SHRIKES 423 



of mice, noxious insects, and the equally noxious English Sparrow, so 

 that the Shrike is a bird worthy of all protection. 



ERNEST THOMPSON SETON. 



622. Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus Linn. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 

 (Fig. 68.) Ads. Upperparts gray, wings and tail black, primaries white at 

 the base, secondaries tipped with white; outer, sometimes all, the tail- 

 feathers tipped with white; the outer feather mostly white; lores black, 

 connected by a narrow black line on the forehead at the base of the bill; 

 ear-coverts black; underparts white, sometimes tinged with gray. L., 9'00; 

 W., 3-82; T., 3'87; B. from N., '48; depth of B. at N., '35 (average of nine 

 Florida specimens). 



Range. Austroriparian fauna from s. N. C. to s. Fla., and w. to La. 



Nest : of strips of bark, small twigs, and vegetable fibers, lined with 

 grasses, in thorny hedges or low trees, about 7 feet up. Eggs, 3-5, dull white 

 or creamy white, thickly marked with cinnamon-brown and lavender, 

 '98 x *78. Date, Archer, Fla., Mch. 10. 



Like some of the Hawks and Flycatchers, the Loggerhead does 

 not search for his prey, but waits for it to come within striking dis- 

 tance. It is of importance, therefore, that his perch should command 

 an uninterrupted view of his surroundings. For this reason one rarely 

 or never sees a Shrike in a tree, but always on its outermost or highest 

 branches. He will fly directly toward its center, but just as he reaches 

 it swing up and light on its top. He also selects telegraph wires, peaks 

 of houses, and especially the apex of a lightning-rod or weather-vane. 



From his point of vantage he maintains a constant outlook for any 

 unsuspecting grasshopper, small snake, or lizard which may appear 

 below. The distance at which he can detect these gives evidence of 

 his power of sight. I have seen Shrikes fly fifty yards with the evi- 

 dent object of capturing a grasshopper which they undoubtedly saw 

 before starting. 



Like the Butcher-bird, the Loggerhead frequently impales its prey 

 on a convenient thorn or spike. Doubtless this habit aids him in dis- 

 secting his food, but I do not think that he does it for this reason alone. 

 The bird's vigilance, like that of the waiting Hawk, is probably attended 

 by varying results. One hour may yield excellent returns, the next 

 may be fruitless. But under any circumstances he cannot resist taking 

 advantage of an opportunity to secure food. Sometimes the opportun- 

 ities exceed the demands of his stomach, and then, after capturing his 

 unfortunate victim, he simply impales and leaves it. 



If perservance deserved success, the Loggerhead would take high 

 rank as a songster. But his notes are harsh and unmusical. They con- 

 sist of a series of guttural gurgles, squeaky whistles, and shrill pipes, 

 some of which might be attributed to the creaking weather-vanes he 

 so often chooses as a perch. 



622e. L. 1. migrans Palmer. MIGRANT SHRIKE. Similar to L. I. 

 ludovicianus but paler above and scrnewhat grayer below; the bill smaller, 

 the wing longer, 3 '90. 



Range. E. N. Am. Breeds chiefly in Transition and Upper Austral 

 sones from n. Minn., Wise., Mich., s. Ont. ? s. Que. ? Maine, and N, 13. s, tQ 



