AND IRELAND OK TILE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 
305 
and the sea ; but the north side of that range, throughout its 
whole length, may, I think, be considered its favourite haunt. 
Nevertheless, it is fairly distributed throughout the inland parts 
of the county, especially in the more open districts of the Weald ” 
(Mr. W. Horror’s ‘Birds of Sussex,’ 1891, p. 38). 
“ On Chailey Common I saw a pair of Red-backed Shrikes two 
years ago (t.e., 1889), and another pair near Cook’s Bridge . . . 
but I think the Woodchat prefers lanes and more enclosed country 
than” this species (Captain F. Henniker, Car-Colston Hall, 
Bingham, Notts, in /it.). 
Mr. Percy E. Coombe, of Riekmansworth, reports that he has 
rather frequently, of recent years, seen this bird near Coodwood 
(in lit.). 
Mr. G. Bradshaw, of Hastings, writes : “ I think they must be 
fairly common in this part, as during only twelve months’ nest 
hunting this is the second I have procured ” (in /if.). The nest 
referred to was taken at Burwash on the 18th May, 1891, and 
contained three eggs of the Shrike, and one which proved to be 
that of a Cuckoo. 
Hampshire. “Summer visitor to all parts, but not common 
everywhere” (Rev. J. E. Kelsall’s ‘List of the Birds of Hampshire 
and the Isle of Wight,’ 1890). In July, 1887, I saw a male near 
Ryde, and a pair at Brading, in the island. 
Dorsetshire. “ It breeds here regularly, and may often be 
seen in our orchards and hedgerows ; very seldom in woods, 
preferring the open country” (Mr. Mansel-Pleydell’s ‘Birds of 
Dorset,’ 1888, p. 16). 
Somerset. The Rev. Murray A. Mathew considers that this 
Shrike is commonly distributed in Somersetshire, and writes : 
“ When I resided at Bishop’s Lydeard, near Taunton, there was 
a nest most years upon our lawn ” (in lit.). 
“Common in this neighbourhood [Bridgewater]; pairs return 
to the same spots year after year, and at certain points they 
may be nearly always seen ” (Mr. H. St. B. Goldsmith, in /it.). 
Mr. Goldsmith adds, that there he usually finds eggs of the green 
type; indeed, until 1891, when he found one nest with red eggs, 
another with yellowish red, and a third with yellow eggs, he had 
found no other. In Dorsetshire (Sherborne) he recollects finding 
the red type. 
