354 THE WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. 



No. 136. 



WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. 



A. O. U. No. 622a. Lanius ludovicianiis excubitorides (Swains.). 



Description. — . Idult : Dark bluish gray above, changing abruptly to white on 

 upper tail-coverts ; scapulars chiefly white ; wings black, a small white spot at base 

 of primaries; the inner ciuills narrowly tipped with white; tail black, the outer 

 pair of feathers chiefly white, and the succeeding liroadly tipped with white in 

 descending ratio until color disappears in two central pairs ; below white slightly 

 soiled on breast, but everywhere strongly contrasting with upperparts; narrow 

 frontal line including nasal tufts, lores, and ear-coverts, black, — continuous, and 

 passing mostly below eye; bill and feet black, liiiinatiirc: Colors of adult less 

 stronglv contrasted: lower parts washed with brownish; loral bar obscure; more 

 or less vermiculated with dusky all over (in younger birds), or upon the under- 

 parts alone; ends of wing-quills, coverts, and tail-feathers often with ochraceous 

 or rusty markings. Length of adult male; 8.50-10.00 (215.9-254); wing 3.96 

 (100.6) ; tail 3.9 (99) ; bill .60 ( 15.3) ; tarsus i.i (28). 



Recognition Marks. — Chewink to Robin size ; dark gray above ; whitish be- 

 low ; longitudinal black ])atch of head; wings black and white; breast of adult un- 

 marked, as distinguished from both L. borcalis and L. I. gambcli. 



Nesting. — Nest: a bulky but well-l)uilt structure of sticks, thorn-twigs, sage- 

 bark, dried leaves, etc., heavily lined with wool, hair, and feathers ; placed at 

 moderate heights in sage-brush or sapling. Eggs: 5-7, dull grayish or greenish 

 white, thickly speckled and spotted with pale olive or reddish brown. Av. size, 

 .97 X .73 (24.6x18.5). Season: April, June ; two broods. 



General Range. — Western North America from the Great Plains westward, 

 except Pacific Coast district and from Manitoba and the plains of Saskatchewan 

 south over the tal)lelands of ]\fexico; south in winter over the whole of Ale.xico 

 intergrading with L. 1. migrans in region of the Great Lakes. 



Range in Washington. — Crimnion summer resident east of the Cascades, 

 chieflv in sage-brush countr}-. 



Authorities.— Dawson, Auk. NIV. 1897, 179. (T). D". D-'. Ss'. Ss^ 

 Specimens.— (U. of W.) P. C. 



THE brushy draws of the low lava ranges and the open sage stretches of 

 the East-side constitute the favorite preserve of this lesser bird of prey. He 

 arrives from the South early in March when his patchy plumage harmonizes 

 more or less with the snow-checkered landscape, but he is nowise concerned 

 with problems of protective coloration. Seeking out some prominent perch, 

 usually at this time of year a dead greasewood or a fence-post, he divides his 

 time between spying upon the early-creeping field mouse and entertaining his 

 lady love with outlandish music. Those who have not heard the White-rumped 

 Shrike sing, have missed a treat. He begins with a series of rasping sounds, 

 wliicli are probabh- intended to produce the same receptix'e conditi(in in his 



