266 



Birds of Xortii Carolina 



263. Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus (Linn.). Loggerhead Shrike. 



Ucsrriidlon: Ads. — Uppcrparts pray; wings and tail l)lack; pi-iinaries white at base, scoond.'iries 

 tijjpod with white; outer, sonietiiiies all, the rail-f(-atliiTs lipped with white; the outer feather 

 mostly white; lores black, eonneeted by a narrow black line on the forehead at the b.ose of the 

 bill; ear-ooverts black; underparts white, sometimes tinged with gi'ay. L., 9.00; W., 3. 82; T., 

 3.87; B. from N., .48; depth of B. at N., .35 (average of nine Florida specimens). (Chap., 

 Birds of E. N. A.) 



Hanye. — Southern States, north to North Carolina; resident. 



Range in North Carolina. — ^Apparently the whole coastal region, more commoti in winter. 



FlO. 215. LOGOERHE.AD SHRIKE. 



The suiunuT records of Loggerhead Shrikes in the coastal region arc: LaClrange, 

 rather rare resident, breeds (Sniithwick); Kelford, Bertie County, two seen on 

 telegraph wires, July 21, 1909 (Sherman); Kingsljoro, Edgecombe County, two 

 seen at Test Farm, July 27, 1909, apparently matetl (Sherman) ; and Laurinburg, 

 Scotland County, one seen April 27, 1909 (Sherman). On ^lay 12, 1900, Pearson 

 found a pair of birds near the beach Ijchinil the sheltering dunes a few miles east 

 of Lockwood's Folly, Brunswick County, which evidently had a nest near by. In 

 searching for evidence to support this belief, he found an old nest which, from the 

 character of its structure, he felt sure lind hcen built liy Shrikes probablj' in the 

 previous year. 



The Loggerhead Shrike l)uil(ls its nest in scrul)by or thorny trees or hedges, 

 making a compact, bulky structure of weed stems, grass, rootlets, paper, wool, and 

 feathers, the latter being the lining and concealing the eggs from view. The eggs 

 range from four to six in numlier. In color they are dull whitish or greenish gray, 

 marked and spotted with dull purple, pale brown, or olive. Size .97 x .73. 



All shrikes have the habit of impaling their prey on thorns, spUnters, and barbed- 

 ware fences, when not desired for innneiliatc consumption. Their food consists of 

 large insects and small birds, mammals, and re])tiles. C. S. Brimley recalls finding 

 a Myrtle Warl)ler once hanging on a small bush, with its head impaled on a sharp 

 thorn, and its dried body swinging in the wintl. Pearson discovered a Shrike in 

 the act of impaling a Chipping Sparrow on a splinter of a wind-fallen tree. 



