PASSERES: SHRIKES, FINCHES, ETC. 159 



The Shrikes or Laniidse are strikingly prominent among 

 the Oscines, on account of their strong, abruptly-hooked, 

 notched, and toothed bill, which seems to ally them to 

 the Falcons. And in strict accordance with this structure 

 of the bill, they are rapacious in their habits, preying more 

 or less upon small birds and quadrupeds. 



The Shrikes have a most singular habit of impaling 

 their prey upon thorns and sharp twigs ; but for what 

 purpose they do this is not known. 



The Great Northern Shrike, or Butcher-bird, of North 

 America is about nine inches long, and its general color 

 is light-bluish ash ; a stripe on the side of the head, and 

 the wings and tail are black. 



FIG. 181. 



Great Northern Shrike, Collurio borealis, Baird. 



The Grosbeaks, Finches, Crossbills, Linnets, Gold- 

 finches, Buntings, Sparrows, Che winks, etc., and their 

 allies are oscines which belong to the great family of 

 Fringillidae, the largest family of birds in North Amer- 

 ica. It may be stated in general terms, that the Fringil- 

 lidse have a short, stout, conical bill, nine primaries, tarsi 

 which are scutellate in front and the sides with undi- 

 vided plates, meeting and forming a sharp ridge behind. 

 They are mostly small birds, and, with few exceptions, 

 their colors are plain. Some, however as the Rose- 

 breasted Grosbeak are among the most beautiful of birds. 



