W<0>©D C H A T o
Lanms rufiiS; /B r tfij
W O O. D € I!
Although the Woodebi** á
Spain, Italy, and a$ foil
m Eogland áre ají font sve are acquacnt-xl wifb, and we have (ni^j^ea never wcebqd it in a recent stáfefi t'si
general habit» ami manners it strictly resembles its nearly alSeil. specie« 'foe ftey>a¿ki'fií: Shrike, heenius
Collurio; but a moment's comparison will be sufficient to establish the di»l*nctk>n* ot r!?e two" species Its
one' respect, however, the Woodchat appears to be peculiar; we allude to the circumstance of the nearly
allied style of colouring of the two sexes, which is contrary to what prevails in the Red-backed Shrike, and
agrees more strictly with the rest of the European representatives of the present family. The only point by
which the-sexes may be distinguished-is the, less brilliant colouring óf the female.
The food of the Woodchat consists of coleopterous and other large insects,, and occasionally small and
nestling birds. According to M. Temminck, it builds its nest in bushes, selecting the-fork of a small branch
among foliage sufficiently dense for its concealment. It lays five or six eggs,' of a whitish green, irregularly
blotched with grey.
The plumage is as follows : A narrow white band borders the margin of the upper mandible, and is
followed by a black Wit across the forehead ; the same colear occupying the car-covm* pisses down flvn
of the neck and the middle of the hack, where it off Jfote grey ; oceiipus, back of iht neck, and
upper part of foe buck, rich chestnut; wings (duck the »capnkaw«!» and. ¡¡icwsn th® ho«« of the quills
, lielng white ; upper taibóoverts white, with a. tinge of yeüo»v ¿ éiist aj-#-- K. am fó[¡t|iét <■'■■ •■••'i'
ode, which is nearly white, and the' uié*t, which is tip^«4 wltíi»* nh¡£ h wlnte at its base; dw sted is
¡foso tipped with white; beak and tarsi 'black.
In the female the black is tinged w»fo Vow»» .wrsA- «&«%• • ¡tí •••'' the -¿H'k is ifess vivid
The Plate represents a male and female of foe »>> :•