AND IRELAND OF THE RED-RACKED SHRIKE. 
289 
Eyton also, writing of it in Merionethshire, speaks of the 
abundance of this species, and the corresponding plenitude of its 
favourite food (ride p. 307). Other recent observers have also 
described this Shrike as common in that locality (vide p. 307), and 
in my notes on it in North Oxon (ride p. 300) I have shown that 
its scarcity in that district is concomitant with something like 
a dearth of certain forms of insect life. A warm soil (e.g., sand, 
gravel, limestone, or chalk) is, then, attractive, though not 
absolutely necessary, to this Shrike, which is also affected indirectly 
by climate. The “tall tangled hedgerow,” or “bullfinch,” so often 
insisted upon as attractive to the bird, is certainly not essential to 
its welfare, although the I»utchor-bird is undoubtedly fond of these 
big hedges with their long thorns for impaling prey, and the 
convenient nesting sites they afford ; nor will they of themselves 
induce the Shriko to adopt a particular district. In North 
Oxfordshire and in Northamptonshire tall hedges arc common, but 
the Shrike is not ; and I gather from a recent work that even in 
“High Leicestershire” the Butcher-bird is decidedly scarce. On 
the other hand open commons, and half-wild sides of sheltered 
valleys, if they arc furnished with scattered bushes and over grown 
clumps of the same, are often favourite localities. It is certain 
that the “ Flusher ” likes to haunt the neighbourhood of gardens, 
and in late J uly and in August often brings its young brood into 
both pleasure and kitchen gardens. 
In conclusion, I may call attention to two facts, evidence in 
support of which is brought forward in the following pages. One 
is the Ked-backed Shrike's habit of coming year after year to breed 
in a particular spot; in one instance in North Oxon even after 
both birds of a pair were destroyed one year before they had reared 
their young. The other is the reported decrease of this species in 
some parts of the country. 
ENGLAND. 
Northumuerland and Durham. “ A rare casual visitant. 
Two specimens were killed near Kenton, on the Newcastle Town 
Moor, in the summer of 1829. These are mentioned in Mr. Selby’s 
Catalogue, and are now in my collection. Another example, also 
in my collection, was shot at Horsley, Northumberland, May, 1834. 
