February Feathers 



[FIRST WEEK 



ing sparrow hawks to nest under our eaves and thus 

 be on equal terms with their sparrow prey. The starlings 

 are turning out to be worse than the sparrows. Already 

 they are invading the haunts of our grackles and red- 

 wings. 



On some cold day, when the sun is shining, visit all 



the orchards of which you 

 know, and see if in one or 

 more you cannot find a 

 good-sized, gray, black, and 

 white bird, which keeps to 

 the topmost branch of a 

 certain tree. Look at him 

 carefully through your 

 glasses, and if his beak is 

 hooked, like that of a hawk, 

 you may know that you are 

 watching a northern shrike, 

 or butcher bird. His man- 

 ner is that of a hawk, and 

 his appearance causes in- 

 stant panic among small 

 birds. If you watch long 

 enough you may see him 

 pursue and kill a goldfinch, 

 ENGLISH STARLING or sparrow, and devour it. 



These birds are not even 



distantly related to the hawks, but have added a hawk's 

 characteristics and appetite to the insect diet of their 

 nearest relations. If ever shrikes will learn to confine their 



