196 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



These seem indispensable to its presence for the reason that the 

 slender, sharp-pointed thorns are required for impaling its prey, and 

 the matted impenetrable covert for the concealment or protection of 

 its nests. 



Notwithstanding the fact that this species occasionally kills and 

 devours small birds, it is of great benefit to the farmer from the 

 fact that it destroys large numbers of grasshoppers and field mice. 

 The habit of impaling its victims on thorns is one common to the 

 whole family of Shrikes, and also one that has not been satisfac- 

 torily explained; for it seems that objects so impaled are seldom 

 touched by the bird afterward. It has been suggested that the 

 bird improves every opportunity to procure food, and when not 

 needing it impales it to provide for an emergency; and that when 

 fresh food is readily obtainable it is preferred. This may be the 

 true explanation, but we think a more plausible one may be found. 



In the protection of its young, no bird displays greater courage 

 or more affectionate solicitude for its offspring. I have repeatedly, 

 when I had climbed to a nest containing young, had the parent 

 birds alight within my reach and retreat only when I had attempted 

 to grasp them ; all the while they were greatly excited with anger, 

 and were the opportunity given to do so without being seen would 

 actually bite my hand. During such occasions they keep up a 

 peculiar crackling sound, mingled with a sonorous qua a-a, qua a-a. 



The notes of this species are exceedingly varied; so much so, in 

 fact, that it is confounded by many people with the Mockingbird, 

 although this is perhaps as much on account of the general simi- 

 larity of their plumage as from any other reason. Some of the 

 notes are soft and musical, but most of them are harsh, that most 

 frequently heard resembling the creaking of an ungreased wheel- 

 barrow or rusty gate-hinge. It is supposed that it imitates the notes 

 of the smaller birds in order to entice them within its reach. 



When taken from the nest and reared in captivity, the Logger- 

 head Shrike makes a most affectionate and interesting pet. It be- 

 comes so perfectly tame as not to require the restraint of a cage, 

 but will follow its keeper about the fields, and seeks his companion- 

 ship with all the intelligent devotion of a dog. 



While watching for its prey, the Shrike occupies a prominent 

 perch, as the summit of a small tree in the midst of a field or 

 common, sitting "bolt upright," and scanning carefully the surround- 

 ings in every direction. Its flight is very peculiar; on leaving the 



