96 WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 



has from this fact gained for itself the very general and pop- 

 ular sobriquet of " rock robin" throughout the South, "West 

 and North. 



Wilson also remarks of the extent of the peregrinations of 

 this species that, "In the Arctic Zoology, we are told that 

 this species is frequent in Eussia, but does not extend to 

 Siberia ; yet one was taken within Bhering's Straits, on the 

 Asiatic side, in lat. 66 ; and the species probably extends 

 over the whole continent of North America, from the West- 

 ern Ocean. Mr. Bell, while on his travels through Kussia, 

 had one of these birds given him, which he kept in a room, 

 having fixed up a sharpened stick for him in the wall ; and 

 on turning small birds loose into the room, the butcher bird 

 instantly caught them by the throat in such a manner as soon 

 to suffocate them, and then stuck them on the stick, pulling 

 them on with bill and claws ; and so served as many as were 

 turned loose, one after another, on the same stick." 



In relation to the habits of the two species I would beg to 

 differ from the absolute adjurations on the part of both Au- 

 dubon and Wilson upon this subject, as I have seen both 

 varieties in Kentucky and on the Mississippi, far above the 

 mouth of the Ohio, though we will give in conclusion what 

 Wilson says in reference to the loggerhead 



" This species has a considerable resemblance to the great 

 American shrike. It differs, however, . from that bird, in 

 size, being a full inch shorter ; and in color, being much 

 darker on the upper parts ; and in having the frontlet black. 

 It also inhabits the warmer parts of the United States ; while 

 the great American shrike is chiefly confined to the northern 

 regions, and seldom extends to the South of Virginia. 



" This species inhabits the rice plantations of Carolina and 

 Georgia, where it is protected for its usefulness in destroying 

 mice. It sits, for hours together, on the fence, beside the 

 stacks of rice, watching like a cat ; and as soon as it perceives 

 a mouse, darts on it like a hawk. It also feeds on crickets 

 and grasshoppers. Its note, in March, resembles the clear 



