LXXV 



Migrant Shrike ; Loggerhead Shrike 

 622a. Lanius ludovicianus excuhitovides 



The Shrike is of a general slate color on the back, 

 and whitish below, with patches of white on tail and 

 wings, in this respect resembling the Mockingbird, but 

 having a black bridle extending over the eyes and across 

 the forehead. 



This Shrike is about nine inches long and is an 

 abundant summer resident in the central part of the 

 United States. It builds a big, rough, unfinished nest of 

 weeds, rubbish, strings, feathers and cloth and prefers 

 thorn or scrub oak trees for a nest site. The nest is from 

 ten to fifteen feet from the ground. The bird lays in 

 June and July from four to six eggs, grayish-blue, 

 spotted with brown or umber. (Fig. 110.) 



The very makeup of the Shrike suggests ferocity and 

 carnivorous traits. See it, as it perches! Its attitude 

 and demeanor are of a threatening character. See how 

 small birds avoid its company and how they dart into the 

 thick brush at the Shrike's approach! It possesses all 

 of the temperamental rapacious traits of the true birds 

 of prey : it is quarrelsome and overbearing to its kind and 

 other small birds, killing and devouring those weaker 

 than itself; it is a Hawk in looks and habits, possessing 

 a hooked bill, but weak. Sparrow-like feet. It cannot 

 catch or hold its prey with its feet ; hence the Shrike has 

 a habit of impaling its catch on thorns and barbed wire 

 fences, where it may perch near its food and with its 

 strong neck and powerful hooked bill tear the victims into 

 shreds to be devoured. 



When you let this bird and its young alone I know 

 of no other that seemingly ignores your presence more 

 than the Shrike. I have repeatedly stood beneath a 

 thorn tree within five feet of one of these birds and 

 watched it impale a grasshopper or a small bird with 

 entire indifference to my presence — not even on speaking 

 terms with me. (Fig. 113.) 



200 



