CHAPTER XIV 



G. N. SHRIKE, BUTCHER 



One has to have something of the savage in him to enjoy 

 thoroughly the study of the shrike. As a matter of fact, the 

 close daily observance of the bird involves some little sacrifice 

 for the person whose nature is tempered with mercy. The 

 shrike is essentially cruel. It is a butcher pure and simple, 

 and a butcher that knows no merciful methods in plying its 

 trade. More than this, the shrike is the most arrant hypo- 

 crite in the whole bird calendar. Its appearance as it sits 

 apparently sunning itself, but in reality keeping a sharp lookout 

 for prey, is the perfect counterfeit of innocence. The great 

 northern shrike is no mean vocalist. Its notes are alluringly 

 gentle, and to paraphrase, "It sings and sings and is a villain 

 still." 



There is one compensation beyond the general interest of 

 the thing for the student who has to endure the sight of the 

 sufferings of the shrike's victims in order to get an adequate 

 idea of its conduct of life. The redeeming thing is found in 

 the fact that in the winter time the great majority of the 

 shrike's victims are the pestilential English sparrows, whom 

 every bird-lover would be willing to see sacrificed to make a 

 shrike's supper, though he might regret the attending pain 

 pangs. 



My own observations of the shrike have been limited to 

 the city of Chicago and to the fields immediately beyond its 

 walls. For those unfamiliar with the subject it may be best 



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