PIES. 



IN all birds of this order the bill is sharp-edged and convex on ito 

 upper surface. The legs are short, tolerably strong, and, in some species, 

 formed for perching ; (that is, with three toes forward and one backward ;} 

 in other? formed for climbing, with two toes forward and two backward - r 

 and in others for walking, that is, without any back toe. 



O*' THE SHRIKES IN GENERAL. 



IN these birds the bill is strong, straight at the base and hooted or 

 bent towards the end ; and the upper mandible is notched near the tip* 

 The base is not furnished with a cere. The tongue is jagged at the 

 end. The outer toe is connected to the middle one as far as the first 

 joint. 



Although the Shrikes have been arranged by Linnaeus amongst the 

 rapacious birds, yet, with Mr. Pennant and Dr. Latham, I am inclined 

 to place them amongst the Pits. If we retain the Shrike in the former 

 order, on account of its chiefly feeding upon animal food, it would be 

 difficult to dispose properly of the Kingfisher, the Woodpecker, and 

 some other genera which do the same. If we dwell on the curvature 

 of the bill, how will this agree with the Parrots, whose natural food i 

 fruit ? And as to the Shrikes living on other birds, whenever oppor- 

 tunity offers, several of the Crows and other tribes do the like. Their 

 habits resemble, in a great measure, those of the Pies ; as Linnaeus has 

 himself acknowledged : and although he has arranged them among 

 the rapacious birds, he seems to consider them as holding a kind of 

 middle place between the Pies and (on account of their smallness) the 

 Passerine order. They seem, however, to stand, with greater propriety 

 at the head of the Pies ; forming there a connecting link between them 

 and the rapacious birds. 



They are inhabitants of every quarter of the world : and are found 

 in all climates, except within the Arctic Circle. 



THE GREAT OR CINEREOUS SHRIKE. 



The Great Shrike or Butcher-bird, is a native both of Europe and 

 America ; and is, in general, about ten inches in length. Its bill is- 

 black, about an inch long, and hooked at the end. The upper 

 parts of the plumage are of a pale ash-color ; and the wings and tail 

 are black, varied with white. The throat, breast, and belly, are of a 

 dirty white ; and the legs are black. The female differs very little itt 

 appearance from the male 

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