326 



SHRIKES. 



W., 3-82 ; T., 3-87 ; B. from N., -48 ; depth of B. at N., -35 (overage of nine 

 Florida Bpecinicnw). 



Ji->Njrkii.~i^l<w\mcnH from the Mississippi Valley, western I'eniiHvlvanio, 

 New York, ami nortlierii New Kii}.'1hiic) aviTajre li^'liter in eoloraml have, as 

 a n.ic, smaller bills than speeiineiis from the south Atlantie Stales. They 

 are tlius intermetliate between luiUivicininiH and (.rcuhitnridm, but the differ- 

 ences between them are too slight and iiieonstant to warrant me in including 

 exciihUoridts on the basis of sj)ecimens which are quite as near ludovicianus 

 08 they are to typical examples of the western form. 



Range. — Eastern North America west to the edge of the plains; breeds, 

 cast of the Allcghanies, as far north as Virginia; west of the Alleghanies 

 breeds northward to the (Ireat Lakes and eastward through central New 

 York to Vermont and Maine. 



Washington, rare W. V., Aug. 11 to Apl. 6. Sing Sing, A. V. Cam- 

 bridge, rare in fall and w inter. 



^I'est^ of strips of bark, small twigB, and vegetable fibers, lined with 

 grasses, in thorny licdges or low trees, about seven feet up. -A'j/f/*, three to 

 five, dull white or creamy white, thickly marked with cinnamon-brown and 

 lavender, •'J8 x -78. 



Like some of the Hawks and Flycatchers, the Loggerhead docs 

 not search for his prey, but waits for it to come within striking dis- 

 tance. It is of importance, tlierefore, that his perch should command 

 an uninterrupted view of his surroundings. For this reason one 

 rarely or never sees a Slirike in a tree, but always on its outermost or 

 highest branches. He will fly directly toward its center, but just as 

 he reaches it swing up and liglit on its top. He also selects telegraph 

 wires, peaks of houses, and especially tlie apex of a lightning rod or 

 weather vane. 



From his point of vantage he nuiintains a constant outlook for any 

 unsuspecting grasshopper, snuvll snake, or lizard wliich may appear 

 below. The distance at which he can detect these gives evidence of 

 his power of sight. 1 have seen Shrikes fly fifty jards with the evi- 

 dent object of cai)turing a grasshopper which they undoubtedly saw 

 before starting. 



Like the liutchor-bird, the Loggerhead frequently impales its [trey 

 on a c(mvenient thorn or spike. Doubtless this habit aids him in dis- 

 secting his food, but 1 do not think that he does it for this reason alone. 

 The bird's vigilance, like that of the waiting Hawk, is probably at- 

 tended by varying results. One hour may yield excellent returns, the 

 next may be fruitless. But under any circumstances he can not resist 

 taking advantage of an ofiportunity to secure food. Sometimes the 

 opportunities exceed the demands of his stomach, and then, after cap- 

 turing his unfortunate victim, he simply impales and leaves it. 



\t perseverance deserved success, the Loggerhead would take high 

 rank as u songster. But his notes are harsh and unmusical. They 



