white outer tail-feathers show plainly as seen 

 against the usual background. 



621. Northern Shrike — Lanius borealis. 



Robin-size. Length 10^5 inches. 



Upperparts gray; wings and tail black; wings 

 trimmed with white; tail tipped with white, the 

 white broadest on outer feathers; a black patch on 

 side of head; underparts white, finely barred with 

 black. 



A winter visitant. This is a gray and black bird, 

 wings and long tail marked with white. The wings 

 appear small and rounded, as they are, in flight. 

 While with us its food consists of mice and smaller 

 birds; these i^ impales on the thorns of trees, a 

 habit which has given it the name of Butcher-bird 

 in common with the following species which it re- 

 sembles in general appearance. 



60 



