Lirds of Canada. 45 
GREAT NORTHERN SHRIKE. 
FAMILY LANIIDA. 
Sub-Family LANUNX.—The Shrikes. 
Collyrio borealis —The Great Northern Shrike, or 
Butcher Bird. 
The Butcher bird is nine inches long; the 
color, above, light bluish-ash; the under parts, 
white ; the wings and tail, black. It feeds prin- 
cipally upon insects, sparrows and other small 
birds. It can imitate the calls .of other birds, 
especially those indicating distress ; and has the 
cruel habit of impaling its prey on sharp twigs 
and thorns, and devouring it at leisure. Hence 
it has derived the name, Butcher Bird. The 
nest is usually built in a thorn tree or low 
shrub; eggs, four or five in number; of a 
dirty lead-colored white, with spots of brown 
on the large end. 
