SHRIKES 469 



cases accused of having perpetrated the crime. Indeed, I have 

 had otherwise well informed people stoutly argue that they 

 had seen a Pine Grosbeak kill and carry off a Sparrow and 

 refuse to admit they were mistaken, though of course it was a 

 Shrike that did the mischief. This is one reason why scientists 

 are so skeptical regarding the excited and garbled reports of 

 unusual occurrences which are so often submitted by beginners 

 and laymen. 



If the Shrikes confined their attentions to the English Spar- 

 rows there would not be much cause to complain of their con- 

 duct, but they also take Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks, Siskins and 

 in general almost any of our small winter birds. The large, 

 stout bill speedily kills the victim by a few blows and it is torn 

 to pieces and devoured. Mice and other small mammals are 

 taken as well. The only call I have heard them utter is a 

 harsh, shrieking " jo-ree," but E. S. Thompson has recorded the 

 fact that perched on the top of a tree they often sing a song 

 that would do credit to a Catbird. Very rarely indeed I have 

 heard our Migrant Shrike sing thus and have no doubt its 

 near relative may do likewise. 



The nest is described as a bulky structure of twigs, grass and 

 stems, lined with feathers, and is said to be placed in thorny 

 trees, bushes and evergreens. The eggs are said to resemble 

 those of the Migrant Shrike but are somewhat larger. They 

 are four to six in number, dull whitish or greenish gray, 

 marked with obscure purple, olive, light brown and grayish, 

 and are said to measure 1.08 x .79 on the average. 



622e. Lanius ludovkianus migrans W. Palmer. Migrant 

 Shrike; Butcher Bird; Joree; Grasshopper Hawk; Cricket 

 Hawk; Mouse Hawk. 



Plumage of adults : wings and tail black, the secondaries white tipped and 

 primaries white at base ; many of the tail feathers white tipped ; lores and 

 nasal tufts black ; narrow black line on forehead ; below white, occasionally 

 with faint dusky vermiculations. Immature plumage : drab gray above, with 

 faint vermicular bars and pale buff edgings to feathers; below whitish, 

 washed with pale buff or drab on breast and sides and with faint vermicular 



