FLYCATCHERS. 
263 
Note. The Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio , L.) was sent 
to Count de Buffon from Louisiana, and as (according to Tem- 
minck) it is common in South America, there is little doubt but that 
it may occasionally visit the warmer parts of the United States and 
Mexico. 
This species is only 7J inches in length, with a grey crown and 
rump ; the back and coverts of the wings of a rufous chestnut color ; 
the throat and abdomen white, the flanks and vent roseate, inclining 
to rufous. Wings nearly, and 2 middle tail-feathers wholly black, 
the other tail-feathers white for two thirds of their length. Tail 
nearly even. The 2d primary longer than the 5th. — The female 
sullied rust-color, with the breast and belly impure white with dusky 
semicircular lines. 
The Red-backed Shrike breeds in Sweden in the latter end of 
April. The nest is large, made in a low, thorny bush, formed of 
wool and soft withered grass, &c., well put together. The eggs 
are 5 or 6, blunt, of a roseate tint with reddish spots ) or even 
yellowish, with greyish-green spots in the form of a zone. The male 
feeds his mate while sitting, and displays great courage in the de- 
fence of his brood. They feed on large insects, flies, spiders, young 
mice, small lizards, grasshoppers, frogs, &c. 
THE FLYCATCHERS. (Muscicapa. Lin .) 
In these the bill is of moderate magnitude, rather stout, angular, 
considerably widened and flattened towards the base, which is guard- 
ed with longish bristles ; the upper mandible is notched towards the 
end, and bent at the tip. The Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and 
partly hid in the advancing hairs. Feet , with the tarsus of the 
length of, or a little longer than, the middle toe ; inner toe free, or 
merely united at the base ; hind nail more curved than the rest, and 
larger than that of the middle toe. Wings rather long and some- 
what sharp ; with the 1st primary very short, the 3d and 4th longest. 
These are, in Europe and North America, birds of passage, usually 
arriving late, and retiring earlier or later in the autumn. They sub- 
sist during summer almost wholly upon flies, moths, and other 
winged insects, which they catch on the wing. They walk badly, 
and scarcely ever descend to the earth after their food. In autumn 
they feed much on berries of various kinds, (and here chiefly on 
