The SENTINEL BUTCHER BIRD, or GREAT GREY SHRIKE (_Lanius Excubitor_), is
from nine and a half to ten inches long, and its breadth about fourteen
inches; the wing measures four inches and the tail four and a half. Upon
the upper part of the body the plumage is of an uniform light grey; the
under side is pure white, and a broad black stripe passes across the
eyes. The upper half of the large primary quills, as well as the inner
webs and tips of the secondaries, are white, their other portions and the
rest of the quills being black; the centre tail-feathers are black, but
with the exception of a large black spot upon the centre of the inner web
of the fifth, and a black streak upon the shaft of the exterior feather,
the rest are entirely white. The eye is brown, the beak black, and the
foot dark grey; the plumage of the female is less pure in its coloration
than that of her mate: the young are recognisable by the wave-like
markings upon the breast and other parts of the body. The egg is shown at
Fig. 3, Coloured Plate XVI.
This species of Shrike is found in almost every European country, and
throughout a large part of Asia and Northern Africa; it is also very
numerous in North America. Everywhere it appears to prefer woodland
districts, but is nevertheless constantly met with both in mountain
ranges and in marshy plains. Whilst on the alert for prey it may usually
be seen upon the topmost branches of a tree, peering eagerly about in all
directions, in the hope of detecting any small bird or mouse that may
be near, pouncing down and killing it with wonderful dexterity as soon
as the proper moment arrives. If the destroyer is hungry the prey is at
once dragged away and devoured; but should this not be the case, the body
is impaled upon a thorn, and left for a future meal. Even when tame it
continues this habit, and has been known to make constant use of a spike
driven into a wall for that purpose by its owner.
"We have seen," says one writer, "the New Holland Butcher Bird (_Vanga
destructor_) act in this manner when in captivity, and after strangling
a mouse or crushing its skull, double it through the wires of its cage,
and, with every demonstration of savage triumph, tear it limb from limb
and devour it. The bird to which we allude had the talent of imitation
in great perfection, and had learnt to sing several bars of airs, with a
full-toned musical voice. It executed the first part of 'Over the Water
to Charlie' with a spirit that would have gone to the heart of an old
Jacobite." The term _Excubitor_ or Sentinel was given to the Butcher Bird
by Linnæus, from its vigilance in watching against Hawks and other birds
of that tribe, whose approach it is ever the first to perceive, uttering
at the same time a querulous chattering, indicative, no doubt, of fear
and dislike; hence on the Continent it is used by persons engaged in the
capture of the Peregrine Falcon.
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.