FIELD BIRDS 115 



about in their grassy jungle. These it impales 

 upon thorns and also upon the barbs of wire fences, 

 which, it might well be imagined, were erected for 

 the double purpose of supplying it with perch and 

 meathook. 



Only an expert can tell a Loggerhead from a 

 Northern Shrike in nature; but when the birds are 

 seen at close range it will be observed that the 

 Loggerhead has the forehead blacker than the 

 Northern Shrike, and the underparts are usually 

 whiter, immature individuals of the northern bird 

 having fine, wavy, brownish cross-lines on the breast. 



While therefore difficult to distinguish one from 

 the other, the black and white and gray plumage 

 and characteristic flight of Shrikes quickly distinguish 

 them from our other winter birds. They are not 

 strong fliers, a number of rapid wing-strokes being 

 followed by a short sail, as though the bird were 

 alternately running and sliding, and the flight almost 

 always ends by an upward swing to the highest part 

 of whatever the bird alights on, where, like a bird 

 of prey, it may keep a sharp outlook for its quarry. 



