206 
Mr. F. N. Cliasen on the 
[Ibis, 
Lanins minor. Lesser Grey Shrike. 
Plentiful enough in June and Julj\ Breeds freely. A 
number of nests in the Gramatna area. 
Lanius senator. Woodchat. 
A numerous summer bird to be seen in most localities — 
the Struma plain, the hills near Lake Doiran, and the woods 
at Mirova alike. Not so abundant as the next species. The 
dapper black and white plumage with rich sienna cap that 
glows brick-red when the sun hits the bird\s poll, renders this 
Shrike very conspicuous. When they first arrive in the 
country and prior to nesting (I have no dates likely to be 
first arrivals), they roam about in pairs, flying from one 
bramble hush to another, keeping close to the ground in 
their short flights. The Woodchat is by no means a restless 
bird. A pair will take up their position on a clump of tall, 
woody and thorny undergrowth, post themselves about ten 
yards apart, and wait for coming events with great patience. 
They will crouch on a bough with their white breasts towards 
you and remain inactive for as long as six minutes by the 
watch. I say “ inactive,” but really the birds are very 
alert. The head is constantly moved, being cocked at every 
conceivable angle as the bird looks for passing insects. If 
an insect is caught by one of the pair, the less fortunate 
bird will flit over to its mate to w r atch the process of thrashing 
the insect to death against a small twig, and then return to 
its own u look-out ” and resume the same seemingly indolent 
but really alert position. The short note is pleasing, but the 
call-notes are harsh. The white rump is very conspicuous 
in flight. Nests between Karamatli and Gramatna. 
Lanius collurio. Red-backed Shrike. 
A common summer bird. First seen 8 May. There were 
plenty near our camp during the second week in October. 
A diary note remarks their absence on 9 October, but I 
expect the last birds had gone before I appreciated the fact. 
Stagnant water near the river, the extensive beds of red 
poppies, and, above all, the high ground on the hillsides, 
where there were no hedges but acres of short thorny 
