THE SHRIKE, OR BUTCHER-BIRD. 145 



mocker has when he seizes a lizard. In the case 

 of the mocker, he evidently wants nothing but the 

 tail, as he could n't possibly tear to pieces or 

 swallow a whole lizard. But the butcher wants 

 the whole lizard, and takes pains to catch it by 

 the back of the head, as you see must be the case 

 when you find it stuck on a thorn. 



The feet of the butcher are fitted for perching, 

 more than for walking; but he is able to stand on 

 the ground very well while he is getting good 

 hold of a mouse or other animal. You will see 

 him mostly on the top of a tree or perched on a 

 telegraph wire, watching. He has a wonderful 

 eye, arid is so intent on the creature he is looking 

 for in the grass or bush below him, that you may 

 come close to him without the butcher turning 

 his head. Wait and study him a moment! See 

 how quickly he dives into the air and down to the 

 ground, just as the kingfisher dives into the 

 water. 



The nest of the butcher is placed- in a shrub or 

 tree, in March or April. It is a very large, thick 

 nest. Sticks and grass and twine are so well 

 matted together with little weed-leaves, that you 

 might think it partly of mud, like the robin's 

 nest. In southern California we have found nests 

 made wholly of the white wild sage matted thick 



W.S.JR. VOL. 9 ID 



