The flight of this Shrike is slow and undulating, and can rarely be sustained for more than a few minutes at a time; even when merely passing from one tree to another the bird moves in undulating lines, keeping near the ground, and rapidly agitating both its wings and tail. Its sight is excellent, and its sense of hearing so delicate as at once to detect the slightest sound. In disposition it is bold, courageous, and very quarrelsome; during the breeding season it lives peaceably with its mate, but after that period each individual provides only for itself, and carries on an incessant warfare, not only with other birds, but with its own race. The notes of the Excubitor vary considerably at different times of the year; in the spring both sexes possess an actual song, which seems to reproduce the sounds uttered by all their feathered companions. The period of incubation commences in April, and both parents assist in the formation of the nest, which is artistically constructed of twigs, straws, and grass, its round interior being lined with wool, hay, and hair. The eggs, from four to seven in number, are greenish grey, spotted with brown or dark grey, and are hatched in about a fortnight. The nestlings are fed at first upon beetles, grasshoppers, and other insects, but at a later period on small birds and mice. Both parents defend the little family with the utmost courage, and continue their care and instructions until the season for migration. When aged, this species of Shrike soon becomes very tame, and easily learns to obey and recognise its master. In former times it was trained for the chase.
THE SOUTHERN SHRIKE.
The SOUTHERN SHRIKE (Lanius meridionalis) is very similar to, but more beautiful than the species above described, and is found throughout Southern Europe and North-western Africa; the male is about ten inches long and thirteen broad; the wing measures more than four inches, and the tail four and three-quarters; the female is half an inch smaller than her mate. The plumage is deep grey upon the upper part of the body, and white beneath, the breast being shaded with a rich red; the four centre tail-feathers are black, the eye is brown, the upper mandible dark, and the lower one light blue; the foot is black.
This bird is, we believe, the only Shrike that remains throughout the year in Spain; it arrives in Greece about April, and leaves again in the end of August. Its habits do not differ from those of its congeners already alluded to. The nest, which is usually placed at the summit of an olive-tree, is formed of green stalks, woven together, and lined with sheep's wool and goats' hair; the eggs, four or six in number, are of a dirty white or reddish white, thickly strewn with brown, grey, or red spots of various sizes. These eggs are regarded as such dainties in Spain, that men will often risk their lives in procuring them for the market.
THE GREY, OR BLACK-BROWED SHRIKE.
The GREY, or BLACK-BROWED SHRIKE (Lanius minor), is a beautiful species, from seven and a half to eight inches broad, and thirteen and a half to fourteen inches long. The upper part of the body is light grey, the under side quite white, with the exception of the breast, which is slightly tinged with pink; the brow and cheek-stripes are black, the base of the quills is white, and the remaining portion black; the four centre tail-feathers are black, the next in order white upon the lower half, with a dark spot upon the inner web, whilst those at the exterior are entirely pure white. The eye is brown, the beak black, and the foot grey. The female is exactly like her mate; but the young are dirty white upon the brow, and yellowish white, striped with grey, upon the under surface. The Black-browed Shrike is common in some parts of Europe, especially in Bavaria, Brandenburgh, the south of France, Italy, and Turkey; but is quite unknown or rarely seen in most other parts of the Continent. During its migrations it visits Central Africa; we ourselves have seen it in the Nile provinces as early as September, and have never observed it in Europe before May. According to Naumann, this species is by far the most lively and harmless member of its family; its flight is light and graceful, and its capacity for imitating the voice of almost any other bird unusually great. Its food consists exclusively of beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers, and other insects; it also devours larvæ and chrysalids in large quantities. When in pursuit of prey it shows great agility, and usually watches its victims in the same manner as its congeners; but, unlike them, it does not transfix its booty upon thorns previous to devouring it. The nest, formed of hay, straw, wool, hair, and feathers, is placed at the summit of a tree; the eggs, six or seven in number, are greenish white, marked with brownish or violet-grey spots and streaks. Both male and female co-operate in the work of incubation; the young are hatched within a fortnight; they are reared upon insects, and defended with much courage by their parents, who chase every feathered intruder to a distance, and will even venture down to confront a man, should he approach too near the little family. Large numbers, however, in spite of all their efforts, are destroyed by Hawks, Crows, and other formidable neighbours.
THE SENTINEL BUTCHER BIRD (Lanius Excubitor).