346 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



Nest, in a tree or l)usli not often more than Hfteen feet from the ground, the 

 middle of a thorn being often selected. 



The eggs cannot with certainty be distinguished from those of the White- 

 rumjjed Shrike. 



Tliis and the next species resemble each other so closely that a 

 floubt is raised in the minds of many whether or not they should 

 «ver have been sepai-ated. Dr. Coues, in his " New Key," says on 

 tliis subject : " Extreme examples of excnbitorides look very different 

 from hidovirianiis proper, but the two are observed to melt into 

 each other when many specimens are compared, so that no specific 

 •characters can be Assigned." All those I have found near Hamilton 

 agree best with the description given of excubitorides, but there are 

 ^jther observers who think we have both kinds, and some believe we 

 have ludovicianus only. As a guide to a proper understanding of 

 the matter, I have given the technical descriptions of both, but hold 

 mv own opinif)n that of the two, only I'.rrnhitoridex haf^ been found in 

 Ontiii'ii). 



LANIUS LUDOVICIANUS EXCUBITORIDES (Swains.). 

 2.");"). White-rumped Shrike. ((^-I'la) 



With the size and essential chai-acters of head stripe of var. fiidoi'iriaiiu.s, 

 -ami the under parts, as in that species, not or not obviouslj' waved, but with 

 the clear light ashy uppei' parts and hoary whitish supeiciliaiv line, scapulars 

 and rump of hortalix. 



Hah. — Western United States, east to the Middle and New England, 

 breeding as far north as Northern New York and Northern New England and 

 r)ntario. Rare or local east of the Alleghanies. 



Nest, in a tree or bush, seldom more than ten feet from the ground, 

 exteriorly built of yjrickly twigs, interwoven with strips of bai'k, rags, twine 

 and rootlets, lined witli tine gi-ass and pieces of cotton waste picked up on tlie 

 raili'oad ti-ack. 



Eggs, four to six, light giayish color, sjjottcd witii yellowish-binwn. 



Besides the great noi-thern Butcher jjii'd (Lnniiix horfd/ix), there 

 are two Shrikes, smaller in size, desci-ibed as North American. One 

 is the Loggerhead Shrike of the south-east, and the other the White- 

 rumpefl Shrike, whicli was originally described as a western species, 

 but has of late years been extending its territory to the eastward, 

 north of the Loggerhead's range. Taking examples from the south- 

 east to compare with those from the north-west, the difference is 

 seen at once, but as they approach each other in habitat, they also 



