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. [Illustration: THE SENTINEL BUTCHER BIRD (_Lanius Excubitor_).] [Illustration: BUTCHER BIRD AND FLY-CATCHERS.] * * * * * The BUTCHER BIRDS PROPER (_Enneoctonus_) are very easily distinguishable from the above-mentioned groups by their short, strong, and slightly hooked beak, and by the variety of plumage observable in the male and female. This group contains two distinct species, of which we are about to describe the most generally known. THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE, OR TRUE BUTCHER BIRD. 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.