THE SHRIKE. 



107 



Meanwhile, the falconer took his ease in a hut close by, and waited the result. 

 Presently a speck appeared in the sky, and the shrike would set up a loud 

 scream, and run under a little shelter provided for him. The scream would 

 be the note of warning to the falconer, and he would be on the alert, and ready 

 to pull the string of the snare. 



But, in spite of all this, the shrike has a link with the perching birds, and 









THE MAGIME SHRIKE, OR BUTCnER-IU KD. 



is placed with the nightingale and the thrush. His claws are fine and sharp, 

 and his foot is that of a perching bird. Indeed, he seems to be a link between 

 the hawks, the crows, and the thrushes, and to partake a little of the character 

 of each. 



The shrike is only a summer visitor, when he comes to England at all, 

 and he does not build his nest or rear his young in this country. But he 

 carries on the trade of catching and tearing his prey, which he does in such a 

 manner, that he is called by the rather disagreeable name of " butcher-bird." 



