The famous Taima Temple, which is known for Taima Mandara and the legend of Chujo Princess, is also lonely this year. Especially at twilight in autumn.  Only the high-pitched shrike of the shrike is a tree spirit in the quiet precincts.  The shrike has the habit of sticking the caught prey into a tree branch or pinching it between the branches of a tree, and it is called “Hayanie”, but especially during the autumn breeding season.  Males make a lot of this early sale.  This is because males who make a lot of early payments and scream with a good voice can attract females.  Taima-dera, which has calmed down deep in autumn, provides a great rendezvous place for the shrike.

当麻曼荼羅と中将姫伝説の寺として知られる名刹當麻寺も今年は寂しい限りです。秋の黄昏時は尚更です。静まり返った境内に百舌鳥の高鳴きだけが木霊します。百舌鳥は捕らえた獲物を木の枝等に突き刺したり、木の枝股に挟む習性を持っていて、「百舌鳥の早贄（はやにえ）」と言いますが、特に秋の繁殖期には、雄はこの早贄を沢山作ります。早贄を沢山作っていい声で高鳴く雄ほど雌を惹きつけることができるからです。秋深く静まり返った當麻寺は百舌鳥達に格好のランデブーの場を提供している訳です。