288 



THE SHRIKES. 



These birds, included in the family Laniidae, on account of 

 their curious habits are so often mistaken for the smaller 

 species of hawks. This error frequently leads farmers and 

 sportsmen as well as poultry raisers to slay these beneficial 

 birds when they come about their premises to hunt mice, in- 

 sects, etc. As previously stated, although Shrikes have been 

 known to attack and kill the young of domesticated fowls, the 

 damage they do in this line is very trivial. They kill various 

 kinds of wild birds, but the species which they destroy are 

 chiefly those of the Sparrow family. 



Concerning these birds Dr. Elliott Coues, one of the most 

 able ornithological authorities in America says: "Shrikes are 

 bold and spirited birds, quarrelsome among themselves, and 

 tyrannical toward weaker species; in fact, their nature seemed 

 as rapacious as that of the true birds of prey. They are carni- 

 vorous, feeding on insects and such small birds and quad- 

 rupeds as they can capture and overpower; many instances 

 have been noted of their dashing attacks upon cage-birds, and 

 their reckless pursuit of other sipecies under circumstances that 

 cost them their own lives. But the most 'remarkable fact in 

 the natural history of the Shrikes is their singular and inex- 

 plicable habit of impaling their prey on thorns or sharp twigs, 

 and leaving it sticking there. This has occasioned many in- 

 genious surmises, none of which, however, are satisfactory." 



