PASSERES LANIID.E. 167 



229. (622d.) LANIUS LUDOVICIANUS MIGRANS W. Pal- 

 mer. 73 and 73a. 



Migrant Shrike. 



Synonyms: Lanius ludovicianus, L. 1. excubitorides. 

 Loggerhead Shrike, White-rumped Shrike. 



W. Palmer, Auk, XV, 1898, 257. 



Awaiting the action of the A. O. U. committee on nom- 

 enclature upon the proposed subspecies migrans, there seems 

 nothing left one but to accept this tentative name instead of 

 reverting to the former now obsolete names, so far as the 

 shrikes of Ohio are concerned. In the Oberlin College col- 

 lection there are a .few more specimens referable to L. ludo- 

 vicianus excubitorides than to L. ludovicianus, with two or 

 three specimens indeterminate. With such a condition il- 

 lustrated by specimens taken within a few miles of Oberlin, 

 this proposed creation of a new subspecies which shall erad- 

 icate the confusion hitherto so apparent, seems desirable. At 

 any rate it is not wise to return to the old classification. 

 The two names used by Dr. Wheaton will therefore refer 

 to this new subspecies. It is clear from Dr. Wheaton's re- 

 marks that his mind was not at rest concerning the summer 

 shrikes. The apparent shifting westward of the excubito- 

 rides form noted by him, and by Prof. Ridgway in Illinois, 

 was not satisfactorily accounted for. 



The food of this shrike differs from that of the Northern 

 only in the larger percentage of insects eaten and the small- 

 er percentage of birds. While feeding its young many 

 snakes are killed, and many of the spiny caterpillars. Grass- 

 hoppers are eaten in quantities. It is clear, from the care- 

 ful study of the food of this bird, and from the examination 

 of stomachs, that it is far more beneficial than injurious, 

 and should be protected at all times. 



It appears certain that this form winters as far north as 

 Columbus in small numbers. It is hardly common any- 

 where in the state, except locally. The southeastern coun- 

 ties are too deeply gashed and are so lacking in suitable 

 nesting-places that it is practically absent from that region. 



