[Illustration]
Lanius Excubitor, LINNÆUS; Der gemeine Würger, BECHSTEIN; La
Pie-Grièche grise, BUFFON.
It is a little larger than the Redwing (_Turdus Iliacus_, Linn.) Its
length is nine inches, of which the tail measures three and
three-quarters; the wings, when folded, cover one-third of the tail. The
beak is eight lines in length; the iris is very dark brown; the shanks
iron grey. All the upper part of the body is of a fine ash colour,
shading off to white above the eyes, on the forehead, the shoulders, and
the rump. The tail is wedge-shaped, white at the point, and black in the
middle.
HABITATION.--When wild, this species generally frequents groves,
thickets, and the borders of forests; it is also found among
brambles, and on lonely trees, always perched on the top. It never
quits the abode it has once chosen, either in winter or summer. When
caught it must be kept in a large wire cage. Its liveliness and
desire for prey prevent its being permitted to mix with the other
birds.
FOOD.--In its wild state, it feeds in summer on grasshoppers,
crickets, beetles, and other insects, even lizards, and small adders,
and when those fail, on mice and small birds; these, with mice,
moles, and the like, form its winter food. When pursuing its prey,
the shrike makes a particular movement, in order to seize it on the
side; but it does not always succeed, as it cannot use its claws like
birds of prey, and often only carries off a beakful of feathers.
In the cage, if the bird be taken when old, some mice, birds, or
living insects, may be thrown to it, taking care to leave it quite
alone, for as long as any one is present it will touch nothing; but
as soon as it has once begun to feed freely it will eat fresh meat,
and even become accustomed to the universal paste, described in the
Introduction. This shrike eats very much for its size, at the least
one ounce of meat at a meal. It likes to have a forked branch, or
crossed sticks in its cage, across the angles of which it throws the
mouse, or any other prey which has been given it, and then darting on
it behind from the opposite side of the cage, devours every morsel,
let it be ever so large. It bathes freely.
MODE OF TAKING.--Although it flies very swiftly when pursuing its
prey, it may easily be taken if a nest of young birds, crying from
hunger, be suspended to some lime twigs. In autumn and winter, it
will sometimes dart on birds in cages which are outside the window.
It may then be easily caught, if the cage be put into a sort of box,
having the lid so placed that the bird by the least touch would cause
it to fall upon itself. These means must be employed by those who
wish to possess birds which they can let go and come at will.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its cry somewhat resembles the _guir, guir_ of
the lark; like the nutcracker, it can imitate the different notes,
but not the songs, of other birds. Nothing is more agreeable than its
own warbling, which much resembles the whistling of the grey parrot;
its throat at the time being expanded like that of the green frog. It
is a great pity that it only sings during the pairing season, which
is from March to May, and even then often spoils the beautiful melody
of its song, with some harsh, discordant notes. The female also
sings. As some of its tones resemble the human voice, it might
probably be taught to speak.