AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 43 



which they lack, the Shrikes make use of broken off twigs, thorns or any 

 projection that will assist them in holding the bird they are about to 

 "butcher." I once watched one for some time, while he was making a 

 meal from a sparrow that he had recently captured. He was evidently 

 one of the smart members of the family, and had appropriated for his 

 own use, one of man's important inventions. He was perched on the 

 top of a fence post and had tried to catch the sparrow on the barbs of a 

 barb-wire fence. The spikes were not long enough to serve his pur- 

 pose very effectually, and the bird continually fell off, sometimes on one 

 side of the fence and again on the other. Each time he would hop to 

 the ground and carry it back, until finally after much maneuvering, noth- 

 ing remained but a few scattering feathers. 



Although there is much left to be desired in their manner of living, 

 especially during the winter, they are not nearly as black as frequently 

 painted and the tales often seen in print to the effect that the Shrike 

 slaughters numerous birds and leaves their remains impaled upon thorn 

 bushes, merely for sport, may be read doubtfully. 



It is a strange fact that few of the birds that subsist to any extent 

 upon flesh, are gifted with the power of singing. The Northern Shrike 

 is an exception and many a so-called song bird cannot successfully com- 

 pete with him in vocal ability. His song is very varied and he has the 

 power of imitating many of the common birds, a power that he uses to 

 good advantage in luring his victims to within his reach. He has a re- 

 markably clear whistle and if placed under the instruction of a skillful 

 teacher would make a wonderful musician. In the uneducated state 

 that he must remain, his song is frequently broken by creakings, croak- 

 ings, cat-calls, and squawks as though he was unable to control his wild 

 nature in the ecstacy of song. 



Whatever may be said against the Shrike, it will be admitted by all 

 who know him, that no more courageous or audacious bird is to be found 

 in the whole country, than he. Many instances have been recorded, in 

 which they have entered houses, through -an open window, and attempt- 

 ed to attack a canary whose cage hung in sight. A number of times 

 I have had Shrikes brought to me that were captured alive. They had 

 pounced upon some English sparrow in the street and rather than relin- 

 quish their prize, have suffered themselves to be picked up, together 

 with their quarry. Even after being captured they will continue to fin- 

 ish their meal if permitted to do so, paying no apparent regard to their 

 captors. 



Often times they secure their prey by darting from a lookout after the 

 passing bird in the manner of the small hawks. More frequently they 

 will conceal themselves in some convenient shrubbery, even in the vines 

 that cover some of the city houses, and by imitating the cry of a bird in 

 distress, cause other birds to come to the rescue and thus become the 

 victims. I think we will all admire this bold fearless individual, and 

 doubtless if we knew him in his summer quarters, we would be ready to 

 condone with him for his winter depredations. 



