BLACK SHRIKE. 189 



and female alternately, seated on two trees, perhaps 

 on the opposite sides of a road ; thus : — The 

 Mountain Dick calls, and the Judy immediately 

 answers ; then a little pause ; — another call from 

 the Mountain Dick, and an instant answer from 

 Judy ; — until, after a few successions, the Judy gal- 

 lantly yields the point, and flies over to the other 

 tree to join his friend. In February, I have heard 

 it repeating a note somewhat like che-w. 



This species is bold and fierce in self-defence, 

 the female no less than the male. On several oc- 

 casions, when I have shot, and but slightly wounded, 

 one, it would make vigorous efforts to escape by 

 running; but on being taken in the hand and 

 held by the legs, it would elevate the crown fea- 

 thers, turn the head up and bite fiercely at my 

 fingers, seizing and pinching the flesh with all its 

 force ; striving at the same time to clutch with 

 its claws, and screaming vociferously. I have never 

 seen it pursue other birds in the aggressive man- 

 ner of the true Tyrants ; nor, as far as I am aware, 

 does it capture insects in the air, notwithstand- 

 ing that the rictus is defended by stiff bristles. 

 Stationary insects are usually the contents of the 

 stomach, particularly large bugs, {Pentatoma) and 

 caterpillars, and sometimes the eggs of insects. In 

 the winter the berries of the Bursera or Tropic 

 Birch, constitute a large portion of its food. 



In April the Judy begins to arrange the do- 

 mestic economy of the season ; and if the cradle 

 of his young is not so elaborate a structure as 

 some others, it makes up in quantity what it lacks 



