



His song is pleasing, and, in common with other branches 

 of his family, he imifates the songs and call-notes of other 

 birds very exactly. 



The Wood-Shrike measures eight inches in length, and 

 thirteen in expanse ; the wings, from carpus to tip, three 

 inches and three quarters ; the beak is six lines from fore- 

 head to tip, fringed at the base with stiff hairs, and possesses 



