GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE. 103 



as well as the young. On the Continent of Eu- 

 rope, in some places, they put up boxes for these 

 birds to breed in, as we do for the Purple Martin. 



FOOD. The same as the Red Winged Star- 

 lings. Plenty of gravel, and water to bathe in. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEXES. This bird is 

 about the size of our Ptobin. The male in full 

 plumage is of a rich glossy black, beautifully 

 lightened with green, blue, and purple reflexions, 

 and spotted all over with triangular spots of yel- 

 lowish and reddish white. The female has the 

 white predominate more, and looks much lighter 

 in color. 



LOCATION. Found throughout Europe, in the 

 South. Resident - - in the North, migratory. 



GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE, OR BUTCHER BIRD. 



THIS bird seems to be the connecting link in 

 the great chain of animated nature, between the 

 birds of prey and the Pies or Jays, having the 

 slender legs and weak claws of the Jays, asso- 



