60 
THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 
The Red-Backed Shrike, Lanius collurio, 
Linn. — Red-backed Shrike of British authors. 
— Unlike the species we have just described, 
the Red-backed Shrike is one of our summer visi- 
tants, breeds with us, and again migrates to enjoy 
a more genial winter after the cares of incubation. 
It is also more abundant than the last in the 
southern and midland counties of England, 
decreasing in numbers as we approach the Bor- 
der, and, so far as we can learn, not yet captured 
either in Scotland or Ireland. England, in fact, 
seems the limit of its migration to the north. It 
extends to the African Continent ; and, like most 
of the European species which are also African, 
is found in almost equal abundance in the south 
of Europe ; and parts of Spain and Italy, with the 
south of France, may perhaps be stated as the 
districts where it is most abundant. Mr Yarrell 
mentions that specimens have been sent to the 
Zoological Society from Trebizond.* 
In its habits it exhibits the same propensities 
with the gray shrike, though perhaps in a less 
degree. Large insects are its most common 
food, particularly grylli, and some of the eoleop- 
tera, and it pursues this food in preference, its 
weaker form preventing it from attacking small 
birds or mammalia, except when impelled by a 
greater degree of hunger. Instances, however, 
of the red-backed shrike seizing and impaling 
History of British Birds, i. 157. 
