178 STORIES OF BIRD LIFE 



to explode like a bomb as the five frightened young shrikes 

 launched out suddenly into the world on their untried 

 wings. One gained the lower limb of a neighboring tree. 

 Another reached the middle rail of a fence. A third, while 

 vainly trying to cling to the side of a hitching-post, fell 

 scratching and fluttering to the ground. 



The resemblance of these young birds to each other was 

 strong. The feathers of their backs were grayish brown 

 and those of the breast were white, marked with dusky 

 bars. Their wings and tails were brownish-black and a 

 dusky stripe was on the side of each stout chubby head. 

 Their beaks were sharp, hooked, dangerous looking weap- 

 ons. 



The one which sat in the crack of the fence had an odd 

 ruff of feathers on its breast, which distinguished it from 

 all other shrikes. Many times during the next few weeks 

 the shrike family was seen. The little ones were soon 

 strong upon the wing, and had learned to catch grass- 

 hoppers and other insects for themselves. But so long as 

 there existed the slightest chance of their being able to 

 secure food from their parents, they never failed to beg 

 with pitiful voices and quivering wings whenever either 

 parent was near. As the summer advanced the family 

 became separated and scattered. 



Now the brownish tinge left the feathers of the breast 



