RED-BACKED SHRIKE 
89 
common in the southern part of England and 
Wales. It arrives among the later birds of sum- 
mer, and nests towards the end of May, often 
clinging to the neighbourhood of the same spot for 
several years in succession. The most common 
situation for the nest is in a hav/thorn bush or 
hedge, or a thick mass of brambles, from four to 
seven feet from the ground ; occasionally it is 
hung up in a peculiarly loose and insecure position 
among the stems of honeysuckle, bryony, or some 
other climbing plant. In accordance with the size 
of the bird, the nest is considerably larger than a 
Hedge-sparrow's or Greenfinch's, though as much 
inferior to a Thrush's or Blackbird's ; it is often 
very poorly concealed. The favourite material 
for its construction is the half-dry stems of goose- 
grass or cleavers, the creeping plant well-known 
for its round, green, clinging seeds. These stems 
are wound round and round the outside of the 
nest, which is lined with wool and hair. The 
eggs are rich and beautiful in colour, and easily to 
be recognised, though there are several more or 
less distinct types. The commonest variety have 
a ground of rich, creamy buff, often flushed with 
pink, and spotted towards the larger end with 
deep lilac-red and fainter tints of ash-grey, these 
spots being often concentrated into a very distinct 
zone or ring. One less frequent variety has the 
