THE NORTHERN SHRIKE OR BUTCHER-BIRD 



it firmly. ^ One agrees with Mr. Forbush, however, in his 

 estimate of the habit. He says: 



"The Shrike or Butcher-Bird is regarded as beneficial; 

 but our winter visitor, the Northern Shrike, kills many 

 small birds. It pursues Tree Sparrows, Juncos, Song 

 Sparrows, and Chickadees, overtakes and strikes them 

 while they are in flight, sometimes eating them, but oftener 

 leaving them to hang on trees, where they furnish food 

 for other birds. When one sees the little Butcher killing 

 Chickadees and hanging them up, his faith in its useful- 

 ness receives a great shock. Shrikes are probably of less 

 value here than in their northern homes, where in summer 

 they feed much on insects. Their chief utility while here 

 [in Massachusetts] consists in their mouse-hunting pro- 

 clivities." ^ 



Their habit of killing English sparrows and thus getting 

 rid of a nuisance has been commended. Shrikes are like- 

 wise destroyers of grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and 

 other insects. 



"Like birds of prey and some other birds, the Butcher- 

 Bird habitually disgorges the indigestible part of its food 

 after digesting the nutritive portion. The bones and hair 

 of mice are rolled into compact pellets in the stomach 

 before being disgorged." * 



1 & 2 From "Useful Birds and Their Protection," by E. H. Forbush, page 

 370. 

 8 Farmers' Bulletin 506, U. S. Dept, of Agriculture, Biological Survey. 



[85] 



