ORDER II. PIC.E. PIES. 



GENUS 4. LANIUS. SHRIKE. 



SPECIES 1. LANIUS EXCUBITOR?* 



GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE, OR BUTCHER-BIRD. 



[Plate V. Fig. 1.] 



La Pie-grieche grise, BUFF, i, 296. PI. enl. 445. White Whisky- 

 John, Phil. Trans, v. LXII, p. 386. Jlrct. Zool. v. 11, JVb. 127. 

 PEALE'S Museum, No. 664. 



THE form and countenance of this bird bespeak him full of 

 courage and energy; and his true character does not belie his 

 appearance, for he possesses these qualities in a very eminent 

 degree. He is represented in the plate rather less than his true 

 size; but in just proportion; and with a fidelity that will enable 

 the European naturalist to determine, whether this be really 

 the same with the great Cinereous Shrike, (Lanius excubi- 

 for, Linn. ) of the eastern continent or not; though the progres- 

 sive variableness of the plumage, passing, according to age, and 

 sometimes to climate, from ferruginous to pale ash, and even 

 to a bluish white, renders it impossible that this should be an 

 exact representation of every individual. 



This species is by no means numerous in the lower parts of 

 Pennsylvania; though most so during the months of November, 

 December and March. Soon after this it retires to the north, 

 and to the higher inland parts of the country to breed. It fre- 

 quents the deepest forests; builds a large and compact nest in 

 the upright fork of a small tree; composed outwardly of dry 

 grass, and whitish moss, and warmly lined within with feath- 



* Lanius septentrionalis, GMEL. 

 VOL. I. X X 



