NORTHERN SHRIKE. 



621. Lanius borealis. 10 inches. 



This shrike is larger than any of the species found 

 in summer in the United States and has the breast 

 quite distinctly barred. 



Shrikes are cruel, rapacious and carnivorous birds, 

 feeding upon insects, grasshoppers, lizards and small 

 birds. As they have passerine feet, the same as all 

 our small birds, they are unable to hold their prey be- 

 tween the feet while tearing it to pieces, so they im- 

 pale it upon thorns or the barbs of a wire fence, so 

 they may tear it to shreds with their hooked bill. 



Song. Loud snatches consisting of various whistles 

 and imitations suggesting that of a Catbird. 



Nest. They breed chiefly north of the U. S., placing 

 their rude, bulky structures of twigs and weeds in 

 thorny trees or hedges ; their four to six eggs are gray- 

 ish white with spots of light brown and darker gray 

 (1.08 x .80). 



Range. X. A., breeding chiefly in the northern parts 

 of Canada : winters south to Pennsylvania, Kansas and 

 California. 



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