CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 2. PASSERES. 



115 



THE CRESTED PARDALOTTE. (See page 117). 



THE FALCOKELLE {F. frontatus.) 



Shrike, L. Bacbackiri, an African species, resembling the thrush in appearance ; and the Fiscal 

 Shrike, Z. collarip^ also found in Africa, and resembling the gray shrike in appearance. In pre- 

 daceous habits the last surpasses all the other species. 



The Northern Shrike or Great American Shrike, L. Septentrionalis, is an American species, 

 nine inches long, and so closely resembling the Eiu'opean gray shrike as to have long been es- 

 teemed identical ; but it is now believed to be distinct. Wilson says : " The form and coun- 

 tenance of this bird bespeak him full of courage and energy ; and his true character does not 

 belie his appearance, for he possesses these qualities in a very eminent degree. The species is 

 by no means numerous in the Middle States; though most so during the months of November, 

 December, and March. Soon after this, it retires to the north, and to the higher inland parts of 

 the country to breed. It frequents the deepest forests ; builds a large and compact nest in the 

 upright fork of a small tree, composed outwardly of dry grass, and whitish moss, and warmly 

 lined within with feathers. The female lays six eggs, of a pale cinereous color, thickly marked 

 at the greater end with spots and streaks of rufous: she sits fifteen days; the young are pro- 

 duced early in June, sometimes toward the latter end of May, and during the greater part of the 

 first season are of a brown ferruginous color on the back." The habits of this species in respect 

 to their food, and the impaling of insects, mice, and birds on thorns, are the same as those of the 

 European Gray Shrike. 



The Loggerhead Shrike, L. Lndovicianus, is somewhat smaller and darker colored than the 

 preceding, and is confined to the Southern States. It is protected on the rice plantations, because 

 of the great number of mice it destroys. 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 creaking of a sign- 

 board in windy weather. It builds its nest generally in a detached bush, much like that of the 

 mocking-bird. Two other species are mentioned as belonging to the high northern regions of 

 our continent : the L. excubitoridcs, and L. elegans. Most of the shrikes appear to have consider- 

 able powers in imitating the calls of other birds. 



Several closely allied species of shrikes are found in the East Indies and South America. 

 There are also several genera of Thamnophilhice or Bush-Shrikes. The typical species is the T. 

 Vifforsii, found in South America, and called Batara by Azara. It is the largest of the shrikes, 



