Dusky, Gray, and Slate-colored 



distinction between the only two representatives of the shrike 

 family that frequent our neighborhood — and they are two too 

 many — is in the smaller size of the loggerhead and its lighter-gray 

 plumage. But as both these birds select some high, commanding 

 position, like a distended branch near the tree-top, a cupola, 

 house-peak, lightning-rod, telegraph wire, or weather-vane, the 

 better to detect a passing dinner, it would be quite impossible at 

 such a distance to know which shrike was sitting up there 

 silently plotting villainies, without remembering the season when 

 each may be expected. 



Northern Shrike 



(Lanius borealis) Shrike family 



Called also: BUTCHER-BIRD; NINE-KILLER 



Length — q. sj to 10.5 inches. About the size of the robin. 



Male — Upper pc.rts slate-gray; wing quills and tail black, edged 

 and tipped with white, conspicuous in flight; a white spot 

 on centre of outer wing feathers. A black band runs from 

 bill, through eye to side of throat. Light gray below, tinged 

 with brownish, and faintly marked with waving lines of 

 darker gray. Bill hooked and hawk-like. 



Female — With eye-band more obscure than male's, and with 

 more distinct brownish cast on her plumage. 



y?rt«^r— Northern North America. South in winter to middle 

 portion of United States. 



Migrations — November. April. A roving winter resident. 



" Matching the bravest of the brave among birds of prey in 

 deeds of daring, and no less relentless than reckless, the shrike 

 compels that sort of deference, not unmixed with indignation, we 

 are accustomed to accord to creatures of seeming insignificance 

 whose exploits demand much strength, great spirit, and insatiate 

 love for carnage. We cannot be indifferent to the marauder who 

 takes his own wherever he finds it — a feudal baron who holds 

 his own with undisputed sway — and an ogre whose victims are 

 so many more than he can eat, that he actually keeps a private 

 graveyard for the balance." Who is honestly able to give the 

 shrikes a better character than Dr. Coues, just quoted? A few 

 offer them questionable defence by recording the large numbers 



87 



