

INSESSORES. 325 



themselves and their nests from their more powerful enemies ; 

 and the parents evince great attachment to each other as well 

 as to their young. This family comprises a large number of 

 species, distributed through all quarters of the globe. Some of 

 them have a remarkably melodious song. 



The GREAT GRAY SHRIKE, L. excubitor, (Lat. a sentinel,) re- 

 ceives its specific name from its habit of watching for birds of 

 prey, and chattering loudly as soon as it perceives them. Bird- 

 catchers sometimes avail themselves of this peculiarity in taking-; 

 hawks. A pigeon is fastened to a net by way of bait. A string 

 is attached and brought within the turf hut where the bird-catcher 

 sits. Close to the hut a shrike is tied to the ground, and two 

 pieces of turf are set up as a shelter for the bird from the 

 weather, and as a refuge from the hawk. As soon as the hawk 

 appears in the distance, the shrike becomes agitated ; as it draws 

 nearer, he begins to scream with fright; and just as the hawk 

 pounces on the pigeon, he runs under his turf, which is the sig- 

 nal to the bird-catcher to pull the string, thereby enclosing the 

 hawk within the folds of the net. The nest of this bird is built 

 on trees, and contains about six grayish-white eggs, ash-colored 

 on the larger end. The length of the Great Gray Shrike is from 

 nine to ten inches. 



The GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE, L. borealis, (Lat. northern,) 

 is larger in size, but in other respects, does not differ much from 

 the preceding European Shrike. 



The RED- BACKED SHRIKE, L. coUurio, (Gr. kollurion) has 

 derived its English name from having the back, scapulars, 

 and wing-coverts of a rusty red color. (See Chart.) 



What is the 2d DIVISION of the PERCHERS? Why are they so called? 

 In what birds is the notch most remarkable? What are their habits? How 

 does their beak differ from the Falcons' ? What is said of the TOOTH-BILLED 

 BIRDS? Do they include all the musical birds? What is the exception? 

 Into how many FAMILIES are these birds divided? What is the 1st FAMILY? 

 What is said of their numbers? How many American sp. does Audubon 

 enumerate? What is said of the habits and size of these birds? What 

 office do they perform? What is said of their migrations? Into how many 

 GROUPS may they be arranged? Which are the TRUE WARBLERS? What 

 sp. are particularly mentioned? Which is the smallest of European birds? 

 What birds are included in the 2d GROUP ? What in the 3d GROUP? What 

 celebrated bird is found in this group? How does it differ from the A. 

 Robin? What is the 4th GROUP? What A. sp. is mentioned? What is 

 the 5th GROUP? What is a familiar example? Why is the Penduline Tit 

 OP Bottle Tit so called ? 



Name the 2d FAMILY. What is said of their numbers, favorite haunts 

 and average size ? What of their beak, food and plumage ? For what are 



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