Abstract
MR. J. H. OWEN has given some interesting information about a bird the habits of which are little known to present generations because the bird has become so scarce (British Birds, 41, No. 7 ; July, 1948). From observations it would appear that all red-backed shrikes (Lanius c. collurio) make larders provided they do not need the catch when it is taken. The male bird seems much more given to 'lardering' than the hen, and as many as six larders may be used by one pair of birds. Usually the larders are not far from the nest, but some have been reported 150 yards away. Often the number of larders is one or two. Shrikes prefer to nest in one of a number of isolated bushes, provided one of them is suitable, rather than in a hedge. Hedgerow larders are usually not at all easy to find. The favourite bushes are hawthorn or blackthorn, especially a part that has been killed by fire or some other means. The large thorns on rough briars and brambles are frequently used as larders, and occasionally barbed wire is also used. Larders often have a considerable number of humble-bees (Bombus) in them, often a small bird and, occasionally, a house-mouse (Mus domesticus) is found.
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HAWKINS, T. Larder of the Red-Backed Shrike. Nature 162, 504 (1948). https://doi.org/10.1038/162504a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/162504a0