SMALL BUTCHER BIRD. 
The Small Butcher Bird is not much above 
the size of a lark ; yet, diminutive as these 
little creatures arc, they make themselves 
formidable to birds of four times their size. 
The large butcher bird makes its nest on 
high trees, while the lesser builds in bushes 
in the hedge-rows. They each lay about six 
eggs, of a white colour, but encircled at the 
larger end with a ring of brownish red. The 
female feeds her young at first with cater- 
pillars and other insects ; but soon aftei 
accustoms them to flesh, which the male pio- 
cures with surprising industry. 
There is also another class of this species, 
less than either of the former. This too is 
a bird of prey, although not much larger 
than a tit-mouse; an evident proof that an 
animal’s courage or rapacity does not depend 
upon its size. 
