SHRIKES : Family Laniidae [ 487 ] 



UNLIKE its aristocratic northern cousin that appears in Oregon as a 

 winter visitor, this smaller and paler species, the Cedar Waxwing, is a 

 permanent resident. True, it is more common in summer, but a number 

 remain throughout the year, so that the sight of them against a snowy 

 background is no novelty. Although it remains permanently with us, it 

 is one of the last birds to nest. Our breeding records show nests with 

 fresh eggs from June i to 2.0, most of them between the i5th and loth, 

 and nests containing unfledged young have been noted as late as July 2,1 

 in Wallowa County by Gabrielson. Jewett examined six nests in Mult- 

 nomah County on June 6, 10, 16, 17 (2. nests), and 2.0, and all contained 

 fresh eggs. These dates cover the extreme range of eggs noted by us. 

 Jewett found one other nest, in Lake County, June 2.0, with comparatively 

 fresh eggs. Braly has taken several sets between June i and 2.0. 



There have been numerous references to the Cedar Waxwing in Oregon 

 literature, Merrill (1888) first finding it at Fort Klamath. Since that 

 time, published literature, field notes of the Biological Survey, and our 

 own notes have listed it from practically every section of the State except 

 the highest parts of the mountains. 



This is the "cherry bird" that occasionally causes loss of ripening 

 cherries. Such loss is always local and usually insignificant, although 

 one would not suspect this to be the case after listening to some of the 

 heart-rending complaints put forth by indignant owners of cherry trees. 

 Sometimes a considerable flock will appear and strip a large percentage 

 of the fruit from a tree, but this does not happen often enough to justify 

 any persecution of these soft-plumaged dandies. 



Shrikes: family Laniidae 



Northwestern Shrike: 



Lanitis borealis invictus Grinnell 



DESCRIPTION. "Adults in summer: Wide streak on side of head, and wings and tail 

 black, wings and tail extensively marked with white; under parts white, barred or 

 undulated with grayish; upper parts pale ash gray becoming whitish on forehead, 

 superciliary, and rump; lores black and grayish, a whitish spot on lower eyelid. Adults 

 in winter: similar, but basal half of lower mandible light brownish horn color, grayish 

 in life, and lores chiefly light grayish or whitish. Young: largely washed with 

 brownish." (Bailey) Si^e: Length (skins) 8.00-10.15, wing 4.30-4.70, tail 4.2.3- 

 4.90, bill .71-. 79. Nest: In bushes or thorny trees, bulky, made of twigs, stems, and 

 grass, lined with feathers, moss, etc. Eggs: 4 to 6, pale bluish green, spotted with 

 brown and purple. 



DISTRIBUTION. General: Breeds from northwestern Alaska and Mackenzie south to 

 northern British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Winters south to northern 



