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. THE RED-HEADED SHRIKE, OR WOOD CHAT. The RED-HEADED SHRIKE (_Enneoctonus-Phoneus-rufus_), or WOOD CHAT, as it is sometimes called, is seven inches long and eleven broad; the wing measures three and a half and the tail three inches. In the male, the upper portion of the body is black, the under surface yellowish white, the back of the head and nape are reddish brown, and the shoulders and rump white. The female resembles her mate. The plumage of the young is brownish grey, marked with crescent-shaped black spots; the wings and tail are brown; the eyes are dark brown; the beak blueish black, and the feet deep grey.