292 THE MIGRANT SHRIKE. 
the scientific point of view, the attempt to lump Ohio varieties together under 
the proposed name L. /. migrans, | think there can be no doubt whatever of the 
propriety of adopting for common use the term Micrant SHRIKE to cover all 
differences. 
Those whose delight it is to weigh carefully the shades of difference be- 
tween tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee may seek the doubful illumination of the 
preceding fine print, but plain folk who desire to know something of the local 
Butcher-bird will prefer to begin HERE. 
In all but southern localities, where the species is partially resident, the 
Shrike arrives about the middle of March. 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 fence-post, he divides his time between spying 
upon the early-creeping field mice and entertaining his lady love with out- 
landish music. Those who have not heard our resident Shrike sing have 
missed a treat. He begins with a series of rasping sounds, which are probably 
intended to produce the 
same receptive condition on 
his audience which Ole Bull 
secured by awkwardly break- 
ing one string  af- 
ter another on his violin 
until only one was left. 
There the resemblance 
ceases, however, for 
where the virtuoso 
could extract a melody 
of marvelous range and 
sweetness from his sin- 
gle string, the bird pro- 
duces the sole note of 
a struck anvil. This 
pours forth, however, 
in successive three-syl- 
labled phrases like the 
metallic and reiterative 
ee ink of a free-falling 
Taken near Columbus. Bikote -b Boe: clink f a fr eS f ling 
Festi hammer. The chief dif- 
MIGRANT SHRIKE AT NEST. ference which appears 
A CLOSER VIEW OF THE NEST SHOWN IN THE PRECEDING between this love song 
ILLUSTRATION. THE BIRD IS PERCHED UPON THE EDGE OF 
THE NEST BUT IS SCARCELY DISTINGUISHABLE IN THE MAZE. and the ordinary call of 
