Genus COLLURIO, Vigors. 
Gun. Cuar. Beak and feet as in the genus Lanius. Wings somewhat rounded, short; the first 
quill-feather shortest ; the second a little shorter than the following ones; the third, fourth 
and fifth, the longest and nearly equal. Taz/ elongated, graduated—Type of the genus 
Lanius Excubitor, Linn. 
GREAT SHRIKE. 
Lanius Excubitor, Zznn. 
Collurio Excubitor, Vigors. 
La Pie-grieche grise. 
Tue present species forms the type of the genus Collurio as characterized by Mr. Vigors; and the reasons 
which induced that gentleman to separate certain birds from the genus Lanius—of which to form the genus 
Collurio,—were a short time ago explained by him to the Committee of Science and Correspondence of the 
Zoological Society, in the First Part of whose “‘ Proceedings,” page 42, the distinguishing characteristics of 
these two genera are clearly detailed. The principal feature which constitutes the ground of separation consists 
in the somewhat rounded form of wing, which in the true Lanii is more pointed,—and in the lengthened and 
graduated tail; to this may be added their general superiority of size:—the Grey Shrikes in this point 
manifest an ascendancy over the well-known Red-backed Shrike, the more rare Wood-chat, and their allied 
congeners. 
The Great Shrike is one of the migratory birds of Great Britain, appearing however by no means regularly, 
so as to lead us to expect its annual return, but must be considered an uncertain straggler, being in some seasons 
very scarce, and in others more abundant, and that only during the months of autumn and winter, so as to 
make it rather doubtful whether it ever breeds in our island, although we are aware that such is said to be the 
case. It is extensively spread over Continental Europe, in many parts of which it remains stationary throughout 
the year; but in others it performs regular periodical migrations, departing and returning with the season. 
The C. Excubitor is a bold and courageous bird, attacking others much larger than itself, and destroying 
mice, frogs, and small birds for its food, of which however we believe the hard-winged insects constitute a 
principal portion. In killing its prey, its chief instrument is its bill, which is thick and strong, and with which 
it penetrates the cranium of any small animal within its power. It never strikes with its claws in the manner 
of the Hawks, but uses them merely to assist in grasping and thus securing its victim ; for though the legs and 
toes are slender and apparently weak, they are well armed with claws and have the power of tight compression. 
The most singular fact, however, respecting its mode of feeding or securing its prey, is its well-authenticated 
habit of fixing it on a thorn or sharp-pointed stick, which it selects for that purpose, and then proceeding to 
tear it to pieces, at the same time satisfying its appetite. Of a New Holland bird, (the Vanga Destructor,) 
the same singular habit is recorded. 
The specific name of Excubitor, or Sentinel, was given by Linneus as one highly appropriate, from the cir- 
cumstance of this bird being used on the Continent by falconers and persons engaged in procuring falcons 
for the purpose of hawking, especially the Peregrine during the period of its migrations. The Shrike acts 
as a sort of monitor, giving warning to the man in attendance of the approach of the sharp-eyed bird of prey, 
the appearance of which, even ata great distance, immediately elicits its querulous chattering cry. A net trap, 
artfully contrived, is placed for the capture of the falcon, and a live pigeon secured by a string, over which the 
man has perfect controul, allures the falcon to the fatal engine. In the mean time the Shrike, having warned 
the man of the near approach of the expected visitant, retires, as the danger increases, to a hole provided for 
its safety; there it continues chattering loudly, while the falcon pounces upon the fated pigeon, and is 
cunningly enticed by the gradual withdrawing of his victim, which he will not quit, within the circle of the 
net: the check-string once pulled, the capture is achieved. For its peculiar aid in this service, the Shrike is 
unrivalled, and when hawking was in vogue its merits were duly appreciated. 
The favourite resorts of the Great Shrike are high hedges, coppices, and thick trees, among which it breeds, 
building a nest composed of grasses, moss, and vegetable fibres, and laying from five to seven white eggs 
marked with ash-grey and brownish blotches. The only difference to be observed in the plumage of the sexes, 
is that the breast of the female is transversely barred with faint lines of ash colour. 
In the adult male the head, neck and back, are of a fine light ash; a band of black passes below the eye, 
and covers the ear-feathers ; wings black, with a white spot in the centre, formed by the white bases of the 
quill-feathers ; the outer tail-feathers white; the remainder black, terminating with white, which becomes 
more contracted as they approach the two middle feathers,—these are entirely black ; beak and feet black. 
Length nine inches. 
We have figured an adult male. 
