114 PASSERES. LANIAD^E. 



a large nest in the fork of a cedar or apple tree ; 

 composed of stalks of grass, coarse without, and 

 fine within. Here it lays three or four eggs, 

 of a bluish white, marked with dots of black 

 and purple. 



FAMILY V. LANIAD.E. 



(Shrikes.) 



Among the most interesting phenomena of 

 Zoology are those very numerous cases, in which 

 some strongly marked peculiarities of structure 

 or habit in one group are reproduced in another, 

 widely removed from it in the totality of its 

 organization. An instance of this analogy is now 

 before us. The Shrikes are undoubtedly Pas- 

 serine birds in their whole structure, yet no one 

 can look upon the beak of one of these birds 

 without being strongly reminded of that of the 

 Falconidce, in its strength, its arched form, its 

 strongly hooked point, and in the distinct tooth 

 which precedes the usual notch of the Dentiros- 

 tral type. And this structure of the beak is 

 accompanied by a carnivorous appetite, a rapa- 

 cious cruelty, and a courage that are truly Ac- 

 cipitrine, and have induced their association with 

 the birds of prey, both by unscientific and 

 scientific observers. The Shrikes not only de- 

 vour the larger and more powerful insects, but 

 also pursue, attack, and overcome small birds and 

 quadrupeds, seize them in their beak or claws, 

 and bearing them to some station near, tear them 

 to pieces with their toothed and crooked beak. 

 Mr. Martin mentions having seen a species from 



