THE TYRANT STRIKE. 83 



Affection toward the young. 



the outside, is composed of moss, interwoven 

 with long grass; within, it is well lined with 

 wool, moss, and downy herbs, and is usually fixed 

 among the forking branches of a tree. The 

 young are fed for a short time with caterpillars 

 and other insects; but are soon accustomed to 

 flesh, which the male procures with surprising 

 industry. Their nature is also very different 

 from other rapacious birds in their parental care: 

 for, instead of driving out their young from the 

 nest to shift for themselves, they keep them with 

 care ; and even when adult they do not forsake 

 them, but the whole brood live in one family 

 together. Each family lives apart, and is gene- 

 rally composed of the male, female, and five or 

 six young ones: these all maintain peace and 

 subordination among each other, and hunt in 

 concert. Upon the returning season of courtship 

 this union is at an end, the family parts for ever, 

 each to establish a little household of its own. 

 These birds may be easily distinguished at a dis* 

 tance, not only from their going in companies, 

 but also from their manner of flying, which is 

 generally up and down, seldom direct or side- 

 ways. 



THE TYRANT SHRIKE. 



THE tyrant shrike is about the size of a 

 tbrush. The bill is of a blackish brown, and 

 1,2 



