172 BULLETIN 19 7, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



by a less distinct bar proximally ; the more median scapulars (not the 

 interscapulars) and bases of lateral scapulars light olive-gray ; rump 

 and upper tail coverts light drab or clay color, each feather with two 

 dusky bands ; frontal tufts gray ; bristles black ; lores gray ; antorbital, 

 suborbital, and auricular regions varying from dull black to hair 

 brown. Underparts: chin and throat white; malar region vermic- 

 ulated with dusky and frequently sparingly tipped with black; 

 breast, sides, and flanks light smoke gray, each feather with two 

 dusky bars ; belly and under tail coverts white with dusky spots and 

 bars occasionally occurring on tips. Wings: primaries dull black, 

 both webs white basally (except outer w^eb of No. 10) but with white 

 more abrupll}'^ defined on outer web; primary 5 slightly tipped with 

 light buif, primaries 4, 3, 2, and 1 with progressively broader dull white 

 tips ; secondaries dull black fading basally to gray on margin of inner 

 webs ; tips of distal secondaries dull white changing to vinaceous-buff 

 or cinnamon-buff on inner secondaries ; greater secondary coverts with 

 clay color tips and median subterminal dots or bars ; all middle and 

 upper marginal coverts of forearm similarly tipped and barred with 

 cinnamon-buff. Tail : four middle rectrices black, with 2.0 millimeter 

 tips of clay color or cinnamon-buff, frequently with a subterminal buff 

 not separate from tip ; other rectrices black, extensively but un'equally 

 tipped with light buff or white ; outer Avebb of outermost rectrices en- 

 tirely buff or white. 



The first annual plumage is acquired by a partial postjuvenal molt 

 in which the body, plumage, and a variable number, but not all, of tlie 

 primaries and secondaries are replaced. The white-tipped juvenal 

 primary coverts are retained throughout the first year, these together 

 with the browner juvenal flight feathers serving to distinguish the 

 first-year birds from adults. There is a prenuptial molt of limited 

 extent, involving a few body feathers only. (For detailed description 

 of postjuvenal plumages and the variations in completeness of the 

 postjuvenal molt, see Miller, 1928 and 1931.) 



Food. — The food of the American shrikes has received special treat- 

 ment by Judd (1898) and by Bcal and McAtee (1912). From an in- 

 spection of the reports of stomach contents of birds collected by me 

 and from my own field observations, I am inclined to think that shrikes 

 possess an almost indiscriminate taste for all sorts of animal matter. 

 That is to say, if food properly attracts the attention of a shrike and 

 if it is within its power to obtain it, there are few kinds of animals that 

 are rejected because of unsuitable flavor or consistency. For example, 

 millipeds and beetles that possess odors obnoxious to human beings are 

 eaten by shrikes, although perhaps without relish. 



Judd shows that vertebrate food of loggerhead shrikes may amount 

 to as much as 76 percent of the diet during the winter months, but 

 during the remainder of the year it is only 28 percent of the total food 



