PERCHING BIRDS. 99 



birds of prey. The shrikes have been called the 

 falcons of the insect world ; pursuing and destroy- 

 ing as they do myriads of their tribes ; and also 

 butcher birds, because of the singular habit some 

 of them have of impaling the objects they have 

 caught. Their usual food is insects ; but they 

 also devour small birds, mice, frogs, etc. ; and 

 they make use of the bill in killing their prey, 

 which they transfix on a thorn or pointed stick. 

 One of the reasons for this very singular propen- 

 sity seems to be the greater convenience it gives 

 in tearing the flesh to pieces ; for, if confined in a 

 cage, they generally fasten their food to the wires 

 before commencing the repast. It is supposed 

 also, that as the quantity they destroy, especially 

 of insects, far surpasses their need ; they may be 

 placed on the thorns as baits, to allure smaller birds. 



The shrike has considerable power of voice, and 

 is capable of such variation that it can imitate the 

 notes of some of the little birds ; which power it 

 is said to use as a decoy. It is no wonder that 

 the shrike should be an object of fear to his 

 feebler neighbours, which manifest the utmost 

 antipathy to his presence, mobbing, attacking, 

 and driving him away, seeming perfectly aware of 

 his plundering propensities. 



There are three British species of this "bird : 

 the GREAT SHRIKE is uncommon, arid the WOODCHAT 



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