LOQGBBOEAD 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



t. \ speeimen now before me, which was taken In Florida from a pine tree forty feet from the ground, Is 

 eomp i-n-il of roots anil dricil irrasses, among which is interwoven cotton that the birds procured from a supply 

 wliicli w.-is taken from a vessel by tin? wreckers an I spread out to dry. It is lined with flue grasses and cotton. 

 Dimensions: external diameter, 6 inches, internal, 4; external depth, 2-75 inches, internal, 1-50. 



EM*, four to six in number, oval in form, grayish-white i n co lor, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and 

 lilac. This marking is often distributed irregularly over the surface, but sometimes the spots are more numerous 

 on the larger end. Dimensions from -80x -70 to 1-OOx 75. 







HABITS. 



There was no bird for which I looked with greater interest than the Loggerhead Shrike. 

 The first specimen which I ever saw was perched on the top of a stake which stood in a vacant 

 lot near Jacksonville but which is now occupied by houses. The bird was busily engaged in 

 taking his dinner of grasshoppers which he captured by diving downwards from his elevated 

 position, and, after seizing them in his strong bill, he returned to his former position to devour 

 them. These and other insects appear to form the only food of this species in Florida; at least 

 such is the result of 1113' observations, after having seen many specimens while living, and after 

 disserting two or three scores that had been shot. lean therefore say in favor of the Shrikes 

 that I have never si-en them attempt to catch small birds although they were abundant, nor have 

 I found aught else than insectivorous food in their stomachs. Another good proof of their 

 barmlessness to the smaller species maybe seen in the fact that the Warblers, Sparrows, etc., 

 never appear to exhibit any fear of the Shrike, yet we have the best of evidence that in other 

 sections they do, at least occasionally, catch little birds ; this may happen, however, when insects 

 arc scarce, which seldom occurs in Florida. Another peculiarity of these birds in this section 

 is, that they do not have the general habit of impaling insects upon thorn bushes, etc., although 

 they are reported as so doing in other states. Indeed I can recall but one or two instances 

 where I have seen them thus employed ; the abundance of food may also be the cause of this. 



It is a universal habit with the Loggerhead to resort to localities like that in which I found 

 my tirst specimen, especially in the neighborhood of settlements, and one is almost certain to 

 find a pair in the immediate vicinity of any lonely house which is built in the woods if it has a 

 small clearing about it. In the wilder portions where there are no inhabitants they resort to the 

 edges of the open savannas or prairies, but it is difficult to find more than two in the same 

 locality. They are quite unsuspicious when accustomed to the presence of man, but in the 

 wilderness are very shy. The Shrikes breed in April, generally placing their nests in trees at 

 some distance from the ground. The only one which I ever found was in a fork of a branch on 

 a pine tree more than forty feet from the ground. The structure was pointed out to me by some 

 wreckers, who had a house within a few rods of the place, and who kindly assisted me in 

 procuring the eggs, which was not an easy task as the birds had placed their domicile upon a 

 slender limb at some distance from the trunk. I managed, however, to secure it by means of 

 a long cleft stick which I pushed under it, as I clung to the tree, and raising it from its 

 place drew it towards me until within reach. This performance was rendered somewhat 

 perilous by the wind which, as it was blowing almost a gale at the time, nearly threw me from 

 the tree. The birds were very solicitous for the safety of their home, for they flew excitedly 

 about, alighting upon the neighboring trees and uttering their harsh alarm notes. This guttural 

 sound, usually expressive of annoyance, is occasionally given during winter in place of the song, 

 which is quite fine although not equal to that of the Northern Shrike. While giving this melody, 

 the bird is perched in an elevated situation, resembling Hie Mocking Bird in this respect. The 

 general coloration and manner of flight of the Loggerhead are also like that of the latter named 

 species, but one who is at all familiar with the haljits of these tvyo birds would readily detect 



