288 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 



rnestic," in its habit of frequenting the haunts of man, as the 

 yellow warbler. The former ranges from New York north- 

 westward across the continent, the latter only as far as the 

 Rocky Mountains. 



THE SHRIKE FAMILY 

 Lanidae 



The Great Northern Shrike, or Butcher Bird, 1 is a 

 bird of very striking personality. In appearance he is a 

 high-headed, well-dressed dandy. In disposition he is to- 

 day a fierce little bird of prey, feeding solely upon flesh food; 

 but to-morrow he will change into a modest insect-eater. 

 It seems very odd to find a bird of prey among the Perching 

 Birds. 



The Butcher Bird is a bird of the North, breeding from 

 Labrador to Alaska and visiting the United States only in 

 winter, when it is almost impossible to obtain food at home. 

 The species which we find in the United States in summer is 

 the Loggerhead Shrike, 2 which closely resembles its northern 

 relative, both in form and habits. 



In the fields you can easily recognize a Shrike by his 

 bluish-gray back and large head. His strong, hooked beak 

 has a notch, or tooth, near the end of the upper mandible. 

 He is deliberate and dignified in his movements, and, like the 

 true sportsman that he is, he is happiest when hunting. He 

 catches and feeds upon small frogs, mice, small snakes and 

 even birds (so it is said), and has the odd trick of hanging up, 

 impaled upon a thorn, dead game which he cannot eat as 



1 La'ni-us bo-re-al'is. Length, about 10 inches. 2 L. lu'do-vi'ci-an'us. 



