424 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



tlie same manner to the object upon wliicli it is next to light. The flight is 

 performed in an undulating manner, the bird sustaining itself a short time 

 by a rapid fluttering of the wings, and sinking as this motion is suspended. 

 As it flies, the white patch on the wing, with the general appearance of its 

 gray and white plumage, increases its resemblance to the Mocking-Bird. 



Though very partial to thorn-trees (lioney-locust), other trees having a 

 thick foliage — as those canopied by a tangled mass of wild grapevines — 

 are frequently occupied as nesting-places ; while a pair frequently make 

 their home in an apple-orchard, selecting the old untrimmed trees. The 

 situation of the nest varies according to the character of the tree ; if in a 

 thorn-l)ush, it is placed next the trunk, encased Avitliin protecting bunches of 

 thorns ; but if in an apple-tree, it is situated, generally, near the extremity of 

 a horizontal branch. The number of eggs is generally six, but Mr. Eidgway 

 has several times found seven in one nest. No bird is more intrepid in the 

 defence of its nest than the present one ; at such times it loses, apparently, 

 all fear, and becomes almost frenzied with anger, alighting so near that one 

 might grasp it, were he quick enough, and with open mouth and spread 

 wings and tail threatening the intruder, its attacks accompanied by a pecu- 

 liar crackling noise, interrupted by a harsh, grating qua, qua, qua, slowly 

 repeated, but emphatically uttered. 



The habit peculiar to tlie Shrikes of impaling their victims Mr. Ridgway 

 has observed frequently in this species ; for this ]jurpose the long and .ex- 

 tremely sharp thorns of the honey-locust serve it admirably; and "spitted" 

 upon tliem lie has found shrews, mice, grasshoppers, spiders, and even a 

 Chimney-Swallow {Chaiura fdagicci) ; and, in another instance, but upon 

 the upright broken-off twig of a dead weed in a field, a large spider. He has 

 also known this bird to dart at the cage of a Canary-Bird, and frighten the 

 poor inmate so that it thrust its head between the wires, when it was imme- 

 diately torn off by the powerful beak of the Butcher-Bird. 



The young of this species becomes a very pleasing and extremely docile 

 pet. Mr. Eidgway has known one which, though fully grown, with power 

 of flight uninjured, and in possession of unrestrained freedom, came to its 

 possessor at his call, and accompanied him through the fields, its attachment 

 being rewarded by frequent " doses " of grasshoppers, caught for it. It had 

 been fully feathered before taken from the nest. Unfortunately the vocal 

 capabilities of tliis Shrike are not sufficient to allow its becoming a gen- 

 eral favorite as a pet; for, although possessing considerable talent for 

 mimicry, it imitates only the rudest sounds, while its own notes, consist- 

 ing of a grating, sonorous qua and a peculiar creaking sound, each with 

 several* variations, are anything but delightful. 



