CHAPTER XL 

 THE SHRIKES, WAXWINGS, SWALLOWS, AND TANAGERS. 



THE SHRIKES, OR BUTCHER-BIRDS. 



It is difficult to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion concern- 

 ing the economic status of our North American shrikes (Lani- 

 idce), of which there are two well-defined species, the great 

 northern shrike and the loggerhead shrike. They are birds 

 of extraordinary habits and feed upon an unusual variety of 

 animal life. On the one hand it is clear that they devour large 

 numbers of injurious insects, birds, and mice, and on the other 

 hand that they destroy many beneficial birds. The balance 

 of evidence, however, seems to show that on the whole the 

 shrikes are of economic value. The complexity of the problem 

 is increased by their peculiar habit of impaling many of their 

 victims upon thorns, often leaving them there indefinitely. 

 Many explanations of the origin of this habit have been sug- 

 gested. The most plausible one seems to be that the victims 

 are thus spitted for convenience in tearing up preparatory 

 to eating, Dr. Judd having shown that this is necessary on 

 account of the comparative weakness of the shrike's feet as 

 grasping organs. 



The Great Northern Shrike is a bold and fearless bird. 

 " Appropriating to himself sufficient territory, where no other 

 bird may safely intrude, lie becomes the terror of the neigh- 

 borhood, and woe to the unlucky finch or warbler that, ven- 

 tures to trespass on these hunting-grounds. Like a veritable 

 sentinel on guard, the shrike stands in wait upon his chosen 

 spot, ready to pounce with unerring aim upon the first little 

 bird that may dare to rustle in the nearest bush." (Coues.) 

 Besides the small native birds that are thus destroyed, the 

 shrikes are known to attack the imported English sparrow. 

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