288 THE NORTHERN SHRIKE. 
large, white terminal blotches on outer feathers, decreasing in size inwardly; a 
black band through eye, including auriculars; below grayish white, the feathers 
of the breast and sides narrowly tipped with dusky, producing a uniform, fine 
vermiculation which is always present; bill blackish, lightening at base of lower 
mandible; feet black. Young birds are barred or washed with grayish brown. 
The plumage of adult is sometimes overcast above with a faint olivaceous tinge. 
Length 9.25-10.75 (235.-273.1): wing 4.50 (114.3); tail 4.19 (106.4); bill .72 
(18.3). 
Recognition Marks.—Robin size; gray and black coloring; sharply hooked 
bill; breast vermiculated with dusky, as distinguished from next species. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, a well constructed bowl of sticks, 
thorn-twigs, grasses, and trash, heavily lined with plant-down and feathers; in 
bushes or low trees. Eggs, 3-7, dull white or greenish gray, thickly dotted and 
spotted with olive-green, brown, or lavender. Av. size, 1.07 x .78 (27.2 x 19.8). 
General Range.—Northern North America; south in winter to the middle 
portions of the United States. Breeds north of the United States except spar- 
ingly in northern New England. 
Range in Ohio.—Not uncommon spring and fall migrant; occasional winter 
resident. 
FLITTING like a gray ghost in the wake of the cheerful hosts of Juncoes 
and Redpolls, comes this butcher of the North in search of his accustomed prey. 
Tf it is his first visit south he posts himself suddenly upon the tip of a neigh- 
boring tree and rasps out an inquiry of the man with the gun. Those that sur- 
vive these indiscretions are thereafter faintly descried in the distance either in 
the act of diving from some anxious summit, or else winging swiftly over 
the inequalities of the ground. 
All times are killing time for this bloodthirsty fellow, and even in winter 
he “jerks” the meat not necessary for present consumption—he it chilly-footed 
mouse or palpitating Sparrow—upon some conyenient thorn. In spring the 
north-bound bird is somewhat more amiable, being better fed, and he pauses 
from time to time during the retreat to sing a strange medley, which has won 
tor him the name ‘“‘Great Electric Buzz.’ ‘This is meant for a love song, and 
is doubtless so understood by the proper authorities, but its rendition some- 
times produces about the same effect upon a troop of Finches which a cata- 
mount’s serenade has upon the cowering deer. 
It is quite the fashion nowadays to discover, after much scrutiny of rudely 
arrested meals, that various bird-devils are not really so black as they have been 
painted. This is welcome news to those of us who have become so thoroughly 
identified with the bird-world as to desire easy shrift for its sins; but one won- 
ders in the case of the Butcher-bird at least, whether the laity will receive it. 
It is high doctrine for one who has really seen the cruel beak dyed red with 
