216 
BIRD-LIFE. 
insects, but do not disdain carrion. Insectivorous birds 
may well be looked upon as noble robbers in comparison. 
To these we must add a family which do not seem in any 
way connected with the above, and which are only a 
connecting link between the singing birds and the 
Falcons, namely, the Shrikes or Butcher-birds. This 
small family, however, can compete with the most accom¬ 
plished murderers for ferocity and cruelty, and are fully 
entitled to the name they bear. When restricted to insects 
they invariably pounce upon the largest species; some 
even seize vertebrate animals, and at times they attack 
those superior in size to themselves. The insectivorous 
Falcons cannot be classed higher than these, but only in 
the same category. The Red-footed Falcon of Southern 
Europe is most assuredly a more harmless bird than the 
•Shrike : this is the most perfect type of these pretty little 
marauders, which live principally on grasshoppers; and 
in the larger species, for instance, the Kestrel (a mouser 
as well), remind us of other members of the Falcon 
family. They deserve praise for their indefatigable 
industry, partaking of nothing which they do not earn by 
their own exertions. By this they distinguish themselves 
from another family of the Raptores , namely, the Kites. 
These latter are accomplished thieves, which, added to 
their size, would seem to fit them for noble exploits in 
the fray; but, alas, they are sadly addicted to the meanest 
deeds. That they should look upon a fresh carcase as a 
bonne bouche we might easily pardon, for Eagles are much 
of the same opinion; but it is not to be denied that 
begging is their principal means of existence. They 
oblige the noblest of the family to leave their hard-earned 
booty by their importunity and noisy screams! The 
tiniest of the smaller Falcons does not thus demean itself, 
