2GG 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



crest on its head, but shows scarcely any of that swelling in 

 the throat so perceptible in the canary and other singing 

 birds. 



The length of the bird is rather more than eight inches. 



Family Y. . . . Lanidte. (Lat. Lanius, a Butcher. Butcher-bird 



kind.) 



Sub-family a. . Lanincc. 



LANIUS. (Lat. a Butcher.) 



Excubitor (Lat. a Sentinel), the Great Grey Shrike. 



The SHRIKES or BUTCHER BIRDS well deserve their name, 

 as they live upon insects and small birds, which they kill and 

 afterwards transfix with a thorn preparatory to devouring 

 them. They take their prey much after the same manner 

 as the flycatchers, by darting on it from some place of con- 

 cealment. 



The GREAT GREY SHRIKE is supposed to be only an occa- 

 sional visitor to this country. It feeds upon mice, birds, 

 frogs, and other small animals. After pouncing upon its 



