NORTHERN SHRIKE. 
621. Lanius borealis. 10 inches. 
This shrike is larger than any of the species found 
in summer in the United States and has the breast 
quite distinctly barred. 
Shrikes are cruel, rapacious and carnivorous birds, 
feeding upon insects, grasshoppers, lizards and small 
birds. As they have passerine feet, the same as ail 
our small birds, they are unable to hold their prey be- 
tween the feet while tearing it to pieces, so they im- 
pale it upon thorns or the barbs of a wire fence, so 
they may tear it to shreds with their hooked bill. 
Song.—Loud snatches consisting of various whistles 
and imitations suggesting that of a Catbird. 
Nest.—Vhey breed chiefly north of the U. S., placing 
their rude, bulky structures of twigs and weeds in 
thorny trees or hedges; their four to six eggs are gray- 
ish white with spots of light brown and darker gray 
(1.08 x .80). 
Range.—N. A., breeding chiefly in the northern parts 
of Canada; winters south to Pennsylvania, Kansas and 
California. 
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