R E D - B A C K E D S H R I K E.
LANIUS COLLUBIO.
THE Red-backed Shrike (known in most country districts ;is tlie Butcher bird) is one or the latest of Ihe
migratory birds to arrive on our shores in Ihe spiring. It is stated by some authors that it makes ils
appearance in the end of April: this, according lo my own experience, is an early dale; I have frequent ly
noticed in cold seasons that the lirst week iuMay is passed before all the usual stations are occupied each
by its pair of Shrikes, who during summer seldom stray far from their accustomed haunt.
This handsome bird may be observed in most parts of Susses and other southern counties, I have also
met with it particularly abundant in the grass country round narrow-on-1he-Hill, leu or • dozen miles north
of London, the dense thorn-hedges iu that locality being well suited lo its requirements Tor breeding-purposes.
I n Norfolk, a few scattered pairs have come under my observation in the eastern division of the couuty;
hut 1 have not recognized even a single specimen further north,
Tho food of this species consists for the mast part of beetles, bees of various kinds, dragonllics, and other
large bisects; these, at tunes, it impales on the thoril-hedges along its beat; lield-miee are also occasionally
taken, I cannot at the present moment recall lo mind a single iuslanec where 1 have seen more than two or
thrco victims transfixed on one bush, and seldom, if ever, above half a dozen along a whole hedgerow :
according to several published accounts, however, their larders are at limes well stocked. The most elaborately
garnished twigs I ever had an opportunity of inspecting wen; a couple of small shoots of whitethorn in the
possession of an enterprising niluralisi. A scientific geulleman, being anxious to lieeome acquainted with the
manners and customs of the Butcher bird, had expressed a wish to examine their larder; Bad this obliging
individual bad obtained these two splendid specimens fur ],i, edification. Like Ihe marvellous tales In children's
story-books which we are told an; founded on fact, theso interesting collections were fixed on the very twigs
which had been made use of by the birds, and contained <rmw.a of hem the original victims they bad themselves
impaled *, The reason for this curious habit appear! to he extremely doubtful. I once noticed a mala firing
with what seemed lo he an old male Yellowhauuuer iu his beak : though it is stated that the Shrike
occasionally destroys young birds, I should hardly have iuiagiued one capable of slaying a full-grown Yellow
Buuting.
The nest is a somewhat bulky structure for the size of the bird, consisting of small Iwigs, green moss,
wool, coarse grass, and hair, loosely though neatly put together. In aioiost every instance that lias come
uuder my observation it has been placed in a thick thorn-bush at no irreat height from the ground.
It is a singular fact that this species Lays threo distinct varieties of eggs :—a pale pink ground, with redbrown
spots; a pale yellow ground, with dark cream-coloured spots; and a still paler yellow or almost a dirtywhite
ground, with brown or bluish-grey markings. There seems nu rule to account for these varieties. Each
• I mmilion thi. hoi u I haw c.relully M M or t*» puMi.tnxl H M H I ronct'Pniiig tho larder ol Ihi. aaaMaaa, whkh go grcstk