NORTHERN SHRIKE. 

 butcher bird. 



Lanius borealis. 



Char. Above, bluish ash, paler on rump ; under parts dull white, with 

 fine wavy lines of brownish gray ; bar on side of head black ; wings and 

 tail black tipped with while ; white patch on wing ; outer tail feathers 

 white. Length g% to lo^ij^ inches. 



JVest. In a tree or low bush ; large and roughly made of sticks and 

 grass, lined with leaves or feathers. 



£g'^^s. 4-6; dull gray with green tint, spotted with lilac and brown ; 

 1-05 X 0.75. 



This little wary Northern hunter is most commonly seen in 

 this part of the continent at the commencement of winter, a 

 few remaining with us throughout that season. They extend 

 their wanderings, according to Audubon, as far as Natchez, 

 and are not uncommon in Kentucky in severe winters. In 

 March they retire to the North, though some take up their 

 summer abode in the thickest forests in Pennsylvania and New 

 England. The nest is said to be large and compact, in the 

 fork of a small tree, and sometimes in an apple-tree, composed 

 externally of dried grass, with whitish moss, and well lined ^vith 

 feathers. The eggs are about 6, of a pale cinereous white, 



