The RED-BACKED SHRIKE, or TRUE BUTCHER BIRD
(_Enneoctonus-Lanius-collurio_), is light grey upon the head, nape,
and wings; the mantle is reddish brown; the breast pale rose-pink; a
black stripe passes above and beneath the eyes; the quills are of a
brownish greyish black, with a light border; the base of each of the
secondaries is decorated with a small spot, which, when the wing is
extended, combine and form a well-defined line; the centre tail-feathers
are brownish black; those next in order are white at the roots, whilst
the exterior ones are almost entirely white, and tipped with black. The
eye is brown, the beak black, and the foot greyish black. The female
differs considerably from the male, her body being reddish grey above
and of a whitish tint beneath, marked with undulating brown lines. The
young resemble the father, but are spotted slightly upon the back. (See
Coloured Plate XIV.) The length of this species is seven inches, and its
breadth eleven and a half.
The Butcher Bird is met with in most countries of Europe, from
Scandinavia, Russia, and some parts of Siberia, to the south of France
and Greece. During its winter migrations it visits the forests of
North-eastern Africa, and does not return to Europe until late in the
spring. Trees and bushes are the situations it prefers when about to
build, and it often makes its nest for years on the same spot, but
should it be disturbed, it at once leaves not only the tree but the
neighbourhood. In its habits it closely resembles other Shrikes, and
in like manner consumes large quantities of insects. The Butcher Bird,
however, often continues to kill, long after it has satisfied the
cravings of hunger, and pursues small quadrupeds or birds so incessantly
as to drive away or destroy all such as have been unfortunate enough
to make their homes in its vicinity. This species is constantly in the
habit of impaling its captives after they are dead upon thorns, and it
is not uncommon to see the bodies of many victims thus secured until
their destroyer has recovered his appetite: Naumann tells us that the
brain appears to be regarded as the greatest delicacy, and is always
eaten fresh. Should a Butcher Bird be disturbed whilst making its meal,
it at once takes flight, and does not return. The nest, which is usually
placed in a thorn bush, at no great distance from the ground, is large,
thick, and carefully constructed of straw, hay, or moss, woven firmly and
neatly together, and lined with delicate fibres or similar materials.
The female, who broods but once in the year, lays five or six eggs
(Fig. 4, Plate XVI.), of various sizes, shapes, and colours, more or
less resembling those of other Shrikes; she alone performs the work of
incubation, sitting on her nest with such devotion and care that she will
allow herself to be captured rather than quit her post.
The Butcher Bird will frequently live for several years in captivity,
and cannot fail to become a favourite, by reason of its wonderful power
of imitating not only the voices of its feathered companions, but other
sounds, for instance, such as the barking of a dog.