LANIIDiE — THE SHRIKES. I35 



variety, and sweetness. Their song can be compared with nothing uttered 

 by any other bird I have lieard in the United States, for it excels that of 

 the mocking-bird in sweetness, besides being entirely original. It has a 

 sort of melancholy slowness, but without the interruptions of that of the 

 Eastern wood-thrush {Tardus mitstelinus), and agrees better with the de- 

 scriptions of that of the nightingale of Europe. 



I saw only a few of this species among some junipers on the western 

 slope of the mountains, not far from the summit, in September, 1863. The 

 scarcity of the junij)er on the western slope, towards the north, seems to be 

 the reason why tliis 1 lird is not more frecpient there ; as, according to all ac- 

 counts, they are found wlierever that tree grows in al)undance, especially on 

 the mountain ranges of the great interior basin, and their extensions to the 

 north and south. 



According to Newlierry, thousands of them frccpiented the east slope 

 of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, producing even in the fall a perfect 

 chorus of melody from daylight to dark. They feed on the juniper-berries 

 as well as insects, pursuing the latter like flycatchers. 



They may be somewhat gregarious, though I have always met with them 

 nearly singly. Dr. T. C. Henry found them at Fort Webster, New Mexico, 

 in large numbers in fall and winter. (Heermann.) They are very scarce 

 northward, west of the Cascade Mountains ; and in the Eocky Moimtains 

 about lat. 47°, I met with but one. Their home, therefore, seems to be in 

 the vicinity of the great deserts of the central regions, on the cedar-covered 

 mountains that intersect them, where, in a comparatively lifeless and barren 

 wilderness, they make up for the absence of other songsters by a musical 

 talent excelling all. 



Their nest and eggs, together v.'ith their habits during most of the 

 year, still remain to be described. I have seen a specimen shot at Forest 

 Hill, Nevada County, liy i\Ir. F. Gruber. 



Family LANIID^, The Shrikes. 



Chae. Feet constructed as in Amjy-lithr, but much stouter ; the tarsus 

 longer than midille toe and claw ; sometimes scutellate on both sides. 

 Lower outline of bill, about half the length of lower jaw. Bill very power- 

 ful and raptorial, decurved at end, where it is provided with a .■^harp liook, 

 notch, and tooth. Nostrils concealed by bristly feathers of foreliead. 

 Wings much rounded. Tail long and graduated. Primaries ten ; the first 

 about half the second. 



