THE SHRIKE. 10& 



of anxiety, over their suffering companion. Encoura- 

 ged by these marks of their kindness, and perhaps ad- 

 vised by a language known only to each other, the 

 wounded bird sprang into the air, and with one strong 

 effort reached the point of a rock at the edge of the 

 water. On this, the expressions of joy were loud and 

 animated from the whole company. But this cry was 

 soon changed into notes of lamentation, for the poor 

 bird, in attempting to fly towards the nest, fell into the 

 river again, and there was drowned, amidst the moan- 

 ings of the assembled community. 



The Rooks, probably by sad experience, know very 

 well how to distinguish when they are in danger, from 

 the approach of a man, and when he can do them no 

 injury. Hence a person may go very near a rookery 

 empty handed ; but if he carries a gun, the whole 

 community instantly take the alarm, and with loud 

 screams warn each other of the danger ; the whole 

 flock, at the same time, taking wing before he comes 

 near them. 



THE SHRIKE. 



The Shrikes are a tribe of birds which live both on 

 animal and vegetable food. They have hooked bills, 

 much resembling those of the hawk, and claws with 

 which they are enabled to seize and hold small birds, 

 and other little animals. Considering their small size 

 they are a courageous and daring tribe, and most of 



them have an air of smartness and activity in their 

 10* 



