40 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



led creatures, and had the satisfaction of seeing them alight in the tops 

 of the pines. After a few minutes they commence to move about, and 

 soon a snapping sound, accompanied by a shower of pieces and even 

 whole cones, announces that they are busily engaged. While feeding 

 they do not utter the loud peculiar notes which mark their flight, but 

 often a strange humming or chattering sound comes from the tops of 

 the trees, as though they were holding a conversation among themselves 

 in a low tone. Standing on, or hanging from one of the cones they in- 

 sert their crossed mandibles and with a single twist of the head force 

 the cone apait. It makes little difference to them as regards their pos- 

 ition when eating their meals. As often as not they will be seen head 

 down, hanging from the branches. Their movements are slow and de- 

 liberate and they use their bills in conjunction with their feet for hang- 

 ing to the branches as they clamber about. Gradually, as I have watch- 

 ed, they have been working their way towards the ground, and soon one 

 flies down beside the pool. Others follow and soon the carpet of brown 

 pine needles presents a handsome appearance, being dotted here and 

 there with the reddish colored forms of the males and the yellow ones 

 of the females, the wing bars of the white-winged varieties showing, in 

 marked contrast, against the dark surroundings. At such times I have 

 quietly approached them and their little fear of man is shown by the fact 

 that often I have had my hand within a few inches of them before they 

 hopped a few feet farther away. As long as a person's movements are 

 quiet and deliberate, they exhibit no concern, but let a single quick 

 motion be made and the whole flock will take wing instantly. 



NORTHERN SHRIKE 



A. O. U. No. 631. (Lanlus borealis.) 



RANGE. 



Northern North America, breeding north of the United States. In 

 winter it migrates south to the middle portions of the United States, 

 from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length, 9.5 in.; extent, about 14 in.; tail, 5.5 in. Eye, dark brown. 

 Bill and feet, blue black. Upper parts a bluish gray, lightening in the 

 crown, rump and sides of the back. Below light gray, the breast and 

 belly being crossed with wavy, darker gray lines. Wings and tail, black, 

 the former with a large white spot near the base of the primaries, and 

 tips of most of the secondaries white, the latter with outer web of outer 

 feather and tips of the remaining outer ones, white. A broad black bar 

 extends from bill along the side of the head. A small white crescent on 

 the under eyelid. Young birds of the year lack the wavy lines on the 

 tinder parts; the upper parts are a uniform gray, and the wings and tail 

 are of a brownish color. 



