THE EUTCHEE BIRD. 63 



they catch Yellow-hammers, Siskins, mice, moles, & \ In 

 pouncing on their prey, the Shrikes make a peculiar swoop, in 

 order to seize it by the side ; yet, as they cannot use their 

 claws, like other birds of prey, they are often obliged to content 

 themselves with a beakful of feathers. 



If an old bird be caught, it may at first be fed with small 

 birds, mice, beetles, and crickets, given to it alive. It must, 

 however, be left alone, otherwise it will touch nothing. When 

 it has once eaten, it will then take fresh meat, and become 

 accustomed to the universal paste, especially that made of 

 wheat meal. For their size, these Shrikes eat a great deal at 

 least, an ounce of meat at a meal. They are fond of having a 

 forked bough, or crossed stick, fixed in the cage. They also 

 bathe freely. 



Breeding. The nest, made of heath, grass-stalks, wool, and 

 hair, woven together, is found upon trees. The female lays five 

 to seven greenish eggs, often having olive green, or a few 

 violet grey spots at the thick end. The young ones, if taken, 

 may be fed with raw flesh (always the best way to tame 

 Shrikes), and some learn to feed from the hand. 



Mode of Taking. The Butcher-bird is caught in traps, 

 baited with small birds ; or by means of limed twigs, under 

 which is placed a nestful of young birds, which, when hungry, 

 attract him by their cry. In autumn and winter, he will fly 

 at cages hanging outside a window. He may by this means 

 be deceived : by putting the cage into a sort of box, with a 

 treddle, the slightest contact with which closes the lid over 

 him. These preparations are especially necessary for those 

 who would have birds to fly in and out at will. 



Attractive Qualities. The call of the Shrike is like the 

 Gihr ! gihr ! of a Lark. Like the Nutcracker, he imitates many 

 single notes, but does not succeed in the song of other birds. 

 His own flute-like tone is very beautiful, resembling the 

 whistling of the Grey Parrot. In producing it his throat is 

 distended like that of the tree frog. It is to be regretted that 

 he sings only in pairing-time, from March to May, and that 

 the song is interrupted by harsh and croaking passages. Both 

 sexes sing. The bird might possibly be taught to speak, as it 

 sometimes utters notes which bear a close resemblance to the 

 human voice. 



The bird-catcher who wishes to catch Falcons, should have 



