1868.] 113 [Coues. 



uionly received docti'ine, to the effect that Shrikes providently lay up 

 in this way a store for future emergencies, is hardly tenable. In the 

 case narrated above, the bird did not return to feast upon the grass- 

 hopper; for I purposely passed that way several days afterward, and 

 saw the unfortunate insect still sticking there. Why did the bird 

 impale it at all ? It was evidently hungry at the time, foi-, as above 

 stated, it at once recommenced foraging, and captured and devoured 

 several more insects on the spot; and, moreover, the thousands of live 

 grasshoppers that there were within a radius of as many yards, ren- 

 dered such special pains in securing that one on a twig quite unnec- 

 essary. It may be as well to confess that we do not know the reason 

 of this habit of the Shrikes; we can only say that it is "a way they 

 have." 



Swainson long ago pointed out the remarkable similarity between 

 Shrikes and Mocking-birds — a resemblance not confined to physical 

 characters, though very striking in these respects, but also extending 

 to some points of habit, general appearance in life, etc., and amount- 

 ing to strong analogy, if not actual affinity. I have frequently seen 

 Shrikes and Mocking-birds playing together, and can affirm that it is 

 very difficult to tell the two birds apart at a little distance, without 

 very attentive observation. The Shrike is the smaller of the two 

 and is more heavily built, thick-set, with shorter neck, larger head 

 and heavier bill. Its motions are ordinarily less lively and varied ; 

 its usual attitude, when perched, is stiffer; there is less of the quiver- 

 ing, tremulous motion of the wings and tail; the flight is less buoyant 

 and graceful, more firm and direct, and accompartied by a peculiar 

 jerking of the body at each beat of the wings. These remarks, how- 

 ever, do not apply to the spirited, dashing forays of the Shrike, when 

 in pursuit of its prey. But, ordinarily, the tournure of the Shrike 

 has that about it which gives an impression best expressed by the 

 word "top-heaviness." 



The Great Northern Shrike, C horealis, may occasionally stray, in 

 winter, as far south as Carolina, but I have no record of its occurrence 

 beyond Washington, D. C. 



Fam. 14. — Tanagrid^. 



76. Pyranga cestiva. Summer Red-bird. Ab. ; sum. 



77. P. rubra. Scarlet Tanager. Com.; sum.; but chiefly migi-. 

 in Apr., Sept. and early Oct. 



PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. Xn. 8 OCTOBER, 1868. 



