AROUND THE OLD BARN 



181 



small tree and wonder what that gray and black bird, 

 who is sitting there so motionless, can be. He is too 

 small for a Hawk, though there is something hawk-like 

 about his head. He is altogether too large for a Chick- 

 adee ; not the right shape for a Woodpecker ; and after 

 thus thinking over the most familiar winter birds, you 

 will find that you only know what he is 7iot. 



Northern Shrike. 



" Suddenly he spreads his wings and swoo23S down, 

 seizing something on or near the ground — a mouse per- 

 haps, or a small bird — let us hope one of the detestable 

 English Sparrows. Or else you may see this same bird, 

 in the gray and black uniform, peep cautiously out of a 

 bush and then skim along close above the ground, to 

 secure the field-mouse he has been watching ; for the 



