54S NORTHERN SHRIKE. 



LANiUS LUDOVICIANUS EXCUBITORIDES. 

 Whiterumped Shrike. 



DESCRH>TION. 



Sub Sp. Ch. Form and general ooloratiun of the Loggerhead Shrike but the size is a little larger, the 

 bill more slender and as a rule, but not always, the rump is decidedly whitish ; white areas are more 



extended. 



While it is safe to say that Shrikes coming from the west are quite distinct from the Loggerheads in 

 possessing lighter colors, larger size and more slender bill, when we approach the Gulf of ^lexico and the 

 Atlantic sea board we find that color means but little, and in the Carolinas we find birds as dark as in 

 Florida. But the bills of these birds are more slender than those of Florida specimens, and this thicker bill 

 of the Florida Loggerheads is about the only distinctive character by which they can be separated from the 

 White-rumped Shrike. 



HABITS. 



Oil Uctobei' 21st, 1872, Mr. H. A. furdie obtained a \VliitL'-ruiiii)fd Slirike in West 

 Newton, Mas.>^aclmsetts. In February, 1875, I captured a speciiiieii in a bird trap in 

 Newtonville, a third speeinieii was shot at Lvnn, in November. 1870, while still a fourth 

 was taken at Brookline, in February, 1879. Thus the Loggerhead is occasionally found 

 in Massachusetts during the migrations. It is not uncommon about Bangor, Maine,, 

 duriiiii' the breeding season, and at Rutland, Vermont, and has been known to nest in 

 both jilaces. 



The specimen that I captured at Newtonville li\cd lor some time in conliiiement and 

 was very fond of small birds which he ate much after the manner of a hawk by placing 

 one foot on them and tearing them to pieces with his strong bill. 



L.ANIUS E0,'=5EALIS. 

 Northern Shrike. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sr. Cii. Form and general coloration of the Loggerhead Shrike, bnt rather nKjre rusty above, where 

 the shade of ash is light, with less white on wings, the black on head does not extend across forehead, and 

 the under parts are constantly bordered with black. The size is also larger. Young birds are often so rert 

 above that the ashy is nearly obscured. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Length, l».SO to lO.(X) ; stretch, 14.50 to 16.(30; wing, 4. DO to 4.S,"i : tail, 4.4.-) to 4.ti0 ; bill, .DS to .70 ; 

 tarsus, 1.00 to l.O.j. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed in trees or bushes, composed of twigs, grass, rootlets, etc., lined with mosses, lichens, and 

 downy feathers. Eggs, four to six in number, oval in form, pale ashy green in color, spotted and blotched 

 with purple, brown and lilac. Dimensions, .7-j by L0.5 to .78 by L07. 



HABITS. 

 The Noit'iern Shrike breeds IVom Canada northwaid. wintering from Maine U> 

 Pennsylvania and from Minnesota to Kansas. When with us in Massachusetts they are 

 solitary in lial>it and of a restless, roving dis[)osition, moving constantly frtnn place to- 



