I.AXIID.E — THE SHRIKES — COLLURIO. 



139 



tered among the neighboring canons to buihl. As early as the 19th of 

 March I found the first nest in a thorny bush, fully two miles from water, 

 C(.)ntainiug four eggs. These measured 1 X 0.7-4 inch, color dusky with 

 specks of pale amber brown thickly scattered, and grouped in a ring roimd 

 the larger end. (Others from San Diego are paler and a little shorter.) 



The old bird was still very shy, keeping out of gunshot, and apparently 

 caring little for its eggs. On April 4tli I found another nest similar to 

 the first, and on the 16tli found the young hatched, when the female 

 showed more solicitude, making a harsh squeak of complaint, but trying to 

 keep well out of sight. 



Xear San Diego they were later in Ijuilding, as I found a nest with fresh 

 eggs, April 20tli. I heard there, for the first time, some attemjit at a song 

 in December and January, the notes being, however, harsh like those of a 

 jay, but not an imitation, as tliere were no jays in the vicinity. 



I have seen one of this species catch a sparrow, but this is a rare occur- 



rence, 1 tliink. Tliey depend more on grasshoppers and other insects, for 

 which they watch patiently from a fence or other prominent i)oint. 



