GREY SHRIKE. 



«85 



proaeli within a great distance of its nest. It has 

 been occasionally trained to Falconry, in the 

 manner of a Hawk, and we are told by Turner, 

 that Francis the first, of France, had a tame Shrike, 

 which had been trained to the flight of game, and 

 had also been taught to speak. This he carried on 

 his fist when engaged in that amusement. 



The Grey Shrike builds its nest in some thick 

 bush or tree: the nest is said to be constructed 

 with great art, of moss and wool, interlaced with 

 small twigs and fibres, and lined with feathers: the 

 eggs, according to Mr. Pennant, are six in num- 

 ber, of a dull olive-green colour, spotted at the 

 thickest end with black; but, according to Mr. 

 Latham, they are of a dull white colour, with 

 dusky spots at the larger end. 



In the northern parts of Europe occurs a sup- 

 posed variety of the Grey Shrike, which differs 

 in being considerably larger, and in having the 

 smaller wing-coverts of a rufous cast. 



A white variety is commemorated by Brisson ; 

 but this kind of variety occasionally occurring in 

 most birds, seems hardly worthy of particular 

 piention, 



