354 THE WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. 
No. 136. 
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. 
A. O. U. No. 622a. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Swains.). 
Description.—4dult: Dark bluish gray above, changing abruptly to white on 
upper tail-coverts ; scapulars chiefly white; wings black, a small white spot at base 
of primaries; the inner quills narrowly tipped with white; tail black, the outer 
pair of feathers chiefly white, and the succeeding broadly tipped with white in 
descending ratio until color disappears in two central pairs; below white slightly 
soiled on breast, but everywhere strongly contrasting with upperparts; narrow 
frontal line including nasal tufts, lores, and ear-coverts, black,—continuous, and 
passing mostly below eye; bill and feet black. Jimmature: Colors of adult less 
strongly contrasted; lower parts washed with brownish; loral bar obscure; more 
or less vermiculated with dusky all over (in younger birds), or upon the under- 
parts alone; ends of wing-quills, coverts, and tail-feathers often with ochraceous 
or rusty markings. Length of adult male: 8.50-10.00 (215.9-254); wing 3.96 
(100.6) ; tail 3.9 (99) ; bill .60 (15.3); tarsus 1.1 (28). 
Recognition Marks.—Chewink to Robin size; dark gray above; whitish be- 
low ; longitudinal black patch of head; wings black and white; breast of adult un- 
marked, as distinguished from both L. borealis and L. 1. gambeli. 
Nesting.—Nest: a bulky but well-built structure of sticks, thorn-twigs, sage- 
bark, dried leaves, etc., heavily lined with wool, hair, and feathers; placed at 
moderate heights in sage-brush or sapling. Eggs: 5-7, dull grayish or greenish 
white, thickly speckled and spotted with pale olive or reddish brown. Av. size, 
97 X .73 (24.6x 18.5). Season: April, June; two broods. 
General Range.—Western North America from the Great Plains westward, 
except Pacific Coast district and from Manitoba and the plains of Saskatchewan 
south over the tablelands of Mexico; south in winter over the whole of Mexico 
intergrading with L. /. migrans in region of the Great Lakes. 
Range in Washington.—Common summer resident east of the Cascades, 
chiefly in sage-brush country. 
Authorities.—Dawson, Auk, XIV. 1897, 179. (T). Dt. D2. Ss?. Ss?. 
Specimens.—(U. of W.) P. C. 
THE brushy draws of the low lava ranges and the open sage stretches of 
the East-side constitute the favorite preserve of this lesser bird of prey. He 
arrives from the South early in March when his patchy plumage harmonizes 
more or less with the snow-checkered landscape, but he is nowise concerned 
with problems of protective coloration. Seeking out some prominent perch, 
usually at this time of year a dead greasewood or a fence-post, he divides his 
time between spying upon the early-creeping field mouse and entertaining his 
lady love with outlandish music. ‘Those who have not heard the White-rumped 
Shrike sing, have missed a treat. He begins with a series of rasping sounds, 
which are probably intended to produce the same receptive condition in his 
